Town Hall Summaries and an NPCA Call to Action!

Town Hall Summaries and an NPCA Call to Action!

Over 700 people attended two National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) virtual town hall meetings on May 15th, following news of significant staffing cuts planned for the Peace Corps.

After providing updates on the current status and future of the agency, NPCA issued a call for nationwide, positive public actions in support of the Peace Corps and its current and future Volunteers. An outline of targeted action dates was shared, spanning the next four months.

[While NPCA has worked to verify the following information, it does not speak on behalf of the Peace Corps agency.]

The Peace Corps has initiated significant staff and organizational restructuring, with reductions currently underway at both headquarters and in host countries. Despite these changes, the agency remains committed to supporting the health, safety, and security of its Volunteers. There is no indication that these staffing cuts will lead to program closures. The agency continues to actively recruit and place Peace Corps Volunteers. 

NPCA has raised serious concerns in light of the staff reductions, including:

  • Potential for weakened recruitment processes
  • Diluted applicant vetting
  • Decreased responsiveness to both applicants and current Volunteers
  • Concerns about the agency’s operational capacity due to the need for strong administrative support for its complex global programs
  • Potential strain on Returned Volunteer services
  • Diminished presence of the Peace Corps’ Third Goal initiatives

 

Among the Questions (and our responses) during the sessions were the following:

No, there is no indication that Peace Corps Response will be discontinued. 

The Peace Corps has been added as a plaintiff in at least one lawsuit. 

With Rep. John Garamendi’s (D-CA) efforts and ongoing legal challenges, there is hope that the cuts could be reversed. While Congress awaits President Trump’s full budget request for the next fiscal year (FY 2026), it is ultimately Congress that determines appropriations for the Peace Corps and other federal programs. This is why the recent House and Senate Peace Corps funding sign-on letters are so important—they provide a key leverage point for advocating the highest possible funding level for the Peace Corps.

Yes. Though it’s not expected to happen, this is still very much a concern. That’s why unifying the community is so crucial at this critical moment. While the recent steps to make deep staffing reductions are deeply concerning and potentially very damaging, Peace Corps Volunteers remain on the job, and the recruitment and placement of future volunteers continues. Meanwhile, in a preview of his full FY 2026 budget to Congress, President Trump outlined $163 billion in cuts (including the proposed elimination of AmeriCorps). There was no reference to the Peace Corps in this preview.

You can do the following:

    1. First, do not assume support! Continue writing, thanking, and urging your lawmakers to support the Peace Corps. Thank-you messages are not often sent but are always appreciated by lawmakers and their staff.
    2. Second, stay vigilant. For example, in our recent action on the House Peace Corps funding letter, at least twenty (or more) lawmakers, who were thought to be “strong supporters of the Peace Corps,” failed to sign this year’s letter.
    3. Third, if your member has taken positive action, think of fellow RPCVs, family members, or friends around the country who may not live in “deep blue” districts or states, and ask them to take action to support the Peace Corps.
    4. Fourth, we are seeking House and Senate lawmakers to introduce legislation to honor the Peace Corps and its volunteers with a Congressional Gold Medal. If your lawmaker is a strong supporter of the Peace Corps, ask them to introduce such legislation and contact us at [email protected] to coordinate with NPCA.

We are not leading any rallies on June 14, as there are already a number of previously planned actions. NPCA encourages individuals to follow their conscience when deciding whether to participate and emphasizes that all messaging should remain positive. However, we encourage the launch of positive, targeted rallies to support the importance of the Peace Corps the following week, on June 21.

Yes. In past actions through our Action Center, NPCA has posted campaigns opposing the dismantling of USAID and other international assistance programs, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and AmeriCorps. In the past several months, these appeals have resulted in more than 3,000 messages to Congress from members of our community. Read NPCA CEO Dan Baker’s reflection on USAID for our stance.

You can find our presentation here: bit.ly/town-hall-slides-051525

For continued updates and information on the threats to Peace Corps, monitor our general FAQ here.

 

A Focus on Collective Action: Our Nationwide Challenge to You

The Peace Corps is generally faring better than other foreign assistance and national service programs, and that is something we should celebrate. From NPCA’s “Protect the Peace Corps” Campaign a year ago to our current “Stand Up For Service” initiative, we are better positioned than most to survive this assault on our foreign assistance and national service infrastructure.

HOWEVER, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure the future of the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps faces potentially devastating staff and funding cuts that will likely freeze the agency in place and threaten its future.

We have heard you! We need you to continue being positive and persistent advocates for a Peace Corps that returns to pre-pandemic levels and makes our nation stronger and better. At the same time, now is the time to be more public in showing our support for the Peace Corps and the vital role it plays in our outreach to the world.

With this in mind, we are announcing four target dates over the next four months to rally for and focus on the importance of the Peace Corps. The target dates for your pro-Peace Corps rallies and activities are:

  • Saturday, June 21: Nationwide Launch
  • Monday, July 21: Nationwide Solidarity Events During NPCA’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
  • Month of August: State/District Office Meetings During Congressional Summer Recess
  • Sunday, September 21 / Monday, September 22: Two fantastic dates for positive rallies. September 21 is the International Day of Peace; September 22 will mark the 64th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Corps Act into law!

Can you join us? Please fill out this form to get connected with others or lead an effort in your state.

 

How We Can Help You with Your Advocacy Actions:

How Can I Connect with Other Interested RPCVs in My Area?

First, express your interest to lead and organize your action by filling out this form. We will soon send you state-specific spreadsheets listing all individuals from your state who have recently expressed interest. You will be able to see if others from your area have signed up, what plans are in the works, and how you might collaborate with others on collective actions.

Second, you can visit NPCA’s affiliate group directory to see if there is a state or local affiliate group near you. These groups can be great resources for actions.

What Resources Will NPCA Provide for These Actions?

Along with state-specific spreadsheets, we will provide the following in the next two to three weeks:

  • Tracking Map: We will post a map showcasing activities planned on our targeted action dates, starting with activities on June 21.
  • Press Advisory Template: We will provide a template you can use to secure media attention for your rally.
  • Talking Points: We will provide key talking points for you to use during your action.
  • Handouts: We will provide a template if you wish to print and distribute informational flyers to passersby.

Can We Organize Activities with Other Like-Minded Groups?

While these actions primarily focus on highlighting the importance of the Peace Corps to our nation, this is your action as well. If you want to coordinate with others in support of national service or international assistance, we welcome you to do so.

How Big Should Our Actions Be?

In our view, quality is more important than quantity. In other words, your actions in support of the Peace Corps do not need to involve hundreds or thousands of people. Even a small group of Peace Corps supporters, as part of a broad, nationwide mobilization, can be just as effective.

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