NPCA Launches Next Step Travel Program
Next Step Travel is NPCA's new service travel program that creates special trips for the adventurous Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and their family and friends.
Under the program, small groups of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and others will join together for two weeks of in-country service and travel, and learn about the work of volunteers and other non-government organizations. They'll also lend a hand on a small grassroots project and travel around the local sights.
Be a Pioneer! Join us this fall for our inaugural trips to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic to receive big savings! For more information or to make a fully refundable reservation, please contact us at 1-619-202-4114 or travel@peacecorpsconnect.org or visit our website. Be sure to mention code NPCA1DC when making a reservation.
|
Recap: Peace Corps Connect Gathering in Minneapolis
"...this conference made me feel like I'd come home." "I left Minneapolis feeling inspired and regained a sense of purpose that I haven't felt in a long while." "I really hoped to get a lot out of the weekend and I wasn't disappointed." What a great weekend! If last year's successful 50th anniversary events showed us anything, it's that there's nothing like getting a large group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers together in the same place. Peace Corps Connect: Minneapolis 2012 came together with a relatively short lead time. Nonetheless, over 200 RPCVs participated in the event, which ran from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1 at the Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. There were break-out sessions on intriguing topics, group meetings, an Exhibit Hall, opportunities to mingle with RPCVs, and more. Couldn't join us? Save the date for Peace Corps Connect: Boston 2012! We hope to see you there. |
Transitions at NPCA
National Peace Corps Association President Kevin Quigley has been nominated for the position of Peace Corps Country Director in Thailand, where he served as a Volunteer. As congratulations fly in to Kevin, NPCA is moving forward with a search for his successor to assure a smooth transition. An executive search firm with extensive experience in the non-profit sector is managing the process.
Meanwhile, NPCA is bidding farewell to Director of Development Khalisa Jacobs. Over the past few years she has been instrumental in strengthening NPCA's fundraising and event infrastructure. We wish her all the best as she joins Year Up as the Senior Director of Development.
Our June 29 Board of Directors meeting brought additional transitions, with eight members elected. The four newly-elected member-elected representatives are Jane Bardon (Upper Midwest until 2013), Teresa Devore (Northeast until 2015), Sharon Keld (Europe, North and East Africa until 2015) and Kristina Owens (Mid-Atlantic/Nationwide until 2015). The four members elected by the Board are Jayne Booker, Janet Greig, and Tim McCollum for the 2012-2015 term and Wendy Lee for the 2012-2014 term. We thank our out-going Board members for their service to the NPCA community: Jill Fox (Upper Midwest region), James Gore (Mid-Atlantic region and national groups), Robert Graulich (Board-elected), David Magnani (Northeast), Bruce McNamer (Board-elected), and Jensy Patterson Richards (Europe, North and East Africa).
|
2012 Shriver Award Winner: Florence Reed
Every year the National Peace Corps Association presents The Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service to a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who continues to make a sustained and distinguished contribution to humanitarian causes at home or abroad or is an innovative social entrepreneur whose actions will bring about significant long-term change.
This year's recipient is Florence Reed, who served in Panama as a forestry Volunteer. Her experience in the Peace Corps, as well her work in several other non-profit organizations, led her to found Sustainable Harvest International in 1997.
|
2012 Ruppe Award Winners: Friends of Tanzania, RPCVs of Washington, D.C.
The Loret Miller Ruppe Award is presented by NPCA to an outstanding member group for a project or projects that promote the Third Goal of Peace Corps, or continue to serve host countries, build group spirit and cooperation, and promote service.
This year, NPCA recognized the member groups Friends of Tanzania and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. with the Ruppe Award. Each of these groups has its own fundraising model and then gives the funds to projects chosen according to the group's criteria. |
August District Advocacy Meetings Reach 40; Six-State Roadtrip Planned
With Congress in recess during the summer, it's prime time for constituent meetings on the home front. Approximately 40 meetings are currently being sought by RPCVs across the country, to raise issues such as Peace Corps funding, a Peace Corps commemorative, and Non-Competitive Eligibility. Follow this link if you want to join a meeting being organized near you. Or, contact us asap at advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org if you want to organize a meeting in your region.
The Mid-Atlantic and New England regions are on the itinerary for NPCA Advocacy Director Jonathan Pearson, who kicks off a summer tour of informal get-togethers, advocacy workshops, and NPCA updates. Plan to join us!
|
Board Approves Revised Vision, Mission, Goals
Among the business that the National Peace Corps Association Board of Directors completed at its recent meeting in Minneapolis was approval of a revised vision, mission, and goals for the organization. In a process initiated at the winter board meeting, a task force spent several months revising and refining the existing statements to guide NPCA's future direction post-50th anniversary. The vision, mission and goals had last been revised nearly 10 years ago.
|
Blogger Highlights Readjustment Challenges, NPCA Resources
As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana, Ross Szabo chronicled his experiences for the readers of the Huffington Post, an Internet news site. Now a newly-minted Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Ross has written "The Hardest Adjustment in Peace Corps is Coming Home" and extensively quotes NPCA's Communications Director, Erica Burman on five of the biggest re-entry challenges faced by RPCVs. |
Peace Corps Expos: Two Down, Two to Go
Third Goal Expos are free, public events co-hosted by the National Peace Corps Association, the Peace Corps, and a local NPCA member group. Each Expo showcases the countries and cultures where Peace Corps Volunteers have served and highlights Volunteers' experiences and projects. It's all in service of bringing the world back home.
So far this year we've held two very successful Expos in Nashville, Tenn. and Minneapolis, Minn. Plan to join us this September in Providence, R.I. (September 22) and Los Angeles, Cal. (September 29).
|
Global House Parties: September 22, 2012
We had so much fun last year, we've decided to make the Global House Parties an annual event!
What better way to find RPCVs in your area -- and celebrate the 51st anniversary of the signing of the Peace Corps Act -- than to host a party? We'll give you the tools, the date and help spread the word. You bring the food and your Peace Corps enthusiasm and your sweet dance moves. Don't want to host? We'll help you find a party near you.
|
Reunited! A Peace Corps / Libya Story
4.8 seconds. That's about how long it took National Peace Corps Association to facilitate the reconnection of Abdulhakim Ahmed Momen to Eric and Linda Mjolsnes, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Libya from 1967 to 1969... |
|
Help the NPCA preserve the legacy and future of the Peace Corps.
Give thanks today for your community.  | |
USE THIS BUTTON TO FORWARD TO A FRIEND!
|
|
Show your Peace Corps Pride with our new Flag!
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
|
with NPCA
|
- Advertisement -
|
TRIPPING: YOUR NPCA HOSPITALITY NETWORK
Support the NPCA on your next trip! Whether you're headed to your favorite summer destination or exploring a new part of the world this fall, you can find everything from couches to castles on Tripping.com. More importantly, all bookings made through Tripping will help support the National Peace Corps Association community.
|
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
|
MADÉCASSE CHOCOLATE
Madécasse 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 Madécasse Chocolate |
|
