Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps this September!
Thousands will converge in the nation's capital for country, group and staff reunions, embassy receptions and other special events and celebrations (so many we can't list them all in this newsletter!) to mark this historic milestone in Peace Corps history. Check out the official 50th Anniversary Calendar and the National Peace Corps Association website to see links to all of the events and attend ones for your country, group, or the entire Peace Corps Community.
The best way for you to announce your Reunion (and find those long-lost Peace Corps friends) is by posting your event on the Calendar AND registering with the National Peace Corps Association so that your name and country of service years are added to the Master List and official historical record (plus help us get a head count). Be sure to attend at least one of the events hosted by your Association and be a part of history!
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Peace Corps on the National Mall
Our community is thrilled that the Smithsonian Institution is highlighting the Peace Corps at this year's annual Folklife Festival.
It's the Third Goal in action: From June 30-July 4 and July 7-11 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., over a million visitors can attend exhibits like, "Being 'The American,'" "Peace Corps Families," and even "Sharing the World with the United States." Country of service reunions will occur throughout the festival duration in the RPCVillage. Kid-friendly exhibits include musical performances, opportunities for learning host-country languages and games. NPCA's office will be open at 19th and L Street, NW for those of you who want to say hello and cool off anytime during office hours while you are in Washington, D.C.
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Talk to Congress: NPCA August District Meeting Days
The next big NPCA Advocacy action won't be on Capitol Hill. It won't be in Washington, D.C. With your help, the next big NPCA Advocacy action will be right in your backyard! Plan to participate during August 1-15, 2011 for August District Meeting Days.
Traditionally both the Senate and House of Representatives go on break during August--making it a great opportunity to talk with lawmakers and/or their staff on their home turf. And, as we prepare for a major Capitol Hill advocacy mobilization during NPCA's 50th anniversary activities in September, district meetings in August will provide a timely and important momentum builder to show the depth and width of support for a strong and vibrant Peace Corps.
A first and critical step: We need people willing to step up and help coordinate one or more district advocacy meetings in their area. Will you help coordinate a meeting?
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Win $5,000 in NPCA Contest
"When I was in the Peace Corps, I had this great idea...."
What was your big idea? Now is your chance to share it with the Peace Corps community. Through the NPCA/SEVEN Fund Enterprise Solutions to Poverty Essay Contest you could win cash, recognition in front of world leaders, get published in WorldView magazine, and win a free ticket to the 50th Anniversary Gala to be held this September.
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Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Hosts Final Peace Corps Expo
It seems like yesterday that we were preparing for the first 50th Anniversary Around the World Regional Expo in Jacksonville, Florida. And now, after recent Expos in Sacramento and San Diego, we are looking forward to a grand finale in Santa Fe, New Mexico on July 7, when the Peace Corps Expo will be part of the extended celebrations surrounding the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Founded by RPCVs, and propelled by copious amounts of RPCV volunteerism, the Market attracts over 20,000 visitors as well as artisans from around the world.
Each Expo is a unique collaboration between NPCA, the regional Peace Corps recruiting office and the local RPCV member group. You can read more about the pivotal role of New Mexico RPCVs in the Market, and what's planned for this final Expo, in this recent news story.
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NPCA Earns 4-Star Charity Rating
NPCA is proud to announce that we have earned a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent evaluator of charities.
Charity Navigator provides potential donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make. Their ratings show potential donors how efficiently a charity will use donor support right now, and how the organization is positioned to continue to provide programs and services in the future. A 4-star rating assures potential donors that NPCA continues to excel in managing its finances and donations.
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NPCA Welcomes New Member Groups
NPCA is pleased to welcome three new official member groups to the Peace Corps Community: Friends of Albania, South Central Pennsylvania Peace Corps Association and the West Virginia RPCV Group. This brings the total number of NPCA member groups to 146!
