Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA


Welcome Programs Officers Schedule Pictures Junior Branch Volunteer Newsletters
Welcome! Bienvenue • Willkommen • Bienvenido • Benvenuto • Bem-vindo • Välkommen • Velkommen • Welkom • Tervetuloa • Üdvözöljük • Hos geldiniz • Selamat datang • Mabuhay • Xin mung • Karibu •

CISV is an independent, non-profit, volunteer organization promoting peace education and cross-cultural friendship, through multi-cultural camps and international exchange programs for youth ages 11-18.

HOLD THE DATE!

CISV Pittsburgh will hold it's 2nd Annual Beer Tasting Extravaganza ...
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Time: 6:30PM
Location: The Sharp Edge Brasserie
Gallery Drive
McMurray, PA 15317 US
--> Please view The Evite Invitation <--


Who We Are

We are a global community of dedicated volunteers, creating opportunities for all ages to experience the excitement and enrichment of cultural diversity through our educational programs. We are founded on our belief that peace is possible through friendship - and that the real difference can be made by starting with children.

Our values: Friendship • Inclusiveness • Enthusiasm • Engagement • Cooperation

What We Do
CISV provides a range of unique, educational group activities, which develop cross-cultural understanding in children, youth and adults from around the world. By encouraging respect for cultural differences and the development of self-awareness, CISV empowers each participant to incorporate these values into their lives as they become global citizens and strive for a more peaceful world.

Our work focuses on the following key areas:
  1. We provide opportunities for individuals to learn by experience to live amicably with others irrespective of cultural background.
  2. We contribute through research to a science of international relations and non-violent conflict resolution.
  3. We cooperate with other organizations having similar purposes.
  4. We inspire people of all ages to strive for a more just and peaceful world.

Our History
"We must start with the children." ~ Dr. Doris Allen, founder
Following the devastation of World War II, many people were focusing on initiatives to build and maintain peace. One particular idea caught the attention of child psychologist, Dr. Doris Allen. It was a proposal for a UNESCO peace education institute for postgraduates from many disciplines. The idea for Children's International Summer Villages (today known as CISV International) was conceived by Dr. Allen in 1946. As a specialist in growth and development, Dr. Allen, could not agree that the focus for peace education should be in the field of adult learning. She firmly believed that “the ultimate source for peace, long range, lay with the children.”

From this conviction came her vision of bringing together children from all over the globe to learn to respect different and common values. In 1951, she realised her dream when delegates from eight countries gathered in Cincinnati, USA for the first Children’s International Summer Village (CISV). Over the decades, the organization grew in numbers, countries and activities. In 1979, Doris Allen was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize - the recipient that year was Mother Teresa.

Over 50 years after the first Village, this program remains the cornerstone of our international educational activities. CISV's range of programs has increased from one to six different types of international activities and from one village to around 180 international programs a year. Today CISV operates in over 60 countries and since 1951, more than 190,000 people have participated in more than 5000 international activities.

Our Programs
The building blocks of global friendship
At CISV we believe in building global friendship, starting with children. But that's not where it stops. While the Village program, for 11 year olds, is the cornerstone of our educational philosophy, it's just the first building block. We also offer a range of multicultural experiences to youth and adults, providing the opportunity to experience the CISV philosophy and live our values. Find out more about our exciting and diverse activities:

Program Age Group
Village  11
Interchange  12-15
Summer Camp  13-15
Seminar Camp  17-18
Youth Meeting  12-19+
International People's Project  19+
Mosaic  All ages
Junior Branch  11-25

CISV Chapters around the world host a range of programs for different age groups. We try to ensure that quality and general content are similar, no matter where the activity takes place. CISV also endeavors to keep participation fees as low as possible. There are opportunities to learn at the local, regional and international level. Participation begins at local CISV Chapter level, where members have the opportunity to apply for international experiences. We have six unique international programs starting with children from age 11. There are many additional opportunities for involvement for other age groups in these programs – ranging from Junior Counselors to adult Leaders.

Please see the "Programs" tab above for Pittsburgh Chapter program opportunities.

