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Dear NPCA Advocates,
April brings ample opportunities for action on universal basic education, protecting our environment, and the many programs (including Peace Corps) supported by the International Affairs Budget. Reach out, get engaged and encourage others you know to join our growing advocacy network. All this and more in our April advocacy update. |
Be An Advocate April 19 - 25 for Universal Basic Education
As universal basic education is one or our 2010 advocacy priorities, there are lots of opportunities coming up in the next few weeks to begin taking action. If you are interested in supporting this effort you can join our Education for All Advocates group on our Connected Peace Corps social networking site, where updates about activities and events will be posted regularly. To join the group, follow this link. As part of this advocacy effort, team up with the Global Campaign for Education, which is promoting the kick-off of the 1GOAL: Education for All campaign during their Global Action Week (April 19-25). We encourage you to take part in their Lesson for All, which aims to raise awareness of the global education crisis and get people involved in advocating for education for all. Legislation regarding education for all will be introduced in Congress later this month, so look for an action alert during the week of April 19th. If you live in the D.C. area, there will be a Capitol Hill kick-off event during the day on April 21st to mark the introduction of the Education for All Act, featuring Congresswoman Nita Lowey, actress Jessica Alba and others. If you are interested in attending this kick-off event, please contact advocintern@peacecorpsconnect.org. Thank you for your support!
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Say Thank You to Record Number of Lawmakers Who Signed Peace Corps Funding Letters
The month of March saw a record number of lawmakers sign "Dear Colleague" letters urging support for increased Peace Corps funding. They included Illinois Congressman Bill Foster (2nd from right) who signed a House Peace Corps letter for the first time after meeting with NPCA advocates (l to r) Rob Marshall, Rachel Shattuck and Mike Wood. All told, 156 lawmakers signed this year's Senate and House letters. While the 32 Senate signers was down slightly from last year, the 124 Congressmen/women who signed this year's letter marked a significant increase. Did your lawmakers sign this year's letter? Say thank you! One of the most important parts of advocacy is to thank your representatives and let them know you appreciate the positive action they took. Follow these links for the list of those who signed this year's Senate and House letters. If your reps are listed, please take a moment to call them to say thank you or send a letter of thanks. Follow this link to find contact information for your lawmakers.
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Budget Committees Take Up International Affairs Budget
As Congress prepares to return to Washington, the Senate and House Budget Committees will resume deliberations on federal spending for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins in October.
Included in these deliberations will be recommendations on funding for International Affairs programs. Along with Peace Corps, this portion of the federal budget includes a variety of programs that advance U.S. development initiatives and humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.
President Obama has requested $58.5 billion for the International Affairs Budget. NPCA sent letters to all members of the Budget Committee urging support for the President's request. We also added our name to a letter to Congress signed by nearly 160 NGOs from around the nation. Decisions by Congress on the budget have a significant impact on Peace Corps funding. The higher funding approved for International Affairs programs, the greater the possibility for significant funding increases for Peace Corps.
Take Action with your Senators InterAction (of which NPCA is a member) is urging action in support of a Senate letter signed by Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and George Voinovich (R-OH) urging support for the President's International Affairs Budget. - Follow this link if you want to read the letter before taking action.
- Follow this link for contact information for your Senators.
- In your message, identify yourself as a constituent, and note your Peace Corps connection (RPCV, former staff, applicant, etc.).
- Leave this basic message: "I am urging Senator _____ to add his/her name to the bi-partisan letter urging support for President Obama's International Affairs Budget. The deadline for signing onto this letter is Friday, April 16th."
- You can also note that signatures are being collected by Steve Feldstein, a member of Senator Kerry's Foreign Affairs Committee staff.
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On Capitol Hill: Peace Corps Director Testifies on Agency's Future
Appearing before a House appropriations subcommittee in charge of appropriations for various international affairs programs, Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams said an agency-wide assessment of the agency(which was mandated by Congress) is underway. A report on this assessment is expected to be released this summer.
Director Williams also outlined his plans for "quality growth" of volunteers through several measures, including expanding third year service and Peace Corps Response opportunities. He also announced plans to increase the volunteer readjustment allowance by $50 per month. The readjustment allowance and Peace Corps Response were among the many questions presented to the Peace Corps community last fall by NPCA in our Better, Bolder Peace Corps survey. Our final report summarizing the results of your survey comments was shared with the assessment team currently considering the future of Peace Corps. (Photo above: Director Williams appearing last year before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing)
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Earth Day 2010
As Earth Day approaches, climate change will be a primary focus.
That's especially the case in Washington where addressing climate change will be the focus of an April 25th rally on the National Mall. The Earth Day Network has also posted an online petition urging comprehensive congressional action to address climate change.
In another DC event, RPCV Mike Tidwell will be joined by fellow climate activist Bill McKibben and others at an April 15th program organized by Mike's Chesapeake Climate Action Network. A variety of activities, from stream clean ups to recycling campaigns to educational festivals are being planned all around the country.
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Former NPCA Advocate Supports Disaster Relief Efforts as PCV in Uganda
While most NPCA advocates connect with us after the conclusion of their Peace Corps service, some engage in advocacy before serving.
That was the case with Nicole Fiol, a Puerto Rico native who is now serving as a volunteer in Uganda. Nicole was featured by the agency for being a first responder to recent mudslides in the country.
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Featured Advocate: Zach!
You never know from where and when volunteers will come to your aid. That was the case back on the afternoon of March 2nd, during our National Day of Action. As advocates were holding meetings and distributing information on Capitol Hill, back at the NPCA offices a young man named Zach happened to walk through the door. Whether he thought he was visiting the Peace Corps itself, we're still not sure. He did mention the upcoming 50th anniversary and his desire to help. Staff - realizing the immediate activity on the Hill - asked Zach if he wanted to assist. Before he could say "toughest job you'll ever love", Zach was at our staging room in the Cannon House Office Building, helping to organize congressional leave-behind packets for distribution! Zach (or is it Zack?) stuck it out to the bitter end, joining an absolutely great group of Peace Corps applicants, RPCVs and former staff at our post-event happy hour. We were fortunate and happy to have his helping hands. Thank you Zach, wherever you are!
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This Month's Featured Advocate
Zach...
...or is it Zack?
(Points Unknown)
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Continued service by returned Peace Corps volunteers in their home communities - such as members of the Inland Northwest Peace Corps Association - helps support advocacy for the Peace Corps because it demonstrates the increased dividend we all gain from ongoing service. Read the Inland Northwest Peace Corps Association's story on our blog. |
Put Some Spring in Your Step
Visit NPCA's
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Peace Corps Budget Request
Follow this link to review Peace Corps' FY 2011 budget justification to Congress. (Note: This pdf is 8.95 MB)
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ORGANIZATIONS REFERENCED IN THIS MONTH'S ADVOCACY NEWS | |
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