Hi,

I'm an RPCV from Uganda (`03-`05) and just got a job with the San
Mateo County Health Department.  I will move from New Jersey to San
Francisco this weekend and have a few weeks to look for a place.  If
you know of anyone looking for a housemate or willing to rent out a
one bedroom, please email me at jenniferlynngross@....

Thanks,
Jenn

Saturday, October 7, 2006 at Noon (we'll eat around 1pm)

Golden Gate Park-Peacock Meadows

On John F Kennedy Drive-just east of the Conservatory of Flowers, north of
the Tennis Courts-plenty of parking (if you get there early!)

· Bring your family! Bring your friends! Make it a true picnic and bring a
blanket! (Some tables and chairs will be provided.)

· As usual, this is a POTLUCK PICNIC, Please bring a potluck dish and drinks
to share!
· New 2007 Calendars will be for sale.

· A raffle will be held to raise money for NorCal Grants. If you have a
donation for the raffle (a basket, a gift certificate, etc) bring it along.
Please, this is NOT a white elephant raffle.

By the way, the FREE Bluegrass
Festival<http://www.mymailout.com/MyMailout/Redirect.aspx?u=34315&r=29735&qz=fd4\
326b13e0c23358e3a3cd74bb743d0>is
in the Park that weekend-so plan on making a day of it!


--
Ben Bellows, MPH
Epidemiology Division
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley
http://bixby.berkeley.edu
US mobile: +1-510-381-9603
Home office: +1-510-527-0360


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Those of you attending the picnic (or on the fence about it) might be
interested to know that there's a FREE bluegrass festival in the park
that same day, featuring some well-known folks like Gillian Welch &
Billy Bragg. There are 35 performances on Saturday alone! Stroll on
over after hanging with your fellow RPCVs -- it goes till 7pm!

Here's the schedule & map:
http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2006/schedule.cgi?show=day

See you tomorrow!

Rebecca
Turkmenistan, 00-01

Just a quick reminder about the biannual trail clearing at Point Reyes National
Seashore next Saturday, October 14th, 9:00 A.M. Bring a bag lunch and meet at
the red barn wearing work clothes. Gloves, long-sleeved shirts and tools are
provided. We will gather after our work session for a pot-luck social at Bonnie
Tank & Doug Haner's home, just outside of Pt. Reyes Station @ 65 Mesa Road.
Contact Bonnie or Doug @ 415.663.8571 or Alan Beals @ 707.938.1941 or
apbrpcv@.... It should be a beautiful weekend.


Darleen


---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.  Great rates
starting at 1¢/min.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Bonjour tous!

Interested in meeting any fellow RPCVs from the old days.  Feel free to
contact me at:

geoffreykarl.smith@...

Later,

Geoff

Is anyone coming from the SF area and could bring Daphne along?

daphne bundros <daphnebun@...> wrote:  Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 12:11:01
-0700 (PDT)
From: daphne bundros <daphnebun@...>
Subject: Re: [NorCalPCA] Point Reyes Trail Clearing
To: Darleen Beals <DARLEENB@...>

   Hi!

   I would like to come to the trail clearing this Saturday. Is there anybody
coming from S.F with whom I could carpool with? I will gladly help with
gas/bridge costs. Thank you!

   Daphne

Darleen Beals <DARLEENB@...> wrote:
           Just a quick reminder about the biannual trail clearing at Point Reyes
National Seashore next Saturday, October 14th, 9:00 A.M. Bring a bag lunch and
meet at the red barn wearing work clothes. Gloves, long-sleeved shirts and tools
are provided. We will gather after our work session for a pot-luck social at
Bonnie Tank & Doug Haner's home, just outside of Pt. Reyes Station @ 65 Mesa
Road. Contact Bonnie or Doug @ 415.663.8571 or Alan Beals @ 707.938.1941 or
apbrpcv@.... It should be a beautiful weekend.

Darleen


---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates
starting at 1¢/min.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





---------------------------------
   Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small
Business.



Darleen


---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
  Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello,

I'm not actually looking for a place to live, but one of my co-workers
is trying to find a place in the city (or nearby) for about $700 or
less/month, ideally with utilities.  Does anyone know anybody who's
looking?  If so, please get in touch with me at
nathaniel@...

Thanks!

Volume 3, Issue 9

www.peacecorpsconnect.org <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org>

October 2006




       *RPCVs Project! Garnering Significant Early Support*

Last month NPCA and GlobalGiving announced the launch of RPCVs Project!
<http://www.globalgiving.com/npca.html>, a pilot program that uses the
Internet to help our community promote high-impact, grassroots projects
around the world--projects with direct links to RPCVs and NPCA members.
Well, this month we're pleased to report two positive developments:

     * The Friends of Burkina Faso project has already attracted the
       attention of SA Gems, a leading diamond retailer committed to
       supporting community-based projects in Africa. You can read a
       press release by clicking here
       <http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061017/nytu153.html?.v=61>.
     * And thanks to an anonymous GlobalGiving donor, any of the three
       featured RPCVs Project! projects that generate 100 or more
       donations between now and December 15, 2006 will receive $5,000 in
       funding.

So, visit NPCA's page at GlobalGiving.com
<http://www.globalgiving.com/npca.html> and see for yourself how this
innovative internet tool has the potential to raise significantly more
resources for Peace Corps community projects. You'll find rich detail
about the projects, and you can interact with RPCV advisor Tony Gambino
via his blog. Make a contribution. Spread the word. If this NPCA
initiative is successful, we hope to make this opportunity available to
more groups.




       *Advocacy Efforts Raise Profile of Peace Corps, NPCA *

As a result of strong RPCV advocacy efforts, 16 Senators and 64 House
members signed onto recent "Dear Colleague" letters supporting increased
Peace Corps funding. Meanwhile, RPCVs Priscilla Goldfarb, Kathleen
Harnig, Ron and Judy Inskeep, Judith Shannon, and Ray and Mary Speigl
were all successful in having letters-to-the-editor and feature articles
about recent advocacy day activities published in newspapers from New
York to Ohio to Arizona. Special thanks and congratulations to all who
participated in this year's advocacy day and assisted with follow up
activities. For more information about Advocacy Day 2006, click here
<http://www.rpcv.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1484>.




       *RPCV Mentoring Is Focus of NPCA-Peace Corps Cooperative Agreement*

Under a recently signed one-year Cooperative Agreement with Peace Corps,
NPCA will coordinate a pilot program that connects newly returned Peace
Corps volunteers with RPCV mentors.

Through face-to-face meetings and other communication, mentors will
offer support and guidance to returning volunteers as they transition
from Peace Corps service into educational programs or jobs. The pilot
program will take place in three cities and run from January through
June 2007.

Things are just getting underway, but visit
www.peacecorpsconnect.org/mentoring
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/mentoring> for regularly updated
program information.




       *Social Entrepreneurs: Follow up*

Many thanks to all those who responded to last month's call for
"nominations" of returned Peace Corps volunteers who are social
entrepreneurs. Some of the names you submitted were familiar--but many
were not, and that's always exciting!

If you missed the announcement, it's not too late. Click here
<http://www.rpcv.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1615> for more information
about social entrepreneurs and our initiative with Social Edge, a Skoll
Foundation project. Send your "nominations" to Erica Burman, NPCA News
Director, at news@... <mailto:news@...>.

And while we're talking about social entrepreneurs, the Draper Richards
Foundation <http://www.draperrichards.org/index.html>, a venture
philanthropy foundation, has let us know that they are always looking
for new potential grantees, that they welcome referrals of grantees, and
that they have terrific grantees who often have a need for new board
members. Among their Fellows: Timothy Prestero
<http://www.draperrichards.org/fellows/designmatters.html> (Cote
d'Ivoire 95-97).




       *NPCA/SIT Scholarship Recipients Announced*

The School for International Training has announced three winners of
this year's NPCA academic scholarships: Scot Brown (Honduras 96-98),
Julie Greenfield (Cape Verde 01-03) and David Bozetarnik (Sri Lanka
91-93, not pictured). The trio will pursue Masters Degrees in
international programs at the school's Brattleboro, Vermont campus.
Click here <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=775>
to meet the 2006 scholarship winners.

NPCA members can request information regarding this exclusive
scholarship opportunity at 800-336-1616, 802-257-7751 or by checking the
SIT Web site <http://www.sit.edu/graduate/finaid/scholarships.html>.




