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Dear NPCA Advocates,
Send your message of hope and solidarity to the people of Haiti. Keep spreading the word about the March 2nd National Day of Action. Learn more about our 2010 advocacy priorities.
All this and more in our February advocacy update. |
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As Haiti Recovers, We Collect Your Words of Condolence
As a Caribbean born-American I am feeling very acutely the pain we all feel over this tragedy. I have faith in the future of Haiti and hope that you continue to allow the international community to help you through this. The entire African diaspora is praying for you and your people.
Tameisha Henry
Current volunteer serving in Kenya
Nou kenbe fem, Nou pa lage.
Lenny Teh
Haiti RPCV 97-00
As members of the Peace Corps community connect and respond to the monumental challenges facing the nation of Haiti, you can send a message of condolence and solidarity to the Haitian people.
NPCA is collecting these messages from our community, and will deliver them to the Haitian Embassy in Washington. Please take a moment to add your name to the general condolence message, and offer your own message of solidarity (if you so choose). Please share this link with others so the government of Haiti hears the strong and heartfelt voice of the Peace Corps community.
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As the National Day of Action Nears, We Need Your Voice
We are three weeks away from the March 2nd National Day of Action in Support of the Peace Corps.
We need your help. The Day of Action is the one day of the year when we ask all members of the Peace Corps community to take collective action to contact their members of Congress and urge support for a strong and vibrant Peace Corps. But it's not just RPCVs or former Peace Corps staff who can participate. Anyone who thinks the Peace Corps is an effective use of federal dollars should be encouraged to join in.
March 2nd Volunteers Still Needed: We are still seeking volunteers who can help March 2nd on Capitol Hill as we schedule meetings with congressional offices. Approximately 25 advocates have volunteered so far. We're hoping for 35 - 40. No prior experience is necessary. If you can help, contact us at advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org
Stay tuned for further Day of Action resources and updates as March 2nd nears!
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RPCV Congressman Farr Praises President's Peace Corps Funding Request
California Congressman Sam Farr (Colombia 63-65), who led the charge to go above the President's Peace Corps funding request last year, says he is pleased with the President's Fiscal Year 2011 Peace Corps request of $446 million. You can read Congressman Farr's remarks here.
For more details on the President's Peace Corps request, visit our blog. You can also read this article from Business Week on how Peace Corps fared compared to other parts of the International Affairs Budget.
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2010 Advocacy Priorities include Peace Corps' Third Goal and Universal Basic Education
Funding and support for the Peace Corps is part of a broader and more comprehensive 2010 advocacy priority to advocate for expanded global volunteerism. NPCA continues to be an active participant in the Building Bridges Coalition and will continue to work with the growing Service World movement to build momentum and support for sending more volunteers abroad.
As members of our community know, bringing the world back home and continuing a commitment to service is the third goal of Peace Corps service. Yet, it is often the forgotten component of the Peace Corps experience. Advocacy to promote this important aspect of service will be a 2010 advocacy priority.
Finally, a key global issue that will be emphasized in 2010 is the need for universal basic education. Part of the Millennium Development Goals, we plan to provide regular updates and action opportunities to help you be an effective advocate for education for all.
Our 2010 advocacy priorities will be regularly featured in our monthly updates. It all starts with this month's featured advocate - found below.
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California Action Alert: Support Overseas Voting Rights for California PCVs
Legislation that would assist voting opportunities for California Peace Corps volunteers and others living overseas is progressing through the California Assembly, but still has some hurdles to overcome.
Assembly Bill 1340 would require absentee ballots of individuals living overseas to be counted if they are recieved up to ten days after Election Day (provided that the ballots are postmarked on or before Election Day).
The legislation is currently before the state Senate Appropriations Committee. According to the office of Secretary of State Debra Bowen, a provision that has been added to the legislation expanding reporting requirements on overseas absentee ballot activity threatens final passage of the bill. Members of the Peace Corps community in California are being urged to contact the committee to urge support for the bill and possible removal or reduction of the reporting requirement provisions. Follow the link below to take action.
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Tap Project Promotes Water Access
During World Water Week you can combine activism with fine dining.
The UNICEF Tap Project provides clean, safe and accessible water to millions of children around the world. While U.S. restaurants normally provide patrons with free water to drink, those participating in the Tap Project will ask patrons to donate $1 for their water during March 21 - 27, with the proceeds going toward UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene programs.
The Tap Project began in New York City restaurants in 2007. It has since become a nationwide effort with thousands of restaurants participating.
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Featured Advocate:
Ken Patterson -
Swannanoa, NC
Recalling his days as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, Ken Patterson "saw how kids and adults alike wanted to learn and read and use numbers, though few had the opportunity." Ken also learned that those who did receive an education were far better off than those who did not.
Education is just one of the reasons Ken likes his job with RESULTS, a non-profit grassroots organization working to take on issues that address the root causes of global poverty. As the Global Grassroots Manager, Ken supports numerous RESULTS volunteers in the US that advocate on issues ranging from education to health care to microfinance. As universal basic education has been selected as one of NPCA's advocacy priorities for 2010, there will be increased opportunities for collaborative actions. Ken notes that a range of activities - from Capitol Hill legislation to targeted campaigning to coincide with the World Cup Soccer tournament - will provide opportunities for action.
Ken believes this issue will be a good fit for fellow members of the Peace Corps community. "So many RPCVs were teachers. We understand that education is at the base of development for any nation or society...We also have a lot of stories about what life is like without education in developing nations. These stories can be put to use in a powerful way with our decision makers."
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This Month's Featured Advocate:
Ken Patterson
Swannanoa, NC
Read More Below!
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SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA ADVOCACY NEWS
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Want to Learn More about the National Day of Action?
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NPCA President Kevin Quigley discusses Peace Corps funding on Federal News Radio.
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RPCV Polar Bears?
What's Going on Here?
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ORGANIZATIONS REFERENCED IN THIS MONTH'S ADVOCACY NEWS |
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