Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
2010
The sun is shining and RPCVw has been busy, busy, busy!
Whether you joined us for potato salad and chicken at the
cherry blossom picnic, attended a self-defense workshop, or
took part in the Peace Corps Open mini-golf tournament, you
have inevitably seen the energy and enthusiasm that makes our
community so extraordinary. As a community, we have taken
on some exciting initiatives and formed new, valuable partner-
ships.
President: Tamar Schiffman Earlier this year, our members voted and chose the Latin
Vice President: Bea Tijerina American Youth Center as RPCVw’s charity of the year. We are
thrilled to be working together with such a vital organization
Secretary: Joe Ford
that is working to bring dignity, hope, and joy to marginalized
Treasurer: Kristina Owens youth in DC. Already, RPCVw efforts have raised substantial
Membership: Doug Trapp funds for the organization, and we are actively involved in
New Members: Nicholas Brown providing community service to LAYC through the efforts of our
Communications: RaeJean Stokes members.
Web: Robert Proudfoot
Memorial Day weekend, RPCVw took part in a tradition that
Development: Trish Calamari
our community has lead for years. We honored the legacy
Special Events: Allison Francis of President John F. Kennedy and his commitment and pas-
Social: Arvis Layton sion for service by laying a wreath at his gravesite in Arlington
Community Service: Corey Taylor Ceremony. We heard from Ambassadors whose countries were
Programs: Liza Cushion positively affected by the hard-working and motivated Peace
Corps volunteers who served there. So often we talk about how
Peace Corps affected our lives and experiences, and I look for-
ward to hearing from the perspective of our host countries, how
Save the Date: Kennedy’s dream has made a difference for them.
Join us July 10 for our annual picnic at the Capitol Yacht Club
where we will finalize our new board. I encourage anyone with
Annual Picnic & Board Election a passion for service and a desire to give back to their commu-
Saturday, July 10, 2010 nity to consider serving on the RPCVw board. We are looking
for dynamic leaders with diverse opinions and new ideas to lead
12:30-4pm us ahead into 2011 and Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary year.
The Yacht Club, Washington, DC
My best to you,
Tamar Schiffman
President – RPCV/w
RPCV/w Reveals Photo Contest Winners
RPCV/w is pleased to announce that the following photos took top honors in the first ever RPCV/w Photo Contest.
Overall Winner (not featured here; it’s on the front page): Donkey Polo by Saira Amir
Top left: Latin America and Caribbean Regional Winner: Modern Inca Foot Plows by Mahlon Barash
Top right: East Asia and Pacific Regional Winner: Ghost Mask Festival - Thailand by Paulo Couto
Bottom left: Africa Regional Winner: Argan Oil by Leslie Andrus
Bottom right: Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Winner: Picnic Song by Chris De Bruyn
RPCV/w has decided to switch our Website Service to Wild Apricot after using Memberclicks since 2006. Wild Apricot has similar
functions to Memberclicks but is much easier to manage and will have RPCV/w paying roughly 75% of what we are paying now.
The change was brought on by a desire by the Board of Directors to simplify the web management functions and reduce costs.
After selecting Wild Apricot as our new service provider, we imported all user information to the new database and updated the
current webpages. The method for making payments through the website (dues and event fees) is completed through Paypal.
com for a 3% fee (industry standard). Hopefully, the membership management and website upkeep for RPCV/w will now be
easier with a 75% reduction in cost ($540 vs $2,000).
RPCVw Financial Update: Where
does your $$ go?!
When you buy a $15 membership this is how we spend your
hard-earned cash:
Ev ents
$10.50 is used to pay for or subsidize events such as the holiday
W ebs ite
party, picnic, programs, Thanksgiving, and Partnership for
Inv es tments
Peace
Board
$2.80 is used for website maintenance and other overhead
$1.00 has been invested
$0.70 for Board planning retreats & holiday dinner
HELP WANTED!
New Web Director for RPCV/w Needed
In attendance at the event were Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum of Ghana, and Ambassador Ombe-
ni Sefue of Tanzania, who represented two of the first Peace Corps Countries. Both dignitaries gave per-
sonal tales about their exposures to Peace Corps volunteers during their youth. Leading the invited speak-
ers was National Peace Corps Association President Kevin F. F. Quigley, who discussed the significance of
President Kennedy creating the Peace Corps. Quigley also paid homage to Peace Corps Volunteers who
died in the line of service. Representing the federal agency of Peace Corps was Director of Intergovern-
mental Affairs C.D. Glin, who expressed the current administrations plans and support for Peace Corps.
After statements from each of the invited speakers, there was a procession of RPCVs to President Kenne-
dy’s grave site, and a laying of 13 roses, which represented the first 13 Peace Corps Countries: Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Ghana, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, St. Lucia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and
Thailand.
RPCVw is Linked In and Up
Find us online in oh so many places!
We Tweet!
We Facebook!
We’re LinkedIn!
RPCV/w supports a hometown cause RPCV/w organized a WAKA kickball team for the
Spring of 2010 after a survey of membership. After
The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is five games, RPCV/w had been enjoying the wonder-
happy to report that its recent Fiesta 2010 ful weather and new friendships from the league.
was a huge success. The evening was filled Although RPCVs are not as competitive or cut-throat
with dinner, dancing, a silent auction and as some other league teams, we’ve enjoy playing and
the voices and stories of LAYC youth past drinking a beer or two afterward. Anyone interested
and present. in hosting a sports league (or that needs more players)
should contact RPCV/w to get on our weekly emails.
