Gaddi Vasquez Speaks to Returned Volunteers in Los Angeles
Read and comment on this exclusive report from PCOL's Special Correspondent in Los Angeles on Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez's first meeting with Peace Corps invitees, nominees, and returned volunteers this afternoon at the LA Public Library. Our correspondent says that the Director made a good speech and a good first impression in his first meeting with a group of Returned Volunteers. PCOL hopes this is the first of many meetings the Director has with Returned Volunteers. Read the story at:
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Gaddi Vasquez Speaks to Returned Volunteers in Los Angeles
From our Special Correspondent in Los Angeles
April 21, 2002
"Come take a journey around the world!" the invitation from the Peace Corps said. "The world is in your hands"
This Sunday afternoon, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers around Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego got their first opportunity to meet PC Director Gaddi Vasquez at the Los Angeles Public Library.
They were invited to attend a special hors d'oeuvre reception to congratulate Peace Corps nominees and invitees who were given a special send-off by Gaddi Vasquez, the new Peace Corps Director, Peace Corps Staff, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, friends, and family members. The event was scheduled from 5:00-7:00 pm at the historic Los Angeles Public Library at 630 West Fifth Street. Refreshments were catered by a former volunteer.
Atendees were also invited on a private docent-led tours to explore the art and architecture of the Library and the Maguire Gardens which began at 3:30 PM.
The number of participants in the event was underestimated, food lines moved slowly, there weren't enough chairs for the ceremony which seemed cramped. However, conversation was great as former volunteers reunited and moved about talking with the newly accepted Peace Corps Volunteer and their family and friends.
Prior to Vasquez's speech, local Peace Corps Staff announced that the Dodgers had provided tickets to the game scheduled for September 9 against the Houston Astros. The fund-raiser tickets were provided at half price and will be sold at full price with the proceeds to be used for future activities. Pre-game ceremonies are planned to honor the Peace Corps. Other volunteer organizations such as Americorps have also been invited. Mr. Vasquez will attend, and it is hoped that President Bush with throw out the first ball. Additionally, it was announced that two events are scheduled for the Peace Corps writers on July 21 and August 4 at the Venice Library.
In his remarks to the group, Director Vasquez said that Peace Corps has received requests from many countries for the re-entry of Peace Corps and the Peace Corps expects to honor these requests.
The Director also said that he had just met with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo. He told the story of Toledo's chance encounter at a very young age with Peace Corps volunteers who later assisted Toledo when he sought further education. This was the beginning of a path which culminated in Toledo being elected President of Peru.
Vasquez went on to say that he had also recently traveled to Afghanistan to talk with an official assigned to discuss the possible assignment of volunteers in Afghanistan. The Afghani official did not need an explanation of the goals and mission of the Peace Corps as she had learned English from Peace Corps volunteers.
Mr. Vasquez recognized a retired couple who will begin Peace Corps service shortly.
Each invitee/nominee was asked to introduce himself or herself and provide information about work and country assignments. Each invitee/nominee then received a certificate from Peace Corps Staff and a handshake from Mr. Vasquez.
Following Mr. Vasquez's speech, the attendees broke into groups to discuss volunteer service with the invitees and nominees.
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Peace Corps - Recruitment; Peace Corps - Directors; Returned Volunteers - Meetings
