Peace Corps Polyglot

RPCV Senator Chris Dodd Will Not Seek Re-election

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in the Dominican Republic from 1966-68, will not to seek re-election this November.

Dodd has been the leading voice in the Senate on Peace Corps issues.  He is the author of Peace Corps legislation including the Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act, and has led the annual effort to secure signatures on a Senate Dear Colleague letter urging robust funding for Peace Corps.

Last year, Senator Dodd. as Chair of the Foreign Relations Peace Corps Subcommittee, convened the confirmation hearing for Director Aaron Williams and expedited Senate confirmation of the new director.

You can read more about Senator Dodd's decision by clicking here.

Senator Dodd is the only RPCV serving in the Senate.  There are five RPCVs currently serving in the House of Representatives.

 

National Peace Corps Association Releases Results of Better, Bolder Peace Corps Survey

As the United States Peace Corps receives the highest single-year increase in spending in its nearly 50 year history, that National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and its MorePeaceCorps Campaign has released the findings of a survey on how to improve and embolden the Peace Corps to meet key challenges in the 21st century.
 
A key overriding message from the survey centers on the need to improve volunteer projects and programming.  Survey participants consistently gave high rankings to survey questions and categories that dealt with matters such as training, improving the quality of volunteers, better matching volunteers to projects and making sure those projects meet local community needs.
 
While there was strong support for expanding collaboration and partnerships with other federal agencies, development and humanitarian NGOs and indigenous organizations, survey respondents also stressed the importance to maintain the independent nature of Peace Corps in relation to broader foreign policy objectives.
 
“The recent announcements of Peace Corps’ intention to return to Indonesia and Sierra Leone and the continued growth of applications from volunteers are exciting indicators of the opportunities to expand the number of volunteers in the field”, said NPCA President Kevin Quigley.  “As we begin to grow Peace Corps once again, it is particularly important that the growth of volunteers is coupled with plans to improve the quality of the Peace Corps experience, enhance its impact and develop ways to engage fellow global citizens all around the world.”
 
Conducted last October, the Better, Bolder Peace Corps Survey drew responses from more than 4,500 participants representing a broad cross-section of the Peace Corps community.  Nearly 40% of survey respondents identified themselves as volunteers who served in the past decade.  There was strong consistency in the responses of these individuals with other participants who served in the earlier years of Peace Corps.
 
An executive summary and full report from the survey has been posted online and can be accessed by visiting www.peacecorpsconnect.org/advocacy/betterboldersurveyresults.  

National Peace Corps Association Closes an Historic Year

Dear Peace Corps Community Members,

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.
 
Kevin F. F. Quigley

President

National Peace Corps Association

Senate Gives Final Congressional Approval to $400 Million for Peace Corps

A short while ago, the United States Senate gave final congressional approval to a package of six appropriations bills to fund many government programs for Fiscal Year 2010.The package includes $400 million for the Peace Corps.

President Obama is expected to sign the appropriations package into law shortly.

Thanks to the efforts of Peace Corps champions on Capitol Hill and thousands of advocates around the world, the approved funding level for Peace Corps is a significant step forward:

• The $60 million increase in funding (over the previous fiscal year) represents the largest single-year dollar increase in funding in the history of Peace Corps.
• The $60 million increase is higher than the combined, minimal funding increases for Peace Corps over the past seven years.
• While less than the $450 million requested by the House, the approved funding is $23 million above the request made by President Obama and recommended by the Senate. 

Once again, thank you and congratulations to all who worked so hard to achieve this major accomplishment!

64 Groups Sign Letter Urging Significant Peace Corps Funding in FY 2011

Federal budget cycles can be a bit confusing because of the overlap.  For example earlier today, the House of Representatives gave its final passage to a large package of Fiscal Year 2010 spending bills.  Passage included the State/Foreign Operations bill which contains $400 million for the Peace Corps (see page 4 of the link).  Final action is still needed in the Senate, which may take up the package as early as Friday and possibly vote over the weekend.

While Senate action and the President's signature are still needed on FY 2010 spending, the Obama administration is also busy preparing its budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year 2011.  And earlier this week, NPCA's MorePeaceCorps Campaign initiated its first FY 11 action.

With the tremendous assistance and leadership of 64 NPCA member groups, a sign-on letter was sent to President Obama, urging an increase in funding for the Peace Corps in FY 11 “that will allow for significant improvement of operations and continued growth of programs.”  The letter cited recent developments – including the nomination of two RPCVs with strong development experience to head the agency and recent announcements of Peace Corps’ return to Indonesia and Sierra Leone – as positive steps forward by the administration.  It also noted that Peace Corps volunteers represent key values outlined in the President’s historic speech at Cairo University when he called for a sustained effort “to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children and to respect the dignity of all human beings.”

