Bonas and Beyond

In addition to the online economics class that we are running, we have started a Facebook page for Bonas and Beyond!   We will be sharing educational material that can make a difference in people's lives around the globe.  We'd love you to "like" the page and to share it with your friends!

Bona and Beyond day 1

Well yesterday was an adventure. Two missed flights in Atlanta, one missed flight in Port au Prince, bags that went to Denver and another that was seemingly lost to a seat mate made for an "interesting" day. And by interesting you can use words like stressful as well as enlightening, and eye-opening.

Travel with no cell phones, in a foreign land, can be rather stressful (at least for those of us picking up the travelers!). NY time and speed is a little different than #Haiti time :) We learned the difference repeatedly yesterday, but by the end things were going well.

A HUGE HUGE thank you to everyone who stepped in and ran the Welcome Program as I was relegated to waiting (and hoping the wait was not in vain!) for the late arrivals. IT SIMPLY COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOU! (I will assuredly miss some, but here are a few: Jen, Jovani, Diana, Carol, Naudia, Reed, Logan, and of course Todd for driving). Simply can not thank you enough. MESI!

I have much more to write, but out of time for now. Here is the audio from last night's presentation where everyone introduced themselves. 

http://media.zencast.fm/bonas-and-beyond/3.m4a

my intro (I was trying to whisper as afraid to wake others (not yet used to dorm life!)

http://media.zencast.fm/bonas-and-beyond/2.mp3

On tap: Today: 

9:45 campus tour

11:30 in Swan: Official SBU WELCOME. Come on out!

1:00 Special Olympic discussion (How we can help expand Special Olympics in Haiti)

2:00 Boating trip (Closed to Public for lack of space)

9:00 "All Hands" meeting.

WEEKEND: COME VOLUNTEER AND MEET EVERYONE!

Bonas and Beyond! It's about to get real!

This is going to be a huge event for BoanResponds and the Haitians who are coming. As a learning and cultural exchange event, it is definitely the biggest thing we have attempted. (it dwarfs food packing events in scope, work, and impact).

While we did not get everyone here due to VISA issues (will try earlier next year), we have a good group of 14(maybe 13--just heard today one may not be coming) Haitians who will be coming to SBU for almost 3 weeks.

The program/schedule is below. As you will see, the idea is to learn while doing. And we will be doing a great deal! Indeed, sleep is one thing we may not have much of!

We have classes (economics, finance, Environmental Science, Marketing, leadership, and political science), Seminars (Educational goals, science packs (TBD), International Law, Childhood nutrition, irrigation usage, water filters, a talk on Francis, and a few others WE HOPE), Fun trips (Niagara Falls, Allegany State Park, Chautauqua Lake), learning trips (Olean Wholesale, Park and Shop, Napoleon Engineering, SolePoxy, and Canticle Farms),BonaResponds work days (Bonagany Bonagany, Warming House, a car wash for HaitiScholarships, a wheelchair ramp, painting, trail work at minimum), and fun/fitness activities (Soccer, Yoga, hiking). Oh and if the weather allows, we hope to view the lunar eclipse too smile emoticon

In any downtime, we hope to be picking up some Creole too! (You will soon start to see flyers around campus with come Creole words that may be useful). Please make our friends feel welcome and say hi!

You can get involved and come to most of the activities as you can (trips are problematic as we still need drivers--so get approval before planning on jumping in the van for Niagara Falls). And if anyone (or any group) wants to help pay for a dinner etc, we'd love to do so! If nothing else you should plan on coming to the welcomes (7:00 pm on Thursday, 11:30 on Friday, the event at the Olean Public Library, and the October 8th "party and wrap up" in Francis Hall's San Damiano room. (but please come to other events too!)

Still also trying to get some school visits scheduled and would love a solar power seminar, but they are not definite yet.

Two issues (the main one is a lack of drivers) and also we have fewer people than we had expected, so breaking up to go to various schools is more of a problem. But we do hope to get to some local schools.

A huge thank you to the SBU Events planning, Housing, and all of the volunteers who have agreed to teach, host, and lead the students and overall make this great event possible.

Much of the material will be available online for those who could not get VISAs as well as the many who could not afford to come, so we also need people to record and video events.

https://bonasandbeyond2015.sched.org/

From FB. 

Updates on Bonas and Beyond

Haitian hurrah | The Bona Venture | St. Bonaventure's student-run newspaper since 1926:



"The Haitian group will be at the university from Sept. 23 until Oct. 12. The students are staying for three weeks as a new branch of BonaResponds, called “Bonas and Beyond.” This program, “Bonas and Beyond: Haiti,” aims to create a cultural experience for students from Haiti, according to the program’s pamphlet. The students will participate in a variety of non-credit courses, including classes in accounting, political science, computers and leadership, environmental science, economics and marketing and finance. "





Also

Here is a pamphlet explaining what we are doing at Bonas and Beyond: http://www.bonaresponds.org/BBH.Pamphlet.pdf

Here is a short BV article: http://www.thebvnewspaper.com/2015/09/10/haitian-hurrah/

Here is a longer article (press release) that appeared in the Olean and Bradford papers: http://www.sbu.edu/about-sbu/news-events/latest-news/news-release/2015/09/02/st.-bonaventure-to-host-20-haitian-students-for-three-weeks-this-fall

Here is a clip from SBU TV  https://youtu.be/hXP5SxLPaGM?t=25s

Bonas and Beyond schedule is taking shape!

