April  2012, Vol. 8 No. 4                                                                                                            www.PeaceCorpsConnect.org


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Letter Urges Improvements to Non-Competitive Eligibility

While we continue the annual cycle of urging Congress to support strong federal funding to sustain and strengthen the Peace Corps, there are other actions that can be taken to support volunteers in the field and returning Volunteers. One such issue involves updating a nearly 50 year old executive order aimed at providing a job placement incentive for new RPCVs.
 

Make Your Plans! Register for Peace Corps Connect: Minneapolis 2012

The National Peace Corps Association's first annual gathering - Peace Corps Connect: Minneapolis 2012 -- is just a little more than two and a half months away. We invite you all to the Minneapolis, Minn. Convention Center on the weekend of June 29-July 1, 2012 for an event that will inspire you to continue "bringing the world back home" while visiting with friends and, yes, having fun!

An Exhibit Hall will feature Peace Corps entrepreneurs and their businesses, job recruiters, Member Group tables and much more. This being for the Peace Corps community, key elements of the weekend will be highly interactive and incorporate career networking and knowledge-sharing. We hope to see you there! 
 
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Africa Rural Connect: Young Farmers Idea Contest

Africa Rural Connect launched the new Young Farmers Idea Contest! Now through May 31, PCVs and RPCVs are encouraged to post ideas, or collaborate with the African diaspora and and rural farmers to share their ideas on new ways to engage youths in sub-Saharan Africa through educational projects, community-building initiatives, and social programs, all centered around agriculture and farming. The best ideas will win seed funding up to $5,000.


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Tulane University's Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy is dedicated to the systematic strengthening of global humanitarian leadership to achieve increased resilience in communities and individuals vulnerable to disasters. We are accepting applications for enrollment into our Master of Science in Disaster Resilience Leadership, a 36 credit interdisciplinary program, which focuses on the role of leadership in all phases of disaster risk management. This program aims to develop a new generation of leaders who can lead their organizations, communities, and nations to strengthen the resilience of the people they support and reduce disaster vulnerability.
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Peace Corps Commemorative: A House Majority?

As bi-partisan Peace Corps commemorative legislation awaits floor action in the Senate, RPCV Congressman Sam Farr's companion legislation awaits final consideration before the House Natural Resources Committee.

Meanwhile, the number of co-sponsors continues to grow. In fact, in the House, we are only 62 co-sponsors shy of having a majority of the House of Representatives demonstrating support for this legislation.

Please take action now to help us move towards a House majority. See if you need to urge your Senators to become co-sponsors.
 

Stop E-Waste Dumping in Asia & Africa: Donate Your Used Electronics

Your no longer used iPods and cameras can truly make a world of difference!  Protect the people of Asia and Africa (where e-waste dumping is at its highest levels) AND support the NPCA. "Upcycle" your unwanted electronics  through Causes International. Join us as we launch the NPCA's innovative way to do good and be green. We challenge the community to "upcycle" 1,000 items in the next two months.  


Got the Travel Bug?
Thank you to those 563 of you who responded last month's quick survey on travel.

No surprises in the results - we are a group who like to leave the country: over 90% of us each year, 40% of whom will take more than one trip! Our preferences, in order, are for leisure travel (81%), adventure (50%), educational (38%), volunteer/service (31%) and returning to your country of service (30%). We've been watching and listening to these results.

Based on your feedback, we are now designing our own NPCA Service Travel program -- to be launched in the coming weeks with the announcement of our first trip heading out in the fall. Block out your vacation time to travel and serve with NPCA. Be the first to hear our plans by signing up for the NPCA Service Travel list, then start packing your bags!
 
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Physicians' Strike in Tanzania Doesn't Deter Encore Volunteer

A nationwide physician's strike didn't stop Encore Volunteer, Dr. Mike Thomas, from helping the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) reach an important milestone.

Thanks to support from Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, NPCA recruited and supported Mike to spend six weeks in Tanzania through Encore Service Corps International. NPCA's Encore program recruits and supports skilled volunteers to assist with capacity-building projects with partners in East Africa. Learn more about other open volunteer opportunities on the Encore website.

