National Peace Corps Association News
The following are some of the highlights of the NPCA Board of Directors meeting, the Annual General Meeting, and the Group Leaders Forum, held on June 25 and 26 in Washington DC. This report can also be found at http://community.peacecorpsconnect.org/group/npcaboardwestregion.
The NPCA is in the process of 'rebranding' itself to better reflect its mission. A new logo has been chosen, and a new homepage is currently up on a trial (beta) basis. Check it out at http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/ Once the trial run is complete—in about two weeks, the new platform will be officially launched, and will eventually consolidate all of NPCA's websites and databases.
As the result of recent elections, nine board members were sworn in at the June 25th meeting. For the list of current board members, see; http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/about/board-of-directors/
The Park Service has reviewed and approved a proposal for establishing a commemorative to the ideals of the Peace Corps to be located on (or near) the Washington DC Mall. There is still a series of other requirements for establishing such a presence on the Mall, including the passage of a Congressional Resolution, but the Park Service nod of approval is seen as a very good sign.
It was announced that, in 2011, the Peace Corps will be one of the three themed exhibits at the largest annual cultural event in the U.S. capital; the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (http://www.festival.si.edu/about/mission.aspx). The Peace Corps, Colombia, and 'Rhythm and Blues' will be the 3 featured entities for the two week event next summer--an event that typically draws more than a million visitors.
The Peace Corps is announcing its schedule for the celebration of its 50th anniversary at http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.returned.fiftieth
50th Anniversary Events (NPCA): The NPCA will be holding a Global Day of Celebration (Birthday Party) on March 1, 2011. House Parties, similar to those held during the MorePeaceCorps campaign will be held all over the US/World that day. The major 50th anniversary-related event will take place in Washington DC, from September 22nd to 25th, 2011. Events planned include a 'Day of Service', a 'Parade of Flags' at JFK's gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery, as well as various other group events and receptions. Keep updated on these plans by checking the Peace Corps Connect website.
The House of Representatives' Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations approved a spending plan for the next fiscal year that includes $446 million for the Peace Corps. This represents more than a 10% increase in funding over last Fiscal Year's budget. This again is only the first step in a long process…but it bodes well for increasing funding for the Peace Corps.
A Cooperative Agreement between NPCA and the Peace Corps is being finalized, which will provide hard copies of the NPCA's “World View” magazine to all the currently serving PCVs.
RPCVs of Madison--Wisconsin have released their 2011 Calendar, which is widely distributed and used by many RPCV groups in fundraising efforts. At a ceremony held at the Letelier Theatre in Georgetown, the NPCA's 2010 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service was presented to Stuart Conway (RPCV Guatemala) who co-founded the nonprofit organization Trees, Water & People (TWP). TWP is credited with planting 3.5 million trees and inventing the Justa Stove, a fuel-efficient cook stove designed to reduce wood usage and toxic emissions.
The next scheduled NPCA board of directors meeting is December 6, 2010, via teleconference. Joe Hindman
Western Region Representative