       *Dr. Mark Grabowsky: Taking on Killer Diseases*

In August, medical epidemiologist Dr. Mark Grabowsky (Kenya 78-80) spent
a weekend in Kenya, helping launch a massive bed net distribution
campaign. The trip had special meaning: not only did he create the
successful joint measles/malaria campaign concept, but children from his
Peace Corps village were among the recipients of the prevention and
treatment program.

Click here
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1595&ref=2&fin=2>
to learn more about Dr. Mark Grabowsky and this innovative public health
campaign.




       *Charles Dey Wins $100K Purpose Prize: 2007 Nominations Open*

Civic Ventures recently announced the first winners of The Purpose
Prize-five $100,000 and ten $10,000 awards meant to recognize Americans
over 60 whose creativity, talent and experience is transforming the way
our nation addresses critical social problems.

Charles Dey (Philippines staff 61-62) was one of the $100,000 Purpose
Prize recipients. He created "Start on Success," a National Organization
on Disability program to provide paid internships and to assign
workplace mentors to predominantly minority high school students with
physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. (Click here
<http://www.leadwithexperience.org/prize/finalists/dey.cfm> to read more
about Charles Dey, left.) Also recognized was Tom Walz (Honduras 62-64),
named a Purpose Prize Fellow for his work as the founder of the Extend
the Dream Foundation (Click here
<http://www.leadwithexperience.org/prize/finalists/candidatepage.cfm?candidateid\
=250>
to read more about Tom Walz.)

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 Purpose Prize. To
nominate someone you know or to apply yourself, visit
www.purposeprize.org <http://www.purposeprize.org>. The application
deadline is February 1, 2007. The awards will be announced in the summer
of 2007.










       *In This Issue*

. RPCVs Project! Garnering Significant Early Support <#11>

. Advocacy Efforts Raise Profile of Peace Corps, NPCA <#22>

. RPCV Mentoring Is Focus of NPCA-Peace Corps Cooperative Agreement <#33>

. Social Entrepreneurs: Follow-up <#44>

. NPCA/SIT Scholarship Recipients Announced <#55>

. Dr. Mark Grabowsky: Taking on Killer Diseases <#66>

. Charles Dey Wins $100K Purpose Prize: 2007 Nominations Open <#77>

------------------------------------------------------------------------


       *Peace Corps
       Community News*

. Peace Corps makes push to recruit baby boomers
<http://www.startribune.com/484/story/734538.html>

. Joseph Kaufman, Peace Corps pioneer, dies
<http://www.news.wisc.edu/12944.html>

. Sharing more than a name: a Peace Corps legacy family
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=11\
55>

. Volunteer RPCV nurse mends as she can in war-weary areas
<http://telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/NEWS/610010496>

. Namibia PCV Chad Zibelman forges bond with sports
<http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/mont\
gomery_county/15746622.htm>

. Volunteers will always have a piece of the Peace Corps
<http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlEAST021\
00806.htm>

. Student volunteerism is up
<http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/10/17/volunteer>

. Texas gubenatorial candidate Kinky Friedman's wardrobe choice
questioned <http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5528367&nav=3dg9Z8vp>

. Dad takes son, friends on Peace Corps trip to Ecuador
<http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/CHRONICLE11/6101\
20333>

. On the NPCA Bulletin board: Bong County (Liberia) RPCVs, Oxfam Fast
for a World Harvest, Echoing Green Fellowship, ...more
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/msghome.cfm?category=13>

. Seeking: Fiji RPCVs 76-78, Afghanistan RPCVs and Staff 74-79
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/seeking.cfm>

. On the NPCA Calendar: Ramadan Break the Fast, Maryland RPCV Happy
Hour, RPCV Washington new member brunch ...
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/calen_search_month.cfm>

. Peace Corps community news clippings updated daily!
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1077&ref=1>

. Making a Difference -- Stories from our Community
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1377>


------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Charlotte Utting*

We are saddened to pass along the news of the death of Charlotte Utting,
a long time NPCA and Director's Circle member, who died peacefully on
October 7 with her family around her. In addition to serving twice as a
Peace Corps volunteer (Senegal 1980-82 and Cameroon 1989-90, when she
was a so-called "senior PCV"), she was also a Peace Corps recruiter in
Seattle, leader of the Washington State Peace Corps Association and
Northwest regional leader. She was known and admired by many for her
dedication as an active group leader, conference attendee, donor and
advocate. She will be missed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Did you know...*

/WorldView/ magazine is available online!

That's right. Many of the stories that you enjoy in print format are
also Web accessible. Plus, you can read "Dispatches" - Web-only stories
from the developing world.

worldviewmagazine.com <http://www.worldviewmagazine.com>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

kids connect with kids...
all around the world

*www.katw.org* <http://www.katw.org>



------------------------------------------------------------------------

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NPCA <https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page> |
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<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1037&ref=1&fin=2>

National Peace Corps Association . 1900 L Street NW Suite 205 .
Washington, DC 20036 . 202.293.7728 news@... <mailto:news@...>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**_EARLY BIRD RATE INCREASES AFTER NOVEMBER 15

_**
_*Innovation, Advancement, and Best Practices To Achieve Global Goals
**Unite For Sight's Fourth Annual International Health Conference*_
*    APRIL 14-15, 2007 - STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,
CALIFORNIA, USA

LEARN FROM MORE THAN 300 Renowned Speakers From North America, Latin
America, Africa, Asia, and Europe - An Energizing Weekend of Ideas and
Exchange of Best Practices to Achieve Global Goals and to Make a Difference
*http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2007/index.php
*
***Please also feel free to forward this message to anyone who may be
interested in attending.**

*Register Today For A Reduced Rate! (Current Rate is $55 Students/$75
All Others - *_EARLY BIRD RATE INCREASES AFTER NOVEMBER 15_**
http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2007/index.php

*When:* April 14-15, 2007
*Where:* Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
*Theme:* "Innovation, Advancement, and Best Practices To Achieve Global
Goals"
*Who should attend?*Anyone interested in eye care, international health,
medicine, health education, health promotion, public health,
international service, social entrepreneurship, nonprofits, or
microenterprise
*Conference Goal: *To exchange ideas across disciplines about best
practices in public health, medicine and research, and international
health and development.  Conference topics range from/ "The Right to
Health: Towards Social Inclusion and Universal Health Care in Latin
America"/ and /"Antiretroviral Drugs and Issues of Drug Access and
Quality in the Developing World"/ to /"Global Progress in Preventing the
Burden of Blindness and Other Diseases Caused by Measles and Rubella"/
and /"Once I Was Blind....The Challenges of Eye Care in Ghana"/**

     * Join over 1,500 leaders, doctors, professionals, and students from
       5 continents
     * More than 300 speakers about eye care, public health,
       international development, entrepreneurship, microfinance, policy
       and advocacy, bioethics, and medicine
     * Exchange ideas about best practices to achieve global goals in
       health and development


         _COMPLETE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE WITH 300 SPEAKERS:
         _http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2007/index.php


         ·         General Topics With Conference Sessions


         a.      Global Health


         b.      Overseas Volunteering


         c.       Health and Human Rights


         d.      Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship


         e.       Refugee Health


         f.       HIV/AIDS


         g.      Infectious Disease


         h.      International Health and Development By Region


         i.        Global Eye Care


         j.        Glaucoma Symposium



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This important announcement seemed to only go to one list.  I'm sorry if it is a
repeat for you, but this is a great opportunity-especially for Recently
Returned.

Ben Bellows and Holly Dreier
Your eConnection Team

Considering supporting NorCal with an active paid membership. Visit NPCA at
https://secure.schoolyard.com/rpcv/howtojoin.cfm or email us norcalpca@...


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Sean K. <Rockuba@...>
To: NorCalPCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 7:19:52 AM
Subject: [NorCalPCA] RPCVs with HIV/AIDS experience













             In commemoration of World AIDS Day (December 1) this year, the San

Francisco Peace Corps office is planning an event(s) that would

involve RPCVs who have worked in HIV/AIDS related projects. Location

and nature of event(s) to be determined.



If you are a returned volunteer with HIV/AIDS experience and are

willing to share your experiences with others on or around Dec. 1,

please let me know.



Sincerely,



Sean Kennedy, Mali '98-'00

Peace Corps, Regional Recruiter

San Francisco Regional Office

skennedy(at) peacecorps. gov

(510) 637-1525














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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sorry for the repeat--if this is one.

HMD


           ** Please RSVP directly to rsvp@....


   I am writing to let you know about an event we are having next week as
part of our exhibit, ³Portraits of Leadership: Women Changing the Face of
Asia² which will be in town and running through November 20th.  On
Wednesday, November 8th,  we are having the kickoff reception at One Market
Street in San Francisco.

