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April 8, 2011                                                                                                                        www.PeaceCorpsConnect.org

Greetings! 

 

Major cuts proposed to Peace Corps, the International Affairs Budget and other volunteer opportunities requires a strong and sustained response.

 

Current action opportunities are found below.  We're also preparing for local district office meetings in August and our big Capitol Hill presence during the 50th anniversary activities in September.

 

Here is your April monthly advocacy update. 

PC HeadquartersPeace Corps Prepares for Possible Shutdown 


Without an agreement in the waning hours, a partial shutdown of the federal government would commence at midnight Friday.  Facing that possibility, Peace Corps prepared an outline on what that will mean for its operations.  Support for volunteers and trainees in the field would continue with minimal interruption, but many other activities would be significantly impacted.

 

>>Read More


 
US Capitol
Fiscal Year 2012 House Budget Proposal Calls for Major Cuts for International Affairs
 


Leading coalitions supporting international affairs have expressed deep concern about proposed reductions in foreign assistance programs, as outlined in a budget proposal introduced this week by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI).

While this budget proposal does not specify spending levels for Peace Corps, the US Global Leadership Coalition says a close to 30% reduction is proposed for the entire International Affairs Budget (compared to the last approved spending levels in Fiscal Year 2010).  Follow these links to read USGLC's statement on the budget proposal and an action alert through which you can urge support for Peace Corps and the entire International Affairs Budget.

InterAction is also urging Congress and the President to sustain foreign assistance funding for the fiscal that begins in October.  In a press release, InterAction President Sam Worthington said  "Victims of disasters would be left to fend for themselves, democratization programs would be cut back and schools would not be built. A vacuum would be left, and increasing poverty, disease and hopelessness, along with those who do not share American values, would fill it. America would pay the price five or 10 years down the road." 
 
Farr
Farr Releases Peace Corps Funding Letter 


RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), joined by fellow California RPCV Congressmen Mike Honda and John Garamendi, has just begun circulating a letter to House colleagues asking them to show their support for President Obama's request of $440 million for Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2012, which begins in October. This would represent a 10% increase over the current $400 million Peace Corps has been operating at so far in the current fiscal year.  It would allow the Peace Corps to continue to advance programs and build momentum in this 50th anniversary year.

TAKE ACTION NOW:  This is an action for your House Representative only: 
  • Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 1-877-851-6437 and ask to be connected to the office of your Congressman/woman.  If you are not sure who your Rep is, visit www.house.gov and go to "Find Your Representative" in the upper left corner.
  • Leave this message:  "I am calling to urge Representative ______ to sign onto the Farr/Honda/Garamendi Dear Colleague letter which urges support for the President's Fiscal Year 2012 funding request for Peace Corps.  Signatures are being collected by Caitie Whelan in Congressman Farr's office."
  • Look For Regular Updates as early as next Monday and get ready to take additional action on this Dear Colleague letter.
Durbin District Meeting
Coming in August:

NPCA's District Meeting Days! 



Last August, members of the Chicago Peace Corps community (featured above) held a district meeting with the office of Senator Richard Durbin.

This August, we want more.  A lot more.

During last month's National Day of Action, more than 100 meetings were held on Capitol Hill.  With August marking the start of the traditional congressional summer recess, we want to help organize a minimum of 100 meetings, so lawmakers can be regularly reminded of the proud and passionate Peace Corps constituency that exists all around the nation. 

That's why we are planning to coordinate District Meeting Days between August 1 - 15.  We are in the process of preparing a toolkit to assist groups as they plan to meet with district offices near where they live.

We need meeting coordinators.  If you can help take the lead for organizing a meeting or two in your region sometime during the first two weeks in August, please contact us at [email protected] so we can connect with you.  

We're off to a good start, as we already heard from nine coordinators in six different states.


This action will serve as a powerful lead up to our Capitol Hill Advocacy Day in September, part of NPCA's 50th anniversary celebration.

So...Did You Take the Survey? 


If you are among the nearly 40,000 individuals in our NPCA database with a valid email address, you should have received a message earlier in the week about taking an important survey we are conducting with Hart Research Associates to gauge how RPCVs view their experience.

Our thanks to the nearly 5,000 of you who have already taken the survey!

If you received this survey announcement and have not yet responded, there's still time to participate, but please take the survey soon.  Thanks!

Congressman Petri

Peace Corps Commemorative Co-Sponsors Pass 100

 

At the beginning of last month, on the Peace Corps' Anniversary of March 1st, legislation was introduced to the House of Representatives to construct a commemorative in the nation's capital, as a tribute to the historic significance of the establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961 and the ideals its establishment represents. A month later the legislation (H.R. 854), has already surpassed 100 co-sponsors who hail from all parts of the country, as well as both sides of the aisle. To learn more about this effort and how you can take action, please follow this link.

