27. December 2009 by MSchirmacher.

The December newsletter has been posted to the blog. You can download the newsletter directly by clicking here or click on the Newsletter Archives page to view all newsletters.

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18. December 2009 by MSchirmacher.

Welcome to the new S.T.A.R.S. International blog site. Please take the time to register and subscribe to email updates so that you do not miss out on what is new with S.T.A.R.S. International.

To register simply click the “Register” link on the right below. You will be asked to provide a username and your email address. The site will then send you an email with your password in just a few seconds. Now you can login using your username and password you just received. Once you log in you can fill in your information, change your password and then go to the  Subscriptions tab to sign up for email alerts. So you do not miss a thing, be sure to select all categories and then click “Update Preferences”.

 To go back to the blog simply click on “view site” at the top of the page.

Thanks again for visiting us…

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16. December 2009 by KVaughn.

December 16, 2009- The 2010 S.T.A.R.S. host in Elgin, Illinois has now provided applications for 35 teen candidates for the 50 possible positions available for the 2010 S.T.A.R.S. International program, which is slated to begin in February 2010.  The deadline for 2010 candidate applications is quickly approaching on January 16, 2010.  Once the train leaves the station all those who missed the opportunity will wait a full year for another chance to be a part of this exciting ”World Class Program” offered only in the Chicago area!  The line starts right here………………………..

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16. December 2009 by KVaughn.

December 14, 2009 - AT&T provided S.T.A.R.S. Internationalwith some badly needed service and equipment or as we say in the telecom business S&E.  A&T kindly donated an E250 fleet vehicle with only 16K miles for use by S.T.A.R.S. to transport program equipment to the many venues utilized by the program.  Best of all, with the planned expansion into the Chicago market the staff now has a way to easily share equipment reducing the typical start-up costs for a new program.  Now if we could just get our own UVerse channel like STARZ!

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11. December 2009 by KVaughn.

December 10, 2009 - An interested core group of volunteers from the Chicago Scuba Meet-up club (CSM) met to explore the opportunities and support the expansion of S.T.A.R.S. International into metro Chicago.   Dean Nolan (lead dog on the sled) has enough “interested” volunteers to take the next step in co-developing a schedule with the BnG Club Director in the coming weeks.  In the best case scenario the program could be up and running in parallel to the Elgin program in 2010 sharing the program and equipment resources.  Stay tuned…

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10. December 2009 by KVaughn.

December 10, 2009 - Bartering is becoming increasingly more popular with all levels of business to reduce costs, especially small business like a non-profit.  S.T.A.R.S. International speculates that the opportunity to exchange scuba training offers with local business customers in exchange for goods and services they may need in the coming year could decrease the budget overhead.

 Two Local Charitable Organizations including S.T.A.R.S. are Accepting ITEX Donations for Children In Need.  The S.T.A.R.S. International (Scuba Training At-Risk Students) program was modeled after two years of field-tested pilot programs in the greater
Chicago, Illinois area in 2005 and 2006. S.T.A.R.S. International is focused
solely on at-risk youth (ages 13-17) with the goal to provide a positive
diversionary activity incorporating scuba diving which reinforces and
supports local academic achievement and career development. Candidates must
be predetermined to exude traits qualifying them as “at-risk” teens and be
nominated by local or civic authority figure. Your trade donations will help
shape the future. www.starsinternational.org

NOTE: There are other charitable organizations in the ITEX network. Please
visit www.itex.com

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10. December 2009 by KVaughn.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Boys N Girls club will host interested volunteers on December 9th for a 2010 expansion program introduction. 

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10. December 2009 by KVaughn.

Larkin High School - Elgin, IL hosted S.T.A.R.S. International founder Kevin Vaughn on December 8, 2009.  Kevin outlined the award winning after-school mentoring program being offered through an exclusive agreement with Larkin High School in 2010.  In attendance were three past graduates of S.T.A.R.S. International (Ana, Matt, Ronald) who offered their insight on the personal benefits of the program cirriculm.  S.T.A.R.S. gained the acceptance of the PTA to collaborate/support their search for additional candidates and future fundraising initiatives.  S.T.A.R.S. International looks forward to supporting the efforts of the PTA/Administrators through mentoring students towards success in their academic, career, and personal lives as young adults.

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10. December 2009 by KVaughn.

Larkin High School - Elgin, IL  Held its’ first Discover Scuba session on December 5th.  The objective was to encourage students “on the fence” about commiting to the 2010 S.T.A.R.S. International program to “take the plunge”.  For S.T.A.R.S. International it was warm-up for the Discover Scuba try-outs scheduled in January for candidates with completed applications.  The event was very exciting for those in attendance and the staff performed with excellence!  One of the candidates at the event (who did not possess swimming skills and confidence) remarked to the staff that “I have never seen the bottom of the pool before”, nor did she know how the pool slanted to 8′ in the deep end!  Yet another mystery solved!

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