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September  10, 2010                                                                 www.peacecorpsconnect.org
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Dear NPCA Advocates,
 
Actions below for universal basic education, Peace Corps funding and a Peace Corps commemorative.
 
And, we're looking to feature your favorite advocacy moments.
 
It's time for your September advocacy update.
1GOAL Education for All Logo
Your Testimonies Needed Now in Support of Universal Basic Education
 
Later this month heads of state will gather in New York to provide a progress report on meeting the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the global effort to halve poverty by 2015.
 
The Global Campaign for Education - US is finalizing an organizational sign on letter to President Obama, urging him to include basic education as a key component of U.S. strategy to acheive the MDGs.
 
The National Peace Corps Association plans to add its name to this letter.  We are also asking you to add your individual voice.  We seek your brief testimonies and first-hand experiences on the critical role basic education plays in advancing human development.  We need your testimonies prior to the beginning of the MDG Summit on September 20th.
 
Help us bring the knowledge and experience of the Peace Corps community front and center as global leaders consider the role of education in advancing the Millennium Development Goals.
 

Your Favorite Advocacy Moments in WorldView magazine
 
As we prepare our winter edition of WorldView magazine - which will feature stories on advocacy - we want to also feature...you!
 
 In 50 words or less, send us your favorite advocacy moment.  It can be a major success, a moment where you learned a key advocacy lesson, something touching, something inspiring or something funny!  Your favorite advocacy moment can be related to Peace Corps and NPCA advocacy.  It can also be about another issue you are passionate about.
 
When sending your favorite advocacy moment, include your name, city/state of residence and Peace Corps years/country of service.  Please send your submissions by emailing us at [email protected]. We will select a cross-section of your responses for publication.
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

District Meetings Urge Senate Support for President's Peace Corps Request 

Our thanks to advocates in Chicago (pictured above) and Milwaukee who held August constituent meetings with the district offices of Senators Durbin and Kohl, both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
 
As Congress returns to Washington, the Senate and House will resume consideration of Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations.  While the House appears to be on the path to supporting President Obama's request of $446 million for the Peace Corps, Senate appropriators have recommended only $420 million.
 
If your Senator is on the Appropriations Committee, please contact them and send this basic message:
 
"I am disappointed the Senate Appropriations Committee is not following the leadership of the House in supporting the President's Fiscal Year 2011 Peace Corps funding request.  I urge Senator _____ to lead efforts in the Senate to support the President's request of $446 million for the Peace Corps."
 
If your Senator is not on the Appropriations Committee, please take 15 minutes this month to forward the action above to family, friends or fellow RPCVs who are constituents of committee members.
 
Please contact us at [email protected] and let us know you took action.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

21 Days...21 Cities

In case you missed it, we were on the road in August.  NPCA Advocacy Coordinator Jonathan Pearson took advantage of the summer congressional recess to travel through eight states, connecting with hundreds of members of the Peace Corps community, including members of the Central Indiana Peace Corps Association (pictured above).
 
Along with advocacy updates and action opportunities, the gatherings also focused on key plans for the upcoming 50th anniversary.
 
Be on the lookout for more get-togethers in the coming months.  Our next gathering comes Tuesday, September 14th in Annapolis, Maryland.

Stories from our August road trip can be found on our Polyglot blog


Peace Corps Commemorative Awaits Floor Action in the House

During our August road trip, there was strong support for the initiative to establish a commemorative near the National Mall to mark the historic significance of the founding of the Peace Corps and the values that it represents.

As Congress returns to Washington, we need to expedite passage of this legislation in the House of Representatives.  You can help by urging your Congressman/woman to co-sponsor H.R. 4195.
 

Coming in October:
 
Launch of Service World Petition


 
The National Peace Corps Association has been a pioneer in efforts to bring together organizations holding the conviction that international volunteer service (including and especially Peace Corps) is an integral component of policies to address global challenges, unite people from around the world and foster peace and friendship.
 
Celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps are approaching, beginning with mid-October ceremonies at the University of Michigan.
 
Through the Service World initiative, supporting organizations intend to reinvigorate the commitment to global volunteerism with the launch of a petition drive.  Similar to the petition launched by Michigan students following the speech 50 years ago this October 14th by presidential candidate John Kennedy, signers of the petition will indicate their willingness to serve and support a bold agenda to expand international volunteer opportunities.
 
Be on the lookout for the petition launch in mid-October.  
 
If you want to organize a petition launch event at your university or community, contact us at [email protected]
September Featured Advocate

For those who have checked out our 50th anniversary events page, you have seen plans for a major gathering in Washington September 21 - 25, 2011.  We will kick things off with advocacy on September 22nd (preceded by a prep session on the evening of the 21st).
 
Our goal is to have hundreds of Peace Corps supporters on Capitol Hill that day.  And, this month's featured advocate is our very first registrant!  Congratulations to Namji Steinemann (Thailand 83-86), who registered for the 50th anniversary advocacy day several weeks ago.
 
We hope to have constituents from every state involved with our advocacy day.  Namji's registration has gotten us off to a good start, as she is a resident of Hawaii!  Namji is the director of the Asia Pacific Ed Program and Associate Director of Education at the East West Center in Honolulu.
 
Namji has worked with policy makers and national education leaders to endorse teaching and learning about Asia and the world in K-12 schools. She also worked with state legislators to pass a resolution endorsing international education and provided support for legislation to establish a global youth center in Hawaii.
 
Our thanks to Namji for being the first of many, many members of the Peace Corps community we will be mobilizing on Capitol Hill a year from now!
IN THIS ISSUE
Universal Basic Education - Add Your Voice

Your Favorite Advocacy Moment

Ask Senators to Support President's Peace Corps Request

August Road Trip Wrap

Take Action on Peace Corps Commemorative

Service World Petition Coming

NPCA's September Featured Advocate

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This Month's Featured Advocate

 
Our very first...
 
 
 
Read More Below

 
 
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Get Ready for Peace Corps'  50th Anniversary!  
 
 
 
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Last Call!
 
My Piece of the Peace Corps Video Contest!
 
We want to hear your story.
  
 Submit a one- to two-minute video about how the Peace Corps, a Peace Corps Volunteer, or Returned Peace Corps Volunteer changed your life.
 
 Grand Prize: $2,500
 Second prize: $1,000
 Third prize: $500
 
 Go here for more information.
 
 
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KEY ADVOCACY LINKS
 
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