KJB and PTK Chapter Announce Partnership

Jackson's first "Operation Green" project executed successfully

Jackson, Miss. – Keep Jackson Beautiful (the local Keep America Beautiful affiliate) and the Phi Theta Kappa chapters from Hinds Community College and Holmes Community College recently kicked-off their two-year partnership with a community service project to improve a major entry into downtown Jackson.

Keep America Beautiful and Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education, have joined forces to launch “Operation Green: Improving Our Communities,” an International Service Program for Phi Theta Kappa’s 1,200 chapters. The program was introduced at PTK’s 88th annual conference in Seattle this spring.

The local partners met earlier this summer for initial discussions and Phi Theta Kappa chapters in the Mississippi and Louisiana region came together for their regional Leadership Conference September 15-16, 2006. Motivational speakers encouraged members to become great leaders. Dr. Eric Pratt spoke on the “Pursuit of Power,” and Janie Walters spoke on “Coping with Change.” Educational forums were held on holding effective meetings, effective fundraising, scholarships, and other topics. The weekend ended with a civic engagement opportunity in which members partnered with Keep Jackson Beautiful in order to beautify downtown.

The partners tackled the green space area between South Jefferson Street and I-55 for a tree pruning and clean-up. The area covers several acres and is an entry into downtown Jackson.

“The whole day was fantastic. Phi Theta Kappa is a very powerful group of students! We had a great turnout for the tree pruning and those trees look so much better. It was super hot but we survived!” exclaimed Barbara Ryan, executive director of Keep Jackson Beautiful.

Phi Theta Kappa, which is recognized as the official honor society for two-year colleges, conducts an International Service Program on a biennial basis. Phi Theta Kappa members will be engaged in a variety of education/awareness, recycling, beautification and clean community programs.

“Keep America Beautiful is extremely grateful to Phi Theta Kappa for this opportunity to connect its vital, energized volunteers with our affiliates,” said Keep America Beautiful President G. Raymond Empson at the annual conference. “Many Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members are living and working in the communities where they attend school. It is only natural that they are motivated to engage in issues of importance to Keep America Beautiful.”

“Phi Theta Kappa is eager to address environmental concerns with our new International Service Program,” said PTK Executive Director Rod A. Risley at the annual conference. “Keep America Beautiful provides the opportunities and resources our members need to make a positive and lasting impact in their communities. Many PTK chapters are already engaged in litter prevention and recycling programs, so we anticipate that this will become on of our most successful Service Program Partnerships.”

Ryan confirms that statement. “I was amazed by the great things they are already doing that fit right in to our projects!” she says.

Keep Jackson Beautiful will continue to notify the public regarding the progress of this important partnership and opportunities for involvement. The non-profit organization will launch a new website in October as another tool to keep the community informed about beautification projects. The public may contact 601-366-4842 or info@keepjacksonbeautiful.com for further information, to volunteer, or to make a contribution.