Our schedule for Bonas and Beyond is taking shape!  Really filling up.  Going to be a busy 3 weeks!  Things you definitely want to come out for:

Thursday Sept 24, 7pm Welcome to WNY!  An overview and introduction to everything that is to come and a quick immersion into Haiti.   Swan (tentative location)

Friday Sept 25, 11:30 Bonaventure Welcome!  (somewhat a repeat of the 24th, but with official welcomes from School of Business Dean Carol Fischer and SBU President Sister Margaret Carney) Free Pizza. Swan.

Wednesday Sept 30, 7pm Olean Public Library: A talk on Haiti and how we can help.

Thursday Oct 8 Presentations on Haiti and discussion of next steps (MAYBE with a dinner)  Stay tuned for times and places.

We also have many classes (from Accounting to Environmental Science, Political Science to Legal Environment and even finance :) )

Weekends will largely be BonaResponds workdays.  We also have trips planned to Chautauqua Lake, Niagara Falls, Allegany State Park (we hope), the Olean Park and Shop, Olean Wholesale Group, Canticle Farms, and Napolean Engineering.  (Have other ideas?  Let us know in comments).

Many other tentatives but getting everything in is proving to be difficult.

1. We still really need drivers!  for all times.  BIGGEST NEED!
2. We would love some people groups to sponsor dinners. They do not need to be fancy.  Potlucks, BBQ, or if you want let the Haitians experience a US restaurant!
3. We are trying to get people to schools to speak, but we lost a driver during the day so it is proving more difficult.
4. Also we are looking for "adults" to RA for a night or two and be available if any problems arise (stay in dorms).
5. We hope to run a car wash fund raiser for HaitiScholarships when they are here (ideally Sept 26th---REALLY NEED SOMEONE to take ownership of it!)
6. We also want to get local soccer teams involved to have a a collection of used soccer equipment for programs in Haiti.  (if you know of anyone who plays soccer--or played soccer and might have some old equipment laying around, let us know!)

Today is the second big day for interviews with the Ambassade des États-Unis, Port-au-Prince (Haïti) .  We have written letters etc and we really hope that all participants are given an OK to come to campus!

Late August Update

Update on many fronts:

BUSY day(s)! As in TIME OUT please!  :)

1. We will need any leaders (basically if you have volunteered with us before, we need you Saturday from 9:30 to 12:30 (can stay longer if you want :)  Much work!  We have 40 volunteers for 2 hours (actually about an hour of work).  Meeting in MURPHY Aud.

2. Bonas And Beyond may kill me, but it will be a great way to go out!  Scheduling is a chore!  So many awesome things going on!  Wow.  Confirmed a talk at the Olean Public Library at 6:30 (POSSIBLY 7:00) PM on Wed. Sept 30.  (Plan on being in Swan on SBU campus at

3. Thank you to those who donated the 8 boxes of books that awaited me on my return from Colorado!

4. Thank you to Carol W and her friends and family in Buffalo for making WarmSnugglyBlankets!  Also to Mrs. Martin in Olean for doing the same to be donated to The Pink Pumpkin Project.  Next on that front is to get some people to take over the logistics of delivery and shipping.  I am spread too thin.

5. Thank you to Pearce Steel and Rob Granger for donating a solar electric hook up for our trailer.  It will allow us to have lights and charge our cordless batteries while working in and around the trailer (Old semi-truck body).

6. Podcast interview with Bishop Nelson and Charles from Liberia went well.  Everything in Liberia is more expensive and we do need to figure out a better way to help them.  Shipping to Liberia long term is simply out of the question on cost ($388 per 100 pounds). We will do the first shipment as promised, but in the future I think sending money is more economical.

7. We have had VERY few calls for our 10th year what BonaResponds means to me which leaves me to assume that  either we don't mean much you many people or I have failed to get the message out enough.  So PLEASE CALL!!  whether you volunteer with us or were helped by us or just want to tell us how I mess up, please call 1-800-606-0697 and when prompted, enter your Invitation Number: 15425.  We will then combine them into a video/presentation for sharing!

