RPCV/W - News

Statement from the Inaugural Committee

Friday, January 04, 2013 3:23 PM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

January 4, 2013

Dear Friends,

It is with much regret that I write to inform you that the Peace Corps Community, which represents the joint efforts of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington DC (RPCV/W), was not selected by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) to participate in the 57th Presidential Inauguration Parade this month.

We learned of this decision in late December, and despite an appeal we were told that the PIC wanted a smaller parade this year, which resulted in a decision to reduce the number of participants – including our group. Our bid to march was a 6-month collaborative effort between our members and the NPCA, exchanging ideas and following an established plan based on our last successful experience in 2009 when we led 180 marchers at the 56th Inaugural.

Although I regret the PIC’s decision, I am proud of the work that the Peace Corps Community committed to this undertaking and I look forward to all that we can accomplish in our next venture. Our absence in the parade will not lessen the contributions that the Peace Corps Community has made in service to the United States, in the fulfillment of the three goals of Peace Corps.

To this end, we note that President Obama has called on all citizens to recognize January 19th as a national day of service and spend some time doing service work across the country. We thank you for your enthusiasm and your passion, and hope you will apply it to serving your communities as you have served the peoples of the world.

Kind regards,

Corey Taylor, Benin 97-99

Chair, RPCV/W Inaugural Committee

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington DC (RPCV/W)

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Peace Corps Directors to attend 2012 Holiday Party. Aaron Williams to be honored with award.

Thursday, December 06, 2012 4:46 PM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

RPCV/W will honor Former Director Aaron S. Williams

with our Peace Corps Champion Award at the

2012 Holiday Party & Silent Auction

7-10:30 PM Friday, December 14, 2012

2020 O St. NW

$45 Member - $60 Non-Member

$70 at the door

prices increase after December 7th, get your tickets now!

Each year, RPCV/W awards its Peace Corps Champion Award to an individual whose work has made a great impact on the Peace Corps and its community. This year, we welcome Aaron S. Williams, who served as Director of the Peace Corps from 2009 to 2012, to receive the award at our Holiday Party on December 14.

We are equally thrilled to welcome Acting Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet and Peace Corps Founding Father, Senator Harris Wofford.

This year's Holiday Party will be the largest regular gathering of RPCVs in Washington, DC. Whether you're coming to make new friends or catch up with old ones, the Holiday Party at the exciting Mansion on O Street is the place to be.

TEAM RPCV/W
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC
PO Box 75085 Washington, DC 20013
Emails: Event Information, Donation Information, Membership Information

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Holiday Party Tickets on Sale and Going Fast! Prices Increase December 7.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 12:32 PM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

Download Invitation pdf

Spread the word! The holiday party is RPCV/W's signature social event, as well as our only fundraiser for the year.

This year's event will be held at the Mansion on O St. in the heart of DuPont Circle. Food, music, and 2 hours of open beer and wine bars are sure to get us all in the Holiday Spirit!

Total tickets have been limited to 300, and half have already been sold. Prices rise on December 7, so get them now!

Get your tickets

We are also collecting donations for our silent auction. If you or your organization would like to donate, please contact our Development Director, Jason Smith

Contact Jason

High-worth donations will be acknowledged accordingly on our website and in promotional materials, ask Jason for details.

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Twitter Milestone: 500 followers

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 10:31 PM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

500 followers! Thanks for making RPCV/W such a vibrant organization. Keep sending us news, suggestions, and happenings around DC.
— RPCV Washington (@rpcvw) November 15, 2012

We'd like to thank everyone who is following us on Twitter for helping us reach this small but significant milestone. In addition to a steady stream of pre-programmed event reminders and news, the RPCV/W Twitter account shares interesting content from others we follow, engages in banter with fellow Tweeters, and offers the occasional wry or witty observation on life in the District. Every Friday, we participate in the #RPCVChat hosted by the National Peace Corps Association, and we are followed by a wide range of individuals, companies, organizations, and even elected officials.

Follow us and keep the conversation going.

