NPCA is planning a National Day of Action on March 1st, 2005 to voice support for strong funding for the Peace Corps



NPCA is planning a National Day of Action on March 1st, 2005 to voice support for strong funding for the Peace Corps

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SPREAD THE WORD!

National Day of Action in Support of Peace Corps Funding Planned for March 1st, 2005

(posted 12/13/04)

In an effort to raise the collective voice of RPCVs, former Peace Corps staff and other supporters of the Peace Corps program, the NPCA is undertaking an organizing campaign culminating with a National Day of Action on Tuesday, March 1st, 2005 - the beginning of Peace Corps week.

The purpose of the day will be to mobilize NPCA members and supporters to contact their representatives in Washington and voice support for strong funding for the Peace Corps. Details on specific requests and action opportunities will be developed in the coming weeks, and forwarded via our advocacy listserves, the NPCA e-newsletter, and this website.

We need your help! Begin contacting friends, neighbors and colleagues and ask them to make plans to participate next March 1st in our National Day of Action. If you want to find out other ways you can assist, please contact us at advocacy@rpcv.org. Thanks and stay tuned!

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

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December 10, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 Dec RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre 9 Dec RPCV says education is key to curbing AIDS 9 Dec RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition 9 Dec Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 Dec "Today we have a new country" says Toledo 9 Dec DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award 8 Dec Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances 8 Dec RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo 6 Dec Vasquez to speak at Hawaii, Wisconsin commencements 6 Dec Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss 2 Dec Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan runs Pachamama imports 30 Nov more top stories...

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RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

Read the stories and leave your comments.

By Daniel (user-uinj4in.dialup.mindspring.com - 165.121.146.87) on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - 8:57 am: Edit Post

Many victims of violence and this National Peace Corps Association does nothing for the victims except ignore them. Don't join you are wasting your money.

By Dillwyn J. Otis (connector.propel.com - 209.247.222.41) on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 8:04 pm: Edit Post

Expand the Peace Corps or press for full funding at its current level is good but I ask, how could any of us be a part of the Peace Corps today which is part of our state department and hold our heads high? Our countries present actions in Iraq and Columbia and Hati are the opposite of the sperit we tried to uphold as Volunteers. The best action any Returned Peace Corps Volunteer could take is to oppose the actions of President Bush and expose his lies.