Fall 2010 - National Peace Corps Association

50th AnniversaryNPCA AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARYLet’s celebrate the past 50 years and recommit to a better futureby Natalie HallHere at the National PeaceCorps Association, we liketo say that the Peace Corps50th anniversary is bigger than allof us. It’s not just a celebration forReturned Peace Corps Volunteers,serving Volunteers, founding staff,Peace Corps headquarters—or theNational Peace Corps Association.The Peace Corps, and the ideals thatit embodies, really belongs to ourentire nation and, indeed, the world.Wherever you may be this comingyear, we invite you to participate inevents to mark 50 years of the PeaceCorps, and to consider hosting anevent of your own.NPCA is honored to play asignificant role in the 50th anniversaryand will be directly involved in severalevents between October 13, 2010 andDecember 31, 2011. NPCA is hostingthe official, comprehensive PeaceCorps 50th Anniversary calendar onits website at www.PeaceCorps50.org.In addition, you can sign up now toreceive anniversary updates at www.PeaceCorpsConnect.org/50th-RSVP.As we go to press, here are some ofthe highlights of the 50th anniversaryyear:October 13-16, 2010: TheUniversity of Michigan is hosting amulti-day series of events including anational symposium on the future ofinternational service, co-sponsoredby NPCA and Brookings Institution.See the University of Michiganwebsite for details at http://peacecorps.umich.edu/March 1, 2011: NPCA celebrates withPeace Corps 50th Anniversary GlobalHouse Parties around the world to honorthe date President Kennedy signedan executive order creating the PeaceCorps in 1961. Individuals and groupscan host parties in homes and publicvenues. Toolkits are available online atPeaceCorps50.org.June 30-July 11, 2011: The SmithsonianFolklife Festival on the Mall inWashington, D.C. will feature the PeaceCorps, with more than a million peopleexpected to attend. More information willbe available at http://www.folklife.si.eduSeptember 22-25, 2011: NPCA’s major50th anniversary celebration will take placein Washington, D.C. The four-day seriesof events recognizes September 22, 1961as the date Congress approved legislationformally authorizing the Peace Corps.Thursday, September 22: AdvocacyDay on Capitol Hill with anorientation on Wednesday evening.Friday, September 23: RPCVs andothers will participate in a ServiceDay at Washington, D.C. areacharities. Many of the 140 NPCAmember groups will gather forreceptions, country updates, embassyvisits, and get-togethers throughoutthe weekend. Peace Corps staff willhave a reunion Friday evening. Acentral calendar and hospitality suitewill be set up to facilitate sharing ofinformation.Saturday, September 24: NPCA Boardof Directors meeting and a forum ondevelopment issues are scheduled. Theforum audience will select the firstGlobal Community Grant Project. A50th Anniversary Gala will be held inthe evening.Sunday, September 25: A morningceremony in Arlington NationalCemetery followed by a wreath layingat President Kennedy’s gravesite, amarch across the Memorial Bridge withthe Country of Service flags, and aclosing ceremony on the National Mall.Stay tuned for updates, join theactivities, and plan your own!Natalie Hall (Thailand 67-69) is theNPCA’s 50th Anniversary Coordinator.She and her husband Mike, whom she metduring training, are in the Peace Corpsapplication process awaiting placement.24 WorldView Fall 2010 National Peace Corps Association