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RPCVs March before Thousands in Portland, Ore. Floral Parade
Last Saturday, members of the Columbia River Peace Corps Association carried the flags of 139 Peace Corps countries in the Grand Floral Parade of the Portland (Oregon) Rose Festival. The 4.2 mile long parade route passed an estimated 300,000 people. According to Ed Gringas (RPCV India) a highlight was the crowd's response, with many people shouting "Thank you for your service!" and "We need more Peace Corps!" Says Ed, "Many people stood as we came by - it was very moving."
>> See photos of the parade |
NPCA Board: Results of 2011 Election for Member-Elected Positions
The Governance Committee of the National Peace Corps Association Board of Directors announces the 2011 election results for member-elected representatives to the NPCA Board of Directors. These Board Members begin their board terms on September 24, 2011.
- U.S. Geographic - West: Darryl N. Johnson
- U.S. Geographic - Southern Tier: Barbara Junge
- Country of Service - Asia and the Pacific: Stephen Groff
Congratulations to the winners!
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SIT Graduate Institute Scholarships (for NPCA members): Deadline Extended
SIT Graduate Institute's fall 2011 application deadline has been extended, and SIT encourages returning Peace Corps Volunteers who are NPCA members to apply.
SIT's accredited, internationally focused Master of Arts degree programs in Service, Leadership and Management, Sustainable Development, Conflict Transformation, International Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) give students the real-world strategies, field experience, and intercultural skills sought after in global leaders. For more information about SIT and the application process, click here or contact the Admissions Office at 800.336.1616 (toll-free in US), 802.258.3510 (outside the US), or at admissions@sit.edu.
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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.
JOIN TODAY!
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USE THIS BUTTON TO FORWARD TO A FRIEND!
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IT'S GOING TO BE HOT AT THE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL ON THE MALL!
 Stay hydrated...and let people know: You Served. Our new online store offers a wide selection of Peace Corps and NPCA logo merchandise -- from t-shirts and coffee mugs, to pins and license place frames. And yes, the much requested Peace Corps patch! Wearing logo merchandise is a great way to spark conversations about Peace Corps! Your purchase supports the efforts of the National Peace Corps Association.
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FREE UPCOMING RPCV CAREER EVENT!
July 13, 2011
Regional Career Event:
Chicago, Illinois
Returned Volunteer Services is coming back to Chicago! At this FREE event, you will practice telling your professional Peace Corps story to a variety of audiences, connect with other returned Volunteers, and explore ways to get involved in Peace Corps activities with the Chicago Regional Recruitment Office. You'll also chat with local employers in the public, private, and nonprofit sector at the afternoon career fair.
First-year RPCVs with noncompetitive eligibility are especially encouraged to attend. Click here to register online! (Pre-registration closes at midnight EST on Tuesday, July 8, 2011). Click here for a full listing of Office of Returned Volunteer Service events for RPCVs.
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OFFICIAL 50th ANNIVERSARY
CALENDAR
Want to find an event near you for the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps? Need people to attend your event? Visit the NPCA / Peace Corps Calendar of Events to keep track of all of the exciting, meaningful, fun celebrations happening around the world during the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary year. You can find the site here: http://events.peacecorps50.org/ Don't forget to add your own events!
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SHARE YOUR PEACE CORPS EXPERIENCE
With the Peace Corps' Speakers Match program, elementary and secondary school teachers can enhance their students' learning through classroom presentations by returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Interested classroom teachers and returned Peace Corps Volunteers can enroll in the Peace Corps' Speakers Match program by clicking here. |
with NPCA
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RPCV MENTORING
Sometimes the hardest thing about Peace Corps is adjusting to life back home. It can feel like being a fish out of water.
That's why the NPCA, in conjunction with the Peace Corps, created this unique program to help returning Volunteers link up with RPCV mentors.
For more information or to apply for the program, visit RPCVMentoring.org.
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GROUPS FOR YOU
Couchsurfing / Hospitality. In Memoriam. Injured While Serving. Job Searchers of the World Unite. These are just some of the hundreds of groups you'll find on NPCA's Online Community. Groups made by the Peace Corps Community, for the Peace Corps Community.
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