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Greetings!
Are you from one of the five states where we've been circulating Peace Corps commemorative sign-on letters for your Senators?
Are you joining climate activists this weekend to connect the dots on negative impacts?
Are you getting ready to join us in Minnesota?
Are you on this month's Advocacy Honor Roll?
Are you ready to read our May Advocacy Update?
It's all here, awaiting your review and action!
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 Let's Meet in Minneapolis!
Have you been searching for a chance to talk face-to-face with members of the Peace Corps Community but not found a good opportunity to do so? Eager to network and socialize with RPCVs from different parts of the country, different countries of service and different Peace Corps eras?
Your search is over. We are coming to Minnesota! The NPCA is hosting its first Annual Gathering on June 29 - July 1 in Minneapolis.
Organized with the support and assistance of the Minnesota RPCVs - Peace Corps Connect: Minneapolis 2012, will be an opportunity to network, collaborate, come together and expand professionally.
In attendance will be members of the NPCA staff and representatives of our Board of Directors, eager to hear your thoughts, suggestions and feedback.
Get connected. Get informed. Get engaged. Get registered!
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 Peace Corps Commemorative:
Seeking Signatures From 5 Target States
We continue to work on bi-partisan Peace Corps commemorative legislation...and you can help!
Next week, NPCA will deliver constituent sign-on letters urging co-sponsorship of commemorative legislation to Senators in Connecticut, Florida, Maine, North Carolina and Utah. Follow this link to read the general text of these letters, and if you live in these states and have not signed this letter, contact us today!
If you are not from the above states, follow the link below to take action (if needed) with your lawmakers. In the House, we are only 62 co-sponsors shy of having a majority demonstrating support for the legislation. While in the Senate we continue to seek additional co-sponsors.
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 Peace Corps Funding Goes Before Critical Subcommittees
The coming days will go a long way in determining funding levels for the Peace Corps in the fiscal year that begins in October.
The challenge is great, as members of the Senate Appropriations State/Foreign Operations Subcommittee are working with an overall spending cap that is just below last year's funding level. Meanwhile, in the House, subcommittee lawmakers will have nearly $5 billion less to work with in funding Peace Corps and other international affairs programs.
President Obama proposed $375 million for Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2013. Leading Peace Corps supporters, led by RPCV Congressmen Farr, Petri, Honda and Garamendi, have called for a return to $400 million, the funding mark from two years ago.
While Peace Corps currently has more than 9,000 volunteers and trainees in the field - a more than 40 year high - that number is likely to decrease without a return to $400 million.
Is your lawmaker on the Appropriations Committee? Let them know you support $400 million for the Peace Corps.
(photo r to l: Peace Corps invitee John Prothro and recent Tanzania RPCV Ginny Morris met last week with RPCV John Brodtke, foreign affairs staff for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) a member of the House Appropriations Committee) |
Strengthening Noncompetitive Eligibility
Since 1963, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have enjoyed the status of Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE) when applying to federal positions at the completion of their service.
Over time we have heard from recently returning volunteers who say NCE status is too short and not as widely recognized as it should be.
With this in mind, the National Peace Corps Association joined members of the Peace Corps Employees Union in issuing a joint letter to Director Aaron Williams requesting improvements for this service benefit.
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Climate Impact Day - Are You Prepared?
Climate Impact Day is upon us! Are you ready to connect the dots?
This Saturday, Climate Dots invites you to participate in Climate Impacts Day, a day devoted to exploring and sharing information about how climate change has contributed to extreme weather and disrupted communities worldwide. The organization provides participants with ideas for events, planning guides, and tips for raising awareness in your community. If you're not already engaged, no problem, as you can likely find a Climate Impacts Day event near you!
Their website is pentalingual, interactive, and connected to any social media you may be on. It is a great way to find events through the day, and an even better tool for connecting the dots between climate change and extreme weather.
So? Are you properly prepared? Organizing an event? We would love to hear from some members of the Peace Corps community who are planning to participate. After May 5th, please share your stories, photos and videos so we can feature you.
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Updated State Resources!
Whether you are participating in one of our letter-writing campaigns, our upcoming call for September district office meetings, a day of action, or an independent effort to connect with your lawmakers, the National Peace Corps Association takes pride in providing you with resources that are up to date and available to help you in your advocacy endeavors.
Our State Resources page is designed to inform your further action. We've compiled score cards on your lawmakers and their previous commitments to Peace Corps initiatives, as well as specific information on Peace Corps and the returned Peace Corps community in your state.
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 Featured Advocate - Barbara Lences
Meet Barbara Lences of Princeton, New Jersey.
A recently returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, Barbara helped bring a fresh perspective to offices of some of the most important lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
And...she lost a good deal of sleep to do it!
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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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ADVOCACY HONOR ROLL
Were it not for the financial support of individuals - in part through NPCA membership or general contributions, or in full through dedicated gifts to our program - there would be no national advocacy program of the Peace Corps community.
Please consider a financial contribution today.
Our thanks to the following advocates, who are among those who stepped up to support the NPCA during the month of April! |
HIGH ADVOCACY HONORS
The following advocates went beyond their general membership, and provided an additional general donation in April, part of which benefits our advocacy program:
Tony Gasbarro - Fairbanks AK
Ray Hubener - New York NY Elizabeth Jenkins Joffe - Washington DC
Larry Ley - St. Louis MO
Kevin Quigley - Arlington VA
Alexander Shakow - Kensington MD
Patricia Wand - Bethesda MD
ADVOCACY HONORS
as we recognize and thank more than 50 members of our advocacy network who in April renewed their NPCA membership or became first time members. Part of your annual membership helps our advocacy efforts. Thank you!
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This Month's Featured Advocate...
Barbara Lences
(South Africa 2009 - 2011)
Princeton, NJ
Read More Below
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SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA
ADVOCACY NEWS
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The National Peace Corps Association is recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four Star Charity, the highest rating given by this independent evaluator which analyses the financial health and efficiencies of non-profit organizations.
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SEEKING VOLUNTEER ADVOCACY COORDINATORS
Ready to take your NPCA advocacy to the next level? We are seeking committed volunteers to help with further outreach and coordination of NPCA advocacy issues at a state or regional level.
Contact Advocacy Director Jonathan Pearson for an overview of this important position within our advocacy network.
jonathan@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Springtime.
T-Shirt time!
Check out our 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. Thank you!
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