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In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Olivia Happel-Block, PhD, President of the Board of Directors of Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA), to learn more about how the nonprofit is dedicated to supporting Alumni and their local communities. PGIAA offers annual scholarships, awards recognizing alumni accomplishments, and services to its numerous community programs.
Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA)
Question: What is the name & mission of your nonprofit?
Answer: The name of our nonprofit is the Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA), and its mission is to develop and operate an educational and charitable organization that supports alumni from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in their efforts to serve their communities in the pursuit of developing intellectual, spiritual, altruistic, and professional capabilities. The Association participates in varied charitable and educational programs, including, but not limited to:
- The CareLine – a telephone service for alumni and the public to utilize during times of need. Coming into existence in the wake and the Thomas Fire and subsequent devastating mudslides, the Care_Line initially offered free, temporary services for First Responders—many of whom experienced intense emotional, physical, and psychological stresses along with their own families. Approximately 300 trained mental health care professionals volunteer to respond to calls on this service.
- The Grief Network – a support group that provides grief counseling and offers The Seed & Flame Grief Box, created by Patricia Danaher (2018 MA Mythological Studies), which is a beautiful living memorial to lost loved ones. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Jizo, each box contains a handmade figurine, a handmade planter pot, kimono fabric, seeds, incense, ribbon, and a thoughtful guide to creating your own living memorial.
- Free public programs and activities focused on educational and charitable events such as the Pondering Peace weekend, “Coffee with a Black Guy,” a community writer’s symposium, the alumni film series, mental health seminars, educational retreats, environmental cleanup projects, fund-raisers, and more.
- Providing funds for annual need-based scholarship programs for students attending the Institute and rewards to alumni and students for examples of outstanding community service.
- Junior high and high school student mentoring and tutorial programs, especially in underserved areas.
- Click here to view Highlights from An Evening of Hope, Coming Home Awards.
Q: How long has your nonprofit been in service and whom was it started by?
A: One weekend in 2011, Dianne Travis-Teague, director of Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Office of Alumni Relations, and eighty alumni worked together to form a Steering Committee meeting for the development of an Alumni Association. An Executive Committee came together during 2012, and on April 17, 2013, The Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA) was incorporated as an autonomous 501(c)3 nonprofit, according to the vote and approval of alumni.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your nonprofit?
A: Pacifica Graduate Institute’s motto – “tending soul in and of the world,” inspired our alumni to extend this concept beyond the confines of Pacifica by supporting, developing, promoting community. In all things we do, we seek to serve this motto by considering how we can tend to that soul of the world. Our own motto, “through soul, community thrives,” urges us to support our alumni and communities to help them succeed and grow in their own endeavors.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded and what are your greatest needs?
A: PGIAA is funded by donations from alumni and occasional grants for special events from various foundations and/or private parties. The association has no dues for membership and depends upon the kindness and generosity of its alumni and other organizations for its funding. Unlike large educational institutions, the association has no corporate sponsors or athletic organizations that help.
Our greatest need is to locate continuing funding sources so we can provide these events and services. We also welcome donations of time and goods as needed per each event.
Q: In what ways does your nonprofit utilize its funding?
A: PGIAA presents free public programs that anyone may attend. These programs include the very popular Pondering Peace Program that was dedicated to remembering victims of violence in communities around the world. For an extended list of programs, see Answer to Question 1, above.
Our alumni span the entire world in addition to the United States. Most of our alumni work in human service areas, such as psychotherapy, teaching, writing, film, the arts, and various nonprofit organizations. PGIAA supports our alumni by sponsoring local alumni gatherings in the communities where they live and work, fostering connections and offering opportunities to expand and share their experience and expertise in addition to awarding multiple scholarships for current students’ tuitions.
PGIAA also maintains a robust website https://pgiaa.org/ as a clearing-house for current information, activities, and as a forum for alumni discussions.
Q: What types of fundraisers and/or programs does your nonprofit run?
A: PGIAA’s annual events, such as Coming Home, a full weekend of programming for both alumni/ae and community; our Pondering Peace in a World of Turmoil (dedicated to honoring those who are dedicated to a world of peace); our annual Martin Luther King panel and community event are the main fundraisers in addition to our annual appeal to alumni.
Q: Describe your organizations staffing models and internal operations. Has anything changed since the start of your nonprofit?
A: There are no employees in our nonprofit. The PGIAA Board of Directors, who work in partnership with our beloved Dianne Travis-Teague (Alumni Relations Senior Director), are all volunteers and serve a defined term on the board, per its bylaws. The Pacifica Graduate Institute donates to the association by employing the Senior Director of Alumni Relations who devotes her time in service to all Alumni through stewarding PGIAA.
Q: What makes your nonprofit different from others?
A: Most of our alumni work in the helping professions as psychotherapists, teachers, writers, artists, musician, etc. Our graduate institute is small, so we do not have the various sports teams or large corporate connections that universities depend on to fund their alumni organizations. Not all alumni are able or willing to be active members of an alumni association, so we are especially dependent upon the generosity of private parties.
Q: What is one best kept secret or fun fact about your nonprofit that not everyone knows?
A: Our alumni members thrive when helping others and live the Association’s motto, “Through Soul Community Thrives.” Serving our communities through sharing our talents, gifts, abilities, and ideas, and helping others find meaning in their own lives and/or crises is perhaps our best-kept secret (though we’d appreciate it if it weren’t so secret!).
Q: Can you share one or two stories of individuals whose lives have been changed because of your organization?
A: Recently, our Community Network learned of a family who would soon be evicted from their home. PGIAA immediately sprang into action, with funds to support their housing needs. When our alumni coordinator learned that a recent tragedy had created a ripple effect for the family, our CareLine provided immediate therapy to support them through their transition. In addition, PGIAA selected the Food Bank of Santa Barbara as our primary outreach and awarded Erik Talkin, Chief Executive Officer at Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, the Chancellor Emeritus Award for Community Service. Additionally, our students, faculty, staff, and alumni collected food items to support the Food Bank’s Thanksgiving Food Drive and presented a cash donation from PGIAA’s Founder Fund, earmarked for special needs.
Click here to support the Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association’s (PGIAA) mission to assist alumni from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in their efforts to better their communities.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.