8. I am working on a 10th Year Anniversary of Katrina post, but not done with it yet.    I highly recommend you look back on our blog.  Also here is an interview I did with local TV yesterday on the anniversary:  http://www.twcnews.com/nys/jamestown/news/2015/08/26/local-organizations-reflect-on-hurricane-katrina-response-10-years-later.html?cid=twitter_TWCNewsJtown

9. VERY excited be working with Sr. Paula (phys ed) and Steve B (Women's soccer), Neil (SBU grad and Special Olympics of NY President and CEO, and Bony in Port Au Prince to help bring Special Olympics to more people in Haiti.  I think Bony's email today summed it up perfectly why I am so excited to be helping:

"I really thank you for your help after the earthquake, and I appreciate your vision to make this world a better place and we share this common vision cause this is what Special Olympics Haiti and the Special Olympics  Movement is throughout  the world. Our program is not only sport, as [some] people think. Special Olympics is based on community building and our focus is to develop the capacity and talent of those that are considered the most vulnerable of this country. We are a movement that uses sport as a vehicle to transform the life of our all societies because the only way to build strong development is to create integration of all human being in the social life and activities and is to create an inclusive society where everyone is counted and is given the opportunity to express themselves. Acceptance is one of our values. If we cannot create acceptance we won’t be able to build a better and inclusive world."

10.  REMEMBER: we need volunteers.  Sat 9:30, Sunday 11:30 (we will be meeting at the trailer on Sunday).  Trail work Saturday, ramps/steps on Sunday (I think--been so busy I have not confirmed with owners, but one way or the other, we have way too long of list of jobs waiting our help.)

thanks everyone!---Jim

BR Newsletter (August)

Hi Everyone, 

Going to try and get the newsletter a bit more active this coming school year so figured we would start today!


1.  Things are going well.  Been very busy this summer with ramps, donations, etc.  But doing well!  Trip to Oklahoma back in June seems so long ago.  

2. NEW PROGRAM!   Bonas and Beyond!  Big plans for fall

Probably the biggest thing we have planned is 20 Haitian Students coming to SBU for Bonas and Beyond!  A series of classes, seminars, and trips.  It is open to all and is going to be excellent!  Get involved and plan on attending!  Kickoff is Sept 24 and it runs through Oct. 12th.  
http://bonaresponds.blogspot.com/2015/07/bonas-and-beyond-haitians-coming-to.html

3.   Hard to believe it has been ten years since Hurricane Katrina.  It seems both like yesterday and a 100 years ago.  BR has grown and prospered in so many ways.  From work locally, to 17 states, to Haiti, Liberia, and the Philippines. All centered on a simple motto: volunteer and change the world!  We'd love to know what BonaResponds means to you.  Whether you volunteered with us, were helped by us, or just as an active spectator on what we have done.  You can email us at BonaResponds@gmail.com with a short write-up (and photos!) or call and tell your story (you have 30 minutes).  It is very easy: Call 
1-800-606-0697 and when prompted, enter your Invitation Number: 15425.  We will then combine them into a video/presentation for sharing!  

http://bonaresponds.blogspot.com/2015/08/from-our-fb-wall-t-this-month-marks.html

4. New and On-Going Collections: 

   A.  NEW!  Working with a job training program in Leogane Haiti, so we would love to send new or used tools.  Hammers, tape measures, etc.  
   B. School supplies!  Always much demand for these supplies (new or used) Pencils, pens, crayons, notebooks, calculators, etc.  
   C.  Gardening tools (gloves, small shovels, clippers, etc).
   D.  Books (some will stay in the US, some to Haiti)--local and to some groups in Oklahoma. ANY book in French or Creole gets extra thank yous!
   E. Shoes--Haiti and Liberia.  (again some may stay in the US depending on needs)
   F. Soccer equipment --We supply several groups across Haiti (great program--here is a video we had made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEH3Gj8BU_8)

The most recent shipment arrived.  Here is what Djemson had to say from Gonaives Haiti:

"Please find some pictures of the kids with the garden materials, books, bag, balls etc! I also attached please find some pictures of the children using the garden tools by planting the seeds that you sent!

A big thank you to BonaResponds, also a big thank you to you Jim for all your supports! I really appreciate that and I really miss words to thank you for everything!

On behalf of all our 17 children, We say a big thank you to you!
With gratitude,

Djemson Jeudy" 


5. We are Launching a "Work with BonaResponds" program where local teams, schools, and church groups can schedule a day a month to volunteer with us!  

6. Looking for donations for solar power and composting toilets in Haiti and Liberia.  (Solar is about $1500 for most schools)  Also Bishop Nelson would LOVE some money for blankets for the 118 orphans they are caring for in post-Ebola Liberia. 

7. Have you listened to our podcast?  It is a series of interviews and tlaks that allow you to relive great BonaResponds moments as well as learn what is happening with us!  Subscribe at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bonaresponds/id1013529268?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
or listen individually at https://soundcloud.com/jim-mahar-1





Ok, that is the VERY fast update.  Really hope many of you take the time to call in a "what BonaResponds means to me".  Remember call Call 1-800-606-0697 and when prompted, enter your Invitation Number: 15425.

THANKS EVERYONE!!

Jim 
(and the whole BR team!)

PS we are ALWAYS looking for volunteers.  Come Volunteer and Change the World.  We work ALMOSt every Saturday & Sunday