Jane C. Ginsburg and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1960s New York

by Julie Harrison, Board of Directors

I thought I would start this new column by profiling a family that was involved with our chapter from its earliest incarnation . I had the honor of speaking with Jane C. Ginsburg this week about her experience attending Village as a New York delegate to Graz, Austria, in 1966 . Her mother, Ruth Bader Ginsburg , was the founder of our New York chapter in 1963 or 1964 , having learned about CISV in Sweden when she was there in 1961-1962 . Jane attended Village with delegates from Italy, Yugoslavia (currently Croatia), Austria, and others. That year, the chapter paired two delegates with two other kids from another organization in New Jersey called Sister Cities . The Village took place in a boarding school in Graz . Jane has fond memories of the Yugoslavia delegates , who attended Village despite the Iron Curtain (former dictator of Yugoslavia, Tito, was a big supporter); they brought a portable 45 rpm record player to camp, gleefully introducing all the kids to The Beatles for the first time. Could that be how the tradition of "lullabies" was started? At that time, CISV only offered Village; there weren’t other programs for older kids and there wasn’t a Junior Branch . Families didn’t stay involved like they do today since there was only one camp, but the kids had occasional reunions . Jane’s mother volunteered for CISV throughout the 1960s, spearheading delegations to Village from about 1964 on, until she became famously involved in changing the legal fate of women in the United States and subsequently received the great honor of becoming a Supreme Court Justice . Jane has gone on to become a very successful literary and artistic property (copyright) attorney and professor at Columbia Law School in New York. She graduated from the University of Chicago and Harvard, has numerous degrees and awards and has authored dozens of publications .

Junior Branch (JB) Update

by Kaan Taneli, Junior Rep

In September, following the friendraiser, the JB Board had a sleepover to plan the mini camp, which took place in October. The mini camp was a huge success! We dicussed important topics such as immigration, homelessness, and the education system ! All this while making friends and enjoying the nice fall outdoors, complete with a nature walk and roasting marshmallow s. We had over 30 pariticpants and lots of fun ! 

Also in October, Paradise , Nola and Kaan attended the National Junior Board Meeting (NJBM) . NJBM is a conference where we learn about improving our local Junior Branch and about how local, regional, national, and international elements of CISV interact . We learned quite a bit about service projects and Paradise was elected to the National Mini Camp Planning Committee! At the October JB Board meeting we planned activities for the upcoming months. We can’t wait to see you JBers at the upcoming activities, and bring your friends!

2nd Winter Holiday Bash

Last week we celebrated 2019 and all the hard work our volunteers have contributed to the chapter. Our holiday party was hosted by Lauren Iossa and Peter Sabla . About 65 people (including kids) attended. Everyone brought traditional food to share, the JB held a toy drive , and a good time was had by all!

4th Annual Friendraiser

by Jenevieve Goldman

 

This year we were excited to participate in our 4th Annual Friendraiser (our most well-attended yet), hosted by Minky Worden , Gordon Crovtiz , Sahr Muhammedally and Russell Dyk . This was a special opportunity to connect with old and new friends . We were grateful to spend time with the families of current participants, CISVers from around the world who just moved to the City, and long-time chapter members who wanted to come back and see what was going on in CISV New York!

Even better when we can do that along with raising funds for the chapter !  We raised $1600 that night! It was great to hear from previous participants, their families, and JB leadership about all the ways that CISV has impacted their lives! Thanks so much to our hosts, speakers, and attendees!!  

Climate Strike September 20 ^th

by Sara Petersilie, Board of Directors

It was hot at the Climate Strike . Bright afternoon sun glinted off of passionately painted signs and mirrored skyscrapers towering around Battery Park. A few rally attendees passed out from the intense afternoon light while waiting for Greta Thunberg , a 16-year-old from Sweden, to speak. The energy ebbed and intensified as each presenter took turns speaking inspirations into the mic. "Tides are rising in Bangladesh," Willow Smith 's voice floated among the park's greenery.

Ms Thunberg took the stage to the echo of radiant cheers. "We are not in school today," she declared. "Why should we educate ourselves for a future in which we will not be able to participate?"  I was proud to stand beside fellow CISVers at an event so necessary to our future. Without focusing on our Earth, how else could we hope to connect our world? 