   Our special guest speakers include Shumei Huang from China and Mohna
Ansari from Nepal. Shumei Huang is an attorney and director of the Legal
Service Center --Guangdong Women¹s Federation, an organization educating
migrant women workers in southern China on their legal rights.   Mohna
Ansari, also an attorney, is the first and only female Muslim attorney in
Nepal, and works as an advocate for Nepali women¹s rights.

   http://www.asiafoundation.org/Women/event_exhibit06.html
   The Asia Foundation Launches Exhibit on Women Leaders

   The Asia Foundation Presents A Public Exhibit -
Portraits of Leadership: Women Changing the Face of Asia
   Washington, D.C.
October 17-29, 2006
Union Station, West Hall
   San Francisco, CA
November 6-20, 2006
The Concourse of One Market Street
   The pioneering individuals in this exhibit--including the only female
Muslim lawyer in Nepal, an advocate for Nepali women's rights; the founder
of the first long-term shelter for abused and trafficked women in Laos; the
director of an organization educating migrant women workers in southern
China on their legal rights--are providing leadership to improve the current
and future quality of life in their communities and societies for women as
well as men. They have overcome difficult circumstances, seized upon and
created opportunities, and have risen to become role models for women
everywhere.




------ End of Forwarded Message










[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hamjambo,

Peace Corps will have a table at this weekend's Green Festival in
San Francisco. We are looking for 1-2 more RPCV volunteers for
Sunday afternoon. If you are available Sunday, November 12 between
2:00pm - 6:00pm, please let me know. You'll get free admission in
exchange for a 2-hour shift at the Peace Corps table.

GREEN FESTIVAL, November 10-12
San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center
635 8th Street (at Brannan)
San Francisco, CA  94123
(~5 blocks south of Civic Center BART station)

Check out the Green Festival Website at
http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/7/29/

Thanks,

Sean

------
Sean Kennedy
Peace Corps Recruiter
San Francisco Regional Office
office: (510) 637-1525
cell: (415) 425-0677
RPCV Mali, '98-'00

The announcement below may be of interest to area RPCVs,

Ben

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martha Saavedra <martha@...>
Date: Nov 8, 2006 9:58 AM
Subject: [DevAid] Devt sessions at upcoming ASA conference (Nov. 16-19 in SF)
To: dev-aid-discussion@...



  The African Studies Association annual meeting takes place next week,
November 16-19 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel at Union Square in San
Francisco. There will many panels pertaining to development issues.
The preliminary program is online here:
http://www.africanstudies.org/PreliminaryProgram06Opening.html. As
well there are some special sessions of interest; these are listed
below. If you are not already registered, you can register on-site:
http://www.africanstudies.org/2006REGRATES.html

  ASA BOARD SPONSORED ROUNDTABLES

A Conversation with the Assistant Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari on
"Africa and the Future of UN Reform," chaired by Pearl Robinson, Tufts
University, Friday, November 17, 10:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
State-Building, Conflict Resolution and Globalization: New Approaches
to Accelerating Africa's Development, chaired by Witney Schneidman,
Leon H Sullivan Foundation, Friday, November 17,
  2:45 P.M.- 4:45 P.M.

California Based Foundations Doing Health and Development Work in
Africa, organized by Stephen Morrison, Director, African Program,
Center for Strategic and International Studies, Saturday, November 18,
11:15 A.M. - 1:15 P.M.
The USA and Africa Relations in the Post 9/11 Era, chaired by Abdi
Samatar, University of Minnesota, Saturday, November 18, 3:00  P.M.-
5:00 P.M.
  Current Issues Council Roundtable

  The Current Issues Council will present a roundtable, US/Africa
Policy Dialogue, chaired by Stephen Morrison, Friday, November 17,
12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

  LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE SPONSORED ROUNDTABLES

Rethinking our Approaches to HIV/AIDS Research in Africa:
Interdisciplinary Perspectives, chaired by David Katzenstein, Stanford
University, Friday, November 17, 10:15 A.M.- 12:15 P.M.
Behavior, Movement, Identity - African Subjectivities in Process,
chaired by Benjamin Lawrance, University of California-Davis, Friday,
November 17, 5:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M.
Debt Cancellation and Prospects for Democracy in Africa, chaired by
Emmanuel Nnadozie, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa, Saturday, November 18, 9:00 A.M.-
11:00 A.M.

--
Ben Bellows, MPH
Epidemiology Division
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley
http://bixby.berkeley.edu
US mobile: +1-510-381-9603
Home office: +1-510-527-0360

Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
400 Welch Road, Suite 340
Palo Alto, CA 94301



REQUEST FOR BID


PLANNING A WEBSITE RELATED TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY


DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:  DEC. 13, 2006

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health seeks proposals
from consultants to develop a plan for a website that will serve as
the clearinghouse for childhood obesity information in San Mateo
County. The site is expected to be a joint project of the Lucile
Packard Foundation for Children's Health and a countywide
collaborative of agencies committed to improving the nutritional
status and physical health of children.

Through a unique participatory process, San Mateo County has
developed a Blueprint for Prevention of Childhood Obesity: A Call to
Action, which was released in April 2006. A key recommendation of
the plan is the development of a locally based clearinghouse to
provide information and connections to resources for local groups
and organizations with an interest in addressing childhood obesity.

While this site will address the reduction of childhood obesity
among all populations in San Mateo County, it will emphasize
strategies for racial and ethnic groups with higher   incidence and
prevalence of overweight children.

The site potentially should encompass several components, possibly
housed under five general areas, including:

1. Curricula - culturally appropriate lessons/ programs and
training material for preschools, schools and after-school programs,
designed to improve knowledge of key nutrition and physical activity
information among diverse populations.
2. Interactive Calendar - for local events, trainings, and
seminars etc. that aim to increase healthy eating and physical
activity in children.
3. Resources - data and statistics on childhood obesity; a
section featuring successful programs for helping children achieve
optimal health; tips for children and families; a speaker's bureau;
news.
4. Taking Action – a "how-to" section broken down by family,
community, schools, healthcare and multi-disciplinary groups.  The
site will feature resources suggested by key informants that
encourage users of the clearinghouse to "take action" that promotes
the prevention of childhood obesity at an individual, organizational
or community level.  This section will address how to reach diverse
populations.
5. Discussion Groups – An interactive section or forum where
members of the collaborative could communicate with each other and
share information, news stories and links to other related sites.
Either the Interactive Calendar section and/or the Taking Action
section may have components specifically targeting young people.


SCOPE OF WORK

Working in conjunction with Foundation staff, members of the
clearinghouse committee, and Health Department staff, the consultant
would create a plan for developing the site.

Work would begin in December 2006. A first draft would be expected
by January 31st, 2007, and a completed plan by March 31st, 2007.

The consultant would think through the best format and uses for the
website, and the plan at a minimum would address the following:

1. Potential audiences for the website including how to make
the site youth-friendly where appropriate.
2. Content and scope of site information
3. Graphic design elements
4. Key partners and possible reciprocal links
5. A schedule for updating the site and responsible parties for
each section
6. Recommend personnel skills and qualifications of staff who
will maintain and enhance the website over time
7. Budget estimate for development of the site and for ongoing
maintenance
8. Suggestions for aligning the site with other community
sites, and with the Foundation's existing sites, including kidscal
www.kidscal.org and kidsdata www.kidsdata.org
9. Recommendation for facilitating use of the site by specific
populations, such as those with Limited English Proficiency
10. Strategies for developing and marketing the website to all
stakeholders including racial and ethnic groups with high
percentages of overweight children.
11. Investigate a way for users to evaluate the website and the
utility of specific programs/curricula.


VENDOR INFORMATION

Qualified vendors are encouraged to submit a proposal for providing
the services as described. All contractors must address the
aforementioned points in the scope of work.

Proposals should not exceed three to five 8.5 x 11 print pages, or
online equivalent.

Amount of proposal should not exceed $10,000.

If the vendor plans to subcontract any of the work described in the
specifications, the vendor must respond to all points in the scope
of work for each proposed subcontractor. If a vendor plans a joint
venture with another company, the vendor shall specify accordingly
and respond to points in the scope of work for each company involved
in the joint venture.
Proposals shall be prepared simply and succinctly, providing a
straightforward, concise description of the vendor's abilities to
satisfy the requirements of this request.  Emphasis shall be on
completeness and clarity of content. Proposal to include the
following:

A. Name and address of company or individual.

B.   Identify a single point of contact for contract.  Indicate
the individual's length of service with your company.  List his/her
experience and qualifications specifically as these factors relate
to the responsibilities each will be fulfilling on this project.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING PROPOSALS

Whether the plan addresses the scope of work.
Projected costs in time and labor for completion
Recommendations from prior clients (proposal to include appropriate
list of references) for whom the vendor has provided consultation.
Please provide two samples of prior relevant work.

