what about carpooling for  the  Guadalupe trip?


--- North_Texas_Peace_Corps@yahoogroups.com wrote:

>
>  Reminder from the Calendar of
> North_Texas_Peace_Corps
>
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/North_Texas_Peace_Corps/cal
>
> Guadelupe River Float
> Saturday August 19, 2006
> All Day
> (This event does not repeat.)
> (The next reminder for this event will be sent in 5
> days, 23 hours, 51 minutes.)
> Event Location: Canyon, TX
>
> Notes:
> An old, great NTPCA tradition is being revived.
> Kathy Carson is leading all Texas RPCVs back to an
> inner tube float down the Guadalupe River on
> Saturday, August 19. Houston, Austin, and San
> Antonio RPCVs and friends are our invited guests.
> The float will be below the Canyon Lake Dam on the
> Guadalupe River -- 13 miles west of IH 35, exit 191
> on the north side of New Braunfells. In other words,
> the float is about 250 miles from DFW. We will meet
> for breakfast at Old Sattler's Baking Company, 2000
> Fm 2673, Canyon Lake, TX at 9:00  A.M.
> Optional tent camping is available for $28 a night
> at White
>
>
> Set up birthday reminders!
>
>
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/cal_us/rem/?http://groups.yahoo.com/group/North_Texas_Pea\
ce_Corps/cal?v=9&evt_type=13
>
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>


Brynne Sissom, CG, QDE
http://abchandwriting.com

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Hello North Texas area RPCVs,

An urgent plea from the Dallas Regional Recruiting Office: we need
your pictures!  So before you go tubing, pull out those slide shows
and scrapbooks and find your Peace Corps photos.

We are putting together an Education presentation, and would love to
feature our lovely North Texas heroes.

We are looking for any shots of PCVs teaching, in a classroom or
school, with students, etc.  We want to give people an idea of what
Peace Corps Education programs look like.

Please send your electronic photos to Shannon Borders at
sborders@... by the end of next week, Friday August
18th.  (And if you know of anyone else who might have some shots,
feel free to forward this email on!)

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email.

Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much for your support,
Laura Booher

I just recently received this email from a sister of a co-worker -
perhaps we can help...

Dear Friends and Family:

As many of you know, I am in my final months (only 4!) of a two year
contract as a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia.  Before I go, there
is a project which I must make happen.  I am currently working with
another volunteer to produce an AIDS awareness CD of Namibian
artists called NamibiAlive!, which will be distributed for free to
the 5000+ long-distance buses in Namibia.

So far it's been loads of fun...we've made new friends who are all
really good people as well as talented musicians.  It's also been
tons of work...we're still full-time teachers, and our primary
responsibility is to our students.  But AIDS is not just a problem
affecting our villages and our schools.  One in five Namibians is
infected, and this amazing country is in serious trouble.

So we're taking our fight against AIDS from the classroom to the
highway (where the highest HIV prevalence rates are found), and
we're asking you to help.  We have a talented group of artists on
board and great support from the media, but it will cost
approximately U.S.$10,000 to produce and replicate the CDs.  We're
pursuing local sponsors, but the spirit of corporate giving is a new
concept in Namibia, so we're also looking for donations from the
States.

If you are interested in collecting donations at work, school,
church, etc., I have attached a 'Change for Change' fundraising
flier for NamibiAlive.  If you would like to find out more about the
project or make a direct contribution, go to
http://www.myspace.com/namibialive which showcases our new logo
(we're rather proud) and has links to our Paypal account where you
can make debit or credit card donations, and websites for Namibian
musicians, fact sheets for HIV in Namibia, general information about
Namibia.

If you have any additional ideas for fundraising activities or
questions about the project, feel free to email me directly, or use
our project email
account: namibialive@....

Thank you, wonderful people! -Amy



Before I finish my Peace Corps service in December, I have a project
I want to make happen, and I'm hoping that you can help...if only to
give me feedback.

As you know, for almost two years I have taught English in a bush
school and lived on a traditional homestead, which has been an
amazing experience.  I have done my best to educate my students
and 'family' members about AIDS-nearly 30% of the population is HIV-
positive.  I feel like I have had some small successes...just last
weekend we took 12 students for HIV testing and counseling...very
cool.  The problem is that AIDS is no small problem in Namibia.
So...my fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Dan Cwirka, and I came up with
a project that would reach a larger population than our respective
classrooms.

As volunteers, Dan and I are not among the more privileged driving-
class of Namibia, and along with the majority of the population,
when we want to go somewhere, we must try our luck in taxis that are
much like speeding time-bombs; or even worse, when traveling longer
distances, we allow ourselves to be packed into overcrowded,
steaming hot mini-buses called combis.  Besides being uncomfortable
and unsafe (they easily tip over), you can rely on combis to blare
the same terrible CD for the duration of your
8-12 hour journey.  Inspiration strikes!

Why not give all of the combi buses in Namibia (around 5,000) a CD
of good, local music with HIV and AIDS awareness messages from the
artists between tracks?  This would be an especially effective tool
for AIDS awareness, because the messages would be coming from
musicians...very influential and respected individuals.  It would
also target a group at high-risk for contracting and spreading HIV-
the combi drivers who are generally young, mobile and with
expendable income, not to mention the thousands of Namibians who
travel on combi buses every day.

Well, we've been pursuing this idea, and we have managed to get a
full track-list of established Namibian artists to agree to let us
use their songs and record messages for an AIDS awareness album we
are calling ALIVE!
Music with a Message.  We've also gotten major media outlets to
support our efforts.  It's been a very exciting month.  What we
haven't done is get the funding to actually produce these CDs.  The
production of a master CD is relatively inexpensive (around U.S.
$1,000) and the replication of 5,000 plus CDs will cost under U.S.
$10,000.  We've put administrative costs, including promotion, at
around U.S. $1,000...Grand total, U.S. $12,000.  No small amount,
but not wildly impossible either.

