TAKE ACTION! Peace Corps Caucus, Respect for PCVs Act, Clean Cookstoves
 December 2015
Follow Us On: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn View our videos on YouTube
In This Issue
NPCA ADVOCACY 
BY THE NUMBERS

7
Capitol Hill meetings held December 2nd with the founder of Health Justice for PCVs to promote post service health legislation

20
Current co-sponsors of the Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act

21
NPCA Staff meetings with Senate/House members of the Appropriations Committee since October

72
Current number of members of the House Peace Corps Caucus


Advocacy Photo of the Month

Confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on December 2nd included consideration of Carlos Torres (above left, with NPCA President Glenn Blumhorst) to be the next Deputy Director of the Peace Corps.

Follow this link to read Torres' written testimony.

Connect With Us
Peace Corps Awaits FY 16 
Funding Level
Final action on a Fiscal Year 2016 spending bill is spilling into next week with a Senate vote Thursday to extend the deadline to December 16th, and the House expected to take similar action on Friday.

Negotiations center on a number of policy issue "riders" that both Republicans and Democrats are proposing for inclusion in the bill.  Read the latest on the budget negotiations.

Delays in a final budget deal also means a delay on the funding level Peace Corps is slated to receive for the fiscal year that began October 1st. The Senate and House originally slated Peace Corps to receive level funding of $379.5 million. However, outreach over the past two months by the NPCA, its advocates and others has opened the door to a possible funding increase.

Look for a Peace Corps funding update soon.

Health Meetings
The founder of the NPCA affiliate group Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers began her December holding key meetings in Washington DC. 

Nancy Tongue (pictured above on Capitol Hill with NPCA Board member Randy Adams) spent three days meeting with Peace Corps leadership, key congressional offices and NPCA staff.


Become an NPCA Advocacy Mission Partner
$10...$15...Any gift to help sustain our advocacy efforts carries great meaning.

In fact, if everyone receiving this newsletter followed this link right now and made a donation of $10, $15 or whatever you can during this season of giving, we could accomplish oh, so much more!


Featured Advocate: Nicole Harper
Our December featured advocate believes in and values the importance of being a
voice in support of the Peace Corps.

According to Botswana RPCV Nicole Harper (r), "The (advocacy) process sheds some light for me regarding what it might mean to participate and contribute something positive to the world." Learn more about Nicole's positive contributions to the world from her home in northern Alabama.

Get Connected to NPCA Advocacy

Southern Swing

Numerous social gatherings. Three district meetings, three advocacy training workshops and a new NPCA affiliate group in the process of re-forming?

 What an enjoyable trip through four southern states where we met dozens of RPCVs, learned more about their many accomplishments and continued to build our network of NPCA advocates.

Thanks to all who helped plan this trip!



National Day of Action: March 3, 2016

The date is set!

Our 12th National Day of Action in Support of the Peace Corps will be Thursday, March 3rd. Contact us if you plan to join us for Capitol Hill meetings in Washington.

We also want to significantly raise the Day of Action profile around the nation. Help us organize dozens of Day of Action Solidarity gatherings in every state in the nation!

  Contact us if you can lead a solidarity event in your area.

More From NPCA and Your Advocacy Program

Peace Corps Caucus

While we await final word on Peace Corps funding, it's a good time to turn your advocacy attention to other efforts.

Use our new automated action center and ask your Congressman/woman
 to join the bi-partisan Peace Corps Caucus.

It is especially important to increase the number of House Republicans on the caucus.


Capitol

Respect Act

It's also a good time to urge your Rep to co-sponsor the Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act.

On almost a daily basis, a member of the Peace Corps community passes away. This legislation would allow greater recognition of Peace Corps service - should an RPCV family choose - by allowing the use of the Peace Corps symbol in death notices or at gravesites.



Global Issues Advocacy

Many RPCVs and affiliate groups are aware of the important environmental and health benefits provided by clean cookstoves.  In the Senate, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have introduced legislation to promote and advance this technology.  

You can support our global issue for the month of December by asking your Senators to co-sponsor this legislation.


In Memoriam

So many members of our community have lived fulfilling lives that extend beyond Peace Corps service. 

Visit our In Memoriam page to remember those who recently passed away.
twitter logo
 
Follow us on Twitter!

Well, we are not yet in Kardashian territory! 

But you can sign up and join others who stay up to date between each monthly advocacy newsletter by following us on Twitter: @npcaadvocacy

Next Step Travel

Next stop for our Next Step Travel Program...Iran

A second RPCV group trip to Cuba is in the works. And, there's still space for late December trips to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Learn more.

WebsiteMembership | DonateDisclaimer 

 

THE NEXT STEP IN CHANGING THE WORLD

 

� 2015 National Peace Corps Association. 

All Rights Reserved

Follow Us On: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn View our videos on YouTube