“It was a great night and one of LAYC’s best Thank you to everyone that has been able to come
events ever,” Executive Director Lori Kaplan out to the games!
said. “The staff, our board of directors and
the LAYC youth pulled together to make the
night very special.”
We are looking for talented people to shape the future of the organization. As an RPCVw board member, you can be the face
of the organization, create and plan events and programs for our diverse membership, listen to the needs of the community and
create a fun and exciting space for returned Peace Corps volunteers in the Washington area.
Terms are for just one year and are volunteer, unpaid positions. Board members attend monthly board meetings and are ex-
pected to be present at most RPCVw events. We have two planning retreats throughout the year to strategize and plan for the
year ahead. There are many positions available, each highlighting different skill sets. Please keep in mind that position write-ups
are only broad outlines. RPCVw encourages board members to pursue their interest and contribute new ideas and programs.
President: The president is responsible for giving strategic direction to the board. He/she runs board meetings, co-facilitates re-
treats, and serves as the face of the organization for media and events. The president maintains partnerships with NPCA, Peace
Corps and other peer organizations in the region. Candidates should have leadership and management experience, patience,
and rapport-building skills.
Vice President: The VP is responsible for coordinating and co-facilitating strategic board retreats. In the President’s absence,
the VP runs board meetings and fills in as board leader. The VP runs and implements the Partnership for Peace program, linking
RPCVw with local community non profits. Candidates should be well organized managers with excellent people skills.
Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for managing RPCVw’s finances and cash flow. The treasurer manages membership dues
and event revenue, writes checks for all expenses, and provides monthly budget summaries for the board. Candidates should
have basic knowledge of Quicken or similar finance software, be detail oriented, trustworthy, and organized.
Secretary: The Secretary is responsible for keeping the minutes of each board meeting and retreat, as well as compiling the
annual report at the end of the year. The treasurer should distribute minutes in a timely manner and keep detailed records of
board decisions. Candidates should be organized and available to attend meetings regularly.
Membership Director: The Membership Director is responsible for guiding RPCVw’s membership strategy and work plan,
managing RPCVw’s membership database, and coordinating with NPCA for membership dues. The Membership Director Chairs
the Membership Committee, a group of board members dedicated to increasing membership and ensuring member satisfaction.
Candidates should be strategic thinkers and organized managers.
New Members Director: The New Members Director is usually a recently returned RPCV, responsible for reaching out to
recently returned volunteers. He/she coordinates events and gatherings for new members to meet each other, network, and con-
nect. Candidates should be energetic, full of ideas, and ready to meet new people.
Development Director: The Development Director is responsible for keeping RPCVw funded through non-dues revenues.
He/she works with sponsors and donors, and runs the silent auction at the Holiday Party. The Development Director chairs the
board’s Development Committee, thinking creatively about new revenue opportunities. Candidates should have basic fundrais-
ing or networking experience, have great people skills, and creativity.
Program Director: The Programs Director plans and executes programs for the RPCVw community. From film screenings, to
lectures, to cooking classes, he/she responds to the needs of our members with new and exciting opportunities to participate.
Candidates should be well organized, social, and creative.
Special Events Director: The Special Events Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of RPCVw’s two signature events:
The Annual Holiday Party and the Annual Summer Picnic. He/she works closely with venues, catering, and the Development
Director to secure sponsors and donations. Candidates should have event planning experience, be able to delegate responsibili-
ties to the board, and have a sense of humor!
Community Service Director: The Community Service Director is responsible for integrating the service component to RPCVw.
He/she identifies local opportunities to engage in service projects. In addition, the Community Service director plans and coor-
dinates the annual wreath laying in honor of President Kennedy at Arlington Cemetery. Candidates should have a passion for
service and be able to bring diverse groups of people together.
Social Director: The Social Director is responsible for coordinating social events for RPCVw members, including happy hours,
family events, and networking. He/she coordinates sign-up sheets and nametags at events, coordinates with local venues, and
encourages members to meet each other and establish connections and friendships. Candidates should be outgoing, organized,
and fun!
Communications Director: The Communications Director is responsible for sending out the weekly listserve to RPCVs mem-
bers and friends, as well as putting out a quarterly newsletter. He/she gathers all event information from board members for
compilation into the list serve. Candidates should have working knowledge of pagemaker or similar newsletter formatting
software, be extremely organized, and keep to deadlines.
Web Director: The Web Director is responsible for maintaining and updating RPCVw’s website, Google Groups, and other
applications. The Web Director works closely with the Membership Director on integrating the member database. Candidates
should have basic knowledge of website management and online applications.
About the RPCV/w Spring Recipe
The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. (RPCVw) Georgian Khachapuri (cheese bread)
was founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1990 in the District of Colum-
bia. RPCVw is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world. Are you looking for a dish that will impress friends
RPCVw is a nonprofit 501c3 and represents more than 900 returned and be sinfully delicious? This Georgian classic is
Peace Corps volunteers, Peace Corps staff, and Peace Corps families cheesy, comforting, and absolutely scrumptious. A
and supporters in the greater Washington, D.C. area. RPCVw is gov- bit involved, but totally worth it.
erned by an elected board of directors.