Peace Corps Polyglot

"We Implore You, Chairwoman Lowey"

We hope you've heard by now that there's a rally happening tomorrow in Washington, DC for a Bold New Peace Corps. And among the many efforts currently underway to make the case for a Peace Corps budget of $450 million in FY 2010, is a book addressed to Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY).  She's the Chair of the key House appropriations subcommittee that will play a huge role in determining the fate of Peace Corps funding. 

Click here to see the book (.pdf format) which contains dozens of passionate and heartfelt testimonials from Peace Corps supporters.  Do read them.  Copies will be distributed to members of Congress.  Huge thanks and congratulations to Larry Leamer (RPCV Nepal) for spearheading this initiative. 

Meanwhile, here's the letter (.pdf) that NPCA President Kevin Quigley has sent on behalf of NPCA:

June 12, 2009

The Honorable Nita Lowey
2329 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman Lowey,

As Congress considers its Fiscal Year 2010 Peace Corps appropriation, we respectfully send you – and other lawmakers - this book which contains a sampling of the passionate sentiments of those inspired by the Peace Corps.

You have been a friend to the Peace Corps and that is why – at this historic moment – we need your leadership to champion a bold, new Peace Corps, ready and resourced to meet the global challenges of a young century.

In 2002, the Peace Corps community missed a moment. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, President Bush pledged to double the Peace Corps in five years. We, however, failed to
adequately amplify our voices to help convert that pledge into a reality. Now, seven years later, in the aftermath of an historic presidential election and an unprecedented bi-partisan call to service, we have another opportunity.

In 2008, the National Peace Corps Association launched a MorePeaceCorps Campaign to bring forth the voices of those who believe in the power and the promise of the Peace Corps to help restore U.S. standing and to make our world more peaceful and prosperous—as the Peace Corps was created to do. Along with citizen phone calls, petition signatures, emails and faxes, this book represents another sampling of those voices asking for your leadership and support.

We hope that you and other congressional leaders can hear these voices and respond to our heartfelt request to provide the resources to revitalize the Peace Corps, our country’s smartest smart power. Inspired by a renewed call to service, tens of thousands of citizens stand ready to join the Peace Corps. For these citizens – and the many nations requesting volunteers – we must not let them down.

With deep appreciation for your consideration,

Sincerely,
Kevin F. F. Quigley
President
National Peace Corps Association
1900 L Street NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20036
202-293-7728
www.peacecorpsconnect.org

A D.C. Rally for a Bold, New Peace Corps

As a supporter of the Peace Corps, you have written letters. You have sent emails and made phone calls. Now, we need you to join friends and supporters of the Peace Corps this Saturday, June 13th, at a Washington DC Rally.

Give us an hour this Saturday and raise your voice for the Peace Corps.

Rally for a Bold, New Peace Corps
Saturday, June 13, 2009
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Freedom Plaza
14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
(near the Federal Triangle Metro stop on the Orange/Blue line)

Inspiring speakers, great music, a wonderful way to connect with the Peace Corps community!
Visit www.morepeacecorps.org for more details.


Please: Be an advocate for this rally!

• Share this rally information with everyone you know through word of mouth, posts to your social networks and email forwards.
• Commit to bringing five people to the rally!

Also…WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Flyer Distribution/Sign Making/Phone Banking Parties
(Food and Beverages will be provided)
Where: National Peace Corps Association – 1900 L Street, NW, Suite 404
(Farragut North or Farragut West Metro)
Contact: jonathan@peacecorpsconnect.org for details…or just show up!
When?
Thursday Evening: Stop by anytime between 4 and 9 PM
Friday Evening: Stop by anytime between 4 and 9 PM
Saturday Morning: Stop by anytime between 8 AM and 12 Noon

Rally Support and Logistics Volunteers
Where: Freedom Plaza

Contact: Corey Taylor at social@rpcvw.org for details and assignments.
When? Plan to arrive at Freedom Plaza by 12 Noon. Volunteers needed through 3:30 PM.

NPCA Partnering to Promote Youssou N'Dour Documentary

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and independent film distributor Shadow Distribution are partnering in a national program to promote the theatrical release of the new feature-length documentary, Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love and its message of peace, understanding and tolerance for other countries, cultures and religions. Directed by Chai Vasarhelyi, the award-winning film is a portrait of Africa's world-renowned singer Youssou N'Dour and his musical journey to inspire change.

Through NPCA's national network of member groups, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will be invited to host screenings and lead post-screening discussions on the issues raised by the film. The film and associated events will be promoted to the NPCA's network and on the NPCA website at www.PeaceCorpsConnect.org; NPCA will be one of the organizations featured on the "Get Involved" section of the film's website, www.IBringWhatILove.com, bringing attention to the Peace Corps community.

"We look forward to engaging our community around the film to further the 'Third Goal' of Peace Corps: 'to promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans,'" says NPCA President Kevin Quigley. "We are very excited about this opportunity for collaboration. It's a natural fit."

