News
20 Years Strong: National Days of Advocacy
NPCA celebrates two decades of advocating for a stronger Peace Corps By Jonathan Pearson Since its founding 45 years ago, National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) has been the constant, leading voice for our community when it comes to supporting and improving the Peace Corps and its thousands of serving and returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Starting in 2005, this work included the establishment of our National Days of Advocacy to coincide with the beginning of Peace Corps Week. Our primary kick-off activity is an in-person Capitol Hill Day, held close to March 1, the anniversary of President Kennedy’s establishment of the...
Peace Corps Achievements – January 2024
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. (more…)
Interview with a Peace Corps Invitee
A Peace Corps Invitee shares her experience as an NPCA intern, why she wanted to join Peace Corps, and advice she would give to future NPCA interns. (more…)
Giving Tuesday 2023: Together, We Can Make Global Impact
Giving Tuesday, the biggest charitable giving day of the year, officially kicks off the giving season. And we need your help to preserve Peace Corps ideals! (more…)
NPCA Statement on Current Conflicts in Israel
We at NPCA do not condone civilian deaths in any form, and we mourn the lost lives of the Israelis and Palestinians killed in last week's attacks. (more…)
Former Peace Corps Directors Call on Senate to Pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act
In a bipartisan show of support, ten former Peace Corps Directors who have served under Republican and Democratic administrations alike call on the Senate to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act. The most sweeping Peace Corps legislation in a generation, it would bring important reforms and support for Volunteers as the agency seeks to meet the needs of a changed world. Press Release Today, 10 former Peace Corps Directors who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), calling on them to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization...
What Happens to the Peace Corps During a Government Shutdown?
Late on Saturday, September 30, Congress passed a so-called "continuing resolution", which will keep the federal government operating through the first 45 days of the new fiscal year (FY 2024). Congress now has until November 17 to agree on FY 2024 spending, pass another continuing resolution, or face a government shutdown once again. By NPCA Staff Should there be a government shutdown in the future, what does that mean for the Peace Corps? In the agency's operations plan to the federal Office of Management and Budget, Volunteers in the field will continue their work, and overseas posts will remain open. “All activities...
House Defeats Peace Corps Funding Cutting Amendment
Last Thursday evening, the House of Representatives defeated an amendment that called for further proposed cuts to the Peace Corps' Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The vote was 295 - 135 to defeat the amendment. 83 Republicans joined 212 Democrats to defeat the amendment. Use this link to see how your representative voted. Then, use this link to thank your rep (or express disappointment) for their vote. On Thursday, the House of Representatives considered the Fiscal Year 2024 State/Foreign Operations (S/FOPS) appropriations bill, with dozens of highly contentious amendments. This included a brief debate on an amendment to further cut funding for the Peace Corps. Use...
Explore Videos from the NPCA’s Virtual Peace Corps Connect 2023
On September 8–9, National Peace Corps Association hosted a virtual two-day conference — Peace Corps Connect 2023. Here are videos and resources from the event. By NPCA Staff On Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, NPCA hosted more than 400 members of the Peace Corps community for Peace Corps Connect 2023. During our virtual conference, NPCA Board of Directors and staff showcased updates on NPCA achievements; the latest developments in a key continuation of service initiative; and the three Loret Miller Ruppe Award finalists, along with NPCA's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award given to John Coyne and Marian Haley Beil for producing the Peace Corps Worldwide blog. We were privileged to receive updates from RPCV Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) on Peace...
New NPCA Board Directors Announced
New NPCA Board Directors Summary 2023 By Dan Baker I am thrilled to introduce the forthcoming additions to NPCA's Board of Directors. With the unprecedented participation of 1,267 voters, our membership has effectively filled five vacant positions for member-elected seats on the board. Moreover, the governance committee has thoughtfully selected five candidates from the ballot to occupy open member and board-elected seats, for an expanded total of 21 board directors. Get to know our ten new directors below. Each of these individuals brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that will undoubtedly enrich our organization's efforts and contribute to our ongoing success. We are very...