PACTS Alumni Committee

Help us keep in touch with you!

Manny Smith — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:51:12 +0000

Your Alumni Association Misses your Participation!

There are exciting events, interesting opportuntities, and opportunties for us to still make a difference through involvement with the PACTS Program. To get everything done, we need the true force of all of our graduated alumni. Be sure we can keep in touch with you! Add your current information to our alumni directory:

Just click here!

It’s that easy!

Look forward to some exciting announcements from us soon!

Gil Bowl/Fundraiser for the Gil West Jr Scholarship Event

Manny Smith — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:06:57 +0000

Gil Bowl

Come out to have some fun and support a great cause! Our goal is to raise
between $500-$1000 for the scholarship. We hope you can attend!

Saturday, August 27th * 4:00PM –7:00PM
Lucky Strike Lanes
1336 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, PA

Tickets are $40 ($31.25 covers food, non-alcoholic beverages, shoe rental
and a raffle ticket. The balance will be a donation to the scholarship.)

Payments can be made:
By credit card
Call 215-448-1339 or 215-448-1130
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

By checks
Mail to: The Franklin Institute
attn: Development Department
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
reference ‘GilBowl’ in the memo line
All payments are non-refundable and must be received
by Thursday, August 18

Together, we can raise a generation of doctors.

Manny Smith — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:41:12 +0000

Volunteer to become a mentor for “The FIRM”.

This summer, the PACTS Alumni Committee will be launching a brand-new endeavor in connection with The Franklin Institute. We’re calling it “The FIRM” – The Franklin Institute Resource for Mentoring. Our goal is to encourage students from around the region (including PACTS & SLA Students) to pursue college educations, with support and guidance from Mentors.

Who will serve as Mentors? Professionals, of all backgrounds who will commit to forming a relationship with one (or two) students. Since this is an alumni partnership program, we’re counting on the balance of these Mentors being PACTS Alumni Mentors.

As you consider the idea, remember the commitment to Mentoring is NOT all about meetings, and a lot of face-time with your student. We’re envisioning this a primarily “E-Mentoring” program, which means you’ll be communicating with our students primarily via email. In any case, we’re going to be supporting all of our Mentors via training, and encouragement to get your student relationships going.

Which brings me to our main point….this is a call for Volunteer Mentors. This summer, from July 6- August 12, we’ll be running a pilot of “The FIRM” with the teenage Explainer Students who will be working with the museum’s summer program. Since these students will be at the museum on weekdays for six weeks, we’ll be able to have close interaction with them, and you. By the end of the summer, we’ll be able to bring everyone together for a focus group that will help us to refine the elements of the program before its larger launch in the future.

This program is of high priority to the museum’s Education Vice President Frederic Bertley, PACTS Director Michael Burch, and I know it will become near and dear to the hearts of PACTS Alumni Members far and wide. If you’re interested, please reply via email before Friday, June 17, 2011. We’ll set up a conference call (or meeting depending on schedules) shortly thereafter to get everyone ready for launch. As always, you can reach me, and indicate your interest by emailing me at manuelsmith-at-gmail-dot-com

I look forward to your replies, questions, and especially your confirmations to participate. Thanks again for your time, consideration, and ongoing support of the PACTS Alumni Committee.

Manny Smith
Alumni Committee Chairperson

May ’11 – Alumni Celebration Time

Manny Smith — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:03:10 +0000

As PACTS prepares to graduate our largest class ever (14 Students), we’re calling on the support of our large, & loved Alumni Family to send our next set of students off onto the road to success. I hope to see everyone, at every event listed below:

Scholarship Interviews – Saturday, May 14, 2011 – 10:00am-1:00pm – Volunteers Needed

As always, every PACTS Alumni Member is welcome to be part of the selection process for the 2011 Gilbert A West Jr Scholarship Recipients. After group presentations by the seniors, we’ll interview, vote, and select up to two award winners this year. Your input is critical, especially with a class this large. Email manuelsmith-at-gmail.com by May 2 if you can participate.

PACTS Graduation Ceremony – Tuesday, May 24, 2011/4;30pm- open to Alumni, via RSVP

For the first time in many years, PACTS is returning to an evening graduation ceremony for our outgoing students. Let show their families, and the museum what a impact this program can have by having a big turnout for this awards ceremony & reception. RSVP by May 16 to Jessica Keil, at jkeil-at-fi.edu

Scholarship Contributions – Ongoing

With a graduating class this large, its likely there will be more than two students deserving of a scholarship. We need your support, let’s try to make a third available. Donations of any amount are important. Email Mike Burch at mburch-at-fi.edu

Let’s celebrate all that we’ve been able to accomplish over many years, and the success of students going forward. We look forward to seeing your face, in this place in May 2011.

NOTE: While you’re here, make sure the Alumni Committee has your latest information….update your Database Information via the link in the bar to the right

Tis’ the Season!

Manny Smith — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:46:36 +0000

Fellow Alumni, from the bottom of my heart, and those of the entire Alumni Board and PACTS Staff, may we wish you the very best of the holiday season!

Between Graduations, Weddings, New Jobs, Moving Towns, and more, it’s been a busy 2010 for our Alumni Family. PACTS has been doing some growing itself, with Saturday workshops averaging 100 students for the Fall Semester, and a few new Staff Members and Volunteers aboard to support the effort. If you’re attending the Holiday Party this Thursday, you’ll get the chance to meet them in person!

