Our chapters always find fun ways to help!

Students in PTPI’s Teens Working Together Student Chapter located in Santa Ynez, California USA pose with a map of the world used during “Passport Bingo.” Students toss a Velcro ball at the world. Then, students receive a “passport” from each country on which their ball lands. The passport contains helpful information about the country.

Chapter Requirements

Each student chapter is required to do one activity from each of the four categories on an annual basis:

1. Cultural/International Education
2. Humanitarian and Service Efforts
3. Fundraising
4. Membership Recruitment

Cultural/International Education

PTPI believes that every global citizen should take an active interest in the world around them as well as their local community. Below are some ideas for Cultural/International activities:

• PTPI has Lesson Plans available for Student Chapters which provide great ideas for exploring cultural/international topics. Subject areas include: cross-cultural understanding, governmental systems, world religions, etc.
• Create a "Sister Chapter" relationship with other chapters which will help facilitate opportunities for exchanges and travel!
• Plan an International Fair in your school or community. Introduce foods, music and cultures from around the world.
• Invite members from international communities in your area to speak.
• Participate in PTPI’s School & Classroom Program.
• Offer homestays to guests from other countries through PTPI’s International Visitors Program.
• Work together as a group on earning the U.S. Congressional Award (www.congressionalaward.org). PTPI is a proud partner of the Congressional Award Leadership Commission. The U.S. Congressional Award is an honor bestowed upon students based upon completion of chosen goals and hourly requirements in the following four areas: Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.
• Many more ideas and information are included in PTPI’s Student Chapter Manual (for Chapter Members only).

Humanitarian and Service Efforts

Service is an important part of being in a Student Chapter. How does your chapter choose a service project? First, find out what is meaningful to your chapter members. Next, explore the needs within the local and international community your chapter and then plan your project(s)! Ideas include:

• Gather school supplies for Operation Iraqi Children!
• Support PTPI’s Global Landmine Initiative.
• Help your community with a Neighborhood Clean-up.
• Serving meals at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Volunteering time at a local civic organization.
• Adopting an international project.
• Follow PTPI’s Student Chapter activities guide.
• Many more ideas and information are included in PTPI’s Student Chapter Manual (for Chapter Members only).

Fundraising

Chapter fundraising is a necessary part of every chapter. Fundraising allows the chapter to channel funds into chapter activities, and to ensure the long-term success of the chapter.

Some ideas include:

• Organize a bake sale, neighborhood yard sale, etc.
• Plan a chapter fundraising breakfast at your school or community center.
• Invite a local artist to work on a joint project with global themes and sell the artwork at a fundraising auction.
• Host a benefit concert or have a “battle of the bands!”
• Make a cookbook! Assemble favorite recipes from members. Have promotional “sampling” party to raise additional funds.
• Many more ideas and information are included in PTPI’s Student Chapter Manual (for Chapter Members only).

Fundraising for Travel Purposes & Tax-Deductibility

While some of our student chapter members want to fundraise to travel (i.e. with Student Ambassador Programs), this should not be a sole reason to join or start a student chapter. PTPI has strict guidelines on fundraising due to IRS regulations. Contributions made directly to a Student Chapter are considered tax-deductible. It is very important to know however, that an individual within the chapter can not fundraise for themselves or any specific individual and have that money be used as a tax-deductible donation.

If the chapter chooses to raise money for students to participate in travel programs such as the Student Ambassador Program, a Chapter Scholarship Fund must be developed. There are specific guidelines that must be followed when offering these programs. This includes:

• A committee being developed to select guidelines for the fund.
• Creating an application for student chapter members to apply for these funds. (PTPI must also be provided with a copy of the scholarship guidelines.)
• Prior to the travel event, members can apply for the scholarship. Donations into this scholarship fund are considered tax-deductible for businesses. –Again, as long as no particular chapter member is designated as the recipient from the start.
• The awardee(s) should be selected after the soliciting or raising of funds is completed.

For students wishing to fundraise for Student Ambassador purposes, please visit www.fundingyoureducation.org for a complete website of ideas of how to fund your student ambassador trip.

Membership Recruitment

For the purpose of sustainability and continued strong leadership, it is essential for Student Chapters to recruit new members into the chapter. There is no secret formula to adding members to your chapter. Membership development is always a challenge. Successful recruitment requires work, determination, creativity, and enthusiasm. But, most importantly, it takes a plan!

Although chapter members should always be on the lookout for new members, PTPI recommends that you hold two membership drives:

1. a “fall drive” that occurs at the beginning of your school year.
2. a “spring drive” that occurs at the end of your school year.

Holding drives at both times will ensure that your club remains well above the minimum required membership of 10, and will help you to have a solid base of people that can help with projects and activities.

Other ideas include:

• Invite friends to a social gathering (i.e. a membership breakfast).
• Create a contest: the person who brings in the most new members will receive a prize.
• More ideas and information are included in PTPI’s Student Chapter Manual (for Chapter Members only).