25th Anniversary Conference in Chicago--Thursday Highlights



25th Anniversary Conference in Chicago--Thursday Highlights

25th Anniversary Conference in Chicago--Thursday Highlights

The Chicago Conference got off to a great start. Conference organizers could control a lot of things, but somehow they even got the weather to cooperate. It was gorgeous outside!

Global Education Teachers’ Workshop

Over 100 Chicago public school teachers and returned Peace Corps volunteers came together for a six hour workshop entitled “Words from Other Worlds: Literacy with a Global Perspective.” Participants networked and learned how to infuse global issues into the curriculum using free and readily available resources.

Global Education Children’s Activity

CAPCA members shared stories and photos of their Peace Corps experiences. A Grammy Award winning children’s performer led the group in songs and games using instruments from around the world. Afterwards, the children used recycled materials such as wire, tinsel and beads to create jewelry and flower pots.

Media Interviews

NPCA President Kevin Quigley spoke with a television crew about the NPCA’s work in global education and shared how the Peace Corps experience can enrich classroom learning.

Registration

Close to 1,000 returned Peace Corps volunteers, former staff and friends registered for the conference and a full weekend of reunions, workshops and FUN!

NPCA Board Meeting

Outgoing board chair Pat Reilly turned over leadership to Ken Hill. The board discussed its potential restructuring, an issue which would be the focus of Saturday’s Presidents’ Forum.

Welcome Reception

The energy was palpable as hundreds of RPCVs packed the State Ball Room for the welcoming reception and official conference opening. CAPCA President Wallace Goode welcomed the gathering. John Coyne, editor of PeaceCorpsWriters.org announced the 2004 winners of its awards for best travel writing, best children’s book, best poetry, best fiction, best non-fiction and best essay on the Peace Corps experience. Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez took to the podium to inaugurate what will be monthly recognition awards by the agency to honor of the work of volunteers who have advanced the Third Goal of Peace Corps. Daniel Tamulonis (Zaire 75-79) and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin - Madison were the recipients.

When this story was prepared, here was the front page of PCOL magazine:

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.

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