Send proposals and attachments by 5 p.m. Dec. 13 to:

Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
400 Welch Road, Suite 340
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Attn: Eileen Walsh

Or e-mail to eileen.walsh@...

Volume 3, Issue 10

www.peacecorpsconnect.org <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org>

November 2006




       *RPCVs in Congress Hold Seats;
       RPCV Garamendi is California Lieutenant Governor*

Despite some tight races, all RPCV members of the House of
Representatives were returned to office on Election Day, while John
Garamendi (Ethiopia 66-68, pictured left) was declared the winner on
Wednesday morning in a close race for California Lieutenant Governor.
With the new Democratic majority, RPCV Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut
is slated to become the new Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee,
and significant changes are expected on several committees of interest
to the Peace Corps community.

Click here <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1055>
for more news on the November elections and RPCV candidates nationwide,
key congressional committee assignments, RPCV lawmakers, and other
advocacy headlines.




       *Don't Forget: December 15th Deadline for RPCVs Project! Matching
       Grant*

NPCA and GlobalGiving.com have launched RPCVs Project!, a pilot program
that uses the power of the Internet to help our community promote
high-impact, grassroots projects around the world--projects with direct
links to RPCVs and NPCA members.

Friends of Thailand, Friends of Burkina Faso and the High Atlas
Foundation all have projects seeking support. Visit the RPCVs Project!
page at GlobalGiving.com
<http://www.globalgiving.com/npca.html?RF=npca_Q306> for detailed
project information.

And remember, thanks to an anonymous GlobalGiving donor, /any of the
three featured RPCVs Project! projects that generate 100 or more
donations between now and December 15, 2006 will receive $5,000 in funding/.

Make a contribution. Spread the word. If this NPCA initiative is
successful, we hope to make this available to more groups.




       *Culture Shock? Career Advice?
       RPCV Mentoring Program Is Poised to Help*

NPCA is pleased to announce the three pilot regions for our new
mentoring program, which will connect RPCV mentors with recently
returned Volunteers.

The pilot program will take place in Miami, Florida; Chicago, Illinois;
and Portland, Oregon. NPCA is collaborating closely with the local
affiliate group in each region to coordinate the program from January
through June 2007. Mentors and mentees will be selected through an
application process.

If you live in one of the three regions participating in this pilot
program and would like to apply to be a mentor or to be matched with a
mentor, we invite you to visit www.peacecorpsconnect.org/mentoring
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/mentoring> for more information and to
fill out an application. The application deadline for mentors and
mentees is December 15, 2006.




       *Making a Difference: Mona Melanson Brings It All Back to Capitol
       Hill*

"When my old Peace Corps group, Thai 27, decided to have its first ever
East Coast reunion," writes Mona Melanson (pictured with Rep. Susan
Davis, right), "they chose the Peace Corps' 45th anniversary events in
Washington D.C. Susie Becker Cooper, my former PC site-mate, asked if
any of us would be willing to participate in the NPCA's Advocacy Day on
Capitol Hill. I struggled even to say "yes", but the fact that NPCA
would provide training the day before helped me decide. I would like to
share my experiences with you, and encourage you fellow RPCVs to
consider becoming advocates now."

Read about Mona's Capital Hill adventure in the San Diego Peace Corps
Assocation newsletter by clicking here
<http://edweb.sdsu.edu/SDPCA/newsletter.html#npca>.




       *NPCA President Lectures on Peace Corps
       & the U.S. Role in the 21st Century*

This week NPCA President Kevin Quigley has been lecturing, holding
office hours and interacting with students and faculty on the campus of
Gettysburg College <http://www.gettysburg.edu/> in Gettysburg, Pa. as
part of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program
<http://www.woodrow.org/visiting-fellows/VFabout.php>.

Fellows are selected for their professional expertise, enthusiasm for
the goals of the program, interest in young people, and ability to
listen as well as to talk. By their own example, Fellows demonstrate
that there are challenging opportunities for those who want to build a
better world through professional activities and through their efforts
as informed citizens.

While at Gettysburg, Kevin spoke on the topic; "What You Can Do for Your
Country: Peace Corps & the U.S. Role in the 21st Century." Click here to
read his remarks
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/KFFQGettysburgLecture.pdf>.




       *Membership Changes Coming to NPCA*

At its September meeting, the Board of Directors voted to simplify
membership in NPCA. The Board feels that these changes will help NPCA
better serve the Peace Corps community in fulfilling the third goal of
Peace Corps.

Effective January 1, 2007, all new members will join at the individual
level annually at a fee of $35 for NPCA and $15 for each affiliate group
of their choice. (The first year of membership in NPCA and affiliates is
still free for returning PCVs by request within one year of their close
of service.) This system allows members to choose exactly which groups
(NPCA and/or affiliates) they would like to join and standardizes
membership at the individual level.

We see this simplification of our membership system as the first step in
improving how we connect, inform and engage our diverse community of
over 180,000 volunteers and more than 30,000 staff who have served in
more than 138 countries around the world since 1961. If you are not yet
a member, visit our Web site to learn more about the benefits of
membership <http://www.rpcv.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=7> and then to
join <https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page>.




       *Event: /WorldView/ Panel on Family Planning and Reproductive Health*

Sierra Club President Carl Pope (India 67-69), NPCA President Kevin
Quigley and a panel of returned Peace Corps volunteers now working on
Capitol Hill and others leading health efforts in the developing world
will discuss the U.S. role in family planning and other reproductive
health issues at the Wilson International Center for Scholars at 3:00
p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Washington, D.C.

The two-hour panel discussion celebrates /WorldView's/ recent
publication of "Family Value: Poverty, Population, Contraception & the
Rights of Mothers." The event is sponsored by the Center's Environmental
Change and Security Program and Population Action International. To
attend, click here for details
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1635&ref=2>, or
tune into the live discussion or an archived webcast at
www.wilsoncenter.org <http://www.wilsoncenter.org>




       *Take our /WorldView/ Survey...Please*

We need your help! Please take five minutes to tell the publishers of
/WorldView/ magazine what you think about your NPCA quarterly magazine.
Between now and Dec. 20 answer our quick (and confidential!) online
survey <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/survey.cfm?id=74> about
what you read, why you read it, what you get out of /WorldView/ and how
we can make it better. Thanks for helping to shape /WorldView's/ future.










       *In This Issue*

. RPCVs in Congress Hold Seats, RPCV Garamendi is California Lt.
Governor <#11>

. Don't Forget: December 15th Deadline for RPCVs Project! Matching Grant
<#22>

. Culture Shock? Career Advice? RPCV Mentoring Is Poised to Help <#33>

. Making a Difference: Mona Melanson Brings It All Back to Capitol Hill
<#44>

. NPCA President Gives Lecture on Peace Corps & the U.S. Role in the
21st Century <#55>

. Membership Changes Coming to NPCA <#66>

. Event: /WorldView/ Panel on Family Planning and Reproductive Health <#77>

. Take our /WorldView/ Survey...Please <#88>

------------------------------------------------------------------------


       *Peace Corps
       Community News*

. On first overseas visit, new Peace Corps Director welcomed by
Moroccans and volunteers
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=11\
64>,
Visits Jordan and meets King Abdullah II
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=11\
65>

. Peace Corps stories from the field: Thanksgiving
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.stories.thanksgiving>

. Jimmy Carter in India, recalls family ties to Peace Corps
<http://www.indiaenews.com/business/20061030/26839.htm>

. Jamaica Looks to Peace Corps to Help Those With Disabilities
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=11\
62>

. RPCV Christopher Poulos is Connecticut Teacher of the Year
<http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_4580295>

. For business majors, Peace Corps slots are in high demand
<http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/nov2006/bs20061102_529715.htm?chan\
=top+news_top+news+index_b-schools>

. Charlotte MacNeice (Colombia) uses life's experience to help neglected
children
<http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic/story/6857845p-6723302c.\
html>

. Michael O'Hanlon (Congo/Zaire) offers policy options on North Korea
<http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=2222585>

. Peace Corps Headquarters staff show their stuff at "Peace Corps Idol"
kick-off for the Combined Federal Campaign
<http://www.cfcnca.org/about/message/Peacecorps.php>

. PeaceCorpsWriters: November Issue is Online
<http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/pages/2006/0611/611currentissue.html>

. On the NPCA Bulletin board: Attention ex-Korean language teachers,
RPCV dental benefits?, Religious professionals as PCVs?, Echoing Green
Fellowship, ...more
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/msghome.cfm?category=13>

. Seeking: Pat Black is seeking Bill Howe who served in India
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/seeking.cfm>

. On the NPCA Calendar: Boston RPCV meeting & potluck, Columbia River
Peace Corps Association, Maryland RPCV Happy Hour, RPCVs of Washington
New Member Brunch...
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/calen_search_month.cfm>

. Peace Corps community news clippings updated daily!
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1077&ref=1>

. Making a Difference -- Stories from our Community
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1377>


------------------------------------------------------------------------

*New Logo Items Are Coming Soon*

Just in time for your holiday shopping, we're pulling together Peace
Corps-themed logo-wear and gift items. Look for information on our
homepage <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org> and in the next issue.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Support NPCA*

Through the Combined Federal Campaign

*CFC #1281*

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Did You Know...*

/WorldView/ magazine is available online!

