Comments on: Peace Corps Transition Team Tells Obama What To Do http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2009/05/26/pc-transition-team-report-to-obama/ John Coyne Babbles is a collection of comments, opinions, musings, and outrages from this 70+ year old RPCV who served with the first group (1962-64) in Ethiopia. Coyne went on to have several careers, as well as a few jobs, but mostly over the past four-plus decades he has written novels and non-fiction, everything from 1970s horror novels to instructional books on how to play golf. All of these interests, particularly his long-time interest in, and study of, the Peace Corps, are the seeds and steroids that feed this daily blog. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:09:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: KateL http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2009/05/26/pc-transition-team-report-to-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-136 KateL Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:43:06 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=722#comment-136 I'm encouraged by this document. I'm not at all sure what an insider's point of view would be, but I would like to know from those who are more knowledgeable about these things if they agree that these are good ideas. They certainly seem like good ideas to me. I think President Obama does care about the Peace Corps and the opportunities it provides. At the same time, I know that President Obama really has his hands full and probably cannot give it the attention it deserves yet. As I am about to start my service, I care very much about the funding. It was also an eye-opener to read some of these recommendations. It's always nice to know what to expect. You just know there are going to be institutional frustrations built into any government entity that's been around as long as the Peace Corps has. Reading about the problems experienced by the volunteers and staff due to underfunding, poor organization and outdated ways of doing things is a good expectation adjuster. I’m encouraged by this document. I’m not at all sure what an insider’s point of view would be, but I would like to know from those who are more knowledgeable about these things if they agree that these are good ideas. They certainly seem like good ideas to me.

I think President Obama does care about the Peace Corps and the opportunities it provides. At the same time, I know that President Obama really has his hands full and probably cannot give it the attention it deserves yet. As I am about to start my service, I care very much about the funding. It was also an eye-opener to read some of these recommendations. It’s always nice to know what to expect. You just know there are going to be institutional frustrations built into any government entity that’s been around as long as the Peace Corps has. Reading about the problems experienced by the volunteers and staff due to underfunding, poor organization and outdated ways of doing things is a good expectation adjuster.

]]> By: Derelicks http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2009/05/26/pc-transition-team-report-to-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Derelicks Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:57:59 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=722#comment-131 We should have a RPCV rally in D.C. to get President Obama's attention on this matter. The Peace Corps was the toughest easy job I ever had. President Barry needs to wake up and give them all the dough they need. When there are cuts in the Peace Corps budget, it is ALWAYS the volunteers in the field who suffer. We should have a RPCV rally in D.C. to get President Obama’s attention on this matter. The Peace Corps was the toughest easy job I ever had. President Barry needs to wake up and give them all the dough they need. When there are cuts in the Peace Corps budget, it is ALWAYS the volunteers in the field who suffer.

]]> By: johnaturnbull http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2009/05/26/pc-transition-team-report-to-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-128 johnaturnbull Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:44:46 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=722#comment-128 Hello John, Like Connie above I also would like to read the document, but it was so tiny I could barely read anything. Where can I get a full-size copy of the document to print out ? With the things I could make out, I was happy to see constructive suggestions for improvement, far more than what the NPCA has suggested, which is essentially "Bigger Budget is what is needed". As you may know, I have a proposal here whereby New Mexico state gov't might enter into a partnership with the PC, similar to the old Intergovernmental Personnel Act, providing recruitment of experienced volunteers from the ranks of state teachers and other employees, sabbatical leave to serve in the PC, and reinstatement upon return. I envision great benefits for both. And other incentives for returning PCVs to consider New Mexico employment, as teachers, or whatever. I think this tracks with some of the stuff I could make out in the document. Best personal regards, John Turnbull NMPCA Santa Fe Hello John, Like Connie above I also would like to read the document, but it was so tiny I could barely read anything. Where can I get a full-size copy of the document to print out ?

With the things I could make out, I was happy to see constructive suggestions for improvement, far more than what the NPCA has suggested, which is essentially “Bigger Budget is what is needed”.

As you may know, I have a proposal here whereby New Mexico state gov’t might enter into a partnership with the PC, similar to the old Intergovernmental Personnel Act, providing recruitment of experienced volunteers from the ranks of state teachers and other employees, sabbatical leave to serve in the PC, and reinstatement upon return. I envision great benefits for both. And other incentives for returning PCVs to consider New Mexico employment, as teachers, or whatever. I think this tracks with some of the stuff I could make out in the document.

Best personal regards, John Turnbull NMPCA Santa Fe

]]> By: John Coyne http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2009/05/26/pc-transition-team-report-to-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-127 John Coyne Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:36:37 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=722#comment-127 Connie--the Transition Team wrote it. These are people assigned by the White House to do a quick survey of government agencies to see what needs to be done. The names of two, I think, are on the report, near the end. It is requested by the president who comes into office. All presidents and their 'team' do this. I can't say if the president will read it. I am sure he will get a report on the Peace Corps, as he has (or will get) on all of the agencies. Connie–the Transition Team wrote it. These are people assigned by the White House to do a quick survey of government agencies to see what needs to be done. The names of two, I think, are on the report, near the end. It is requested by the president who comes into office. All presidents and their ‘team’ do this. I can’t say if the president will read it. I am sure he will get a report on the Peace Corps, as he has (or will get) on all of the agencies.

]]> By: Connie http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2009/05/26/pc-transition-team-report-to-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-126 Connie Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:16:10 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=722#comment-126 I'm interested in reading the document, but first: Who wrote the document? Who requested that it be written? Why do you think Obama will read it? - Thanks. I’m interested in reading the document, but first: Who wrote the document? Who requested that it be written? Why do you think Obama will read it? - Thanks.

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