1. Bring together a growing number of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and former staff.  

2. Add their powerful and personal Peace Corps experiences.

3. Mix in equal amounts of positive energy, passion for service and continued commitment to making a difference.

4. Include a touch of determination.

This is a recipe for strong public policy advocacy.  And, as we reflect back on a very successful year of National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) advocacy, we honor and recognize the most important ingredient to our success - YOU!

Enjoy our look back at the year 2014, thank you for your many contributions to our efforts and...get ready for an exciting 2015!

Many longtime Capitol Hill observers described the just-concluded session of the U.S. Congress as among the most unproductive in history.

Not least among them was an end-of-year victory for the equitable treatment of female volunteers.  The Peace Corps Equity Act - legislation introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives - proposed to end the practice of treating Peace Corps Volunteers differently from others serving the nation overseas in instances of pregnancy involving rape, incest or life endangerment.  While others were supported if they decided to terminate a pregnancy in such instances, Peace Corps Volunteers were singled out in being denied such support. 

With thousands of RPCVs and former staff signing a Statement of Support, a letter of support from many past Peace Corps Directors, advocacy around the country and Capitol Hill meetings led by two courageous young women, support for the Peace Corps Equity Act grew.  2014 closed with language included in the Fiscal Year 2015 spending bill that will implement the Equity Act so that female volunteers have the same consideration and support as others when faced with this highly difficult situation.

It was during the mid-point of 2014 that our community advanced a significant step forward in support of the smooth and effective operation of the Peace Corps.

In November 2013, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Carrie Hessler-Radelet (Western Samoa 1981-83) to become the 19th Director of the Peace Corps.  At that hearing, Senator Johnny Isakson predicted Hessler- Radelet would be confirmed unanimously by the full Senate. While that prediction eventually proved true, it was a long time coming.

In May of 2014, the Peace Corps community got busy following an NPCA call to action.  At that time, the Senate had still not taken up the Hessler-Radelet nomination.  It had been six months since her confirmation hearing and nine months since being nominated by the President to lead the Peace Corps.  Of equal concern was the fact that the agency had been without a director for 600 days - the longest period in agency history to be without a director.

Advocates contacted their Senators and the offices of the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders to urge a vote.  Key action was taken by NPCA advocates in Iowa, Kentucky and Nevada.  Less than 30 days following this call to action, the Senate unanimously approved the nomination.

The beginning of 2014 also marked another victory for the Peace Corps community.

It was mid-January when the House of Representatives gave final approval to legislation authorizing the establishment of a Peace Corps Commemorative on Federal Land in the District of Columbia and its environs, to mark the lasting, historical significance of the founding of the Peace Corps in 1961 and the ideals represented by Peace Corps service.

The bi-partisan legislation - first introduced at the end of 2009 - was supported by an overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives, which followed a unanimous voice vote in the Senate.

The Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation - authorized in the legislation to advance the Commemorative - is now at work to bring the project from concept to reality.

While it cannot be described as a victory, the strong and steady reminders our community provided to the President and Congress about the importance of the Peace Corps helped hold the line with level Peace Corps funding for the current fiscal year (FY 2015).

NPCA's annual National Day of Action launched 2014 efforts to press for strong Peace Corps funding.  Once again, a record number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a House Dear Colleague letter circulated by RPCV Congressmen urging increased funding for the Peace Corps.  A similar letter in the Senate was signed by 27 Senators. Along with written testimony and ongoing advocacy on Capitol Hill, strong funding for the Peace Corps was also a focal point of district office advocacy meetings during August and September. In December, Congress gave final approval to a spending package that included $379.5 million for the Peace Corps, a 0.2% increase over the previous fiscal year.  The figure represents the beginning of a recovery from the $356 million funding level approved in Fiscal Year 2013, but remains below the record $400 million approved in Fiscal Year 2010.

2014 also marked the beginning of efforts to advocate for the next - Fiscal Year 2016 - budget.  In September, 106 RPCV member groups signed a letter to President Obama, urging increased Peace Corps funding in the next budget he submits to Congress.  NPCA leadership met with members of the Office of Management and Budget to deliver the letter and make the case for Peace Corps funding.  And, hundreds of RPCVs signed a petition to the President urging increased Peace Corps funding.

