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Greetings!
Time to get your calendar out:
- Next Week: World Food Day
- End of this Month: Deadline for a major NPCA Award
- Later This Year: Important advocacy sign-on letter for NPCA member groups
- Early Next Year: Our 10th annual National Day of Action!
Details below in your October advocacy update.
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 Partial Government Shutdown Enters Second Week
Peace Corps Volunteers remain on the job, but a significant percentage of Peace Corps staff in the U.S. enter their second week of being furloughed as Congress and the President continue to wrangle over approval of a continuing resolution to allow federal workers to get back on the job as Fiscal Year 2014 begins.
Follow the link below for more on the shutdown's impact on the Peace Corps.
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 NPCA Member Groups: Group Sign-On Letter Coming Soon
It may seem strange to start thinking ahead to 2015, as Congress still is trying to figure out funding levels for the just-underway 2014 Fiscal Year.
Despite the 2014 delays, the federal budget process begins with the president. The Obama administration is already at work on planning for FY 2015.
We are preparing as well, and if you are a leader of one of NPCA's geographic or country-of-service member groups, please be aware that a member group sign-on letter will soon start to circulate, looking ahead to Fiscal Year 2015 and asking the President to provide robust funding for the Peace Corps in his next budget request.
Last year 115 member groups signed a letter to the President on both Peace Corps funding and the selection of a new Peace Corps Director.
Group leaders, be on the lookout as you will shortly be receiving our draft FY 2015 letter for consideration, with an early December deadline for signing on.
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 World Food Day: Coming Next Week
World Food Day is fast approaching. Wednesday, October 16th, to be exact.
There are many different ways to take part in this day, from hosting a food packaging drive to volunteering in your community.
Oxfam America is one of the many organizations which is taking action on World Food Day. One activity involves encouraging its supporters to host a World Food Day dinner. By coming together with family or friends over a meal, you can use Oxfam materials to build in an awareness-raising conversation on topics such as
food insecurity, local farming and other agriculture issues.
Read more on planning for World Food Day.
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 Day of Action Planned for February 27
You can mark your calendars and start making plans.
Thursday, February 27, 2014 is the date for the next National Day of Action in Support of the Peace Corps.
This won't be just any other Day of Action. 2014 marks the ten year anniversary of this activity, so we want this to be a Day of Action for the ages!
Remember that a big part of this day will depend on thousands of individual actions around the country. We will want people to contact their lawmakers, engage, educate and involve their neighbors, and come together to celebrate their hard work.
Meanwhile, for those who can make it to Washington, we want to exceed last year's activity when nearly 100 advocates from around the country carried out 150 meetings with lawmakers or their staff.
Let us know if you have any initial questions or suggestions. And be sure to set aside next February 27 for this powerful day of citizen advocacy.
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 50 District Meetings
The dedication of NPCA advocates all around the nation resulted in at least fifty district meetings with congressional representatives.
In Peoria Illinois, Sheldon Schaefer (India 1970-72) met with his Congressman, Aaron Schock (r), urging strong funding for the Peace Corps, and co-sponsorship of the Peace Corps Commemorative legislation (H.R. 915) and the Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act (H.R. 1573).
Do these meetings make a difference? Well, the number of co-sponsors for H.R. 915 and H.R. 1573 have increased by fourteen, with a bi-partisan list of lawmakers adding support for these bills.
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 Wofford Award Nomination Deadline is October 31st
Perhaps you know an outstanding global leader who grew up and continues to live in a country where Peace Corps Volunteers served, and whose life was influenced by the Peace Corps.
If you do, you will want to nominate him/her for the prestigious Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award.
Now is the time to prepare your nomination materials, as the nomination deadline for the 2014 Wofford Award is October 31st.
(photo: 2013 Wofford Award winner Dr. Mohamud Said of Kenya - center - with NPCA President Glenn Blumhorst and his Peace Corps teacher Russ Morgan. All three did a full day of congressional meetings back in June)
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Featured Advocates:
Peace Corps Iran Association
It's not just individuals who take action to make a difference.
Many NPCA geographic and country-of-service member groups are also very involved in a variety of advocacy initiatives.
One such group is our October featured advocates, the members of the Peace Corps Iran Association. They went into action when they learned the plight of a new friend. The end result reversed a decision for this individual...on one of the most important days in her life.
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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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You, Yes YOU Can Become Our Next
State/Regional
Advocacy Coordinator
Niger RPCV Sean McLernon (r) met this summer with his Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (c) and organized local meetings with the offices of New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.
Sean took this action as one of more than 20 NPCA state and regional volunteer advocacy coordinators. His leadership significantly expands our impact.
How about you? We are looking for more individuals to help us cover the country with NPCA Advocacy Coordinators.
Contact us today if you are interested in this leadership position.
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SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA
ADVOCACY NEWS
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This Month's Featured Advocate...
Peace Corps Iran Association
Read More Below
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New Tee-Shirt
Visit our online store and check out some of the new offerings like our fun-filled glass half empty/full tee-shirt!
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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"The danger that female PC vols face from sexual assault in some host countries is significant...To deny these PC volunteers abortion services when necessary is cruel and unjust."
Bill Byrne (Brazil 1967-70)
Hilton Head, SC
Time to add your voice. Follow this link and sign the Peace Corps Equity Act Statement of Support. |
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