Pittsburgh Chapter Programs for 2010

2010 Programs include 2 Villages, 1 Summer Camp, 1 Interchange, 1 Seminar Camp, and an International Youth Meeting. In addition, opportunities are available for Leaders over the age of 21 and Junior Counselors ages 16-17. Leaders and participants must be the proper age some day between June 1 and August 31 for summer programs, and between November 1 and January 31 for winter programs.


  • Villages                                      Click here for forms

  • The foundation for global friendship
    The Village is a unique four week international camp that was the original CISV programme and is still its flagship. Delegates to this multilingual and multicultural experience participate in a mix of educational, cultural and sporting activities, which emphasise cooperative global and intercultural living.
    Age 11
    Duration 28 Days
    Size of group Delegations from 10 - 12 countries. Each delegation comprises 2 boys and 2 girls with an adult leader (age 21+). The camp is coordinated by an adult staff supported by Junior Counsellors (age 16 - 17).

    • Bastad-Bjare, Sweden (June 27, 2010 - July 29, 2010)
    • Campinas, Brazil (June 26, 2010 - July 23, 2010)

  • Interchange                          Click here for forms

  • Building intercultural competence
    While based on the same educational principles as CISV’s camp based programmes, Interchange encourages a deeper encounter between two cultures by placing young people within families. Group activities such as a mini-camp are vital in complementing the intense in-depth family experience. Interchange takes place in two phases with one delegation visiting another country and then reciprocating by hosting the delegation from the country they visited. Not only is this a profound intercultural experience for the youth participant, but it also engages the whole family, and potentially the community in which they live, in the CISV experience.
    Age 12 - 13
    Duration 14 - 28 days per phase (phases can be consecutive or take place up to a year apart)
    Size of group Delegations come from 2 countries and comprise 6 - 12 youth accompanied by an adult leader (age 21+)

    • Brasília, Brazil (4 boys, 4 girls) (host: July 1, 2010 to July 22, 2010 travel: July 1, 2011 to July 22, 2011)

  • Summer Camp                        Click here for forms

  • Building leadership skills
    Aimed at young teens, the Summer Camp encourages participants to take responsibility for leadership and programme planning. Each camp focuses on a specific educational theme. Participants work together to plan activities and discussions which build on the chosen theme.
    Age 15
    Duration 23 Days
    Size of group Delegations come from 6 or 9 countries and are comprised of 4 - 6 youths, equally divided between girls and boys, who are accompanied by an adult Leader (age 21+). The camp is coordinated by an adult staff.

    • Nykobing Falster, Denmark (July 2, 2010 – July 24, 2010)

  • Junior Counselor (ages 16-17)     Click here for forms

  • Travels independently to assist staff and director at an international Village. Delegate (1) must be female and age 16 or 17 between June 1, 2010 and August 31, 2010.

    • Smokey Mt., TN, USA (July 4, 2010 - July 31, 2010) Female Participant

  • Seminar Camp (age 17-18)      Click here for forms

  • Seminar camp is a three week multi-cultural experience for 17 and 18 year olds. The camp, with 30-35 participants from many nations, creates an environment of sharing ideas, concerns, and living together as a community. This unique program allows participants to create the camp and achieve its goals with the help and guidance of the staff. During the camp, participants: 30-35 individual participants from many nations create an environment of sharing ideas, concerns, and living together as a community. Delegate (1) must be female and age 17 or 18 between June 1, 2010 and August 31, 2010.


    • Aalborg , Denmark (July 10, 2010 - July 30, 2010) Female Participant

  • International Youth Meeting
  •      Click here for forms
    International Youth Meetings (IYMs) are six to 14 day international camps. The size of an IYM is 15 – 25 participants, with a staff of 3-5 adults. IYMs provide an opportunity for CISV members who have participated in Villages, Summer Camps, Interchanges and Seminar Camps to continue their involvement with the organization and to develop leadership skills for future involvement
    Every IYM has a theme; activities are related to that theme. Examples of themes are World/Regional Issues; Arts, Music and Communication; and Social Issues.
    • Lectures, films, discussions, games, and simulations present and develop the theme of the IYM.
    • Delegates are expected to plan and lead activities, as well as to participate in cooking and clean-up tasks.
    • Delegates must be 14 or 15 years old between 2/01/10 and 4/30/10.

