Chicago RPCV Conference The second city proved it is second to none in putting on an unforgettable event for the NPCA's 2006 Returned Volunteer Conference. Read what RPCV Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball had to say about his service in Swaziland and what Nobel laureate and Landmine Activist Bobby Mueller had to say about US Mideast policy. Read our coverage of the closing ceremony, the opening ceremony, our photo essay of the Flag Procession, our collection of over five hundred photos from the procession, and what VOA said about the conference. Great job, Capca!

Opening Ceremony for the NPCA Convention in Chicago

RPCVs arrived for the Opening Ceremonies

RPCVs arrived for the Opening Ceremonies. Over a thousand RPCVs were in Chicago for the convention.











Trina Jones and Chuck Sheftel

Trina Jones and Chuck Sheftel welcomed RPCVs to the Converence in Chicago and called on volunteers from the audience to welcome us in the native tongue of the countries in which they served.











Teresa Heinz Kerry

Teresa Heinz Kerry praised Peace Corps Volunteers in a replay of her remarks the week before at the Democratic National Convention:

To me, one of the best faces America has ever projected is the face of a Peace Corps volunteer. That face symbolizes this country: young, curious, brimming with idealism and hope — and a real, honest compassion. Those young people convey an idea of America that is all about — heart and creativity, generosity and confidence, a practical, can-do sense and a big, big smile.

For many generations of people around the globe, that is what America has represented. A symbol of hope, a beacon brightly lit by the optimism of its people — people coming from all over the world. Americans believed they could know all there is to know, build all there is to build, break down any barrier, tear down any wall. We sent men to the moon, and when that was not far enough, we sent Galileo to Jupiter, we sent Cassini to Saturn, and Hubble to touch the very edges of the universe at the very dawn of time. Americans showed the world what can happen when people believe in amazing possibilities.

And, that, for me, is the spirit of America — the America you and I are working for in this election. It is the America that people all across this nation want to restore — from Iowa to California, from Florida to Michigan, from Washington State to my home state of Pennsylvania.











Rabbi Douglas Goldhammer and Reverend Rick Mercer

Rabbi Douglas Goldhammer and Reverend Rick Mercer gave an invocation:

The Peace Corps represents light.

There is Peace in the midst of every storm.











Clarence Wood, Chairman of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations

Clarence Wood, Chairman of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, welcomed us to Chicago:

We pledge to you our committment to make the spirit of the Peace Corps a beacon for other cities in the world.











Incoming NPCA Board Chair Ken Hill introduced Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez

Incoming NPCA Board Chair Ken Hill introduced Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez and said:

Gaddi has supported the NPCA and has attended every event around the world the NPCA has held.











Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez spoke

Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez spoke spoke about what the Peace Corps is doing today:

When I started to take on this job, some members of Congress said you would have the best job in Washington. There is one thing that people in DC agree on - and that is the Peace Coprs and that makes my job very easy.

I want Peace Corps to look like the face of America. I salute you. Thank you for providing service spanning decades. Peace Corps is at a 28 year high in numbers. Applications are up 27% over last year. Our "Life is calling" campaign is succedding. How far will you go we ask and volunteers are answering.











Linda Baumann spoke as the Conference Sponsor

Linda Baumann, Executive Vice-President of Bank One, who served as a vounteer in the Philippines said she learned patience, flexibility, and appreciating other cultures from her service in the Peace Corps.











The Muntu Dance Theatre

The Muntu Dance Theatre performed











Governor Robert Taft of Ohio

Governor Robert Taft of Ohio spoke about his service in the Peace Corps in Tanzania.:

In the Peace Corps we present a different image of America. The Peace Corps breaks down the sterotypes and turns an American into a fellow human being.











NPCA President Kevin Quigley

NPCA President Kevin Quigley talked about what the NPCA has been doing since he was selected as President and first introduced to the Returned Volunteer one year ago in Portland.











US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky welcomed us to Illinois and spoke about peace and the role that the Peace Corps plays in promoting peace.











The Nayta Dance Theatre

The Nayta Dance Theatre performed dances of India.











Wisconsin Governer Jim Doyle and his wife First Lady Jessica Doyle

Wisconsin Governer Jim Doyle and his wife First Lady Jessica Doyle spoke about their service in Tunisia:

Hardly a day goes by when our lives are not touched by the Peace Corps.

Like many of you we were captivated by President Kennedy's call to service.

We were two kids out to change the world. But we were the ones who had so much to learn.

We had to learn to go with the flow and trust the people around us.











Former Peace Corps Director Nick Craw presents Shriver Award

Former Peace Corps Director Nick Craw presented the Shriver Award to Dr. Kevin Denny and the Malawi Children's Village, for their work with an African village built for the orphans of AIDS victims.

Dr Denny talked about the AIDS crisis in Africa and said that if a jumbo jet crashed and everyone was killed, it would get our attendtion. If ten jumbo jets crashed, it would get our attention. If ten jumbo jets crashed every day that would get our attention. More people are dying of AIDS in Africa, than if ten jumbo jets crashed every day.











Former Peace Corps Director Kevin O'Donnell presents Ruppe Award

Former Peace Corps Director Kevin O'Donnell presented the Loret Miller Ruppe Award to the Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai'i for Outstanding Community Service for their cable television production Bring the World Home.











Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Member of Parliment in Thailand

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Member of Parliment in Thailand and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about how he was taught English as second language by two Peace Corps volunteers.











Conference Chair Trina Jones

Conference Chair Trina Jones officially declared the conference open.

This Month's Issue: August 2004 Teresa Heinz Kerry celebrates the Peace Corps Volunteer as one of the best faces America has ever projected in a speech to the Democratic Convention. The National Review disagreed and said that Heinz's celebration of the PCV was "truly offensive." What's your opinion and who can come up with the funniest caption for our Current Events Funny? Exclusive: Director Vasquez speaks out in an op-ed published exclusively on the web by Peace Corps Online saying the Dayton Daily News' portrayal of Peace Corps "doesn't jibe with facts." In other news, the NPCA makes the case for improving governance and explains the challenges facing the organization, RPCV Bob Shaconis says Peace Corps has been a "sacred cow", RPCV Shaun McNally picks up support for his Aug 10 primary and has a plan to win in Connecticut, and the movie "Open Water" based on the negligent deaths of two RPCVs in Australia opens August 6. Op-ed's by RPCVs: Cops of the World is not a good goal and Peace Corps must emphasize community development.

By Trond Tarald Kverneland (c3da3bf51.dhcp.bluecom.no - 81.191.163.61) on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 3:20 am: Edit Post

I am trying to get in touch with Chuck Sheftel. We met while I studied at Univ of Illinois at Champaign Urbana in 1969. We shared a keen interest in tennis. I bought his car and travelled extensively for three months before going back to my native Norway (I have visited all 48 states on mainland USA). Chuck and I stayed in touch and one day he came to visit in Oslo on his way back from a stay in India with the Peace Corps. He told all kinds of interesting stories from India. We have lost contact many years ago, but now perhaps can renew this. I have tried his name on skype, but with no success. Can anyone help me with his mail address?