Saturday coffee break with Mark Jamias- PTPI Norfolk - Virginia President
One more Saturday coffee break. This time our stop is Norfolk, Virginia- Hampton Roads in the USA. As our guest we have the founder of this chapter- Mark Jamias. He is talking about the current activities in their chapter, the visits at the Global Youth Forum and the biggest experience he had in his life with PTPI. Regarding his position in the chapter he says :
„PTPI has helped me become more cognizant of my civic responsibilities, both local and global. I’ve definitely grown a greater sense of pride and gratitude to my Hampton Roads community.“
1.Tell us something about you briefly.
Hello and Greetings from Hampton Roads, Virginia, U.S.A. I’m Mark, a senior at Norfolk Collegiate School in Norfolk, Va. I love being active, whether it’s in the classroom, in the pool, in my school, or in my community.
2. What chapter are you currently member in? How do you like the atmosphere in your chapter?
I’m currently the President Emeritus of People to People’s Norfolk, Virginia (Hampton Roads) Student Chapter. What a mouthful, huh? I started the chapter in November 2009. Since then, the chapter has grown to become a very “work hard, play hard” chapter. We are always trying to expand our local and global scopes of influence and capabilities to do good works to promote our mission. Whether it’s meeting with civic leaders, corresponding with our global partners, or performing service in our community, we always have something on our agenda. And we like it like that.
3. Can you tell us something more about the current projects you have in your chapter?
We just learned the HMS Falken, a schooner of the Royal Swedish Navy, is docking in Norfolk’s harbor, so some of us are trying to make it out there and tour the ship before it departs this weekend. I’m working with the chapter seniors on our Academic Advising program to promote American higher education for our international friends looking at the United States for college and university. I’m also working with some upcoming local festivals that need PTPI Norfolk’s collection of international flags. Four years of exchanging large, national flags with other PTPI organizations has resulted in a pretty big collection, and we never hesitate to let our partners use them. Details for our Global Youth Service Day efforts in April are being hammered out. Tonight, we also received word of an earthquake in Taiwan, so our key coordinators are reaching out to our partners in the ROC to see if aid is needed and necessary. We also can’t forget our ongoing partnership with the PTPI Bogota, Colombia Chapter, with whom we sent funds to provide an electric wheelchair for a disabled teenager. There’s other stuff going on in PTPI Norfolk; I’m just a cogwheel in the operation.
4.What changes has PTPI brought in your life?
PTPI has helped me become more cognizant of my civic responsibilities, both local and global. I’ve definitely grown a greater sense of pride and gratitude to my Hampton Roads community. I’m indebted to the region that raised me up to who I am today. PTPI has helped me repay that debt, and has continued my fascination with the world around me. The best part is that I’m not alone. I’m working with people who share the same passion for community and cross-cultural understanding as mine. Our united impact is greater than any we can make alone. It’s a true testament to the people-to-people philosophy.
5.Have you been given the opportunity to travel via PTPI programs? How would you describe this experience ?
I’m been lucky to attend the last four Global Youth Forums, held annually in various cities in the United States. It’s an eye-opening experience, exposing participants to global problems and issues facing the world at-large and introducing participants to student peers who, together, will solve those exact problems and issues. At the same time, it’s an essential experience from the chapter administrator point of view. One can meet fellow chapter leaders, plans future projects, and make those contacts needed to run a successful chapter. It’s fun, it’s engaging, it’s life-changing. It’s the GYF.
6.What would you recommend to the youth that are still thinking whether to be part of a local PTPI Chapter or not?
Don’t think; just do. It’s an experience that opens opportunities on a global scale and allows you to truly become the change you want to see in both your local and global communities. You’ll get out what you put into the program. No doubts. You’ll meet globally-minded people just like you in all parts of the world. That’s right; we do exist. And PTPI is that time-tested organization that empowers youth and adults to make that global impact people like us have been yearning to make. So what are you waiting for? Don’t think; just do.
„PTPI has helped me become more cognizant of my civic responsibilities, both local and global. I’ve definitely grown a greater sense of pride and gratitude to my Hampton Roads community.“
1.Tell us something about you briefly.
Hello and Greetings from Hampton Roads, Virginia, U.S.A. I’m Mark, a senior at Norfolk Collegiate School in Norfolk, Va. I love being active, whether it’s in the classroom, in the pool, in my school, or in my community.
2. What chapter are you currently member in? How do you like the atmosphere in your chapter?
I’m currently the President Emeritus of People to People’s Norfolk, Virginia (Hampton Roads) Student Chapter. What a mouthful, huh? I started the chapter in November 2009. Since then, the chapter has grown to become a very “work hard, play hard” chapter. We are always trying to expand our local and global scopes of influence and capabilities to do good works to promote our mission. Whether it’s meeting with civic leaders, corresponding with our global partners, or performing service in our community, we always have something on our agenda. And we like it like that.
3. Can you tell us something more about the current projects you have in your chapter?
We just learned the HMS Falken, a schooner of the Royal Swedish Navy, is docking in Norfolk’s harbor, so some of us are trying to make it out there and tour the ship before it departs this weekend. I’m working with the chapter seniors on our Academic Advising program to promote American higher education for our international friends looking at the United States for college and university. I’m also working with some upcoming local festivals that need PTPI Norfolk’s collection of international flags. Four years of exchanging large, national flags with other PTPI organizations has resulted in a pretty big collection, and we never hesitate to let our partners use them. Details for our Global Youth Service Day efforts in April are being hammered out. Tonight, we also received word of an earthquake in Taiwan, so our key coordinators are reaching out to our partners in the ROC to see if aid is needed and necessary. We also can’t forget our ongoing partnership with the PTPI Bogota, Colombia Chapter, with whom we sent funds to provide an electric wheelchair for a disabled teenager. There’s other stuff going on in PTPI Norfolk; I’m just a cogwheel in the operation.
4.What changes has PTPI brought in your life?
PTPI has helped me become more cognizant of my civic responsibilities, both local and global. I’ve definitely grown a greater sense of pride and gratitude to my Hampton Roads community. I’m indebted to the region that raised me up to who I am today. PTPI has helped me repay that debt, and has continued my fascination with the world around me. The best part is that I’m not alone. I’m working with people who share the same passion for community and cross-cultural understanding as mine. Our united impact is greater than any we can make alone. It’s a true testament to the people-to-people philosophy.
5.Have you been given the opportunity to travel via PTPI programs? How would you describe this experience ?
I’m been lucky to attend the last four Global Youth Forums, held annually in various cities in the United States. It’s an eye-opening experience, exposing participants to global problems and issues facing the world at-large and introducing participants to student peers who, together, will solve those exact problems and issues. At the same time, it’s an essential experience from the chapter administrator point of view. One can meet fellow chapter leaders, plans future projects, and make those contacts needed to run a successful chapter. It’s fun, it’s engaging, it’s life-changing. It’s the GYF.
6.What would you recommend to the youth that are still thinking whether to be part of a local PTPI Chapter or not?
Don’t think; just do. It’s an experience that opens opportunities on a global scale and allows you to truly become the change you want to see in both your local and global communities. You’ll get out what you put into the program. No doubts. You’ll meet globally-minded people just like you in all parts of the world. That’s right; we do exist. And PTPI is that time-tested organization that empowers youth and adults to make that global impact people like us have been yearning to make. So what are you waiting for? Don’t think; just do.