USE THIS BUTTON TO FORWARD TO A FRIEND!
|
|
Greetings!
What do 89 National Peace Corps Association member groups have in common? Find out below.
Peace Corps volunteer numbers are up, but RPCVs in Congress are down.
Take action on Peace Corps funding and international volunteerism, and take one last look at the 50th kickoff at the University of Michigan.
It's all here in our November monthly update.
|
|
Congress Returns November 15th as Questions Loom on Peace Corps, Other Spending
President Obama has recommended $446 million for the Peace Corps for the current Fiscal Year. The House has indicated support for that figure. However, the Senate has been leaning toward a smaller increase in Peace Corps funding - $420 million, and there is great uncertainty if Congress will even try to pass spending bills this calendar year, opting instead to continue funding government at present levels through the end of the year and allow the new Congress to finalize action. Read this article for one perspective on possible scenarios on government spending and congressional action.
Whether later this month or at the beginning of next year, the only thing that is certain is that the Senate and House will need to come to consensus on Peace Corps funding. Over the coming days and weeks we will be conducting targeted outreach to constituents of particularly important lawmakers.
For now, however, our action request focuses on the Senate. Please check out our new action center on the NPCA website. Take action, urge others to do the same and leave a comment. We need everyone to be a 50th anniversary voice for a bigger, better and bolder Peace Corps.
>>Take Action Using Our New Action Center |
|
First Thousand Sign Service World Petition
"As a returned Peace Corps volunteer I fully support this strategy. International service allows Americans to assist those who aren't as privileged as we are, while learning about a new culture. Both abroad and after they return home, international volunteers are able to spread knowledge and culture, increasing understanding in a turbulent world."
Our thanks to Kristen Sutara (Kenya 02-04), who is among the early signers of the Service World Declaration. In fact, many from the Peace Corps community are in the first wave of 1,000 to sign the declaration and express support of the Service World agenda (with a goal of doubling Peace Corps as part of an overall effort to send 100,000 international volunteers overseas each year) and indicate their willingness to serve.
If you have not yet signed the declaration, follow this link and be sure to leave a comment that includes your past Peace Corps service and/or interest in serving overseas in the future.
If you already have signed, please spread the word to all your family and friends. ANYONE can sign the declaration.
As a primary convenor of Service World, the National Peace Corps Association will continue to update you on actions and progress with the Service World declaration.
>>Read More About Service World
|
|
Election Wrap Up: RPCVs in Congress Drop to Four
Less than a week after the Peace Corps announced a 40 year high in volunteers, the key RPCV architects who helped make that happen will see their ranks on Capitol Hill dip to a twenty year low. Among those losing re-election was Ohio Congressman and Senegal RPCV Steve Driehaus, shown here at a March 2009 Capitol Hill gathering with NPCA's Directors Circle.
|
|
89 Member Groups ask President Obama for $500 Million for Peace Corps
There is ongoing advocacy on the Fiscal Year 2011 funding level for the Peace Corps (see action item above). At the same time, we are starting to make the case for the next - Fiscal Year 2012 - budget.
As the Obama administration is preparing its FY 12 budget request for the next Congress, NPCA and 89 of its member groups have weighed in, urging the President to continue supporting strong funding increases for the Peace Corps.
(Photo above: Members of the Central Ohio Returned Volunteer Association - one of the NPCA member groups signing the letter to President Obama)
>>Read the Letter and Learn More |
|
Don't Delay! Register Today to Host a March 1st 50th Anniversary House Party
Imagine all around the country - all around the world - tens of thousands of members of the Peace Corps community gather in hundreds of venues on March 1, 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's executive order which officially launched the Peace Corps.
You can help make this happen by hosting a 50th anniversary house party to celebrate this key moment in Peace Corps history.
- Follow this link to check out our toolkit which will help get you started. And when you are ready to commit to hosting a gathering...
- Follow this link and let us know of your plans!
|
|
Celebrating the 50th - Michigan Style
For those who attended 50th celebrations at the University of Michigan, it was a moment that really hit home. More than a thousand Peace Corps veterans and other supporters converged on the steps of the Michigan Union at 2 AM to witness the reenactment of how Peace Corps began 50 years ago. An exhibit and a day long symposium were among other events that transpired on the University of Michigan campus. You can read about these and other historic events that took place on NPCA's Polyglot site. Click here to see the final Ann Arbor images and to find links to other Michigan blog posts. |
|
Featured Advocate: Pete Johnson - Walnut Creek, CA
Our featured advocate has devoted much of his life to Peace Corps, first as a volunteer, later as a member of staff and these days as a strong advocate for Peace Corps issues. Whether in the state of California or in Washington DC, Pete Johnson has inspired others to vocalize their love for the Peace Corps within their own communities.
After two years of service in India from 1967-69, Pete spent twenty years working for Peace Corps on volunteer recruitment and placement in Washington and San Francisco. He also helped found the Northern California Peace Corps Association (NorCal) and spent nine years on the NPCA Board of Directors.
Advocacy has also been an ongoing contribution. "I wanted to make sure the Peace Corps received adequate funding no matter which political party was in the White House or controlled Congress, " Pete said when asked why he got inolved with NPCA advocacy. "It seemed that having RPCVs and former staff contacting the President and Congress was a logical step in that direction."
Like other major metropolitan areas, the membership of NorCal spans numerous congressional districts. Over the years, Pete has utilized the group contact list to connect RPCVs to their members of Congress. "When contacting RPCVs in our area, it really helps to have a message ready to communicate to our representatives along with contact information, so busy constituents can quickly grasp the issue and know how to reach their lawmakers."
Pete notes another important role of advocates - to praise lawmakers when they take positive action. With three of the four remaining RPCV Congressmen from northern California, here's hoping Pete Johnson and other RPCVs from the area will have plenty of opportunities in the future to sing the praises of local Peace Corps champions.
(Photo: l to r, Pete Johnson with his Congressman, RPCV John Garamendi, Pete's wife Susan Neyer and Patti Garamendi)
|
|
You still want to make a difference. Be a member to continue serving, connect with others, and support the legacy of the Peace Corps.
|
SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA
ADVOCACY NEWS
|
|
Featured Advocate
Pete Johnson (India 67-69) Walnut Creek, CA Read More Below!
|
|
Visit Our Online Store
Our online store offers a wide selection of Peace Corps and NPCA logo merchandise--from t-shirts and coffee mugs, to pins and license plate frames.
Wearing logo merchandise is a great way to spark conversations about the Peace Corps!
Your purchase supports the efforts of the National Peace Corps Association. |
|
Coming Later This Month
Be on the lookout for action urging continued support for the full International Affairs Budget. NPCA is a member of the US Global Leadership Coalition which is expected to to lead efforts on Senate and House Dear Colleague letters to the President to continue backing international affairs programs.
|
|
Thank You So Much!
During October, three members of our community who receive updates about our general advocacy and/or Peace Corps iniitiatives, made special donations to the NPCA to support our efforts.
Our heartfelt thanks to John Alexander (Ecuador 78-81), Elizabeth Schwartz (Guatemala 63-65) and Jeanne Whitney Smith (Macedonia 97-99) for going the extra mile with your generosity.
Please follow this link if you would like to make a special gift to support our Advocacy Program or other NPCA initiatives.
|
|
Soooo....Who Won the My Piece of the Peace Corps Video Contest?
Find Out Here
(Popcorn Recommended) |
|
