Associate Dean of the College David P. Illingworth `71 must approve the fundraising projects before the groups team up with Couch.

"We try to be as helpful as we can, to show people how to do it most efficiently. It's an effort to educate people in how to do this and how to do it right. We feel it's a very important piece of the educational process," Couch says.

Couch worked with class officers and PBHA members to construct the guest list for Thursday's presentation, which included people who do not regularly give to the College, but have the capability to do so and backgrounds in public service. Of 45 invited alumni, 18 attended, which Couch says is a high percentage for fundraising events.

"Many of the same people who might give to PBHA were involved in the alternative senior gift. People who don't give to the College are interested in supporting our campaign," says PBHA president Trevor S. Cox `01-02.

At Thursday's lunch, Cox spoke about PBHA's history and provided a general look at the needs of the organization and how it benefits the student volunteers.

Other student speakers included Natalie Guerrier `01, the previous PBHA president, who spoke about her personal experience with PBHA summer programming. Michelle Soohi Lee `03, the student chair of the Centennial Campaign, spoke about the attitudes and ambition of student volunteers and her experience with the Housing Opportunities Program (HOP), which she directs.

Alina Das `01 and Andrew Park `01-02 also spoke about their personal experiences in individual PBHA programs, Das at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and Park with the Refugee Term Enrichment Program.