MorePeaceCorps.org -- A campaign to double the size of the Peace Corps > Friends of the Dominican Republic

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

morePeaceCorps

What is MorePeaceCorps.org?

An independent campaign launched in 2008 by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), a non-profit network of serving and returned volunteers and staff whose lives have been influenced by the Peace Corps experience.
A broad and deep public outreach and legislative campaign to provide public support for a rejuvenated Peace Corps doubled in size and budget.
A campaign to move the Peace Corps one step closer to President Kennedy’s original vision of 100,000 volunteers working alongside host country nationals to effect desired change, create goodwill, and enrich the U.S. by returning to it a large body of men and women familiar with foreign cultures and dedicated to service.
A campaign to develop a framework for lowering barriers to participation, provide more program offerings through strategic alliances, make more nimble use of technology, and respond to demands from countries requesting Peace Corps and individuals who want to serve.

Why MorePeaceCorps.org?

The image of the Peace Corps, relatively untainted by the anti-Americanism that now pervades much of the world, uniquely positions it to help restore our nation’s world standing.
Discontent with the United States and its foreign policies has intensified in the last five years according to the Pew Global Attitudes Project. Peace Corps, with the American values and ideals upon which volunteers serve, can provide a powerful antidote to the reactions our military interventions have provoked.
Demand for volunteers exceeds supply; more than 20 additional countries have applied for volunteers and existing programs need greater numbers.
Peace Corps wants to double the current number of volunteers, 8,000, half the total of four decades ago, and will require double the current budget to do so.
The astounding success of the Peace Corps, managed on a current budget of $331 million, less than the cost of one day in Iraq, and less than the budget for the Military Marching Bands, deserves recognition and increase.
With the 50^th anniversary upcoming in 2011, there is a strategic opening to build a campaign.

How do we achieve MorePeaceCorps.org?

Support the campaign coordinated by Rajeev Goyal (Nepal 01-03; read about him at rpcv.org) and advised by M+R Strategic Services, a campaign consulting firm (mrss.com)
Create an organization of volunteers to lobby members of Congress in their home districts and in Washington DC.
Raise funds to support the campaign, both directly and through a website that will be operational by June.

What has the Peace Corps accomplished to justify doubling its size?

The contributions of more than 190,000 volunteers who have served in 139 countries since 1961 have changed the lives of millions around the world by living and working beside them for 27 months. Volunteers are college graduates and retirees who leave an indelible impression of courage, endeavor and goodwill.
Volunteers have trained teachers, farmers, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs under challenging conditions.

How does MorePeaceCorps benefit the United States?

Peace Corps in its first 47 years has produced a multitude of influential teachers, elected officials, ambassadors, authors, international aid workers, scientists, nonprofit activists and business leaders who collectively speak hundreds of languages and sub-dialects, understand other cultures and know intimately tens of millions of people in the far corners of the globe.
Volunteers return home to share the multicultural experiences they had abroad and continue to serve as volunteer leaders in our communities, founding thousands of public interest organizations and institutions.

Get involved in MorePeaceCorp.org

Contact Rajeev Goyal by email at rgoyal@mrss.com or by phone at 917 438-4626 to support or volunteer for the campaign. Anyone inspired by Peace Corps, who wishes for it to realize its promise is welcome, whether or not you served as a volunteer.