In continuance with our Key Chapter blog series for the 2013-2014 academic year, we would like to highlight the University of Texas at El Paso chapter.
During the 2013-2014 academic year, the University of Texas at El Paso chapter held Power of the Purse, a fundraising event to benefit the El Paso Women’s Fund. In order to raise money, the chapter had purses donated to be put up for sale or to be auctioned off. All proceeds were used to provide scholarships to single mothers in the El Paso area who are trying to finish high and/or college. The chapter also participated in Project MOVE in the spring of 2014. Organized by the University of Texas at El Paso chapter, this event allows students to participate in numerous community services projects in one day. The Golden Key chapter’s event, Rebuilding Together, brought members together to paint the home of an elderly woman who lives in the area. The woman was more than pleased to have the chapter come help her, and the event served as an excellent opportunity for the chapter to give back to the community.
In the spring, the University of Texas at El Paso chapter offered to be the host chapter for Region 7 and Region 9’s 2014 Regional Summit, which brought together members, leaders and advisors from across the continental United States and Hawai’i. Prior to the Summit, the chapter put together a committee that planned and coordinated to ensure that the event ran smoothly, which included preparing the venue for speakers and workshops, planning the community service events and checking in the visiting Golden Key members. The committee also promoted the event on social media and on their campus. Guests were able to choose between three different community service events, which included the Rescue Mission of El Paso, the Polly Harris Senior Center and the YWCA of El Paso. Together the leaders and members were able to pull together and work as a cohesive team, which lead to a success event and even stronger chapter. In fact the event was featured as an official event of the university’s Centennial Celebration and will be part of the university’s legacy forever.
Congratulations to the University of Texas at El Paso chapter for their hard work and dedication!
 

We would like to highlight the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter.
Throughout the 2013-2014 academic year, the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez chapter participated in more than 40 chapter events! One of the chapter’s most successful events was their 1^st Internship & Graduate School Expo. This inaugural event provided members with a variety of information regarding internships, research experience for undergraduates, building résumés/CV and tips to successfully interview for a job. Members also learned how to use diverse web apps for professional development and the importance of using social networks wisely. Another popular topic of discussion was the importance of pursuing graduate studies and how it enhances career opportunities. The event not only gave chapter members the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and knowledge, but it also provided community members (professors, instructors, professionals, etc.) the opportunity to demonstrate their work and expertise.
The chapter also collaborated with several other student organizations on the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez campus to host the International Coastal Cleanup event. The purpose of this event was to create awareness about beach pollution and how the efforts of a few can make a huge impact. Alongside the other student organizations, the chapter was able to collect more than 50 pounds of trash from the Boquerón Beach at Cabo Rojo!
One of the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez’s larger events during the 2013-2014 academic year was their Make A Difference Day Event– The ProjecThon. There are a significant amount of social issues that are currently happening at Mayaguez, so the chapter wanted to create a more utilitarian service project that would give members options as to what they could stand behind and support. To make this possible, the chapter organized four community service projects to take place at the same time. One such event focused on helping the local animal shelter, Villa Michelle at Mayaguez.  Throughout the day, volunteers cleaned and fed the animals, as well as helped the personnel in their daily duties. The chapter also held an environmental service project at a community garden in an area called “El Mani”. Here members cleaned and watered the area where plants were, gathered compost and transferred it to planting areas. To benefit the elderly, the chapter worked with the “Brisas de Amor” home where they participated in stimulating activities with the residents. The final service event was “Care for the Homeless”, which focused on the aid and rehabilitation of homeless people in the area. The chapter delivered meals and first aid products, and they had one the university professors give a motivational speech to the group.
Congratulations again to the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez Golden Key chapter for being named a Key Chapter!