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National Peace Corps Association > News > Polyglot > Why Pat Wand supports NPCA through the Legacy of Peace
Why Pat Wand supports NPCA through the Legacy of Peace
By Guest Contributor on Thursday, March 21st, 2013
Fellow Colombia RPCVs: Congressman Sam Farr and NPCA supporter and Board Member Patricia Wand during NPCA’s 2013 National Day of Action.
Board Member Pat Wand recently notified the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) of her decision to include NPCA in her will, which makes her a member of our Legacy of Peace Society. We interviewed her to ask her why and how she made the decision and if she’d encourage others to do the same.
NPCA: Pat, I know you are a long time NPCA Board of Directors member and financial supporter. What inspired you to include NPCA as part of your planned giving decisions?
Pat Wand (PW): I was fortunate to be able to acquire over the years a nest egg for my retirement. I decided that rather than leave all of it to my heirs, I would leave some to my alma maters and to charitable organizations that are important to me, and that includes NPCA. So I recently named NPCA as a beneficiary of a portion of my retirement funds. I understand that makes me a member of the Legacy of Peace Society.
NPCA: How did you choose which organizations to designate?
PW: I wanted organizations that were meaningful to me, had contributed to my life AND were doing meaningful work. As a Board member I know there are opportunities for NPCA to provide more services, but our resources don’t match the needs.
NPCA: You already support NPCA so what is significant about doing it in your will?
PW: I wish I could make a larger financial commitment now, but that is not possible. Truthfully, this is a painless way to help make a difference and I want to continue to support NPCA even after I’m gone.
NPCA: How did you go about it? Did someone suggest including NPCA?
PW: It turns out that NPCA has had the Legacy of Peace Society for quite a while, but it has not received very much attention. The website has recently been updated and it’s easy to find out about the many ways of contributing to NPCA and specifically to the Legacy of Peace. There is even language you can share with your family, financial adviser or legal counsel.
NPCA: What options did you consider?
PW: There are many options such as bequests of some or all of your estate, gifts of property, and transfers of stocks. I talked with my family and with my financial adviser before deciding which avenue to pursue. Then I notified NPCA of my plan and made the beneficiary updates on the retirement account forms.
NPCA: Did you have experience with fundraising at other organizations or institutions?
PW: Yes, I was part of a large fundraising campaign at a major university so I know about the importance of fundraising and its incredible value to an organization.
NPCA: You must be optimistic about NPCA if you are including it in your will. That’s a long term commitment.
PW: Yes, I am optimistic that NPCA can meet today and tomorrow’s challenges. One way is to encourage people to step forward and include NPCA in their wills or through some form of planned giving. If enough members of the Peace Corps community make long-term commitments to NPCA we can expand our commitment to the Third Goal and strengthen our Legacy of Peace.
For more information on the Legacy of Peace Society, visit our website, download our information form or contact operations@peacecorpsconnect.org.
[Thanks to Natalie Hall for conducting this interview.]
Pat is truly an ispiration to me. What she has accomplished in her life, would take an ordinary person at least four lifetimes. I take great pride in having her as a sibling