A special message from Dave Santulli
As a truly global NGO, United Planet (UP) seeks to build an extraordinary leadership team from diverse countries and cultures and develop and expand our operational network worldwide. With resounding momentum, we have made great strides this year!
I am very proud to welcome three very respected and innovative leaders to our UP team. Welcome to Jake Brewer, Reem Bsaiso, and Caroline Zwick!
- Jake Brewer, Partnership Director for Idealist, brings tremendous experience and enthusiasm to our International Board of Advisors (IBA). Jake has been a supporter of UP since the early days and was instrumental in helping us start our micro-empowerment program in Guatemala.
- Reem Bsaiso, CEO of World Links in the Middle East, launched UP's Jordan program and acts as a key advisor for our activities in the region. By joining our IBA, Reem brings to us a diverse range of strategic management skills in both the public and private sectors.
- Caroline Zwick, Chairwoman of UP's Advisory Council, is a former UP volunteer in our Boston office. She now represents all the volunteers and team members who have worked for UP as a very important member of our IBA.
Ashraf Hegazy, co-founder of the Harvard Arab Alumni Association, has stepped up as Chairman of our IBA and Charles F. Clarke III continues to steer UP's Board of Directors.
United Planet has, and always will be, a global team effort. Welcome again to our new board members!
Warm regards,
Dave Santulli
Founder and Executive Director
United Planet
My Visit To Romania
For the past three years, United Planet (UP) has been sending volunteers to Valea Screzii and Valea Plopuluia, two remote villages located in the Transylvanian region of Romania, to work with an orphanage organization. Volunteers can participate in a variety of outreach projects, including caring for the children, teaching English, constructing housing and helping with day to day activities.
As a member of UP's Quest Team, I have wanted to visit the orphanage for over a year now. My job involves making arrangements for volunteers to work at the orphanage, but I had yet to visit it myself. So, when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to meet the children and the wonderful couple that run the orphanage!
During my stay, I was extremely impressed with Melanie and Mihail, the managers of the orphanage. Mihail became involved in the orphanage after his father started it in 1994. Melanie and he joined forces after they married. The orphanage is a safe and loving environment for both volunteers and the children who live there. I was very moved by Melanie and Mihail's passion and commitment to the children and their relationship with UP. They run the orphanage together in addition to supervising our volunteers.
From start to finish, I loved every minute of my time in Romania. I spent my days playing with the children and visiting local families in need to distribute books, clothes and beds. The children I got to know at the orphanage, most of whom were between the ages of 1 and 15 years old, were absolutely adorable. I'll never forget attending church with the children and having them want to play with me instead of listening to the priest!
I feel so fortunate that I was given the chance to visit the orphanage and hope to return to Romania again to visit my "new" friends. I'll always remember them and the wonderful time we spent together. They truly touched my heart forever.
Katherine Osgood
Manager of International Programs
United Planet
For more information on UP's Romania Quest, please visit http://www.unitedplanet.org/quest/romania.html or contact quest@unitedplanet.org
A Note From Nigeria
Dear friends of UP,
I love my life here, and I'm starting to get really terrified about the move back to the States and the reverse culture shock I'm bound to experience. I think a huge part of that is just how spoiled I am here. No matter where I'm staying, there's always someone taking care of me -- making sure I'm fed, happy, fetching water if I need it, and just generally watching out for me. Nigerians, and the ex-pats who live here in Nigeria, just take care of each other all the time. You don't have money today? Don't worry, I'll make sure you have food and even just give you some cash to keep you from stressing. And it's not just money -- there's always someone to talk to, someone to hang out with, someone who will listen when you need it.
Love,
Chelsea
United Planet Volunteer
United Planet Spring CAP Workshop
United Planet hosted its Spring Cultural Awareness Project (CAP) workshop at its Boston headquarters on Thursday, April 3. The event brought together an interesting mix of people from countries all over the world including Tanzania, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United States.
CAP is designed to bring people from different cultures and backgrounds together to share their global travel, volunteer and cultural experiences. Workshop participants listened to presentations on volunteer work in Uganda and a personal family history of friendship across enemy lines during World War II. The evening was both fun and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope to see you again!
If you are interested in United Planet's Cultural Awareness Project, please visit us at http://www.unitedplanet.org/cap/ or call us at (001) 617 267 7763.
Ambassador Club
We are pleased to welcome four new members to our Ambassador Club community. United Planet has launched Ambassador Clubs in the countries of Togo and Gambia as well as clubs at Boston University and the North Valley Family YMCA in California.
Here's what one of our new club coordinators wanted to share with you:
"I wanted to get involved with United Planet because it seemed like a great way topromote cultural awareness on my campus. I lived overseas until I was 14. When I moved to the United States, I discovered the importance of being knowledgeable about what is going on in the world. I believe that sparking interest in global cultures is the first step to helping global communities in need. My Ambassador Club is aimed at informing students about the benefit of connecting with people from all over the world."
Nastasya Morauw, Boston University student
If you want to join the growing worldwide community of UP's Ambassador Club Program, please visit the Ambassador Club webpage and fill out the online application: http://www.unitedplanet.org/upambassador. For questions and/or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at: ambassador@unitedplanet.org
We invite you to join us on Facebook!
Facebook.com is one of the largest and most popular online social networking pages. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends, upload photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.
United Planet utilizes Facebook to stay in touch with members and volunteers all around the world. By joining our Facebook Group and Cause, you can connect with the UP team, as well as other volunteers and members of our community, and stay up to date about recent UP news and developments. We encourage our volunteers, members and other world travelers to post pictures and videos of their travel adventures and participate in online discussions.
To join the UP Group, go to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2373514363
To join the UP Cause, go to: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/18104
Facebook is also a great way to involve your family and friends in United Planet projects. Simply invite them to join our Group to help us create a community beyond borders!
Volunteers For Prosperity
Are you looking for ways to pay for your volunteer abroad experience?
Volunteers for Prosperity (VFP) is a presidential initiative that gives America's skilled volunteers new opportunities to serve abroad. Their Service Incentive Program (VFPServ) provides grants to partner organizations to assist skilled Americans who wish to volunteer abroad. VFPServ grants (ranging from $500 to $1000) are individual, non-renewable and are designated to offset travel, insurance and local living costs of short-term international volunteer assignments. 
Grants match at least an equal amount of funds raised by volunteers locally. Volunteer assignments are supervised by leading US non-profits and companies affiliated with the VFP Office.
Volunteers participating in the initiative are also eligible to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award honoring their dedication to service. Any adult who completes 100 or more hours of volunteer service at home or abroad within a 12 month period is eligible to receive this award.
United Planet at M2L Gallery
Members of the United Planet team recently attended a special exhibition of local artist Lynn Avery "Sacred Forest" works at the M2L Gallery in Boston. (L to R: Joni Starr, Tracy Curtin Ropar, David Santulli, United Planet; artist Lynn Avery, Suzanne Schultz, Canvas Fine Arts Gallery)
Get Involved!
Join the UP Team - Become a member of our Boston headquarters' team. Do an internship or inquire about our permanent positions. We welcome people from all over the world to join our team.
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