That's right. Many of the stories that you enjoy in print format are
also Web accessible. Plus, you can read "Dispatches" - Web-only stories
from the developing world.

worldviewmagazine.com <http://www.worldviewmagazine.com>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

kids connect with kids...
all around the world

*www.katw.org* <http://www.katw.org>



------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe/Unsubscribe
<http://smtp.rpcv.org/mailman/listinfo/npcanews_smtp.rpcv.org> | Join
NPCA <https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page> |
Contribute to NPCA <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/support.cfm>
| Update Contact Information
<https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page> | Disclaimer
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1037&ref=1&fin=2>

National Peace Corps Association . 1900 L Street NW Suite 205 .
Washington, DC 20036 . 202.293.7728 news@... <mailto:news@...>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There is a typographical error in the recent Connecting that gives
the wrong date for the Alameda County Food Bank Activity.  The
correct date is 16 December from 1:00 to 4:00.
The Food Bank is at 7900 Edgewater Drive in Oakland.  Take the
Hegenberger Road exit from 880; right on Edgewater to the site.
RPCVs from all regional groups are welcome to this worthwhile
activity.  To RSVP contact Raleigh Ellisen at 510-527-1141 or
<jellisen@...>.

To recognize World AIDS Day, Leland High School in South San Jose is
looking for a couple of RPCVs to speak at after-school events next
week (Nov. 27 - Dec. 1).

If you are an RPCV who did HIV/AIDS-related work and are willing to
speak to Leland High School students next week, please contact
Shaina at 408-398-2007, or shaina120@....

Thanks for your help.

-Sean
_____________________

Sean Kennedy
Peace Corps Recruiter
San Francisco Regional Office
(510) 637-1525
RPCV Mali, '98-'00

PLEASE FORWARD THIS ANNOUNCEMENT!

Peace Corps invites you to:

"Stories from the Heart of a Pandemic"
A panel in recognition of World AIDS Day

Wednesday, November 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
World Affairs Council Auditorium
312 Sutter Street, Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108

In recognition of World AIDS Day, a panel of former Peace Corps
volunteers and a Peace Corps country director will share stories
from the front lines of the global HIV/AIDS crisis. Worldwide, Peace
Corps volunteers have reached nearly 900,000 people through their
work on HIV/AIDS. Come learn how you, too, can make a difference as
a Peace Corps volunteer. For more information, please contact Sean
Kennedy, 510-637-1525 or skennedy@....
www.peacecorps.gov/events


MORE INFORMATION:
This panel is one of many Peace Corps events taking place nationwide
in recognition of World AIDS Day. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of
the most serious worldwide threats to public health and development.
The United Nations estimates that 40 million people worldwide are
living with HIV. Last year alone, there were 4.1 million new HIV
infections, and 2.8 million people lost their lives to AIDS.

Peace Corps has become an important force in the fight against
HIV/AIDS because its volunteers live and work in some of the most
impacted communities in the world. Peace Corps carries out HIV-
related projects in every one of its partner countries in Africa and
nearly half of its partner countries in the rest of the world.
Worldwide, 20 percent of Peace Corps volunteers are assigned to
projects in health and HIV/AIDS. Peace Corps volunteers do not
provide direct medical care; rather, they help communities build
their own capacity for prevention, care, and treatment. For example,
Peace Corps volunteers train youth as peer educators. They work with
community leaders to develop education materials. And they provide
support to children orphaned by the disease. Worldwide, Peace Corps
volunteers have reached nearly 900,000 people through their work on
HIV/AIDS.

And health volunteers are not the only ones making a difference.
HIV/AIDS activities are woven into all Peace Corps programs -—
including business, agriculture, education and the environment. In a
sense, ALL Peace Corps volunteers are HIV/AIDS volunteers, because
they live as members of communities. Wherever the pandemic affects a
coworker, neighbor or friend, a Peace Corps volunteer is working to
fight the spread and stigma of AIDS.

Hello all,

  The evite did not go out as planned.  It will be sent out soon.  If you do not
receive it, we're sorry.
  The general details:

  Sunday, December 17, 5-9pm
  Kristen Kanerva's house (Ecuador 01-03)
  850 Alabama Street, #8
  San Francisco, CA

  We are raising money for NorCal and its Grants program.  Entry fee is $10 (or
$15 if you want to join NorCal) and we will be selling ornamental Peace Doves
and raffling off holiday goodies.

  More details?  Just email us back.

  PS--Wear great holiday socks!  We'll be removing our shoes to preserve our
host's floors!


Ben Bellows and Holly Dreier
Your eConnection Team

Considering supporting NorCal with an active paid membership. Visit NPCA at
https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page or email us
norcalpca@...


---------------------------------
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

For those of you who did not receive the evite, but marked your calendars----

  I wrote the wrong address!  The REAL location of the holiday party is 350
Alabama Street, #8.  Sorry for the confusion.

  Hope to see you there!


Ben Bellows and Holly Dreier
Your eConnection Team

Considering supporting NorCal with an active paid membership. Visit NPCA at
https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page or email us
norcalpca@...


---------------------------------
Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Public Health Institute is offering an internship with their Land Use and
Health project.  Please pass this on to anyone who might be interested.

Thanks,
Jenn

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello all -

My name is Clare and I'm a newly-returned PCV (Senegal 04-06) who's
looking to start a lease in the East Bay area in late December/early
January. I'm hoping to be at Berkeley's Graduate School of
Journalism next fall, so would like to be close to campus or a BART
station/bus stop.

What I'm looking for:
- Rent/utilities in the $600-$650 range
- A single room
- A well-loved kitchen
- High-speed internet
- Friendly, laid-back roommate(s)

And in an ideal world...
- Off-street parking
- Hardwood floors and big windows :)
- World peace

About me: I'm female, 25, and originally from Louisiana. I have done
both solitary (mud hut) and group (PC crashpad) living, am generally
laid-back, maintain a moderate level of cleanliness, and am a movie
lover and aspiring foodie (veggie-friendly). I have a blog/gallery at
http://claremajor.net

I'll be in the Bay from Dec 2-12 trying to find a place to live -- I'd
love to hear from you if you're either looking to rent out a room or
looking for an apt/house-hunt buddy. Thanks!

Come one and all to Heidi's Holiday Party!

RPCV Holiday Party
friends, family, children welcome
Heidi's House
990 Benito Court
Pacific Grove
Sunday Dec. 17th  4:30 p.m.
Please bring snack/finger food to share

Heidi will provide her famous holiday cookies and molded wine and light the
candles on her Christmas tree. (yes, real candles, and no they don't burn the
tree down.  What do you think they did before electricity?  If you've never seen
it you are in for a treat!)

RSVP appreciated although not essential:
(831) 642-0318
heidipg@...

