July 28, 2004: Headlines: NPCA: Governance Structure: NPCA Executive Committee: Executive Summary: NPCA Executive Committee makes the Case for Improving Governance

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Library: Peace Corps: National Peace Corps Association (NPCA): National Peace Corps Association: Archived Stories: July 28, 2004: Headlines: NPCA: Governance Structure: NPCA Executive Committee: Executive Summary: NPCA Executive Committee makes the Case for Improving Governance
The NPCA Report on Improving Governance The NPCA Report on Improving Governance
As requested by the Presidents' Forum last summer in Portland OR, the NPCA Board has studied ways to improve its performance. The report of this effort is now available and will be discussed in Chicago, August 5-8. The proposals, if approved, would reduce the Board's size and change its composition, via an amendment to NPCA Bylaws to be placed before the NPCA membership in the fall. Read the executive summary and the supporting material including NPCA's Challenges Today and Tomorrow, what RCPVs say about the changes and then leave your own comments.



By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-22-73.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.22.73) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 1:02 pm: Edit Post

Executive Summary: NPCA Executive Committee makes the Case for Improving Governance

Executive Summary: NPCA Executive Committee makes the Case for Improving Governance

Executive Summary: NPCA Executive Committee makes the Case for Improving Governance

Executive Summary

As requested by the Presidents' Forum last summer in Portland OR, the NPCA Board studied ways to improve its performance. The report of this effort is now available and will be discussed in Chicago, August 5-8. The proposals, if approved, would reduce the Board's size and change its composition, via an amendment to NPCA Bylaws to be placed before the NPCA membership in the fall. The number of Board committees has already been reduced. The role of the Presidents' Forum and Group Leaders would also be strengthened.

Proposals

Of five proposals, first two require membership to vote changes in by-laws:


Reasons for Change

Stages of growth: In 1979, far-sighted leaders, seeing that local groups need national support, created the National Council of RPCVs. In 1993, NCRPCV renamed itself NPCA, strengthened its staff , and began to appoint Directors with national experience.

But as organizations mature, roles need to change. Boards should not implement, but set goals and policies, hire CEOs, help raise funds, and oversee performance. NPCA needs a strong board and management, to assist Groups through excellent programs and services.


Challenges today and tomorrow

While the total Peace Corps community is large and growing, the organized PC community is small and stagnating. For 5-6 years, membership growth in NPCA and many Groups has stalled. Although NPCA's services benefit many persons (Kevin estimates 36,000), only about 10,000 support NPCA as Members!

Nonetheless, NPCA now attracts significant talent, resources, and financial obligations. NPCA has great potential to grow. But these challenges require management and governance which are professional and consistent.

Compared to our challenges and goals, our governance is weak in design and weaker in practice. So, we hobble ourselves from acting boldly to improve our services, finances, and growth. At NPCA's age 25, we are still talking about when we might reach our potential.

Unless we improve our governance, effectiveness, and growth now, the organized PC community will fail to realize its potential and wither into obscurity. So, we urge Group Leaders and our Members to approve these proposals with enthusiasm.




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Story Source: NPCA Executive Committee

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; NPCA; Governance Structure

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By Phyllis Jones Twichell (0-1pool196-108.nas27.somerville1.ma.us.da.qwest.net - 63.159.196.108) on Monday, August 09, 2004 - 11:40 am: Edit Post

These are additional suggestions I'd like to make. Reduce the annual FEE to join NPCA!! I entered PC in '96 (Albania), but was evacuated in '97. I was 75 years old and I enjoyed every moment! I am on a very limited budget and have never been able to afford the stiff MEMBERSHIP FEE!! How about a Senior Discount?
I no longer teach, and because our Maine contingent had not JOINED NPCA no news of our countries ever appeared in the publication. I wondered of what use their newsletter was to me. Of course I did not receive the PC Magazine either so there did not seem to be any point in paying for it.
When I visited the NPCA's office in Wash. DC all that was happening in there was their selling of PC items!!
I am glad you are overhauling the NPCA!!


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