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Greetings!
Summer is closing in. So are a variety of advocacy opportunities.
In June, a solidarity action in Washington, and information, education and action in Boston.
In August, meetings with your lawmakers...in a district office near your hometown?
Also in August...Guatemala anyone?
Details are here in your June NPCA advocacy update.
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 Boston Gathering Almost Here!
Local Advocacy Meetings Planned
In just three weeks, well over 300 members of the Peace Corps community will be coming together in Boston for leadership meetings, information sessions, celebratory reunions and award ceremonies and a whole lot of fun.
Haven't signed up for our Boston gathering? No worries. There's still plenty of time to register. Follow this link for the latest details. BUT PLEASE NOTE: There will be no registration at the door.
If you are from Massachusetts, our Boston Area Advocacy Coordinator is planning several district office meetings with members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation on Friday morning, June 28th.
Contact Vanessa Porter at porter.vanessa@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in these advocacy meetings.
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 Time to Start Planning August District Advocacy Meetings
For the third year in a row, the National Peace Corps Association is urging advocates to organize local meetings with their lawmakers during the traditional summer recess in August.
The first step...YOU: We need individuals who will commit to organizing one or more meetings with their elected representatives and/or district office staff during the month of August.
Ready to help out? Contact us at advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org. We will list you as the point of contact on our dedicated web page for August district meetings, and get you started with support materials and other preparation documents to make sure your district advocacy meeting is successful.
(photo: In August, 2012, staff of Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) met with members of the Peace Corps community in Fort Worth)
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 International Affairs Funding Faces Uphill Battle in House of Representatives
Our International Affairs programs, which include the Peace Corps, are on the chopping block in the House of Representatives.
The latest action came when the House Appropriations Committee established funding ceilings for various programs within the federal government for Fiscal Year 2014. The State/Foreign Operations Subcommittee was allocated a funding ceiling that - according to the US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) - would disproportionately cut our international affairs programs.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet established its top line funding numbers for international affairs programs.
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 Stand for Service on June 19th
For those who continue to take action in support of strong Peace Corps funding, thank you!
Did you know that Peace Corps is not the only form of service at risk of funding cuts?
Our nation's domestic service programs are also on the chopping block. And if you are going to be in Washington D.C. on June 19th, you can join others - including this month's featured advocate - to do something about that.
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 A New Month -
New Co-Sponsors of Peace Corps Legislation
Democratic Freshman Congressman Mark Pocan (pictured here during this year's National Day of Action with Wisconsin RPCVs Kate Shachter and Judy Figi) is one of the newest co-sponsors of House Bill 1573, legislation allowing use of the Peace Corps symbol on funeral announcements and at gravesites. Congressman John Duncan (R-TN) is another recent co-sponsor of this legislation.
Bi-partisan support for Peace Corps Commemorative legislation increased in the House of Representatives. Congressmen Richard Hanna (R-NY) and John Kline (R-MN) are the two most recent co-sponsors of House Bill 915, legislation introduced by Dominican Republic RPCV Joe Kennedy (D-MA).
Also in May, 17 Senators became co-sponsors of Senate Bill 813, legislation that would provide a legislative fix to ensure that Peace Corps Volunteers receive the same reproductive health services as all other individuals serving our nation overseas.
Coming Soon: Be on the lookout in the next two weeks for a community sign-on letter to urge support for Senate Bill 813. We will seek your name and your voice in a nationwide effort to demonstrate that Peace Corps Volunteers deserve to be treated with equity in health care decisions.
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 Last Call for Guatemala Trip Discount
You've been reading about it.
Maybe you've followed us on Facebook or in our blog posts, wishing you were there too, learning, exploring, having fun and more!
Travel this August to Guatemala with NPCA Advocacy Director Jonathan Pearson, where we'll explore more on advocacy and the impact of international development. This family-friendly trip is great for the kids and grandkids too.
Don't just take it from us. As one earlier traveler said, "(one) thing that really grounded this trip for me and gave it substance was the opportunity for conversation with Volunteers and local professionals - about the country as they saw it, about development, about various issues and how they may play out. I really appreciated the opportunity at a level I wouldn't have, based only on my own observations."
That's not all...If you sign up for the trip by July 1st, you get a discount up to $1,000!
This trip begins August 24th. Sign up today!
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 Featured Advocate:
Mary Bruce
This month's featured advocate is a dual Peace Corps and Americorps Volunteer.
"With both Americorps and Peace Corps," says Mary Bruce, "my country provided this amazing opportunity to learn and serve. I knew I had to take (advantage of) it".
Mary continues to give back, including her service as Chair of the National Advisory Council of Americorps Alums. That's one of the groups planning the Stand for Service activity at the U.S. Capitol on June 19th. You can expect to see Mary - a D.C. resident and Morocco RPCV - in the crowd. How about you?
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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...
Mary Bruce
Morocco
2004-2006
Washington, DC
Read More Below
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SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA
ADVOCACY NEWS
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Virginia Advocate Wins NPCA Award
Our congratulations to Phil Lilienthal (Ethiopia 1965-67) of Reston, Virginia.
A regular participant in the Capitol Hill portion of our National Day of Action, Phil is this year's recipient of the Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service. He will be honored at the end of the month at our Boston gathering.
Follow this link to read more. |
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Oldie But Goodie (Or perhaps...a Hoodie?) Visit our online store and keep the importance of the Peace Corps front and center! A portion of your purchase supports the efforts of the National Peace Corps Association. Thank you! |
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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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Snaps of Service Contest
The Bi-partisan Policy Center's Citizens for Political Reform has initiated a photo contest to highlight "What does public service mean to you?"
July 5th is the deadline for submissions.
There's prize money for the winning entries.
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