Directions:
From Hwy 1 take the 68 West/ Pacific Grove exit.  Wind through woods, past
hospital.  Before Forest Hill shopping Center take left onto Presidio,
immediately right onto Funston, then immediately left onto Patterson, than
immediately right onto Benito Court.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**_EARLY BIRD RATE INCREASES AFTER DECEMBER 20

_**
_*Innovation, Advancement, and Best Practices To Achieve Global Goals
**Unite For Sight Fourth Annual International Health Conference*_
*    APRIL 14-15, 2007 - STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,
CALIFORNIA, USA

MORE THAN 300 Renowned Speakers From North America, Latin America,
Africa, Asia, and Europe - An Energizing Weekend of Ideas and Exchange
of Best Practices to Achieve Global Goals and to Make a Difference
*http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2007/index.php
*
***Please also feel free to forward this message to anyone who may be
interested in attending.**

*Register Today For A Reduced Rate! (Current Rate is $60 Students/$80
All Others - *_EARLY BIRD RATE INCREASES AFTER DECEMBER 20_**
http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2007/index.php

*When:* April 14-15, 2007
*Where:* Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
*Theme:* "Innovation, Advancement, and Best Practices To Achieve Global
Goals"
*Who should attend?*Anyone interested in eye care, international health,
medicine, health education, health promotion, public health,
international service, social entrepreneurship, nonprofits, or
microenterprise
*Conference Goal: *To exchange ideas across disciplines about best
practices in public health, medicine and research, and international
health and development.  Conference topics range from/ "The Right to
Health: Towards Social Inclusion and Universal Health Care in Latin
America"/ and /"Antiretroviral Drugs and Issues of Drug Access and
Quality in the Developing World"/ to /"Global Progress in Preventing the
Burden of Blindness and Other Diseases Caused by Measles and Rubella"/
and /"Once I Was Blind....The Challenges of Eye Care in Ghana"/**

     * Join over 1,500 leaders, doctors, professionals, and students from
       5 continents
     * More than 300 speakers about eye care, public health,
       international development, entrepreneurship, microfinance, policy
       and advocacy, bioethics, and medicine
     * Exchange ideas about best practices to achieve global goals in
       health and development


         _COMPLETE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE WITH 300 SPEAKERS:
         _http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2007/index.php


         ·         General Topics With Conference Sessions


         a.      Global Health


         b.      Overseas Volunteering


         c.       Health and Human Rights


         d.      Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship


         e.       Refugee Health


         f.       HIV/AIDS


         g.      Infectious Disease


         h.      International Health and Development By Region


         i.        Global Eye Care


         j.        Glaucoma Symposium



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I am the program associate for Relief International-Schools Online and the
coordinator for the LINC Exploration and Empowerment Program.  I contacted the
Peace Corps office and was directed to speak to you regarding our program. LINC
is an environmental and community service program with an exchange component to
Bangladesh. I have selected 10 high school students in the Bay area to
participate in this year long program.  As the exchange coordinator, I am
responsible for training and preparing my students for the exchange to
Bangladesh and environmental service projects through various workshops.  On
Sunday, December 17th I will be holding a workshop on International Volunteerism
and Development and it would be invaluable for my students if a Peace Corps
Volunteer could come in and discuss the importance of grassroots development,
volunteerism, and the mission of the Peace Corps.  The information session will
be held at the College Preparatory School in Oakland.  Most of my
  students come from low income families and so CPS is easy to reach via public
transportation.  If you could please let me know if a Peace Corps Volunteer is
available I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your help!

  Best,
  Payal

  Payal Pathak
  Exchange Coordinator Associate
  Relief International-Schools Online
  255 Shoreline Dr. Suite 520
  Redwood Shores, CA 94065
  (650)486-2456
  http://www.ri.org <http://www.ri.org/>
  http://www.schoolsonline.org <http://www.schoolsonline.org/>


Ben Bellows and Holly Dreier
Your eConnection Team

Considering supporting NorCal with an active paid membership. Visit NPCA at
https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page or email us
norcalpca@...


---------------------------------
Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi All -
an old friend of mine started a website he's trying to get off the
ground
called "Pros and Cons".  He envisions it being an easy access depot of
information where people who don't have the time or patience for due
diligence need to make quick decisions.

In any case, in helping him out with this, I created a topic, but
haven't
had the time to add anything.  If you're interested in checking it out,
here's the links below - we need to put some pros and cons of serving
as a
Peace Corps Volunteer.  Might be a fun diversion.  Click on the  bottom
link.
cheers
Scott
(Niger 97-01)


_________________
Peace Corps Volunteering

www.peacecorps.gov
Peace Corps service is a 27 month commitment - 3 months of pre-service
training followed by 2 years of service.  Peace Corps is an
independent US
federal agency, they work in over 70 countries.  Volunteer opportunities
are available in 5 different sectors: Education, Health,
Agriculture/Environment, Business, and Community Development.
Assignments
vary from English teaching, farming, youth development, to business
consulting and NGO capacity building/development.

http://prosandcons.com/

Susan Silber <sus_si@...> wrote: Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:45:22 -0800
(PST)
From: Susan Silber <sus_si@...>
Subject: "An Inconvenient Truth" available FREE to teachers!
To: norcalpca@...

  For all you teachers out there...

"AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH" DVDS FOR TEACHERS
50,000 copies of the acclaimed documentary about
global warming will be donated on a first come, first
serve basis to teachers across the country interested
in using the film as a teaching tool in classrooms via
Participate.net. This generous donation was made
possible with the cooperation of Paramount Vantage,
Participant Productions, The Environmental Media
Association, and private funders.

The DVD's will be given away starting Monday, December
18, 2006 thru Thursday, January 18, 2007. Teachers are
encouraged to log on to Participate.net to request the
DVD, which will be delivered within 6-8 weeks. A free
curriculum guide is also available for download.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com



Ben Bellows and Holly Dreier
Your eConnection Team

Considering supporting NorCal with an active paid membership. Visit NPCA at
https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page or email us
norcalpca@...

  __________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Volume 3, Issue 11

www.peacecorpsconnect.org <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org>

December 2006




       *The NPCA Shop at CaféPress.com Is Open for Business*

Just in time for the holidays...NPCA has opened a "shop" at
CaféPress.com featuring a selection of Peace Corps-related apparel and
merchandise. Let the world know what an "RPCV" is or pass the Peace
Corps message on to the next generation with one of our very cute baby
onesies or kid t-shirts.

Visit www.cafepress.com/pcorpsconnect
<http://www.cafepress.com/pcorpsconnect>

Every purchase you make supports the NPCA's advocacy, global education
and Peace Corps community building efforts. This is our maiden voyage
with CaféPress and a "work in progress." So if there is merchandise or
are messages you'd like to see in the future, let our News Director
<mailto:news@...> know.




       *And the Winner is...
       Update on GlobalGiving.com Challenge Grant*

Last month NPCA and GlobalGiving.com announced a challenge grant in
conjunction with our pilot program, RPCVs Project!
<http://www.globalgiving.com/npca.html?RF=npca_Q306>. Any of the three
featured RPCVs Project! projects that generated 100 or more donations by
December 15, 2006 would receive $5,000 in funding. Well...drum roll
please... both Friends of Burkina Faso and the High Atlas Foundation met
those goals. Congratulations!

Visit NPCA's page at GlobalGiving.com
<http://www.globalgiving.com/npca.html?RF=npca_Q306> to learn how RPCVs
Project! uses the power of the Internet to help our community promote
high-impact, grassroots projects around the world--projects with direct
links to RPCVs and NPCA members. Consider making a contribution in honor
of someone on your holiday list. Spread the word. If this NPCA
initiative is successful, we hope to make this available to more groups.




       *RPCVs Hold Peace Corps Reunions In-Country*

Put three former Peace Corps volunteers or Peace Corps staff members
together anywhere and you have an instant reunion. Some country of
service groups, however, are doing things on a grander scale to mark 40
years of Peace Corps.

In October close to 100 former volunteers, non-returned volunteers as
well as teachers and staff came together in Korea for several days of
events. Peace Corps/Korea officially ended in 1981, but it's still not
unusual to meet Koreans from all walks of life--from taxi drivers to
diplomats--who vividly recall their first encounters with PCVs as middle
school English teachers in the late 1960s. Click here
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1651&ref=1&fin=2>
to hear more about this fabulous reunion.

In-country reunions are slated for Dominican Republic in February and
Thailand in March, so look for more reunion stories in coming
e-newsletter issues.




       *"Peace Corps Entrepreneurs on the Edge" Set to Launch Next Month*

Several months ago we put out a call for nominations of Peace Corps
alumni who are "social entrepreneurs."

We're pleased to report that our collaboration with Social Edge
<http://www.socialedge.org/>, a project of the Skoll Foundation, to
produce 50 brief podcast profiles of Peace Corps social entrepreneurs is
moving along nicely. The new Social Edge website, featuring the
podcasts, will launch on January 19. To date, seven interviews have been
completed with RPCVs such as Dave Schweidenback (founder of Pedals for
Progress), Jerr Boschee (founder of the Institute for Social
Entrepreneurs) and Pat Christen (President of HopeLab). More profiles
will debut throughout the year...stay tuned!




