Overseas Short-Term Volunteer Positions for RPCVs

Now is the time to be a part of some exciting short-term international development opportunities available for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and other skilled professionals through the Farmer to Farmer program.

The National Peace Corps Association is connecting its two innovative programs - Africa Rural Connect and Encore Service Corps International - to benefit rural smallholder farmers.

As an Encore volunteer, you will live in East Africa for 6 weeks and collaborate with and mentor entrepreneurs, NGO colleagues, farmers and others while working with International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC).

Then, you will continue communication with your colleagues in Africa for up to 6 months while sharing project successes and challenges with the broader Africa Rural Connect community.

All of the positions will emphasize 'bringing to scale' - increasing the number and size of agribusiness clusters, strengthening the role of the private (farm and firm) sector contribution in cluster activities and enlarging the impact on food security by tripling the number of smallholder farmers involved.

Submit your applications now!

Kay Dixon's Take Aways from the Regional Meeting

Hello,
By now you have received the official report from the regional meeting.  I am glad that I submitted the INPCA report electronically so that you can see what we did report, not what the recorder heard.
But my "take aways" are what Kevin and I heard that can help INPCA.  Sarah and Heather, too bad that your schedules did not permit you to go... the informal discussions are "the meat!"

Membership ideas:
First year is free (from NPCA).  At all events, with new attendees, provide the membership form, remind the attendee it is a free first year membership..  when they complete the form, you are now building your database (whether they pay or not!) (collecting their emails).
Through the online PeaceCorpsConnect, Leaders are able to download data (emails) of PCVs and RPCVs in our region.  (I have not looked at this to validate it, but others were using this vehicle)
Build database of attendees and events/interests  (could be an Excel spreadsheet) so now you can determine interests, etc. Use database for event invite, thank you for participating and note about the next event.

Communication
Groups  have websites, Facebook and blogs and use emails to correspond with membership. But these are not as useful as they sound!  Telephone trees and calling are much more effective.
Use Survey Monkey (free tool for surveys of less than 10 questions) http://www.surveymonkey.com/ for quick surveys and then collect responders' information for membership listings.
Use Mail Chimp (www.mailchimp.com/) for newsletter distribution. (Portland distributes monthly/regular newsletter free to all on mailing list, but publishes weekly updates only to paid membership. Use Yahoo Groups for these updates. Portland is much bigger than INPCA.)  Groups are not using post office for newsletter distributions.  Occasionally do send post cards for events.

Tshirts
The Cascade PCA has created a Tshirt that can be sold to any PC group or individual.  We purchased one to show you all.  They have a graphic artist RPCV.  He designed the shirt, etc.  Whole sale cost is $16 (no order less than 1 dozen) and retail cost is $20.  Shirt is light blue with designs and logos multicolored.  Artist was going to research licensing the designs so you could modify for very local use.  (But I would recommend buying shirts as they are and then retailing to members.)

Campout
Details are at the website: http://westcascadepca.org/  Not too early to make reservations.  Yurts and some camp sites are already filled.

Leadership roles
One group has  a "communications role/expert" whose role it is to maintain the email database.
Service and / or events chairman --- separate role other than officer

Fund raising activity
Hold a "thing" fundraiser.  For example, all attendees bring notebooks for a local ESL project.
Support other community fundraisers by offering to do the cleanup and then receive a "share" of the funds raised!
And then the usual assortment of silent auctions, etc.

Encourage membership in NPCA... this is the advocacy part of  Peace Corps.   Remember Peace Corps is a government agency and cannot lobby/advocate for itself.  If we believe in Peace Corps, we need to support the NPCA... to advocate for budget/ funding for Peace Corps etc.

KSPS 2012 - We raised $32,655

Throughout 18 days and nights of campaigning, viewers have called in with $548,787.00 (that’s through 3,214 pledges) of promised contributions.  KSPS was aiming for $350,000.


Here is the thank you note from Shawn Claypool!

We have ended our Spring 2012 membership campaign and those of us at KSPS Public Television wish to thank you for joining us during our campaign.  We tallied the pledges that were called in during the entire event and wanted to give you a final accounting of how your effort contributed to the stations success.
We had 18 days of great programming and the wonderful support of our viewers. Many who renewed their memberships or gave an additional gift. And we welcomed many new members to the Friends of KSPS for which we are truly grateful. Throughout the days and nights of campaigning to date, viewers have called in with $548,787.00 (that’s through 3,214 pledges) of promised contributions. 
KSPS is a programming service primarily funded by individuals.  The contributions we receive help us pay for the broadcast rights to show the programs we present 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Membership dollars enable us to "buy" educational programs, continue showing favorites, and the option to contract with new shows viewers will enjoy.  It is truly a special partnership.
KSPS Public Television is a place where quality and excellence count.  We strive to be exceptional, competing in a fast changing technological world.  At KSPS-TV, we make substantial television happen, with limited budgets, funded by people who care.  Just like YOU!  You cared enough to give your time . . . a generous contribution we truly appreciate. 

Western Regional Campout

Here is the link for the Western Regional Campout. It is hosted by the West Cascade Peace Corps Association and will be held 12 miles north of Coos Bay, Oregon on August 2-5th 2012.The sites are located in Sunset Bay State Park. Tent locations are in the park's 'C' and 'B' groups.

http://www.westcascadepca.org/campout-2012-registration.php

Feel free to register as soon as possible, spots are filling up quickly!

A great opportunity to celebrate "Peace Corps Day!"

Hi Spokane-area RPCVs,

Greetings from the Seattle Peace Corps office. As the Regional Representative for Eastern Washington, I will be holding a special information session in Spokane on March 1st - “Peace Corps Day”. I’m looking for 3-4 inspiring RPCVs to be on a panel and talk about their Peace Corps experiences and answer questions to prospective Peace Corps volunteers.  

Would you be interested in participating and sharing your story? If so, please let me know by Friday, February 24th at eerickson2@peacecorps.gov or 206-239-6624.

Thursday, March 1
6 to 7:30 p.m. - Info Session: "Stories from Returned Volunteers"
Crosby Hall - Road to Bali Room @ Gonzaga University
* RSVP on Facebook *

Thank you for participating in 3rd goal activities—bringing it home!

Appreciatively yours,

Erin Erickson
Regional Representative
Returned Volunteer, Moldova'07-'10

Improving the World One Grad at a Time

Gonzaga U. Moves up to No. 2 Nationwide for Alumni Serving as Peace Corps Volunteers

Dues Reminder from Heather

Hello, all.
Just a reminder that INPCA dues are coming in now, and it's not too late to pay yours. Whether it's $15 for local (INPCA) only or $50 to support both your local group and the national group (NPCA), your dues and donations matter:

• You stay informed when keep our website and blog (inpca.net) stay up and running
• You can participate in campouts, potlucks, Fall Folk Festival, KSPS pledge times, etc.
• On your behalf, INPCA has donated to the Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, a book project in South America, and Peace Corps Partnership Projects (PCPP)

A couple things to remember:

• If you're hoping for a hard copy of the newsletter written by our Mike O'Neill, please enclose an additional $5 to cover postage and materials.  Electronic copies are included in your dues.
• If you'd like to use our couples rate, it's $25 for local only.