Operation Green: Improving Our Communities
It's Easy Being Green!
Phi Theta Kappa has turned over a new leaf with the introduction of our 2006-08 International Service Program, Operation Green: Improving Our Communities. The program is a partnership with Keep America Beautiful, the nation's largest community improvement network.
Since 1953, Keep America Beautiful has been dedicated to engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their local community environments in the United States. Today, the organization's reach is international.
Phi Theta Kappa chapters have embraced the environmental program, with approximately 125 chapters already enrolled as Chapters of Service, indicating their participation in Operation Green.
"We are very excited about this topic and already do campus and road clean-up, stream and other waterways clean-ups, and we recycle toner cartridges," said Ann Carter Smith, advisor at Blue Ridge Community College in Virginia. "We are looking forward to expanding our service in this area."
In New Mexico, Phi Theta Kappans at Luna Community College participated in "Keep Las Vegas Clean" on April 22, Earth Day _ and the first day of Phi Theta Kappa's partnership with Keep America Beautiful. The chapter is also planning to work with the United States Forest Service to help clean up trails and recreation areas due to the increased potential for forest fires in an unusually dry season.
"This has been a priority for our chapter for the past five years," said advisor Kay Helms of Athens Technical College in Georgia. "As a result of living close to Atlanta with its continued urban sprawl, we are dedicated to preserving our local land and water areas."
The chapter is planning a multi-pronged environmental service program, including all four focus areas of Operation Green: Education/ Awareness, Recycling, Beautification and Clean Communities.
The first step the chapter will take is to educate others about protecting the environment. Executive Director of Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Stacee Farrell and State Representative Jane Kidd are both slated to speak at their chapter induction ceremony. And the chapter has already participated in a spring Children's Winning Water Festival held at their college, which helped educate children about water preservation and conservation.
Recycling efforts are underway for their campus and community, since no recycling program is currently in place at their school. In 2000, the chapter donated a gazebo to Athens Tech and the current members are planning to beautify the garden by planting more azaleas and painting benches. These ambitious Phi Theta Kappa members will also continue their participation in a river clean-up called "Rivers Alive," an annual event sponsored by their local Keep America Beautiful affiliate.
It's easy for your chapter to get involved … even little ways can make a big difference! To join Phi Theta Kappa's Operation Green, simply enroll at www.ptk.org/service/cos.htm and indicate the areas of focus for your chapter. All Chapters of Service will be featured in the Chapters of Service Directory at www.ptk.org/service/progress.
To find your nearest Keep America Beautiful affiliate, contact April Buther of Keep America Beautiful at abuther@kab.org or 203.323.8987, extension 820.
To share your successful service projects, or for more information, contact Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford at 601.984.3532.
Operation Green's Four Focus Areas:
- Education/Awareness
- Recycling
- Beautification
- Clean Communities
More Ways to Improve Our Communities
