Peace Corps Planning for the 50th Anniversary–It Ain't Going To Happen

These were the plans for the 50th Anniversary done late in the tour of the last Peace Corps Administration. Grand plans as you can see, but very little of these good ideas will take place, given the current pace of planning underway in Washington, D.C. today. However, the University of Michigan will launch a kick-off week of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps in October. Over the years, the U. of Michigan has sent more thand 2,230 U-M alumni have been PCVs. You can read the activities that the University of Michigan has planned at the website: http://peacecorps.umich.edu

Meanwhile, back in D.C….this is what they were day-dreaming about:

  Goals Are To…

• v Make the public aware of the success of Peace Corps in fostering peace and understanding.
• v Advance the Third Goal of the Peace Corps – bringing the world back home.
• v Support recruiting to grow Peace Corps and meet the goals of the President and Congress.
• v Recognize and honor those who have contributed to the success of Peace Corps: PCV’s – present and former – & their families; host countries & communities; & national leaders.

 ACTIVITIES / EVENTS  CONDUCTED BY PEACE CORPS

50^th External Support

• “50^th ADVISORY COUNCIL“: to support 50^th goals and publicize activities. Former PCD’s only. Lead: J. Olsen. $0 cost. ACTIVITY SUSPENDED.
• “FOUNDERS GROUP“: Numerous pioneers of the Peace Corps, for advice and to support 50^th. $ 0 cost Lead: J. Olsen. ACTIVITY SUSPENDED.
• NPCA, RPCV/W & RPCV GROUPS: PC partners w/ NPCA on several events. Groups sponsor & support events in-country and in U.S., some as PC partners. $ 0 cost

                Leads: J. Olsen, A. Baker, M. Mattessich, PC 50^th Coord.  PLANNING UNDERWAY

 50^th  COMMUNICATIONS  / PRESS  SUPPORT

• Communications Plan: Devise, implement and revise as necessary. $, in-house.

            Lead: L.Isaac,              Draft plan submitted for comment and discussion, 5/29/09.

• 50^th branding: Designs and language for branding 50th materials including 50^th Logo and Slogan. $, in-house. Leads: Isaac, K. Fernekes. ACTIVITY SUSPENDED.
• PC 50^th Website: 50^th dedicated pages on existing PC website. Key resource for schedule control, responsibilities, execution, etc. $ in-house. Lead: Isaac. RUNNING.
• 50^th brochure: Edit & re-print as necessary. $10k Knight + In-house.

             Lead: L Isaac.                                                                         ACTIVITY SUSPENDED.

• PC 50^th Collection of Stories. Produce and update as press kits for feature writers.

            $ in-house.   Leads: Isaac, L. Lartigue, RRO’s & PAS’.           2010  ACTIVITY

• PCV Stories 50^th Book; Anniversary ed. Refresh existing recruitment tool with new stories relevant to 50^th themes. Print and distribute 85k. $ In-house – more $ req. for add’l copies. Leads: Isaac, Powell. Available Jan, 2011. 2010 ACTIVITY

 ON-GOING  Activities

• Digital Library: Digitize selected historically significant and/or representative PC materials for the Library with public access & expand capacity as add’l $ are available. An important source of PC materials. $ 30k + in-house, more needed to expand.

            Leads: L Isaac,  S. Clifton. PCD Approval requested to continue outreach efforts, 6/2.  

• Documentary: National Geographic. &/or PBS: Facilitate documentary production by Nat’l Geographic. PC provides photos and footage. Ancillary stories & articles will result. $ 0. N.G. will share with PBS for broadcasting (?).

            Leads: K Chaput, L Lartigue.                                                                           ONGOING

• 50th Traveling Exhibit: Create a traveling educational exhibit particularly pertinent to the 50^th. $ 50k + ($30k, Knight $). Ready by Mid-’10. Travels thru 2011, possibly beyond. Leads: K.Fernekes, M. Minutillo, L. Isaac. PLANNING UNDERWAY
• Films Produced by P.C.: A) Produce five, 1-hour films on DVD-Rom: re PC history, impact, PCV stories. B) Produce a 10 minute overview “Legacy video.” All nat’l broadcast quality. Cost: $120K; $20k – film transfer (by 9/09); 60k – travel; $20k – film transfer; $40k – post-production. Videos available Nov., 2010.

            Leads: L Isaac, K. Chaput.                                                       PLANNING STAGE

• Resolutions & proclamations: Requests to Congress, States, major U.S. cities, certain PC host countries issue official dictums a/o March 1, 2011. $ 0. Complete by 3/1/’11.

            Lead: S Carroll.                                                            PRE-PLANNING STAGE.   

• Events in host countries: By HC governments $/or organizations to recognize PC 50^th, sparked by P.C. or by “friends of” groups. $150k.

            Leads: N. Lewis,  A. Baker.                 Organize in ’10, events thru 2011.