    • Lisbon, Portugal (March 27, 2010 - April 3, 2010) Male or Female


                                            Click here for Leader forms



  2008-2009 Officers
Office Name Email Address
President  Terry Holtz holtz007@aol.com
Vice President  Kristin Kovacic kristinkovacic@hotmail.com
Secretary  Paulette Thomas pthomaspgh@aol.com
Treasurer  Ernesto Cupo cisv.pitt.treasurer@gmail.com
National Trustee  Diana Fitch ddpatch@verizon.net

  Committees
Committee Members Email Address
Recruiting  Paula Flaherty pfshoes@verizon.net
Public Relations  
Newsletter  Emily Hayes-Rowan
Giant Eagle  Ernesto Cupo cisv.pitt.treasurer@gmail.com
Fundraising  
Hospitality  Ginny Koenig ginnykoenig@comcast.net
Merchandise  Deb Hart col.dhart@verizon.net
Insurance  Robbie Schuldt robbieschuldt@comcast.net
Jr. Branch Advisor  Jim Wigginton jimwigg@hotmail.com
Jr. Branch President  Nate Blecher yozenbo@hotmail.com
Leader Training  Meridee Lowry meridee.lowry@verizon.net
Membership Directory  Meridee Lowry meridee.lowry@verizon.net
Web Site  Erastus Allen eza.cisv@mailnull.com
Village Chair  Jonathan Fantazier jonathanstephenfantazier@yahoo.com
Interchange Chair  Kristin Kovacic kristinkovacic@hotmail.com
Summer Camp Chair  Jonathan Fantazier jonathanstephenfantazier@yahoo.com
Village Planning  

  Contact Information
Pittsburgh CISV
Pittsburgh Chapter
304 6th Street
Oakmont, PA 15139
412-600-3230
National Ellen Miller
1375 Kemper Meadow Drive
Suite 9-H
Cincinnati, OH 45240-1650
Phone: 1-888-CISVUSA (1-888-247-8872)
FAX: 1-888-686-CISV (1-888-686-2478)
E-Mail: cisvusa@aol.com
Web Site: www.cisvusa.org

  Past Presidents
Sandra Caffo, Founder 1989-1993
Ann & Bruce Gabler 1993-1995
Sylvia Leland 1995-1996
Judy & Rick Matthews 1996-1998
Terry Himes 1998-1999
Susan Small & Ken Joseph 1999-2000
Diane Redington 2000-2002
Mary Wolf & Lucretia Anderson 2002-2003
Pete Frischmann 2003-2004
Terri Good 2004-2006
Meridee Lowry 2006-2007
Meridee Lowry 2007-2008





     All families are encouraged to participate in the meetings to make our chapter better and stronger! We all made a commitment to volunteer when our kids were selected to travel; do your part! JB meetings are held at the same time/location as the adult meetings.

Pictures


     


Junior Branch

The Junior Branch organization is open for membership to all pre-adult members of CISV Pittsburgh Chapter families. There are no special dues, and ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

  2008-2009 Officers
Office Name Email Address
President  Nate Blecher yozenbo@hotmail.com
Vice President  Eva Petzinger save_the_loppies@yahoo.com
Secretary  Leah Koenig littleleah44@hotmail.com
Treasurer  Alex Hart b1uem00@yahoo.com
Board Member at Large  Katelyn Holtz katex3045@aim.com
Board Member at Large  Cassie Good goodygirl15238@aol.com
Advisor  Jim Wigginton jimwigg@hotmail.com


Volunteering and Support

     
      Volunteers are often needed for help with Village, Interchange, Summer Camp, Leaders, Public Relations, Newsletter, Junior Branch Advisor, Hospitality, and Local Work.    Please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Ginny Koenig ginnykoenig@comcast.net your name, phone, e-mail, child's name and your area of interest and we will contact you about our needs.

Donations

     Pittsburgh supporters can purchase Giant Eagle Certificates at face value and CISV will receive money back from Giant Eagle.  This is a way in which families can help fundraise without any cost to themselves. You can buy Giant Eagle gift certificates for CISV fundraising from:
Ernesto Cupo   cisv.pitt.treasurer@gmail.com


     Support may also be made by designating part or all of your United Way contribution to CISV. United Way's telephone number is: (412) 261-6010.  The United Way Directed Donation number is 713.

Follow the links below to view our Newsletters

     
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter
August 2010