25th Anniversary Conference in Chicago -- Saturday Highlights
25th Anniversary Conference in Chicago -- Saturday Highlights
The conference was in full swing on Saturday . Although the weather was glorious outside, inside the Palmer House Hilton RPCVs thronged the International MarketPlace, participated in numerous workshops and panel discussions, listened to authors read from their works, watched documentaries and checked in at the Hospitality Center for messages from friends.
Workshops
Offerings included a fascinating panel entitled “Why Kenyan Runners Win” featuring Kenyan runners reflecting on the factors that have lead to their success, a panel on Fair Trade coffee and how buying such coffee strengthens local communities, as well as several career and job search strategy panels. The Honorable Surin Pitsuwan, member of parliament in Thailand and former foreign minister, was the featured panelist in a session entitled “Understanding Islam.” Pitsuwan offered a vision for the future in which Middle Eastern Muslims could look to Southeast Asian Muslims for models of Islam that coexist with democracy. Meanwhile affiliate group leaders were briefed on the soon-to-be-launched association management software and shared ways to improve their group newsletters.
Presidents Forum and NPCA Annual General Meeting
The biennial conference is an important opportunity for group leaders and RPCVs from across the country to learn about and discuss issues concerning the National Peace Corps Association. At the Presidents' Forum last summer in Portland OR, the NPCA Board was asked to study ways to improve its performance. On Saturday morning the Presidents’ Forum had the opportunity to consider a report on this effort.
The proposals put forth in the report, 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. After some discussion, the Group Leaders voted overwhelmingly to endorse the proposed changes. A motion was also passed to change the name of the Presidents’s Forum to Group Leaders Forum. This will also require a change in the Bylaws and therefore will be brought to the general membership for a vote in the fall.
Thank You CAPCA!
The Chicago Area Peace Corps Association—also celebrating its 25th anniversary—was the host for this year’s conference. Their organizing committee and army of tireless volunteers made the conference possible and the NPCA is grateful for all their planning and hard work. The Hospitality Center at the hotel was brimming with brochures of things to do in the beautiful city of Chicago, and local RPCVs were eager to share their ideas for things to explore and experience.