       *NPCA Part of Building Bridges Campaign*

NPCA is joining numerous like-minded organizations in support of the
Building Bridges Campaign. As the need to increase dialogue and
cooperation between the United States and people of different countries
grows, the *Brookings Institution Initiative on International
Volunteering and Service* seeks to explore ways in which the culture of
volunteerism can help enhance global understanding and security. The
Building Bridges Campaign has an ambitious goal--to double the number of
Americans that volunteer overseas every year. Lex Rieffel, who served as
a Peace Corps volunteer in India in the 1960s, is spearheading the
effort. Click here <http://www.brookings.edu/global/volunteer> to learn
more.




       *RPCVs Speak on Reproductive Health Overseas*

Recently Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope shared the Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars stage with five other returned
Peace Corps volunteers who have worked in reproductive health programs
overseas. Panelists discussed the evolution of programs from concerns
with about population to women's rights and family health. Click here
<http://www.rpcv.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1647&ref=2> to learn more and
to get the link to a video webcast of the event.




       *Friends of Ukraine Creates Sister College Partnership*

Returned volunteers continue to foster cultural understanding in many
ways. With the help of a grant from the NPCA, Friends of Ukraine has
created a program of sister college relationships between U.S.
universities and colleges, and institutions in Ukraine. They'd like
share their experiences and help RPCVs create similar partnerships in
their countries of service. Click here
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1652&ref=1&fin=2>
to read a Q&A conversation with Jodi Simek (Ukraine 98-00) who chairs
the Sister College Partnership Program.




       *NPCA Advocacy: 2006 Year in Review*

A highly successful Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. Multiple resources to
assist and engage advocates on a range of global issues. More than 30
outreach events in twelve states.

These were among the 2006 highlights of NPCA's Advocacy Program. Click
here <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1641> for
the 2006 NPCA Advocacy Year in Review, with summary of activities,
photos from the past year, and links to get connected for 2007. Click
here <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1055> for
current Advocacy Program headlines.




       *It's Been a Busy Year at NPCA*

December is the month when we look back on the many accomplishments of
the year.

     * Things started off on a high in early January, when the President
       signed legislation to rescind an earlier initative tying Peace
       Corps service to military recruitment
       <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1320>.
       NPCA spotlighted the issue and coordinated our community's
       successful advocacy effort.
     * We held 10 very successful Open House events around the country in
       celebration of the 40th anniversary of Peace Corps
       <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1385>,
       culminating in special events in Washington, DC in September.
     * Add in a special issue of WorldView magazine
       <http://www.worldviewmagazine.com/issues/issue.cfm?id=43> and our
       various advocacy and global education efforts, and it's been quite
       a year!

Big thanks go to the many, many supporters who made it all happen: our
board, advisory council, group leaders, members and supporters. Have a
wonderful holiday season!










       *In This Issue*

. The NPCA Shop at CaféPress.com Is Open for Business <#11>

. And the Winner is... GlobalGiving.com Challenge Grant <#22>

. RPCVs Hold Peace Corps Reunions In-Country <#33>

. "Peace Corps Entrepreneurs on the Edge" Set to Launch Next Month <#44>

. NPCA Part of Building Bridges Campaign <#55>

. RPCVs Speak on Reproductive Health Overseas <#66>

. Friends of Ukraine Creates Sister College Partnership <#77>

. NPCA Advocacy: 2006 Year in Review <#88>

. It's Been a Busy Year at NPCA <#99>

------------------------------------------------------------------------


       *Peace Corps
       Community News*

. President of Benin visits and thanks Peace Corps
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=11\
71>

. Peace Corps Turns Hope Into Action On World AIDS Day
<http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=11\
69>

. Out of Africa, Onto the Web: NY Times profile of RPCV Reed Hastings,
Netflix CEO
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/jobs/17boss.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>

. Serving in Sudan : Couple help develop schools in war-torn African
nation
<http://www.tfponline.com/QuickHeadlines.asp?sec=e&URL=http://epaper.tfponline.c\
om/WebChannel/ShowStory.asp%3FPath%3DChatTFPress/2006/12/15%26ID%3DAr04101>

. Corvallis woman creates libraries in Africa
<http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2006/12/14/news/community/6aaa01_librarybo\
oks.txt>

. St. Louis team fights crop killer in Africa
<http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/sciencemedicine/story/0E96D8B\
196362C0A8625723F0022D403?OpenDocument>

. Boy Scout's efforts commemorate life of fallen Peace Corps volunteer
<http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061209/NEWS01/61209\
0335/1002/NEWS01>

. Outgoing Mass. Environment Chief to serve as Ghana Country Director
<http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/12/06/outgoing_environment_chief\
_sets_his_sights_on_peace_corps/>

. Alberto Ibargüen is named Newseum Chairman
<http://www.globalgiving.com/npca.html?RF=npca_Q306>

. On the NPCA Bulletin board: International Youth Volunteerism Summit,
Masters in Latin America Studies...more
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/msghome.cfm?category=13>

. Seeking: Eyo White is seeking Patrick Nye who served in Liberia, Dixie
Fraser Singh who served in Sierra Leone and Nigeria
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/seeking.cfm>

. On the NPCA Calendar: RPCVs of South Florida Partnership Dinner, Film
and Panel Discussion, Everglades outing...
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/calen_search_month.cfm>

. Peace Corps community news clippings updated daily!
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1077&ref=1>

. Making a Difference -- Stories from our Community
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1377>


------------------------------------------------------------------------

*We're Moving Offices*

In early January, NPCA will be moving offices. Not very far, just
upstairs in the same building from Suite 205 to Suite 404. We hope
you'll understand that despite our best efforts there might be some
slight disruption of services.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Tony P. Hall Joins
NPCA Advisory Council*

We're pleased to announce that Tony P. Hall (Thailand 66-67)--former
U.S. Congressman and former Ambassador to the U.N. Agencies for Food and
Agriculture--has joined the NPCA Advisory Council
<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1148>. Tony's
recent book, "Changing the Face of Hunger," was recently excerpted in
/WorldView/ magazine.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Like to Write, Edit?*

We're looking for a volunteer to help compile and edit brief alumni news
items. If interested, contact news@... <mailto:news@...>



------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Did You Know...*

/WorldView/ magazine is available online!

That's right. Many of the stories that you enjoy in print format are
also Web accessible. Plus, you can read "Dispatches" - Web-only stories
from the developing world.

worldviewmagazine.com <http://www.worldviewmagazine.com>



------------------------------------------------------------------------

kids connect with kids...
all around the world

*www.katw.org* <http://www.katw.org>





------------------------------------------------------------------------

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NPCA <https://www.npcaonline.org/npcassa/ssaauthmain.login_page> |
Contribute to NPCA <http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/support.cfm>
| Update Contact Information
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<http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1037&ref=1&fin=2>

National Peace Corps Association . 1900 L Street NW Suite 205 .
Washington, DC 20036 . 202.293.7728 news@... <mailto:news@...>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

(It was suggested that this could go to a larger RPCV audience than the
NorCalJobs list.)
** Two ** job postings at my nonprofit in San Francisco. Please respond by email
as directed in the message.
Best wishes - Stephen Brown   Uruguay 68-70

QA  Lead Applications  Development and Support Team  Do you want to use your
tech skills to make a difference in the world? Are you interested in working
with fun, creative, talented people who feel passionately about making
technology accessible to everyone? Would your ideal work environment be one in
which people's contributions are welcomed and encouraged? Are you looking for
the energy and fast pace of a startup with the ability to make things happen?

Who We  Are

CompuMentor is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help other
nonprofits find and adopt the technology they need to more effectively serve
their constituents. Founded in 1987, we currently have more than 140 staff
members and an annual budget of about $15.5 million.

   Originally we concentrated on helping nonprofits and schools through a
mentor-matching program and hands-on consulting primarily in Northern California
. Six years ago, we launched TechSoup (www.techsoup. org), which hosts an online
magazine, discussion forums, events calendar, free downloads database, and other
resources -- all geared towards helping nonprofits make better technology
decisions. TechSoup, along with its TechSoup Stock (www.techsoup. org/stock)
technology product donation distribution service, has helped CompuMentor expand
its services to tens of thousands of nonprofits in the U.S. and around the
globe.

We're now embarking on a grand initiative to redesign and expand our site, our
content, and our services with innovative technologies in order to better serve
the nonprofit community. We're also reaching beyond our original U.S. audience
and forming partnerships and relationships with non-governmental organizations
all around the world. Come join us for this exciting ride forward!