 
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Write Your Peace Corps Memoir

In September 2011, Congressman John Garamendi and his wife Patti, both of whom are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (Ethiopia 66-68), hosted an event in the Library of Congress Members Dining Room to honor Peace Corps writers.

Now, Peace Corps author Lawrence Lihosit has written a how-to guide for RPCVs who dream of someday seeing their stories included in the Library of Congress bibliography of Peace Corps books....

  
Be Heard:  VOTE!

The polls are open through April 30 for the 2012 NPCA Board of Directors elections. NPCA members are invited to vote online for candidates to represent the following regions for three-year terms (except as stated otherwise):
  • Northeast: Teresa Devore  
  • Mid-Atlantic/Nationwide: Kristina Owens  
  • Europe, North and East Africa: Sharon Keld  
  • Upper Midwest (one-year term): Jane Bardon or Jeanne Paul  

Please read about these candidates, then log in to our database to place your vote. (Paper ballots are available upon request.) Only current NPCA members may vote, so while you are logged in, renew your membership. Don't forget to register for Peace Corps Connect - Minneapolis 2012, too! Elected candidates will begin their board service at the June 29 meeting in Minneapolis.   

IN THIS ISSUE
Non-Competitive Eligibility Improvements

Peace Corps Connect: Minneapolis 2012

Africa Rural Connect: Young Farmers Idea Contest

Peace Corps Commemorative

Donate Your Used Electronics

Got the Travel Bug?

Encore Volunteer in Tanzania

Write Your Peace Corps Memoir

NPCA Board Elections: Vote!

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SPRING IS HERE: TIME FOR A NEW T-SHIRT

MusicToday T-shirt  

Our online store offers a wide selection of Peace Corps and NPCA logo merchandise -- 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.  

Thank you for your support!

 

Visit the NPCA Online Store 

 


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The Willamette University MBA for business, government and not-for-profit management is a Peace Corps Coverdell Fellow program located in Salem, Oregon.  Early career and career change formats are uniquely designed for students with specific professional goals.  Through experiential learning opportunities and a full program of career services, you will refine your career objectives while having the opportunity to explore one or more areas of interest.  Scholarships are available for returning Peace Corps volunteers and Coverdell Fellows. We are accepting applications for fall 2012.  Learn more or apply now

PHOTOS FROM THE 50TH 
Commemorative 50th Anniversary Photos are now on sale that will help you to remember the Landmark Weekend of Events in Washington, DC.

From the Global Leaders Panel, the Promise of the Peace Corps Gala, the March of Flags, the Arlington Amphitheater Event, and Reunions in between, there are photos of attendees that are not to be missed. Photo proceeds will directly support the work of the National Peace Corps Association.

Purchase 50th Anniversary Photos

MAD�CASSE CHOCOLATE

Madecasse chocolate Mad�casse makes world-class, award-winning "bean-to-bar" chocolate in Madagascar -- where the RPCV company founders Tim McCollum and Brett Beach served. Each bar produces more than four times the economic impact of fair trade alone.  

 

Try one of their extraordinary products to benefit the NPCA's 50th Anniversary activities. Write "NPCA20" in the comment box at check out from now until September 19th and NPCA will receive 20% of the proceeds of your purchase. Proceeds will benefit the 50th Anniversary activities.  

 

Purchase Mad�casse Chocolate  

 

SEAVEES AND J.CREW HONOR THE PEACE CORPS

09/61 Volunteer Plimsoll
The 09/61 Volunteer Plimsoll was inspired by the September 1961 passage of the Peace Corps Act. SeaVees celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps by recreating a style from our early sixties roots.

Through an exclusive partnership with the National Peace Corps Association, SeaVees is making a donation for each pair sold to a planned Peace Corps commemorative in Washington, D.C.
SeaVees is proud to partner with the NPCA and support the ideals of the Peace Corps.

Click here for the new women's plimsoll! 

Click here for the men's shoe. 

Disclaimer.  Copyright (c) 2011 NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION, All rights reserved.