• PCV projects in host countries: PC Posts select a PCV project that represents PC impact, dubbing it a 50^th project. $0,

            Lead: N. Lewis.                                   Organize in ’10, run through 2011

• University – College Events: Proposal approved by Steering Committee for outreach to Colleges and Universities by RRO’s, suggesting they organize a menu of activity options to universities/colleges for staging a 50^th event, perhaps in conjunction with PC “groups”, NPCA, and in concert with other organizations with an international focus/program (Rotary, World Affairs Councils, U.N. Chapters, etc.). $ 0.

            Leads: A Baker, C Gilson, J Taylor, RRO’s.                                       PLANNING STAGE     

• US Regional / Local events: RPCV groups, RRO’s & PC/C organize events with other orgs, gov.s, schools, universities, etc. $ 100k – by field.

            Leads: C. Gilson, J. Taylor, A. Baker                                 PRE-PLANNING STAGE

 DATE-SPECIFIC

 50^TH EVENTS

• Congressional Reception: Date TBD, (Sept., ’11); Reception on Capital Hill for Congress & PC Community. $ TBD. Lead: Suzie Carroll. PLANNING IN 2010
• Diplomatic Reception: Sept. 24, ’11; Reception at Library of Congress honoring Host Countries. Diplomats from 139 P. C. countries. SecState, luminaries. $ 50k.

            Lead: Suzie Carroll.                 L.of C.  REC. HALL TENTATIVELY RESERVED.

• “PCV Life” Festival: Sept. 22-25, ’11; Work with Smithsonian for interactive demonstrations of PCV life; PCV cultural interaction, language, impact, experience, on National Mall. $1.9mm.; Mtg w/ Smithsonian in July, ’09.

            Lead: 50^th Coord. & Kristen Fernekes.                                    assessment on-going.

• 50^th Memorial & Celebration: Sept., 25, ’11. Wreath-laying @ JFK grave; ceremony @ Amphitheater honors PCVs who died in service. Parade of flags back to Mall. $ TBD. Lead: A. Baker, M. Mattessich. PLANNING BY NPCA & RPCV/W UNDERWAY
• “Big Tent” finale: Sept. 25, ’11. Gala-tent-Mall Finale! Program to honor PCVs, Host Countries, PC founders & luminaries, frmr PCD’s, Mbrs. of Congress, Int’l luminaries, etc. $ TBD.

            Lead: A. Baker; PC

 50^th Coordinator.                          PRELIM. PLANNING UNDERWAY.

FUND-RAISING  BY PEACE CORPS

PRIVATELY SPONSORED 50^TH EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

• University of Michigan; Oct. 14, 2010. Commemorates JFK speech of ’60. U.M. organizing, program planned. Peace Corps orchestrating a portion. $0 cost.

            Lead: J Olsen.                                      SCHEDULED, PLANNING UNDERWAY.

• Kennedy Library: March 5, 2011. Library tour, reception, program, N.E. 3^rd Goal project representations and awards. Cost: $50k.

            Leads: M Minutillo & E Mone.                        SCHEDULED, PLANNING UNDERWAY

• New Mexico International Folk Art Market: Event usually in early/mid July. An annual, significant, folk art event would partner with Peace Corps to foster sustainability of folk art from around the world. Could have international involvement. $0 cost.

            Leads: PC 50^th Coord., A. Burrus (NM RPCVs).                   Discussions underway. 

• PC Staff Reunion, Sept. 23, 2011. Reunion/celebration of PC Staff contribution to PC, Host Countries. $ 0. Lead: K. Hill PLANNING UNDERWAY
• Lillian Carter Awards Ceremonies: Date, usually mid-May. Presentation of the Lillian Carter Award at the Carter Center, w/50^th theme and broader PC participation. $0,

            Lead: J Olsen.                    Discussion w/ Carter Center underway.

• PC Film Event(s) / Festival, Date(s) TBD. On road-2011(?). D.C. 9/22-24. Showcases films about PC / PC experience. Some national exposure, perhaps intra-city. Involve RPCV’s and “Groups” with interest in PC films. $ TBD. Organized by NPCA and/or RPCV group(s). PC will provide lists of suggested films, access to archival footage, etc., Cost $0. Lead: TBD DORMANT
• PC Books & Authors Event(s): Date(s) TBD. Showcase authors, books & writings reflecting the Peace Corps experience. At D.C. university (GWU, Georgetown, AU). Some cross-country activities. $TBD.

            Leads:  TBD.   Many ideas from John Coyne (PC Writers).                             DORMANT

• Hobart & William Smith Colleges: Date TBD. Scholastic event focused on “Impact and Outcomes of Peace Corps” using “papers” submitted, reviewed and discussed. Proceedings would be published., $ 0.

            Lead: M Gearan                                                              PLANNING UNDERWAY

• National Postal Museum, PC postage stamp exhibit. Postal museum would collect and exhibit stamps recognizing Peace Corps from around the world. PC would facilitate where helpful. $0 cost.

            Lead: K Fernenkes.                                                         PLANNING UNDERWAY.