Next month the NPCA is launching an innovative online project, Africa Rural Connect, which encourages collaboration among African people and the Peace Corps community to share their best ideas for development in Africa.

"I am grateful to the National Peace Corps Association for embracing the film's message of a 'hopeful Africa.' It is extremely rare that a film like ours is made which does not focus on African AIDS, war and poverty. This initiative will help spread our positive message to as wide an audience as possible. This partnership is very much in the spirit of the film and Youssou N'Dour's goal to bring diverse communities together and to enrich their understanding of each other through music," says Vasarhelyi.

Shadow will launch the film's national release on June 12, 2009 in New York City at the Paris Theatre, IFC Center and BAM Rose Cinemas and at Laemmle Theatres in Los Angeles on July 3, 2009. It will open in theaters in over 25 cities throughout the summer. 

Read the NPCA press release here.

Here's the same thing, but in a fancier format, through PRWeb.

Hawaii's Important Voice in Peace Corps, International Affairs Funding

As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Daniel Inouye has a critically important role to play in funding for the Peace Corps and other international affairs programs.

In the next several weeks, Senator Inouye will announce how much funding will be allocated in Fiscal Year 2010 for the International Affairs portion of the federal budget. Advocacy groups are urging that at least $54 Billion (President Obama's request) be provided for this portion of the budget, which includes Peace Corps.  Today, House appropriations leaders announced a $51 Billion allocation for international affairs funding - an allocation that represents a less than two percent increase over current funding.  That makes the going tougher.  But when the going gets tough...

It is very important that Senator Inouye hears from constituents who care about the international affairs portion of the budget. The higher the overall allocation, the greater the chance for significant funding increases for Peace Corps.

Not from Hawaii?  Check to see if your Senator is a member of the Appropriations Committee and take similar action below.

Take less than five minutes to contact Senator Inouye today. Include the following in your message:

• I urge you to support President Obama's request and allocate no less than $54 Billion for the International Affairs portion of the budget for Fiscal Year 2010.
• I also urge you to support a $450 Million Peace Corps appropriation for Fiscal Year 2010.
• If time allows, talk about the important role of Peace Corps and/or other foreign assistance programs in our outreach to the world.

After you are done, reach out to five other Hawaiians you know and ask them to take a similar action today!

Senator Inouye's

Washington

Phone Number: 202-224-3934
Senator Inouye's Email

Want more information before taking action? Follow this background document provided by the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign.

Meet James Gore: NPCA's Newest Board Member

Based in Arlington, Virginia, James Gore was just elected to his first term as a member of the National Peace Corps Association Board of Directors, where he will be a national and Mid-Atlantic representative. NPCA President Kevin Quigley is excited about this newest board member.  “Given the remarkable leadership with the RPCVW group and his engagement in the 50th Anniversary planning efforts, James brings skills, experiences and a passion for the Peace Corps that will make him a great asset for the NPCA,” he said.

James volunteered with the Peace Corps in Conchabamba and Tarija, Bolivia from 2003 through 2005. James met his wife. Elizabeth, in Peace Corps Volunteer training, and during his service he worked extensively with the local farmers and strategically managed and implemented agricultural business projects. "Bolivia taught me the power of simple action - there is nothing as gratifying as taking ideas and visions off of the ever-increasing 'to do' list and instead placing them on the 'done' list.  No matter how grand or minute an idea may be, you can breath it into life through action,” he said.

Upon returning to the United States, James began work with the wine industry and international affairs. He is currently the Managing Director for Agriculture and Trade Policy for JBC International, based in Washington, D.C. Jim has a rich background with wine and the wine industry, thanks to his family’s winemaking business in Sonoma County, California.

James has been highly involved with the Peace Corps community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. He has been elected President of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC, helped organize RPCVs to march in the recent inaugural parade and sits on the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Committee. After serving three terms as the RPCVw president, he was inspired to broaden his Peace Corps service.

James is enthusiastic about what the future holds for the NPCA and the Peace Corps community. “I look forward to bringing a fresh breath to the NPCA Board and to work diligently with other members to offer RPCVs a vehicle that can carry their interests, hopes and visions to a national level,” he said.

James will begin his three-year term with the start of the June 26 Board meeting held in Washington, D.C.

Meet NPCA 's Summer 2009 Interns

As summer rolls into D.C., interns are on every street, Metro and office building as far as the eye can see. The National Peace Corps Association is doing its part and is excited for the experience they will gain and to see the work they will put forth!

Allison Hunn (right) is interning with Jonathan Pearson, the Advocacy Coordinator here at the NPCA. As the summer advocacy intern, she has already made several trips to the Hill to promote increased funding for the Peace Corps and the passage of the Waxman-Markey Bill. 

