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Greetings!
A new Peace Corps Director is a step closer to confirmation.
A new Peace Corps Caucus is forming.
We're looking for new NPCA Advocacy Coordinators to further strengthen our collective voice.
It's all here in your new, November advocacy update!
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 Nominee for Next Peace Corps Director Sails Through Confirmation Hearing
How smooth was the confirmation hearing for Acting Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet to officially become the agency's next Director?
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) who helped introduce Hessler-Radelet, predicted she would be unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
Follow the link below for a complete rundown of Wednesday's hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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 Action on Peace Corps, International Affairs Funding
In the aftermath of the federal government shutdown, a House/Senate conference committee is currently at work, trying to reach a compromise agreement on the federal budget for the current fiscal year (FY 2014) which began October 1st.
The National Peace Corps Association joined dozens of other international development and foreign assistance organizations in a sign-on letter prepared by the umbrella organization InterAction. The letter to the congressional budget conferees urges strong support for key international affairs funding. Follow these links to read the Senate and House versions of the letter.
Should the budget conference be successful, attention would quickly turn to the congressional appropriations committees, where the Senate has recommended nearly $30 million more for the Peace Corps this fiscal year as opposed to the House. Contact your lawmakers (if they serve on the Senate or House Appropriations Committees) and strongly urge them to support the Senate recommendation of $385 million for the Peace Corps.
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 House Peace Corps Caucus Forms:
Ask Your Rep to Join!
Members of Congress often come together and show their support for a particular topic by organizing into a non-binding caucus, designed to promote and carry out activities related to an important public policy issue.
The five Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) serving in the House of Representatives have announced the formation of a bi-partisan Peace Corps Caucus. According to California RPCV Congressman Sam Farr, who is serving as the new group's Co-Chairman, "The Peace Corps Caucus demonstrates Congress' commitment to Peace Corps and the thousands of Americans who have served this country in the name of peace.".
Take Action: Help our RPCV Members of Congress build the Peace Corps Caucus! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Click here to link up to contact information for your Congressman or Congresswoman.
- Send this message: "I am asking Representative ______ to further demonstrate support for the Peace Corps by becoming a member of the newly created Peace Corps Caucus. Contact Caitie Whelan in Congressman Sam Farr's office to sign up for this caucus."
- Share this message with 1 - 3 other neighbors or friends and ask them to send a similar message.
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 Wanted: State/Regional Advocacy Coordinators
They mobilize fellow members of the Peace Corps community to take action. They organize meetings with their members of Congress. They sometimes come to Washington. They sometimes organize workshops. They always lead.
They are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who agreed to take on the role of advocacy coordinator for a particular city, region or state.
Right now, we have 23 advocacy coordinators. People like Katie Dyer (above, Central African Republic 1984-86), Advocacy Coordinator for the state of Rhode Island.
Follow the link below to meet some of NPCA's other outstanding volunteer Advocacy Coordinators. Then, contact us for more details.
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 RPCV Group Sign-on Letter to the President:
Is Your Group On Board?
A letter to President Obama urging strong funding for the Peace Corps in his next (Fiscal Year 2015) budget request is now circulating among the leadership of the roughly 140 National Peace Corps Association affiliated member groups.
Thirty-two groups have signed the letter so far. In the next few weeks, we want to meet or exceed last year's threshold of 115 member groups signing this letter.
Check out the lists below to see if your member group(s) have already signed onto the letter. If they are not listed, please contact your leadership to make sure they are aware of the letter, and ask them to contact advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org for more details.
The following groups have already signed the letter...Thank You!
Geographic Groups (22): Birmingham AL, Los Angeles CA, San Diego CA, Connecticut, Atlanta GA, Chicago IL, Central IN, Iowa, Western Michigan, Minnesota, Central Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Albany NY, Buffalo NY, Athens OH, Central OH, Pittsburgh PA, Inland Northwest (WA), West Virginia, Madison WI, Milwaukee WI.
Country Groups (10): Albania, Azerbaijan, Bolivia y Peru, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal/The Gambia.
(Photo: Nebraska RPCVs are one of the early groups to sign this year's letter)
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Health Justice PCVs Seek Pro-Bono Counsel
The group Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers was formed last year by members of the Peace Corps community who face significant challenges pertaining to illness or injuries incurred during Peace Corps service.
The group is seeking a law professional with experience drafting and interpreting legislation for help writing a bill designed to ensure that sick and injured RPCVs have access to healthcare for conditions acquired during their Peace Corps service.
If you would be interested in supporting this group, please contact: HealthJusticePeaceCorpsVols@gmail.com.
Visit www.HealthJusticeforPeaceCorpsVolunteers.org for more information.
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 Featured Advocates:
LGBT RPCVs
While most NPCA member groups are organized by geographic region or country-of-service, several groups are organized by other criteria such as place of employment or a particular issue.
Since 1991, the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered Peace Corps Alumni have organized to be a resource and voice for RPCVs. Over the years, they have secured several significant victories.
(photo courtesy of lgbrpcv.org) |
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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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Did you take the National Peace Corps Association 35th Anniversary Survey back in August?
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SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA
ADVOCACY NEWS
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This Month's Featured Advocate...
LGBT Peace Corps Alumni
Read More Below
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"This is a matter of simple fairness, the bedrock of American life."
Jennifer Stiefel
(Thailand 1967-69)
Dover, NH
Time to add your voice. Follow this link and sign the Peace Corps Equity Act Statement of Support. |
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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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Are You Number One?
We are starting to collect registrations for the Capitol Hill portion of NPCA's 10th Annual National Day of Action, scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2014.
This past year, 91 advocates representing 25 states and the District of Columbia participated in Capitol Hill meetings as others took action through electronic messages and phone calls. We want our 10th annual Day of Action to be the biggest and best yet.
So...you can get us started!
Contact us today to be among the first to register for the Capitol Hill portion of the 2014 Day of Action.
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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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