Objective:

To allow chapters the opportunity to work together as a region and to encourage chapters to continue to be environmental stewards through participation in the Phi Theta Kappa Carolinas Region Service Program – “Keeping The Carolinas Green Through eCycling.” Participation is awarded on a regional level.

FocusAreas:

There will be four focus areas as follows:

1. Education/Awareness:

Through Education and Raising Awareness your chapter can help to encourage positive behaviors toward community improvement on such topics as the fundamentals of litter prevention, preserving our resources, responsible solid waste management, and how to reduce, reuse and recycle, with an emphasis on electronic recycling (eCycling). Example projects include:

 • Offer to teach a lesson or conduct an activity about the environment for a local youth group or environmental club. Keep America Beautiful has many lessons to choose from.

• Distribute environmental education information on campus and at local events and festivals.

2. Recycling:

Through Recycling your chapter can schedule events and activities that help educate others and get your communities working together to make a difference in the management of waste produced every year. Example Projects include:

• Hold an e-cycling event to recycle old cell phones, computers, laptops, etc.

• Collect recyclables on campus and deliver to a recycling center (e.g., telephone books, paper, aluminum cans-must include recycling electronics)

• Ask the administration to develop a Waste in the Workplace system on your campus which includes electronic waste

3. Beautification:

Through Beautification your chapter can help improve the vitality and economic integrity of your communities. Example projects include:

• Conduct a tree-planting ceremony at a local school.

• Plant a Liberty Garden (red, white and blue) to show pride in your community or campus.

• Restore a vacant lot and create a community garden for neighborhood residents.

• Encourage the development of green space for walking and outdoor activity.

Also, as part of the beautification focus area, chapters can become involved in the “Graffiti Hurts” program by conducting events to help communities initiate local graffiti prevention and education activities to raise awareness about the harmful effects of graffiti vandalism on communities.

4. Clean Communities:

Through the Clean Communities focus area, chapters can initiate programs and activities in the fight against litter. Example projects include: 

• Organize a “Trek for Trash” involving bicyclists or hikers cleaning up litter along scenic roadways or trails, and educating consumers along the way.

• Participate in the International Coastal Cleanup by organizing or participating in a local Beach/River Sweep.

• Adopt-a-road, highway, stream or river and pledge to maintain the adopted area.

*  eCycling products can often be sold which can provide funds for beautification projects, additionally eCycling products can often be donated to charitable organizations for their use.

Awards:

Through the implementation of events that target the focus areas, your chapter will have the opportunity to reach a GIG status. Chapters have the option to implement projects that concentrate on focal points one or two or to implement projects in all four focus areas. To receive a GIG rating chapters must participate in eCycling through focus points one or two (the focus of the challenge is eCycling, therefore to receive a GIG rating chapters must have eCycling projects.)  The awards will be decided as follows:

A one GIG chapter: Is a chapter that has implemented projects that concentrate on one of the first two focus areas.

A two GIG chapter: Is a chapter that has implemented projects that concentrate on the first two focus areas.

A three GIG chapter: Is a chapter that has implemented projects that concentrate on the first two focus areas and an additional focus area.

A four GIG chapter: Is a chapter that has implemented projects that concentrate on all four of the focus areas.

AT THE END OF THE YEAR:

A Carolinas Region Four GIG Challenge form with activities that were accomplished by each chapter will be submitted to the regional coordinator no later than in February 2, 2011 for activities performed between January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 and Carolinas Four GIG Challenge Awards will be presented at the 2011 Carolinas Regional Convention.

Carolinas Four Gig Challenge

Carolinas Four Gig Challenge Success (reporting) Form

Relay For Life

We also encourage chapters to keep up their service efforts for the American Cancer Society and especially involvement in Relay for Life.  Information on Phi Theta Kappa's involvement in Relay for Life and links to useful resources can be found at the following website:  http://www.ptk.org/programs/fundraising.htm

Below is additional contact information and a link to the American Cancer Society Website.