2009 was a remarkable year for NPCA and the Peace Corps Community. Memorable bookends include an historic role marching in the inaugural parade and helping secure the highest appropriation in the history of the Peace Corps. The $400 million appropriation was $60 million more than last year, and nearly $30 million more than the President requested. This success directly results from the work of thousands in the community who mobilized to secure congressional support.
In 2009, we lost two dedicated RPCVs in the House of Representatives—Jim Walsh and Chris Shays, but gained two new outstanding members—Steve Driehaus and John Garamendi. In Congress, Sam Farr was a remarkably energetic and effective champion.
Aaron Williams was named as the 18th Director and Carrie Hessler-Radelet the deputy director nominee. Both Aaron and Carrie are RPCVS and former NPCA Board members, who have extensive experience in international development and management and bring a bold new vision for re-invigorating the Peace Corps.
We launched two new websites: Peace Corps Connect (www.peacecorpsconnect.org) and Africa Rural Connect (www.arc.peacecorpsconnect.org). More than 17,000 community members have posted their profiles on Peace Corps Connect since January.
NPCA also helped launch the Service World campaign to significantly expand opportunities for Americans to volunteer overseas and increase the impact they have. And despite the global financial crisis, NPCA had the strongest financial success in its 30-year history. All of these successes could not have been possible without your support and engagement. Thank you. 2010, the start of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, promises to be another remarkable year.
With gratitude and very best wishes for a joyous holidays and a more peaceful 2010.President
National Peace Corps Association
Thank you for your hard work and for finding ways to keep the information about Peace Corps moving around the world and back in to our hearts.
I would like to share a story with you. I was recently describing my PC service to a friend and used the term "service to my country [the US]." My friend was surprised that I thought and felt deeply the commitment not only to my PC host country (Honduras 1967-70),but that I also describe my PCV work as service to my own country, the United States. Her response got me to thinking...
With "service to country" is used almost exclusively in reference to military choices for service. Service to country in another choice, the Peace Corps, is lost.
The cultural paradigm of service = military service culturally and economically binds our country and its potential. It binds the Peace Corps, PCVs, RPCVs, and future workers for peace to "other," to marginalization, to "less than," to a deadly stereotype that service to country can and should only be expressed or sought through the military choice.
Might we begin to describe our PC work as service, dare I say "patriotic service," to our own country as well? Many of us have a transformational experience while serving in the Peace Corps. We bring that transformation back to our own country and just keep on working...
With deep thanks and best wishes for wonderful celebrations now and through out the new year,
Arietta (Willson) Wiedmann
Honduras 1967-1970
Posted by: Arietta M. C. Wiedmann | December 17, 2009 at 11:51 PM