 

Save Service

Take Action to Save Domestic Service Funding

 
Peace Corps is not the only service project under threat of severe reductions.  
The Corporation for National and Community Service is at risk of a severe budget cut that would significantly diminish its capacity to build an active, domestic citizen force of volunteers.  The Corporation comprises a number of domestic service programs including Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, Learn and Serve America, the Volunteer Generation Fund and the Social Innovation Fund.

 

Earlier this week, the group Save Service in America organized a national call-in day.  While the call-in day has passed, it is not too late to act.  Follow this link to learn how to participate in this action opportunity!  

 

Karen Showalter

Featured Advocate:

Karen Showalter - Washington, DC

 

As the Executive Director of Americans for Informed Democracy, Karen Showalter is actively building the next generation of global citizens who can lead the world into an age of collaborative interdependence and communication. By raising awareness, cultivating curiosity, and mobilizing youth networks, Karen and AIDemocracy promote social change on more than 1,000 U.S. college campuses and in more than 10 countries.

 

For Karen, this dedication to social change began during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer (Niger, 96-99), for her service "ignited within [her] a huge sense of responsibility." Karen notes that her experience "taught [her] how to help people dissect community challenges and identify solutions, organize an event with little more than a good idea and a bag of kola nuts, and respect the need to build friendships based on mutual respect."

 

In addition to providing her with timeless life lessons, her two years in Niger have shaped her career orientation. From working with local communities to address challenges in food production, environmental protection, health and education, Karen has dedicated herself to female and environmental advocacy. She has worked for Oxfam International's Health and Education For All campaign in Mali, as well as Netcentric Campaigns, the Bank Information Center, and IFIwatchnet, before furthering youth advocacy at AIDemocracy.  

 

At AIDemocracy, Karen is continuing to spread the Peace Corps message, as she teaches her students the importance of such cross-cultural relationships and inspires them to "take action at the personal, national, and global level." AIDemocracy mirrors the Peace Corps' commitment to global exchange, as it invigorates the globally conscious leaders for our increasingly interdependent world. And to these aspiring changers of the world, the Peace Corps - especially RPCVs - are a huge inspiration. As Karen explains, "Our members are always eager to meet and learn from people who have worked on the ground and understand the challenges...first hand."  


IN THIS ISSUE
A Shutdown at Peace Corps - What Does it Mean?

The Next Budget Calls for Even More Cuts

Peace Corps Letter in the House

We Need Your Hometown Advocacy in August

Important RPCV Survey

Peace Corps Commemorative Update

Domestic Service Volunteers Need Your Support!

Featured Advocate: Karen Showalter

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You still want to make a difference. Be a member to continue serving, connect with others, and support the legacy of the Peace Corps.

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This Month's Featured Advocate...        

 

 

Karen Showalter 

(Niger 96-99)

Washington, DC    


Read More Below 

 
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ADVOCACY NEWS


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Write a letter to a lawmaker as you curl up with a warm cup of... 

 

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50th Anniversary Tea!

 

20% of all sales from purchases of Harmony and Peace Tea will help benefit NPCA and its programs 



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An RPCV Voice for Robust International Affairs Funding

 

 

Congratulations to Korea RPCV Advocate Richard MacIntyre (Korea 67-69) who was featured by the US Global Leadership Coalition for his recent opinion piece urging support for a strong International Affairs Budget.  

Follow this link to read Richard's piece in the Bangor (ME) Daily News.


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A New Online Store
 
With Lots of New Items!
 
 PC Logo Tote Bag 

 

Check out our new online store !  We offer a wide selection of Peace Corps and NPCA logo merchandise--from t-shirts and coffee mugs, to pins and license plate frames.

A portion of your purchase supports the efforts of the National Peace Corps Association.
 

 

 

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KEY ADVOCACY LINKS

 

White House

  

United States Senate

 

Contact Information for Senators

 

United States House


E-Mail Your Congressman/woman



Congressional Legislation


  

  

  

  

  Congressional Record

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

State Department

 

 







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400 Advocates!

 

That's how many people have already registered for our Capitol Hill Advocacy Day next September, part of NPCA's 50th anniversary celebrations

 

 

Register today for all DC 50th anniversary activities next September 

 

 

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ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS MONTH'S ADVOCACY NEWS

 

Americans for Informed Democracy

 

Bank Information Center

 

IFIwatchnet

 

InterAction

 

Netcentric Campaigns

 

  Oxfam International

 

Save Service in America

 

US Global Leadership Coalition

 

  

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