Next Week: Launch of Service World Petition

Next week will not only mark the beginning of Peace Corps 50th Anniversary celebrations with events at the University of Michigan, it will also mark the beginning of a major push to expand international service opportunities.

To get things rolling the Service World Initiative will launch a petition drive - similar to the petition drive that helped spark the creation of the Peace Corps 50 years ago.  Individuals will be asked to sign a declaration in which they express support of the Service World agenda (with a goal of 100,000 overseas volunteers per year) and to indicate their willingness to serve.  You will also be asked to leave a comment on the importance of international service.

Your participation will be critical to the introduction and advancement next year of the "Sargent Shriver International Service Act."  Be on the lookout for an email message from us next week connecting you to the Service World Declaration.  And, be sure to visit us at www.peacecorpsconnect.org for all the latest news from the University of Michigan activities.
  

The National Peace Corps Association has been a primary convenor of Service World - which lists the improving and doubling of Peace Corps as a key goal.

NPCA Member Group Letter on Peace Corps Funding

Are you a member of one of NPCA's 140 member groups?  If so, we need your assistance.  We are circulating a sign-on letter to group leaders - a letter which asks President Obama to propose $500 million for the Peace Corps when he submits his Fiscal Year 2012 budget to Congress next year.  The sign-on letter also asks the President to make note of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in next year's State of the Union address.

Congratulations to the Orange County Peace Corps Association, Friends of Nigeria and Southern Nevada Peace Corps Association for being among the first member groups to agree to sign onto the letter.

We want at least 100 member groups to sign this year's letter.  There is a November 3rd deadline, so if you are part of a group, contact your group leaders to make sure they have seen the letter.  If they have any questions or needs, don't hesitate to contact us at advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org.

What do Bethlehem, PA and Livonia, MI Have in Common? 
 

Those two cities are the next stops for NPCA Advocacy Coordinator Jonathan Pearson as he holds coffee and conversation gatherings to meet with local members of the Peace Corps community and share information about plans for the upcoming 50th Anniversary.  The photo above was from a September 14th gathering in Annapolis, Maryland that attracted more than 20 people.

While not as extensive as our August roadtrip, we're looking forward to connecting with RPCVs in Bethlehem on the evening of October 11th and Livonia on the morning of October 16th.