President Requests $410 million for 
Peace Corps
PC Patch
President Obama issued his nearly $4 trillion Fiscal Year 2016 budget to Congress on Monday. Included in his request is $410 million to support the Peace Corps.

The President's Peace Corps request is nearly 8% above current funding for the agency.  This would also represent the highest dollar figure for the Peace Corps in its history.  The previous high was $400 million - approved in Fiscal Year 2010.


Day of Action Nears!

Strong funding for the Peace Corps will be front and center on March 5th when the NPCA and our advocates hold our 11th Annual National Day of Action.  We will need you to help make the case for the President's funding request!

With 90 advocates from 23 states currently registered, the Capitol Hill portion of the Day of Action is on pace to equal or surpass last year's day.  The deadline to register for the Capitol Hill portion of the Day of Action will be Friday, February 27th.  

Share your Peace Corps story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.  Or, you can take the lead - like our February Featured Advocate - by organizing a Day of Action solidarity event in your community. 

Respect Act is Back

A new Congress means the re-introduction of legislation that did not pass in the previous two years.  In the House, Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ) has re-introduced the Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act.  The new bill number is H.R. 267.  Follow this link to read more.
My Lunch? Not Gonna Happen

NPCA Advocacy Director Jonathan Pearson now has a Twitter account.  It's time for you to sign up!  Don't worry, no updates on favorite movies. No commentary on the weather or lunch or bad hair days.  It's all business...in this case, the business of @npcaadvocacy.  Follow for breaking news and upcoming events, and meet some great RPCV advocates along the way!
Recognizing Service

Governor Terry McAuliffe is a big-time cheerleader for the state of Virginia.  That was clearly on display at a recent event during which Virginia became the first state in the nation to become an Employer for National Service. Several Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from the region were recognized.  Read more.
DREAM School
Global Issue of the Month:
International Affairs Budget

Today's budget release by the President included his entire request for U.S. foreign assistance programs.  As we prepare to make a strong case for the Peace Corps on March 5th, use February to tell Congress why you support our nation's foreign assistance programs. Read more.
Featured Advocate - Brian Ahern

Soon after he became Advocacy Coordinator for the state of Minnesota, we approached Brian Ahern to be our featured advocate.

But Brian declined to be featured at that time, saying he hadn't yet taken any action to warrant the feature.

Now...he's accepted.  And with good reason.  Brian has helped lead recent Minnesota advocacy efforts, not the least of which will be an upcoming National Day of Action solidarity event!

PEACE CORPS FACTS
How many volunteers are serving?  How many countries?  What are they working on? Find your Peace Corps Fast Facts here.

COMING: UPDATED STATE RESOURCES
With a new Congress, our State Resources are undergoing a major overhaul.  Look for updated resources in the not-too-distant future.

IN MEMORIAM
On a daily basis, our In Memoriam page highlights the good deeds and meaningful lives by members of the Peace Corps community who have recently passed away. Read More.
KNOW YOUR REPS
The new 114th Congress has more than 70 new members.  Do you know your Representative? Find out here.

PEACE CORPS CONNECT - BERKELEY
It...is...ON! Registration is underway for our annual national gathering, scheduled for the campus of the University of California - Berkeley on June 5th and 6th. You can sign up for early bird registration right now.

MEMBER GROUPS
Miami.  San Diego. Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon. From every corner of the country, you can find an RPCV member group. Follow this link.
FIND YOUR SENATORS
There's some new Senators in the new Congress.  Some returning Senators moved their offices. Get the rundown here.

HEALTH JUSTICE AWARENESS
We're working with Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers and others to plan a first annual day of awareness (June 25th) to highlight the challenges facing many injured/ill members of our community.  Want to help?  Contact us.

NPCA STORE
Wallets...tee shirts...iPhone cases...and more! Show your Peace Corps pride with a visit to our NPCA store.