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National Peace Corps Association > News > Advocacy > Help Us Send Your Message to the Next Congress
Help Us Send Your Message to the Next Congress
By Jonathan Pearson on Friday, December 14th, 2012
“Making peace with others who share our world is more productive, less expensive, and longer-lasting than making war. Living and working with others toward achieving their development goals not only provides them with assistance, but also educates us Americans in understanding and valuing other cultures and ways of living. “
Karen Keefer, Redwood City CA (Nigeria 66-68; Liberia Staff 68; US HQ Staff 77-79)
In a matter of weeks, the new 113th Congress will take office. With dozens of new lawmakers, continued fiscal challenges and ongoing concerns about partisan bickering, it is more important than ever for the Peace Corps community to convey unity and the power of positive accomplishments to our lawmakers.
We want to help bring your voice to Capitol Hill. Do your part today by sharing your thoughts on why the Peace Corps is important to our nation, and the positive benefits the Peace Corps experience provides not just overseas, but here at home as well.
Please follow this link to take our brief survey.
Then, please pass this message along to friends, family and others. This survey is open to anyone who believes in the importance of the Peace Corps. Even if you did not serve but want to share why the Peace Corps is important, we will be happy to take your comments to Capitol Hill.
We will put your comments to use during our upcoming National Day of Action and throughout the 113th Congress.
I have been working 24/7 since I arrived in Dominica on October 23, 2008. This is my best job ever. I work hard and love it. The community appreciates all I’m trying to do, although there’s not much acitive support.
In an attempt to do my primary job of developing eco tourism, I spend the majority of time in primary and secondary schools educating youth about the environment, conservation, gardening, reading, crafts, beautifying.The remainder of time is spent assisting council, health team, turtles, beaches, trails, teen groups, you name it! Grants have been received, more coming.
I had hoped to stay for a fifth year but was told DC would not grant it. I was given three months. It seems inefficient to remove someone who is skilled, enjoys the work and is making slow progress. This area in the Southeast is very difficult to create change. Education, awareness and personal benefits are essential. Personally, I stay with projects till done.
I’m interested in your comments. Teasingly I told my Counrty Director I was going to contact President Obama, but he was too busy with elections. Just to appease my mind I’m sending this to you. Life goes on! Thank you.
Make it much easier to advocate by providing an suggested electronic message that can be automatically emailed to key politicians and others.
Why is the Peace Corps even more valuable today than it was in 1971 – 73 when I was a vocational teacher in Ethiopia? As a citizen: My experience helped shape the person I am today (I had not traveled outside a five state area and had no money at the time to do otherwise). I not only saw but experienced, in depth, places and people that I would never have had the opportunity to. I grew up! I used my experiences to shape my 33 year teaching career, my need to volunteer in my community, and my personal and family relationships. I feel my country also benefited: The people I interacted with learned, by my commitment, that what they heard or read about Americans was not the total story of our people. Today, with TV instant news, internet postings, social networking, etc., the people of the world get a one sided (I believe distorted) view of our culture. I believe to balance this situation that individual interaction for a longer in depth period of time needs to take place. The Peace Corps and its’ individual ambassadors spread around the globe is worth funding as part of our international plan. Thank you. Alan
Hi. In response to the comment from Joe and others reading this blog post. I encourage you to sign up for our advocacy newsletter network. This network provides regular updates and action alerts. While not fully automated, our action alerts do provide sample messaging and links that help to allow for quick response to lawmakers. You can sign up by following this link:
http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001uV3jnccU8bYlmJuymyiUig%3D%3D
I would also note, however, that one reason we encourage people to fill out the action provided in this post is because of the personalized nature of the communication. The more personal and unique our messages are, the more impact that they have when reaching out to our lawmakers.
Thanks! Jonathan Pearson – NPCA Advocacy Director