Marion Henderson, our Volunteer Coordinator, has written about one of the benefits of CISV involvement for parents of JBers and adult volunteers.
In her article she interviews two of our most enthusiastic adult members asking them to share how CISV has brought them together to be great friends:
Marion: As parents, we love CISV, in part, because of the deep bonds our children forge with other children – both local and abroad. But we are often pleasantly surprised to discover that through volunteering at CISV activities, we too, can establish our “camp-like” friendships and have oodles of fun!
Meet Marsha Brofka-Berends and Frank Urzynicok (see Marsha’s and Frank’s photos in the left column): Just a couple of unsuspecting (duh, duh, duh, DUH!!!) “CISV Buddies”!
Marion: Tell us about a little about yourself….
Marsha: I’m an editor originally from downstate Illinois. My husband Jan and I now live in Exton with our 13-year old daughter, Sylvia. I am on the board as the new chapter Recruitment Chair!
Frank: I live at a bit of a distance from BV CISV (65 miles away in Bel Air, MD!!) with my 12-year old daughter Anne-Katrin and my soon-to-be-11 year old son, Nicholas. My background is in Aerospace Engineering and I work as a QA manager at an aerospace software company located in West Chester. I’m a “member-at-large” on the board.
Marion: Why did your family join CISV?
Marsha: Studying sociocultural anthropology and spending a year abroad taught me the value of spending time with people from other cultures in order to learn more about them and about myself! I want my daughter to have similar experiences that will help her expand her horizons, grow as an individual, and participate in efforts to make the world a better place.
Frank: I was born in Germany and my parents routinely took me to amazing destinations every chance they could get. I experienced other cultures first-hand and learned to appreciate the diversity in lifestyles, political and economic circumstances and natural resources across many nations. I wanted my kids to be exposed to all the diversity our world has to offer and to develop a sense of appreciation for other cultures.
Marion: What other Volunteer “Hats” do you wear?
Marsha: Amnesty International and am on the board of the Friends of the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library in Chester Springs.
Frank: Back in Germany, I volunteered for an organization that designed and developed new aviation technology. However these days, when I’m not commuting, I help out at our school and our church.
Marion: What is your favorite CISV Event?
Marsha: Chaperoning at our chapter mini-camp! Though the coffee was bad, I had a blast chatting with and getting to know other parents in our chapter, it also gave me some sense of what camp is like. (Which was very reassuring as I prepared to send my daughter to Village!)
Frank: Being a chaperone at the BV Chapter Mini Camp. It was fascinating to see our kids interacting with each other to solve problems and essentially run their own camp and activities without the need for input from parents! I was particularly impressed by the great leadership and mentoring by some of the older JB’ers.
To get to know them even better Marion decided to ask Frank and Marsha about their favorites:
| Frank | Marsha |
| Color: Green | Dark Purple |
| Food: Does chocolate count as food? | Nearly anything that’s been deep-fried. |
| Hobbies: Photography, Skiing, Biking, Soccer, anything I can do outside with my kids. |
Knitting and pottery. |
| Vacation: Something different every trip. | Northern Vermont |
| Movie: Cliche as it might sound, any Cold War-era James Bond movie | “My Neighbor Totoro” |
| Musician/ From Bryan Adams Band to Joan Jett, Madonna to Meghan Trainor, or whoever the kids are into at the moment! | Guy Clark, Jane Siberry, The Pogues |
Frank also clarified that his love of green is not for money as “German Marks come in many colors” and that nature is the more likely inspiration. Also he added “what guy would not want to be James Bond?”
Finally Marion shared:
What makes Frank an awesome “CISV BUDDY”?
It was actually at the chapter mini-camp that Frank and I first hung out! He is very open, easy to talk to and is perfectly aligned with CISV’s values. I’m SO-OO impressed at how he manages to get to meetings and activities while living so far away! Our daughters have a special friendship because they shared Village together, and similarly, Frank and I have a special friendship as fellow delegation parents.
What makes Marsha an awesome “CISV BUDDY”?
The enormous enthusiasm and energy she brings to the chapter. It’s quite contagious! Not only is she outgoing and fun, she is also very resourceful, full of good ideas, and she gets things done! She is a wonderful friend!
~ Marion Henderson