Home

UWC Clubs
This branch will incorporate the ideals of all of the first 4 branches. The UWC membership club will be promoted as a 'feel good' opportunity, emphasizing the POWER OF KNOWLEDGE, the endorphin 'high' of working with others on projects that connect us to far away places and the self esteem acquired in making a positive difference in our world through expressions of citizenship in our communities, our country and on the earth we share with all human beings.

There will be youth clubs as well as adult clubs, or even a mix if people prefer. Anyone can start a UWC club. Get together a group of friends and make it happen! 'Clubs' can meet as frequently or infrequently as they like and be as formal or informal as they choose. If some people would like to be members of the UWC but do not wish to participate within a group, they can develop projects on their own.

All UWC clubs must include elements of each of the first 4 branches in order to meet the guidelines of being a UWC club, as well as a commitment to some level of local volunteerism.

Examples of UWC club projects: (the first few are specifically designed for youth clubs but would be fun and meaningful for any age)

Hellen Keller Project:
A group of people join together and
1)learn about Helen Keller, her life and times
2)learn about Helen Keller International, a non profit working in developing countries to prevent and treat blindness due to malnutrition and unclean water('river blindness')
3)Choose one of the areas that HKI works in and learn about:
        a) the geography of the area (not the boring stuff, but where it is on the globe and what kind of climate and natural resourses they have access to and a few interesting etc.s)
        b) a bit of the history and culture of that area, as well as current events including the area's historic and current relationship with the U.S.
        c) research other interesting info(books, movies, articles etc.) related to Helen Keller, HKI, or the chosen geographical area and encourage members to explore them (perhaps for extra credit in the form of "badges" or some similar concept.)
4) develop a project that will raise awareness of and money for Helen Keller International and try to get some local attention for your project.
5) try to network w/ folks in other first world countries and partner w/ them on this project, thus creating bridges between the U.S. and some of our equally affluent neighbors. Learn a bit about the culture and geographical location of your partner country as well. (this part may be optional but encouraged)

Pearl Buck Project:
Same basic format as above, but plug in Pearl S. Buck International, a non profit working in developing countries(primarily Asia, I beleive) to improve the quality of life and expand opportunities for disadvantaged children. Add on encourgement to read Buck's fine historically accurate novels.

Princess Diana Project:
Similar format, but choosing among some of Diana's favorite 'issues' to complete the package.

Generic Celebrity' Projects:
Choose other famous philanthropists or humanitarians current or historical and work the format around them. Examples of other choices: Bono of the Irish Rock group U2, Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Audrey Hepburn, Neson Mandella., the Dali Lama, etc etc.

Mosquito Net Project:
Malaria is still one of the greatest killers on earth and experts agree that mosquito nets are the best way to prevent malaria. Many millions of people around the world do not have, nor can afford them. I need to plug numbers into this one but the 'mosquito net project' would go like this:

Choose a geographical area where malaria is a major issue and plug the above club guidelines into it. Raise awareness of the issue and money for mosquito nets by various methods.UWC will offer examples of fund raising ideas, but people can create their own ways of raising the money for their projects. Networking with other clubs choosing the mosquito net project will be encouraged as well as raising awareness of the project and it's goals.Clubs will be encouraged to develop fund raising activities that incorporate and promote their interests and/or favorite activities.

Note: We need to develop guidelines on projects to have appropriate time goals for completion so the UWC clubs can move forward and choose another geographical area to learn about for the next time period. I am thinking of 6 month and/or 1 yr. blocks depending on the project. If clubs become very attached to one club format, they need not change formats after the 6 month or 1 year period, only take the format and develop similar projects concerning different geographical areas. An example of this can be found in the 'adopt an orphanage' project below.

"Adopt" an orphanage Project:
I have made contacts in several orphanages around the world, and have a few more excellent leads. I have connections in two different African locations, one in Shanghai, China, one in Mexico, and a few leads in the Philipines. The orphanage club concept is one of my personal favorites of UWC club ideas. Your 'club'....(or join several clubs together) would "adopt" an orphanage, not to bring all the kids to America but to make a commitment to raise money for that orphanage as an ongoing commitment. As with all club formats, UWC guidelines will require members to learn about the culture, history, geography and current events of the area, as well as raise awareness of the project and UWC concepts whenever possible.

potential problems or issues to be addressed w/ orphanage project:

if a chapter of the UWC 'adopts' an orphanage, is it a good idea to help that orphanage on a temporary basis and then go on to other projects the next year? Should the club perhaps look for another club to take over their orphanage after the first year? By having a series of clubs sponsoring the chosen orphanage a year at a time, each club can go to new projects after their year is up, and ensure that the orphanage project continues in good hands.

Many other club ideas are available and folks will be encouraged to develop their own club/project ideas and present them to the UWC for review. As long as they meet UWC guidelines, they will get the go ahead. If the UWC does not feel that they fully meet UWC guidelines,the club proposal can be reworked and resubmitted. If the group proposing the idea wishes to stick with the original plan, they can, of course, create their own club or simply work on their idea as they choose. If this occurs and the club proposal is in general keeping with the ideals of the UWC, the projest members can be affiliates of the UWC, if they chooses to.