C.I.M. in a Nutshell

by Joe Jarencio, Treasurer

C.I.M. aka CISV In Motion was held on October 17–20 in Decatur, GA. C.I.M is CISV USA’s annual meeting and conference , a gathering of all chapters in the US to discuss, address and educate on global issues happening today. This coming year’s theme (2020) is Sustainability in Action . It was also a chance to network with other CISV Chapter members, sharing information on how each chapter deals with certain local issues in their community.

Our chapter was well represented by a number of enthusiastic Board Members and Junior Branch Officers: Nina Serven (Co-President), Tunc Altinbas (Trustee), Melissa Donohue (Insurance/Development Chair), Joe Jarencio (Treasurer), Sara Petersilie (JB Advisor), Kaan Taneli (JB President), P aradise Phoenix (JB), Nola Hamowy (JB) & Jade Jarencio (Former JB Pres). During the 4-day conference there were multiple breakout sessions each of us attended individually or as a group. They were: Fundraising, E-Tapestry, JB Project Report, Recruiting & Retention, How to Strengthen Your JB, What Makes a Strong Chapter and How Does CISV Respond to Global Events . I think it’s safe to say that during the 4 days, all of us were able to take away something positive from attending these breakout sessions that will help us improve our chapter.

The Giving Conundrum:

Where Does My Money Go?

by Melissa Donohue, Development Chair

 

As we close out 2019,  you are no doubt flooded with requests for donations -- for education, the arts, for those in great need, or electoral campaigns -- all racing against the clock to try to affect serious change in America and around the world. 

 

It can be challenging -- if not overwhelming -- to decide where to give, how much to give, or even to give at all.  Do you ever wonder when you give money to a worthy cause where the money actually goes?  What kind of impact can your dollars -- large or small -- really have? Is the money going to reach the people who need it or does it mainly go towards administration costs? How can you be sure your donation really has value?

 

These are all important questions, and should be part of your consideration when donating money to any cause. So, you may wonder,  what happens when you give money to CISV New York?

 

The answer:  100% of your donations to the CISV New York chapter go directly to programming, kids, and impact.  We are entirely volunteer-run which means donations pass directly to need. Chapter members, the Board and other volunteers contribute time, space, resources, and expertise. 

 

We give our time so that your contributions can have the greatest impact in a multitude of ways:  to build scholarships and help delegates attend inter-cultural and peace educational programs all over the world; to train our program leaders and directors in our special experiencial learning methods; and to host peace education programs for kids from all over the world and the New York City area.

This year we are fortunate to have an opportunity for our donors to double their money with each donation made. We have received a generous $5,000 matching grant for our Mosaic "Faces of New York" program (see next article) . Mosaic, the week-long fully subsidized residential summer program for 11 and 12 year olds gives kids from the New York City area the opportunity to learn the attitudes, skills, and knowledge to become active global citizens through our CISV programming.  In summer 2020, CISV New York will be holding its 9th annual Mosaic "Faces of New York" camp , reaching a diverse group of area kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience and grow with CISV. Thus far, we have raised $1,062 for our matching grant. Please donate!

Schedule of Events

1st Interview Session for International Programs (January 12, 2020 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm).

2nd Interview Session for International Programs (January 19, 2020 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm).

Family Orientation for International Programs (February 16, 2020 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm): Meet your delegation. All selected delegates for summer programs and their families must attend.

Spring Mini Camp 2020 (March 20 - March 22, 2020): Mini camps are open to all kids 10+. At mini-camps, we learn attitudes, skills, and knowledge we need to become active global citizens by doing activities and having conversations that are relevant to the world we live in.

Cocktails at Human Rights Watch Offices (March 20, 2020 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm): An evening of cocktails and good eats directly after mini-camp drop-off! Once the kids are on their way to a fun weekend of activities and bonding, the adults of the chapter will mingle and enjoy a night out at the New York headquarters of Human Rights Watch in the Empire State Building.

Bon Voyage Party 2020 (June 7, 2020 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm): We will collectively wish good luck to all delegates traveling this summer. There will be energizers, games and lots of fun.

Go to our Website  for more information about our chapter.

Go to our  Facebook  page.

Download our brochure   about CISV New York.

Download our   Fall 2019 Newsletter.  

Download our  2020 Program Flyer.

Download our  Mosaic Brochure .