For the tenth consecutive year, the National Peace Corps Association marked Peace Corps Week by bringing the Peace Corps voice to Capitol Hill.

Our National Day of Action in Support of the Peace Corps was held on February 27th.  While advocates from around the country play a critical role by contacting lawmakers from their homes, the Day of Action has also featured a growing presence on Capitol Hill.

2014 was no different.  In fact, with 101 participants from 24 states, the Capitol Hill portion of the Day of Action marked the largest presence yet.

Follow this link for our 2014 Day of Action photo album.  And...Be on the lookout for announcements next week launching our 2015 National Day of Action!

Making a difference as an advocate doesn't only happen when walking the halls of Capitol Hill.  Once again in 2014, members of the Peace Corps community all across the country demonstrated that by organizing district office meetings during the months of August and September.

Nearly 50 meetings in a variety of settings were held.  In Denver, members of the Colorado RPCVs met with congressional staff at their community garden project, demonstrating the domestic dividend of Peace Corps service.  In New Jersey, after meeting with RPCV constituents, Congressman Leonard Lance became the first Republican co-sponsor of a resolution supporting interational service. Following a gathering in Utica that included a local RPCV, Congressman Richard Hanna became the first Republican co-sponsor of the Peace Corps Equity Act.

Perhaps no other district meeting was as inspiring as one held in Atlanta, where members of the Atlanta Area RPCVs (pictured above) met with Congressman John Lewis and received a personal tour of items within his district office which marked his courageous work as a student leader during the 1960's civil rights movement.

Follow this link for our 2014 district meetings photo album.

One key element of our advocacy success centers around the important involvement of many of the 140 member groups affiliated with the NPCA.

Groups like the First Coast RPCVs - pictured here - who met with Jacksonville area lawmakers including Congressman Ander Crenshaw last September.  

A number of our state and regional Advocacy Coordinators are fully integrated within local member groups.  More than 100 groups signed our annual letter to President Obama urging increased Peace Corps funding.  And, the outstanding charitable and humanitarian achievements of these groups are regularly highlighted, as we note their work in advocacy meetings as examples of the ongoing domestic and international dividend that results from Peace Corps service.

One of the new NPCA affiliate groups in 2014 was Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers (HJPCV). The mission of this group is "to ensure that Peace Corps Volunteers sick or injured by their service overseas, obtain the support and benefits to which they are entitled by law."

Leaders of HJPCV met with Peace Corps leadership and the NPCA on several occasions during the second half of 2014 to discuss key issues and seek pathways forward to improve the conditions for members of our community who face challenging health conditions.  A meeting with top officials with the U.S. Department of Labor was held to discuss the many challenges and frustrations seriously injured or ill PCVs/RPCVs face when applying for workman's compensation.

At the same time, a working group of RPCVs was formed to consider steps that we as a community can take to support those among us facing health challenges.  One first step is establishing an annual Peace Corps Health Justice Awareness Day.  The first such day is planned for June 25, 2014.

While a vast majority of our advocacy focuses directly on the Peace Corps, the NPCA continues to offer opportunities for RPCVs to take action on other issues of global concern.

On climate change, we reported on RPCV climate activist Mike Tidwell's (pictured here) keynote at Peace Corps Connect - Nashville and organized a global issues advocacy workshop fousing on climate change and global poverty.  We provided updates on the efforts of the Friends of Liberia, Friends of Sierra Leone and Friends of Guinea to address the Ebola crisis.  

We reported on a Capitol Hill briefing focusing on international road safety.  We advocated for a House resolution promoting all forms of international service and urged support for the entire international affairs budget.

2014 is also when we began highlighting a global issue action of the month, a promotion we will continue in 2015 to provide RPCVs with an outlet to add their important, respected voice to key global policy issues affecting our world.

As we thank you again for your time, commitment and energy, we are especially grateful to those who also support us with a financial contribution.  Just as our advocacy cannot be successful without your involvement, our advocacy program also cannot operate without your financial support.

As one longtime advocate and NPCA supporter recently noted, "Every contribution is made according to what is appropriate to an individual's circumstance and all contributions at every level are valued."

Happy New Year!