Most of you received a letter from the Alumni Committee this year asking for your support of the Scholarship Fund. Your support is more important than ever this year, because the Explainer Program is graduating nearly 15 students. That’s the largest number in years. We’re hoping that the fundraising totals from this campaign will allow us to grant three scholarships this year. An update on our total will be available just after the New Year.

As you begin to make your New Years’ resolutions, keep the PACTS Alumni Committee in mind. As we enter into 2011, we’ll be launching a major mentoring program supporting PACTS Students. We’ll need your help in making sure that students have an encouraging adult Alumnus in their lives. We’ll also look to enrich our Alumni Members through special programs and activities at the museum, look for your first special invitation in January. And we can never forget the Scholarship Program; it’s your contributions that help send our kids to school with the extra dollars that can make a world of difference during Freshman Year.

You can begin by entering your updated contact information in our new Alumni Database. It takes only a minute at http://bit.ly/eZNiWG

Until then, I hope you enjoy every gift, and every special meal of the holiday season!

Sincerely,

Manny Smith

Alumni – Let us know where you are!

Manny Smith — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:41:18 +0000

Are you a PACTS Alumni Member? Then let us know were you are! It’s easier than ever using our new online database. Just click here , answer a few questions….then you’ll recieve all of our latest updates and information.

We cannot wait to be seeing you soon!

November 2011- Alumni Board Minutes Summary

Manny Smith — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:34:17 +0000

Discussion of Bylaws
Bylaws will be revised and vancant positions on the board will remain vancant until futher notice.

Scholarship Outreach
There is a graduating class of 12 Explainers in 2011 for PACTS. There is a critical need for us to ensure that we have at least two scholarships to grant, so at least 4 scholarships (including PACTS Scholarships) are available to our students.

Discussed fundraising ideas to raise money for scholarships in 2011. New fundrasing goal for 2011 is $10,000. Contributions letter will be sent to PACTS alumni and parents of PACTS students by December 1, 2010. Follow up letter will be sent January 2011.

Tee Shirts/Membership
Board agreed that shirts will be sold on an ongoing basis at $20 for adult sizes and a reduced charge for child sizes. Secretary Sanders will update prices when available. TFI logos also to be added to shoulder of shirts. PACTS Program will shoulder any additional cost of adding the TFI logos.

Membership dues have also been set at $25 yearly, $15 for students who graduated from HS in past 5 years.

Submitted by: Nakyia Sanders

PACTS Alumni, we need ‘ya!

Manny Smith — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:04:11 +0000

We know most PACTS Alumni are busy, very busy. But our beloved program is still here, and we can use your help for our outreach activities, special events, and the scholarship program. Here’s how you can stay connected with our latest announcements:

Bookmark this page: PACTSALUMNI.COM is your home for daily updates, and up-to-the-minute information on Alumni Committee happenings, events, and plans. Keep it here for everything PACTS Alumni related. Your contributions are encouraged. Email Manny Smith with any group news, photos are encouraged!
Join the Facebook Group: Connect with old friends, and staff members. Enjoy and see old photos and memories from the program. Set up and discuss ideas. The best of your Alumni Association on the world’s largest social networking site.
Reach out to your Alumni Board: We’re here to serve all. Your ideas, your suggestions are always needed, and always encouraged.
Support the Scholarship: Contributions for the Gilbert A. West Jr. Scholarship fund are always accepted. Your contributions directly affect how many students we’re able to assist each year. We encourage members to give early, and give often. All contributions are fully tax deductible, and are recoqnized in the museum’s annual report.

Redoubling our efforts for positive change

Manny Smith — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:33:39 +0000

Fellow Alumni,

Two startling headlines about youth in Philadelphia startled, and frustrated me this week. I want to write to you today about them, and ask you to support our efforts to begin making a change.

First, only about 45% of black males in Philadelphia are graduating high school:

http://bit.ly/aZOHMx

How about the other 55%? Where to they go? Mostly to jail, says the NAACP.

http://bit.ly/alW0fd

So, in the city where we grew up and around, most of the teens are finding their way out of school, and into prisons. It’s a sobering reality, one most of us were able to escape. A reality that seems to be getting worse.

It’s going to take a lot of work to address the root causes of these issues. More than any one organization can handle. However, small changes can begin a tide of change.

Fellow Alumni, I ask you to join us in redoubling our efforts to support the “culture of excellence” that PACTS provides students of all backgrounds in the Delaware Valley.

You can begin by referring students to the program. Share the linked application, and encourage them to attend our Orientation event, this Saturday, September 25 at 10:00am. There is always space for interested students.

Make a difference in the life of a rising high school senior, as the PACTS Alumni Association meets with the Explainer Senior Class for mentoring, and report card review this Saturday, September 25, at 12:30pm. RSVP to manuelsmith-at-gmail-dot-com if you can attend. One hour equals a world of difference. Hearing from more of you would help ensure this small event is a big success.

Finally, you can always contribute to Gilbert A. West Jr. Scholarship Fund. Every alumni-raised dollar goes directly to students, and supporting their first, crucial year of college and their first steps toward future success.

I will be reaching out again as we continue supporting PACTS, and area students into the future. I know that there are more Alumni who can, and will lend support as we begin closing the achievement gap that fails so many children, even in a modern, robust city like Philadelphia. I look forward to working with you soon!