Service In Sync^® (SIS) is a program encouraging PCMA members to come together and give back to their local communities on behalf of the meetings industry during the first week of November.

Network for the Needy^® (NFTN) promotes volunteerism through the meetings and convention industry and is sponsored in part by a generous grant from Global Experience Specialists.

The 2011 SIS program was a great success. Check out what these outstanding chapters did in 2011!

Canada East
The Chapter coordinated a day of volunteering at food banks across their region including Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Nova Scotia - Halifax and 1 soup kitchen in Windsor, ON. Nearly 70 volunteers lent a hand for almost 200 volunteer hours. The chapter also donated 400 lbs of food and over $900.

Capital
The Capital chapter made USO Care Packages for overseas members of the US Armed Forces. Packages included prepaid international calling card, a disposable camera, toiletries, sunscreen, and snack foods .The Chapter had almost 80 people volunteer for the project and raised $2,875 to support the cause.

Chesapeake
The Chesapeake Chapter gathered nearly 500 pounds of textiles that were donated and $1,000 was raised for the Anne Arundel SPCA.

Greater Midwest
The Chapter took 25 children from the Off the Street Club and treated them to lunch at the Rock and Roll McDonalds in Chicago, followed by an afternoon of activities and cookie decorating at the Swissotel. The kids also received a complimentary Swissotel backpack filled with additional donations from the chapter membership.

Greater Philadelphia
The chapter sent eight members for four hours to set up a Harvest at the PALM (Positive Aging in Lower Merion). The chapter is continuing their commitment. They had a wish tree at an event in October for residents of the PALM and will go back in December to set up their holiday party and bring their gifts for the seniors.

New England
New England had five members served 170 people for lunch at a soup kitchen. Another four members that put together 400 food backpacks for needy children.

Northern California
The Northern California Chapter gathered 12 chapter member volunteers for the local Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco. The group engaged kids in their group homework hour ("Power Hour") as well as an Art project led by the Club's Director.

PCMA Headquarters
The staff of PCMA had a bowling event to raise money for the Greater Chicago Food Bank. Between donations and raffle ticket sales, the staff raised over $1100 for the food bank.

Pacific Northwest
33 volunteers in Seattle, Spokane and Oregon worked at area food banks to create cases of vegetables and sort over 10,000 ponds of food.

POWER Chapter
The POWER Chapter raised money for the Nationwide Children's Pediatric Oncology Family Services Fund. They raised $800 through a celebrity guest bartending event at a local pub and an online auction.

Rocky Mountain
Thie Chapter returned to The Children's Hospital, in Aurora, CO to host their annual craft party. Seven volunteers helped numerous children who stopped by with about a dozen craft options, and a face painter.

Southeast
The Southeast Chapter of PCMA collected non-perishable food items at the Quarterly Education Program. The chapter collected over 125 items. These much needed items were dontated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

For more information on SIS, please contact Melissa Bronstein Hoffman at MHoffman@pcma.org or 312.423.7255.

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