  What  You’ll Do   You will be the QA Lead in the IT Department, helping us to
develop a QA team, from the ground up.  You will be responsible for assisting us
in putting together the formal processes and systems to ensure that our
enterprise applications are tested based on risk, with the available resources. 
Initially as we develop a suite of test cases, and automated testing, some work
doing hands-on testing will be required.  As we work to expend our services
internationally, it becomes even more important that we focus our testing on
areas of the highest level of risk, and you will be responsible for ensuring
that the testing that is done focuses on those areas, as well as ensuring that
we are creating repeatable processes that are scalable as needed.  You will work
with the project management team, the application development team, our business
partners and external vendors to coordinate testing efforts to reduce software
flaws and lower business risk.

  Specific  Responsibilities:



    Assist in the hiring  and managing of a QA team of employees and contractors
    Assist in the  creation of test procedures, and over QA processes, including
the maintenance of  documented procedures to  ensure process transparency, and
constant quality  improvement
    Oversee the  maintenance of a library of technical test cases to facilitate
future  testing
    Developing, Publishing and maintaining testing estimates, risk analysis
documentation, test plans, test cases, bug reports, and release sign-off
documentation
    Assist in mentoring  QA team in the creation of the above documentation
    Reporting on QA  status
    Hands on testing of  products against specifications
    Assisting in guiding  developers in unit testing
    Leading the testing  activities of QA engineers
    Tracking issues  through resolution
    Work with the QA automation engineer to implement an automated testing
system, including modifying testing processes to account for automation.
    Assist in the  cross-training of QA testers
    Review issues  submitted by users and understand business priorities

  Skills  You Need

  We are looking for an experienced QA professional who can understand our
business and technical needs and assist in ensuring the quality and success of
our IT projects. You should have experience in a QA role, working with web-based
business applications.  You should be familiar with QA testing best practices
and have experience in several QA labs.


    Exceptional  attention to detail
    Ability to  understand complex business applications
    Working knowledge of  quality assurance methodologies
    A demonstrated  career commitment to testing and/or QA methodologies is 
preferred
    4+ years of QA experience.  This experience should include work with
commercial-grade e-commerce systems and/or enterprise-level processing systems
    Ability to  understand business requirements, as well as technical  solutions
    Have a solid  understanding  of business applications, database technologies,
and client server  applications
    Must have excellent  planning and organization skills
    Must have strong  demonstrated teamwork skills, including flexibility of 
hours
    Excellent verbal and  written skills
  Want to apply?    Compensation: We have an excellent benefits package and a
flexible work environment. Our salaries are competitive for nonprofit
organizations, but less than comparable to salaries in corporate environments.

  To be considered for this position, please follow these  steps:

    Review our Web sites  at: www.compumentor. org and www.techsoup. org and
www.techsoup. org/stock
    Send a cover email  that:
  a. addresses your ability to do this  work
  b. gives an overview of your programming  and technology skills
  c. demonstrates an understanding of your commitment to the nonprofit sector,
including your willingness to work for the stated salary range.

    Include your resume  as text pasted within the body of your email to
QALead@compumentor. org

  Please use job title as the subject of your  email.

  PLEASE NOTE:   Attachments will not be opened.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------------------------
QA Automation  Engineer  Do you want to use your tech skills to make a
difference in the world? Are you interested in working with fun, creative,
talented people who feel passionately about making technology accessible to
everyone? Would your ideal work environment be one in which people's
contributions are welcomed and encouraged? Are you looking for the energy and
fast pace of a startup with the ability to make things happen?

Who We  Are

(See section above)


What  You’ll Do  You will be the QA Automation Engineer in the IT Department,
helping us to develop an automated system of QA testing, from the ground up to
ensure that we can test our system as thoroughly and efficiently, but at as low
cost as possible.

  You will be responsible for assisting us in analyzing our needs and options to
understand what testing automation tools would work best for us, and then
acquiring, installing and implementing this test automation system. You will be
responsible for writing automated test scripts, and doing integration testing
and other systems level testing. You may be asked to assist developers in
understanding how to create automated testing, and you will need to create a
testing framework that can be accessed by developers to test their code.

  You will also be asked to mentor other QA professionals on how to use the
automated testing system, as well as how to develop their own skills in creating
automated test scripts.

  Specific  Responsibilities:



    Participate in the  automation tool selection process
    Develop and execute   automated tests using the selected tool
    Integrate the test  suites with the existing testing systems to ensure
quality and  coverage
    Develop written  documentation on the use of the QA automation testing
    Assist QA testers in  developing test cases that are ready for automation
    Assist in developing  testing procedures that take most advantage of
automated  testing
    Work with application developers to understand system functionality and
execute non-automation related systems testing, such as integration testing
    Maintain automated  test cases based upon changes to testing scripts
    Solid understanding  of the build release process and configuration 
management
    Manage scheduling,  execution and reporting for systems and project-level
testing  suites
    Assist in the creation of automated test procedures, and QA processes,
including the maintenance of documented procedures to ensure process
transparency, and constant quality improvement
    Reporting on  automated testing status
    Tracking issues  through resolution
    Review issues  submitted by users and understand business priorities
    Assist in providing  feedback in new hires for the QA Team

  Skills  You Need

  We are looking for an experienced QA automation professional who can understand
our business and technical needs and assist in ensuring the quality and success
of our IT projects. You should have experience with QA automation and systems
level testing, working with web-based business applications. You should be
familiar with QA testing best practices and have experience in several QA labs.


    Experience using  third party automation tools, such as Silk Test, WinRunner,
or other automated  testing tools
    Expertise in test  strategy development
    Excellent  understanding and judgment on what testing makes sense to 
automate
    Exceptional  attention to  detail
    Ability to  understand complex business applications
    Working knowledge of  quality assurance methodologies
    A demonstrated  career commitment to testing and/or QA methodologies is 
preferred
    4+ years of QA automation experience.  This experience should include work
with commercial-grade e-commerce systems and/or enterprise-level processing
systems
    Ability to  understand business requirements, as well as technical  solutions
    Have a solid  understanding of business applications, database technologies,
and client-server  applications
    Must have excellent  planning and organizational skills
    Must have strong  demonstrated teamwork skills, including flexibility of 
hours
    Excellent verbal and  written skills
  Want to apply?  Compensation: We have an excellent benefits package and a
flexible work environment. Our salaries are competitive for nonprofit
organizations, but less comparable to salaries in corporate environments.

  To be considered for this position, please follow these  steps:


    Review our Web sites  at: www.compumentor.org and www.techsoup.org and
www.techsoup.org/stock
    Send a cover email  that:
  a. addresses your ability to do this  work
  b. gives an overview of your programming  and technology skills
  c. demonstrates an understanding of your  commitment to the nonprofit sector.

    Include your resume  as text pasted within the body of your email to
IT_Jobs@...

  Please use job title as the subject  of your email.

  PLEASE NOTE:   Attachments will not be opened.

  CompuMentor is dedicated to creating and supporting an environment of openness,
trust, and fun where people's differences are valued and respected, and where
people of diverse backgrounds participate fully in our organization. We believe
that the diverse cultures and perspectives of our staff will help us better
serve our clients. CompuMentor is an equal opportunity agency and will not allow
discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability,
race, size, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background.







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Many RPCVs continue their interests in the international arena vocationally or
avocationally.  And many of you continue to fulfill the Peace Corps' third goal
by enlightening others as to what you are doing in this area.  The Planning
Committee of the International Relations Forum of the prestigious Commonwealth
Club in San Francisco is entertaining nominations for speakers on topics of
interest to audiences of up to 80 people.  They are particularly interested in
expanding their list of topics beyond Europe.  In fact, the Club has two other
Commitees focusing on the East and the Mid-East, which includes most of northern
Africa.
As a Committee member, I would like to offer nominations of RPCVs to make a
Forum presentation.  There are no travel expenses or honorarium, save for the
prestige of adding your Club presentation to your resume.
If you are interested, please send me a one-page summary of who you are, what
you do, and what subject you would like to present with a few bullets on what
might be included in your talk, so I can let the Commitee members know why your
topic would be of interest to others.  If you know of others who would make good
speakers, please pass this information to them.  They need not be RPCVs or
X-staff.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call me in San Mateo: 
650-525-1045.
Look forward to hearing from you and wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Karen Keefer, RPCV/Nigeria & Liberia + X-staff/HQ


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]