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Storytelling session a success. Here is the e-mail that went out to everyone:

Thursday, November 08, 2012 3:06 PM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

Good times!
Thanks for your stories and smiles

Dear Friend,

On behalf of RPCV/W and Cause DC, thanks for making last night's storytelling session a smashing success. We'll definitely do it again soon.

Our Holiday Party is hardly a month away and reduced-price tickets are on sale, but the numbers are limited, so reserve yours now! We are also accepting donations for our silent auction, the proceeds of which maintain our organization and support our Partnership for Peace.

Tickets

The Holiday Party is the largest yearly gathering of DC RPCVs. Reduced price tickets are limited to 150. Get yours now!

Auction

We'll take gift certificates or any unique item of cultural value. Click below to contact our Development Director to learn more.

Buy your tickets

Give an auction item

Also be sure to check out the following events:

Grocery Delivery in Shaw with We Are Family, November 10
Networking with Abt Associates, November 13
Undetermined Community Service Event, December 1 (open to suggestions)
Guided Tour of the Capitol Building, December 8

Thanks again and see you next time!
-RPCV/W

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New Page: 2013 Inauguration Planning and Parade HQ

Monday, October 22, 2012 11:36 AM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

RPCV/W is making a bid to march in the Presidential Inauguration Parade which will take place on Monday January 21, 2013. Here's a shot of us marching by the White House at the 2009 Inauguration:

This event will last all day and is expected to involve over 150 participants who will carry the flags of all the Peace Corps countries in a parade through Washington.

Participants are held to strict regulations which involve providing their own organized transportation and wrangling scores of marchers. To meet this goal, RPCV/W is drawing on the skills and talents of a crack committee of members under the command of top RPCV/W operative and veteran event planner Corey Taylor.

The payoff? A once in a life-time opportunity to represent the Peace Corps and march in a historic parade, and to share that experience with a cool group of talented people. Contact Corey at inauguration@rpcvw.org to get involved and check his page regularly for news, updates, meeting times, pictures, and important documents for committee members.

Help us organize it and earn yourself a spot! For those who want to carry a flag, stay tuned for details.

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2012 RPCV/W Member Survey Report

Friday, October 19, 2012 3:03 PM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

Here's the report on the 2012 Member Survey, filled with interesting facts and an Ezra Klein level emphasis on pretty graphs. We'll use it to make RPCV/W better by planning more inclusive events and engaging more members. Thanks to everyone who participated!
2012 Survey Packet

Our 2012-2013 calendar of events has us hosting at least four activities every month. Forging and strengthening social bonds, helping members build and advance in their careers, and giving back to the community through weekend volunteering are our chief priorities. This is RPCV/W's most ambitious plan so far, and we look forward to carrying it out.

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New Webpage: Community Service

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 10:11 AM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

Our community service initiative is more active than ever, so we decided to give it a dedicated page on our website.

Click here to go to the community service page

The Community Service Page features descriptions of past projects and lists the dates of upcoming events. It also introduces our Community Service Director and provides information for organizations who may be interested in partnering with us. Logged in members may share their comments and suggestions on individual posts.

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2012 Member Survey released. Submit before October 4 for a chance to win $25.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 9:28 AM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

Members are encouraged to take a moment to fill out the RPCV/W Member Survey. All information is confidential, and it helps us plan for the future. To show our gratitude, if you complete and submit the survey before October 4, you will be entered to win one of four 25$ GiftRocket gift cards, valid anywhere. Winners will be announced the next day in our Facebook Group.

Click here to go to the survey

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RPCV/W Social Map

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 9:00 AM | Chris Robinson (Administrator)

The RPCV/W Social Map is a collaborative project where participants tag their workplaces, neighborhoods, colleges, hometowns, and countries of service. It provides an interesting visual of the DC RPCV Community, and can serve as a valuable tool for meeting neighbors, arranging carpools, and finding an RPCV-friendly neighborhood. We use it to plan more effective events and reach out to different communities.

All RPCV/W Members are welcome to participate. To access and add to the live map, login to the Members section and follow the directions. Nonmembers are welcome to join RPCV/W, and the first year is always free.

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