You can read the full letter by following this link.

Breaking News: Congress Prepares to Approve $400 Million for Peace Corps

The United States Congress is beginning final action on Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations. 

According to RPCV Congressman Sam Farr, speaking in Washington tonight at a reception celebrating the Peace Corps at the Meridian International Center, negotiations on the State/Foreign Operations appropriations bill have closed.  Congressman Farr says the final bill contains $400 million for the Peace Corps.

While this figure is below the $450 million recommended by the House of Representatives, it is an historic step forward.  $400 million is significantly higher than the $373.4 million proposed by President Obama and recommended by the Senate.  This funding level represents a nearly 18% increase in funding above the $340 million Peace Corps appropriation in Fiscal Year 2009.  The approximately $60 million increase would also be the largest single-year dollar increase in funding for the Peace Corps in the agency's nearly fifty year history.

"This wonderful news represents a tremendous and historic investment for a bigger, better and bolder Peace Corps", said National Peace Corps Association President Kevin Quigley.  "Our congratulations to the many lawmakers on Capitol Hill who championed this cause, and also to the thousands of members of the Peace Corps community who took action over the past two years.  As we prepare to continue future advocacy to improve, embolden and expand the Peace Corps, we applaud everyone who helped secure this initial victory.  You really made a huge difference."

Congress will still need to give final approval to this spending recommendation.  However, with a current December 18th deadline to conclude work on appropriations, ongoing work on health care legislation and several other key matters that must be addressed this calendar year, lawmakers are expected to consider negotiated appropriations bills in their entirety, leaving little - if any - room for amendments.

Stay tuned for further details, updates and "thank you" actions.

Congressman Sam Farr: Peace Corps Champion

(l to r, RPCV/W President Tamar Schiffman, Congressman Farr and NPCA staff Anne Baker and Molly Mattessich)

You could call it the social event of the season for the Peace Corps community in our nation's capital!  This year was no exception as more than 300 people gathered last Friday evening for the annual holiday party put on by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington DC (RPCV/W).  It was a stylin' gathering--kudos to the great team of organizers.

The party had an added touch with the group presenting its first ever "Peace Corps Champion" award.  The recipient was California Congressman and Colombia RPCV Sam Farr.  In presenting the award to the Congressman, RPCV/W President Tamar Schiffman cited Farr's tireless work to press for increased funding for the agency, including his introduction of the Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009 and his defense of the Peace Corps from an amendment to reduce the $450 million funding recommendation in the House of Representatives.

In thanking RPCV/W for the award, Farr noted that while lawmakers receive numerous accolades over their years of service, this was an award he would particularly cherish.

 

Peace Corps Director Comments on Expansion

Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams, in a November 15 interview published in Parade magazine, says the agency plans to add a couple of thousand volunteers over the next two years.

You can read the interview by following this link.

Better, Bolder Peace Corps Survey: Initial Results

Our thanks to the more than 4,500 individuals who took part in our Better, Bolder Peace Corps survey.

While a full report will be issued in December, initial results from the survey indicate that among the many ideas on how to improve and embolden the Peace Corps, issues related to strengthening development work and programming resonated especially high among survey respondents.

Follow this link to read our initial findings.

RPCV Congressman Garamendi Hits the Hill

As he made his first remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, the phone in Room 2459 of the Rayburn Office Building was already ringing.  "Congressman Garamendi's office, how can I help you?"

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer John Garamendi was sworn in today as the new representative of California's 10th Congressional District.  In welcoming remarks on behalf of the California congressional delegation, Representative Pete Stark began by noting that both Garamendi and his wife Patti began their lifelong commitment to public service as Peace Corps volunteers in Ethiopia in the late 1960's.

Garamendi extends an interesting legacy of Ethiopia Peace Corps alumni serving in Congress.  Former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford was the first Ethiopia Country Director, and former Congressman Paul Tsongas volunteered in Ethiopia from 1962-64. Wofford says "John Garamendi champions so many causes close to my heart.  I very much wish that Paul Tsongas and I could be there with John to work together and bring about a better and bolder Peace Corps for the 21st century."

(Pictured above: The newest member of Congress, John Garamendi (center), with NPCA President Kevin Quigley and Vice President Anne Baker)