2010.03.18: Aaron Williams Testifies Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Directors of the Peace Corps: Peace Corps: Director Aaron Williams: Director Aaron Williams: Newest Stories: 2010.03.18: Aaron Williams Vision for the Future of the Peace Corps : 2010.03.18: Aaron Williams Testifies Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.10.59) on Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 12:21 pm: Edit Post

Aaron Williams Testifies Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Aaron Williams Testifies Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Director Williams testified that, to grow the agency efficiently, he is focused on expanding the number of volunteers serving in existing host countries, encouraging third-year extensions for volunteers who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills, increasing the number of Peace Corps Response volunteers, and pursuing entry into new host countries.

Aaron Williams Testifies Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Peace Corps Director Testifies Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Announces increase in the readjustment allowance for returned volunteers

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 18, 2010 – Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams testified before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs in support of President Obama's $446.15 million Fiscal Year 2011 budget request for the Peace Corps.

In prepared testimony, Director Williams detailed his vision for the future of Peace Corps and how the appropriated funds will be used to invest in quality growth, innovation, and recruiting the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers. Director Williams' testimony may be found in its entirety here.

"While times have changed since the Peace Corps' founding in 1961, the agency's mission-to promote world peace and friendship-has not," said Director Williams. "Over the last 49 years, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps. Each of those Americans touched the lives of countless individuals by encouraging them through the selfless act of volunteering. This is the legacy of President Kennedy's brave idea. I envision a Peace Corps that remains vibrant for another 50 years; one that grows, adapts and continues to carry the torch of President Kennedy's dream and responds to President Obama's call to service."

Director Williams testified that, to grow the agency efficiently, he is focused on expanding the number of volunteers serving in existing host countries, encouraging third-year extensions for volunteers who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills, increasing the number of Peace Corps Response volunteers, and pursuing entry into new host countries.

Director Williams detailed Peace Corps' strategic recruitment campaign and how the agency is focusing on ways to better support Peace Corps volunteers by scaling the benefits of service to more accurately reflect cost of living increases. In support of that goal, Director Williams announced that, effective April 1, 2010, the Peace Corps readjustment allowance that volunteers receive upon returning home from service will increase to $275 per every month the volunteer served. With this $50 per month increase from current levels, volunteers who complete a full 27-month tour will receive $7,425 to help in the readjustment period when they return to the United States.

Director Williams further testified that the Peace Corps is seeking new, innovative ways to utilize the creativity of its volunteers in the field and modernize of the agency's information technology platform to make it easier for the agency to recruit and place volunteers.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: March, 2010; Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams; Peace Corps Directors; Peace Corps Dominican Republic; Directory of Dominican Republic RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Dominican Republic RPCVs; Peace Corps Headquarters; Congress; Budget; Appropriations





When this story was posted in March 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers RSS Feed

 Site Index Search PCOL with Google Contact PCOL Recent Posts Bulletin Board Open Discussion RPCV Directory Register

Feb 10, 2010: Senator Dodd to Retire Date: February 19 2010 No: 1433 Feb 10, 2010: Senator Dodd to Retire
Dodd retires from Senate 6 Jan
Cameron Hume named US Ambassador to Pakistan 8 Feb
Florida RPCVs sponsor Everglades Experience 6 Feb
Jeff Hall brings aid to Sierra Leone 1 Feb
Peace Corps to reach 11,000 PCVs in 2016 1 Feb
Hugh Pickens writes: Standing Bear Looks to the Future 27 Jan
Ann Varghese survives 55 hours in Haiti rubble 26 Jan
John Guy LaPlante at 80 was oldest PCV 17 Jan
Steve Radelet to advise Hilary Clinton on Development 15 Jan
Obituary for Co-Author of ‘The Ugly American' 14 Jan
Peace Corps Establishes Program in Indonesia 11 Dec
What Happened to Obama's Promise? 3 Dec
George Packer writes: Obama's Troubles 24 Nov
PC Mourns Loss of Morocco PCV So-Youn Kim 17 Nov
Peace Corps volunteers return to Madagascar 16 Nov
PC to grow by several thousand over next 2 years 15 Nov
Former Hostage John Limbert named to Iran Bureau 11 Nov
Carrie Hessler Radelet named PC Deputy Director 9 Nov
Garamendi Sworn into Congress 9 Nov
Jesse Lonergan writes graphic novel "Joe and Azat" 4 Nov
David Macaray writes: Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan 29 Oct
Dustin Hogenson writes: Sauna in Kazakstan 26 Oct


Memo to Incoming Director Williams Date: August 24 2009 No: 1419 Memo to Incoming Director Williams
PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams

Join Us Mr. President! Date: June 26 2009 No: 1380 Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .

Meet Aaron Williams - Our Next Director Date: July 30 2009 No: 1411 Meet Aaron Williams - Our Next Director
Senator Dodd's Senate Subcommittee held confirmation hearings for Aaron Williams to become the 18th Peace Corps Director. "It's exciting to have a nominee who served in the Peace Corps and also has experience in international development and management," said Dodd as he put Williams on the fast track to be confirmed by the full Senate before the August recess. Read our exclusive coverage of the hearings and our biography of Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams.



Read the stories and leave your comments.








Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Peace Corps Press Release

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Directors; COS - Dominican Republic; Headquarters; Congress; Budget; Appropriations

PCOL45519
10


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: