Comments on: The NPCA Gets Their Man http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/ John Coyne Babbles is a collection of comments, opinions, musings, and outrages from this RPCV who served with the first group (1962-64) in Ethiopia. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:31:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Joey http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/comment-page-1/#comment-2962 Joey Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:11:57 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=6974#comment-2962 I agree that NPCA is very much "within the beltway." But, it doesn't have a mandate or the legal ability to be anything else. It reminds me very much of my college Alumni association. I get newsletters updating me on what is happening at CU, a "where are they now column," and brochures selling mugs and cruises. What is so difficult for me, and I suspect, others, is that RPCVs built Peace Corps with our efforts and when service is over and/or staff appointments, there is no way to influence or connect with the organization. It goes to the highest political bidder, who may set about changing the very things we worked for or repeating the very problems we wanted solved. And of course when I say "we," I really mean "me." There is no consensus among 200,000 RPCVs as to what Peace Corps is, should be, or was. I agree that NPCA is very much “within the beltway.” But, it doesn’t have a mandate or the legal ability to be anything else. It reminds me very much of my college Alumni association. I get newsletters updating me on what is happening at CU, a “where are they now column,” and brochures selling mugs and cruises.

What is so difficult for me, and I suspect, others, is that RPCVs built Peace Corps with our efforts and when service is over and/or staff appointments, there is no way to influence or connect with the organization. It goes to the highest political bidder, who may set about changing the very things we worked for or repeating the very problems we wanted solved.

And of course when I say “we,” I really mean “me.” There is no consensus among 200,000 RPCVs as to what Peace Corps is, should be, or was.

]]> By: tlhmavrick http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/comment-page-1/#comment-2961 tlhmavrick Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:29:30 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=6974#comment-2961 Well, darn, I agree with Coyne on this one. During several episodes during the past 40-50 years, I have worked to get something relevant and of quality going in the NPCA and its several equally aimless predecessors. Eventually, as with city councils and local Chambers of Commerce, I came to the conclusion that you can never go wrong underestimating the value of RPCV organizations. Except FON with which I have also sparred, lord knows. I mean, shouldn't one of the goals of the NRCP be to become a player (with no acronyms) in Washington? By now, Congressional staff should be wise to the fact that a national RPCV group can bring expert country witnesses for briefings and testimony. But an RPCV organization has never, ever played a role in foreign policy.Huh? I worked on the Carter transition and a small group of us did meet with a future White House policy wonk. He was kind of interested in reviving the Peace Corps (also remember Jimmy's mother). Nothing happened. Dennis, I got hundreds of files on PC. Let me know if you get elected. Tom Hebert, Nigeria 62-64 Well, darn, I agree with Coyne on this one.

During several episodes during the past 40-50 years, I have worked to get something relevant and of quality going in the NPCA and its several equally aimless predecessors. Eventually, as with city councils and local Chambers of Commerce, I came to the conclusion that you can never go wrong underestimating the value of RPCV organizations. Except FON with which I have also sparred, lord knows.

I mean, shouldn’t one of the goals of the NRCP be to become a player (with no acronyms) in Washington?

By now, Congressional staff should be wise to the fact that a national RPCV group can bring expert country witnesses for briefings and testimony. But an RPCV organization has never, ever played a role in foreign policy.Huh? I worked on the Carter transition and a small group of us did meet with a future White House policy wonk. He was kind of interested in reviving the Peace Corps (also remember Jimmy’s mother). Nothing happened.

Dennis, I got hundreds of files on PC. Let me know if you get elected.

Tom Hebert, Nigeria 62-64

]]> By: Leita Kaldi Davis http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/comment-page-1/#comment-2960 Leita Kaldi Davis Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:00:45 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=6974#comment-2960 Oh, John, you're so cute when you get mad. Leita Oh, John, you’re so cute when you get mad.

Leita

]]> By: Jill Vickers http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/comment-page-1/#comment-2959 Jill Vickers Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:31:05 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=6974#comment-2959 I have to concur with John Coyne as I too was put off by the acronym unfamiliar to me. Couldn't even guess and didn't want to goggle it. That said, let's hope for a much better connection between NPCA and its membership in the future. I have to concur with John Coyne as I too was put off by the acronym unfamiliar to me. Couldn’t even guess and didn’t want to goggle it. That said, let’s hope for a much better connection between NPCA and its membership in the future.

]]> By: Rowland Scherman http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/comment-page-1/#comment-2958 Rowland Scherman Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:05:17 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=6974#comment-2958 Whoever that guy is, the guy with the ACDI/VOCA, he's got that Scherman photograph with JFK and the first volunteers on his office wall behind him.. Whoever that guy is, the guy with the ACDI/VOCA, he’s got that Scherman photograph with JFK and the first volunteers on his office wall behind him..

]]> By: Dennis Grubb http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/2013/02/22/the-npca/comment-page-1/#comment-2957 Dennis Grubb Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:47:33 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/babbles/?p=6974#comment-2957 John: ACDI/VOCA--in the early days "Aggies.," The full name is : Agricultural Cooperative Development Assistance and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance. Hence.".aggies." Great guys, of course and much involved in international work. BTW--to promote change within I have announced (to NPCA) I will stand for a vacant Board seat- I will revert with my campaign requirements shortly. Dennid Grubb Colombia (1961-1963) John:

ACDI/VOCA–in the early days “Aggies.,” The full name is : Agricultural Cooperative Development Assistance and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.

Hence.”.aggies.” Great guys, of course and much involved in international work.

BTW–to promote change within I have announced (to NPCA) I will stand for a vacant Board seat-

I will revert with my campaign requirements shortly.

Dennid Grubb
Colombia (1961-1963)

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