Allison is a rising junior at the University of Virginia, where she is majoring in International Relations, concentrating in both the Africa and the Middle East regions and is completing a minor in French. With an enthusiastic interest in Africa in mind, Allison is strongly considering applying for the Peace Corps after she graduates.

Sara McAlpin (left) is interning with Erica Burman, the Director of Communications at the NPCA. As the summer communications intern, she helping to write blog items and text for the website, draft press releases, perform general research  utilize social media networks to NPCA’s advantage.  She's enjoying the design aspect of the NPCA’s communications side, working on developing a new layout and design for the 2008 Annual Report and is greatly looking forward seeing how the upcoming issue of Worldview Magazine is laid out.

Sara is a rising senior at Florida Southern College, where she is majoring in Communications, concentrating in Public Relations and is completing a minor in Political Science. Having lived abroad for the majority of her life and with an interest in international affairs, Sara knows she will probably end up applying to the Peace Corps at some point in her life, whether directly after college or later in life.

Take Action: June 18 - A Historic Opportunity for Peace Corps

On June 18, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (chaired by New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey) is expected to mark up the Fiscal Year 2010 International Affairs Budget (which includes funding for the Peace Corps). 

This may prove one of the most crucial moments in the history of Peace Corps.

If Rep. Lowey appropriates the full $450 million recently recommended by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she will have seized a historic opportunity to provide the Peace Corps with the resources it needs to become a 21st Century organization and to advance the new President's agenda to restore U.S. standing in the world.

That’s how big the stakes are. 

We do not want to tie up Rep. Lowey’s phones but we are asking her constituents in the days before June 18th to call 202-225-6505 and express their sentiments.  If your Congress member is on the House Appropriations Subcommittee, please call that representative; the names and numbers are listed below.  All others we are asking to e-mail Lowey@morepeacecorps.org to express your feelings in support of a robustly funded Peace Corps. The More Peace Corps campaign, an initiative of the National Peace Corps Association, will assemble these e-mails and present them to the Congresswoman.

HOUSE APPROPRIATION SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS MEMBERS

(IF YOU ARE A CONSTITUENT OF ANY OF THESE LAWMAKERS, CALL THEM TO URGE A $450 MILLION PEACE CORPS APPROPRIATION.  IF YOU ARE NOT A CONSTITUENT, THINK OF SOMEONE YOU KNOW IN THEIR DISTRICT AND ASK THEM TO TAKE ACTION)

Democrats
Nita M. Lowey (NY) (Chair) 202 225-6506
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (IL) 202 225-0773
Adam Schiff (CA) 202 225-4176
Steve Israel (NY) 202 225-3335
Ben Chandler (KY) 202 225-4706
Steven R. Rothman (NJ) 202 225-5061
Barbara Lee (CA)  202 225-2661
Betty McCollum (MN) 202 225-6631
David R. Obey (WI), Ex Officio  202 225-3365

Republicans
Kay Granger (TX) (Ranking Member)  202 225-5071
Mark Steven Kirk (IL)  202 225-4835
Ander Crenshaw (FL) 202 225-2501
Dennis R. Rehberg (MT) 202 225-3211

Idealist.org Grad School Fair Comes to Washington, DC

After their service many Peace Corps volunteers decide to pursue their passion and further their social impact through graduate level education.  That's why NPCA is pleased to bring attention to the Idealist.org Graduate Fairs for Public Good.  They're a wonderful way to meet with representatives from graduate programs, learn about different degrees, the application and financial aid process and ways to smooth the transition home. 

The next Fair is happening in Washington, DC.   Meet representatives from 61 local, national, and international public interest and social change graduate programs at the Idealist.org Washington, DC Graduate Degree Fair for the Public Good on Wednesday, June 17. It is free, open to the public
and runs from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

At the fair you can:

• Talk with representatives from different degree programs such as social work, public administration, international affairs, education public policy, divinity, nonprofit management, environmental sciences, public health, law, business, and more. To see a list of schools scheduled to attend, click here.
• Explore ways to learn more about the issues you care about and how to do more meaningful work.
• Attend panel discussions and ask graduate admissions staff questions on graduate education.

The grad fairs are dedicated to serving mid-career, new and aspiring social change professionals. Watch a video to get a better sense of what it's like! 

An ASL/English interpreter will be available to assist members of the Deaf community communicate with school representatives. Contact Chris, chris@idealist.org, to let us know when you plan to arrive if you need interpretation help.

The fair is generously hosted by American University School of Public Affairs (http://spa.american.edu/) and cosponsored by Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of DC (http://www.ynpn.org/dc) and The Washington Center (http://www.twc.edu).

We encourage you to register to receive tips, any last minute updates, and a reminder via e-mail about the grad fair. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone.)

Please help us spread the word about this event. Share this message with your friends and colleagues. You can also follow us on Twitter @GradResources and find us on Facebook (Idealist.org Graduate Education Resources).