Ideally, we would get a mix of Namibian public and private sector
organizations to sponsor the CD and cover its production costs.  We
are pursing this to the best of our abilities-we are still full-time
teachers who live in the bush...bad cell phone reception, a 2 to 5
hour journey to use internet, and a good 8 to 12 hours (on a combi)
from prospective sponsors'
offices.  We are also on a tight timeline as our contract is
finished December 15, 2006.  It is important that Namibians are
invested in the project, and as previously stated, ideally that
would mean financial investment, as well as artistic and promotional
support.  But we feel that this project is important enough that it
needs to happen, regardless.

So...we are looking to use our connections in the States to help us
raise at least the initial money used to produce a master CD and
cover administrative costs (around U.S. $2,000).  Any great ideas?
Possible leads?  We are willing to try anything... fundraisers,
grants, gravelling...you name it.  I'm sorry to have rambled on
so...it's just that this is an incredibly important cause, and I
have a hard time condensing the urgency and desperation of the AIDS
epidemic in Namibia into an abbreviated plea for assistance.  Feel
free to pass this email along, and let me know if you require more
information (or information in a shortened form).

I hope this missive finds you well, and I look forward to hearing
from you soon.  -Amy Taylor

Immediate Opening: Temporary Recruiter
Peace Corps Dallas Regional Office

Job Description: Blitz Recruiter, FP-0301-7 (Equivalent to GS-07)

SCOPE
This position is located in the Dallas Regional Office under the
jurisdiction of the Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection,
Peace Corps. The incumbent serves as a Volunteer Recruiter under the
general supervision of the Regional Manager. The purpose of the
position is to recruit qualified, scarce skill applicants and to build
awareness of all Peace Corps programs in the region. This is a
temporary position and will extend from September 2 through December
22, 2006.

Responsibilites
Campaign Planning 20%
Identifies opportunities for recruitment of individuals with scarce
skill for the Dallas Regional Office's five state region (AR, LA, NM,
OK, TX), and develops comprehensive plans for both campus and
community recruitment activities.  Assists recruiters in identifying
and implementing specialty recruitment campaign blitzes.

Campaign Promotion Responsibilities 30%
Assists as a team member in marketing campaigns to promote Recruitment
events a activities. Assists Public Affairs Specialist and Recruiters
in implementing marketing campaigns. Serves as team member for campus
and community-based recruitment drives.

Reviews all information pertinent to planned campaigns and develops
recruitment/awareness plans that effectively utilize staff and other
resources to reach targeted markets, i.e. scarce skills, senior
Americans and minorities. Assists Public Affairs Specialist in
planning campaign publicity and securing local media support. Contacts
community, professional and academic resource people and
organizations, enlisting their support of local recruitment efforts.
Ensures that appropriate printed materials are prepared and necessary
equipment is secured for campaigns. Arranges public speaking
engagements and audio-visual presentations. As necessary, makes travel
accommodation and logistical arrangements related to campaigns
Assists the Regional Manager and the recruiters in the development of
the Regional Office recruiting schedule by researching possible
campaign sites, reviewing and analyzing campaign data, and
recommending recruitment dates and duration of planned visits.

Recruitment Activities 50%
Implements planned blitz recruitment campaigns. Travels to campaign
sites within the Regional Office jurisdiction to conduct on-site
awareness activities.   Makes presentation before classes, campus and
professional organizations, and community groups that promote Peace
Corps and highlight recruitment needs,  Utilizes class talks, general
and special focus information meetings and other formats in community
and campus settings to support recruitment goals. Seeks additional
opportunities to present the Peace Corps recruitment message through
public forums and the media, utilizing available technology including
the Internet. especially in scarce skill areas such as education.
Performs straightforward and non-controversial tasks to assist in the
development and maintenance of relationships with various
stakeholders. Participates in interview with print and electronic
media. Prepares written reports highlighting relevant campaign plans,
activities, and results.

Responds to general inquiries about the Peace Corps by explaining
terms and conditions of volunteer service, application and selection
procedures, etc., and provides other relevant programmatic
information. Provides written materials and applications to interested
individuals.  Encourages qualified individuals to submit applications
to the Peace Corps and tactfully discourages those people with
non-competitive skins or low motivation from applying. Counsels
non-competitive applicants in ways to enhance skills to improve future
placement possibilities.


Deadline for Application: Thursday August 24, 2006

Send letter of interest and current resume via email to: Sharon
Sugarek ssugarek@...


Sharon
Sharon E. Sugarek
Manager
Dallas Regional Recruiting Office
Peace Corps
214-253-5402
214-253-5401 (fax)

"Peace Corps at 45, a legacy of service at home and abroad"

Hello Friends,

Please join us for our second litter pick up this
Saturday morning at 9am. I have official trash bags
for every one!

The heat is over, it doesn't take as long as you
think, and it looks beautiful when we are done. Those
stacks of trash bags do leave you with a sense of a
job well done.

Let's meet Sept. 9, at the Blue Mesa Restaurant
parking lot, southwest corner of 75 and Northwest Hwy
at 9am. Our blue signs are up and we can take pride in
our two mile stretch of adopted highway.

Many hands make a miracle!
Any questions or carpooling, please call Brynne at 972-650-1647

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Hi North Texas RPCV member,

I received the following message from Schimelpfenig Middle School on
2400 Maumelle Drive in Plano.  Please consider sharing your story as
a Peace Corps volunteer to some bright-eyed and bushy tailed middle
school-ers.  Let me know if you are interested so I can share some
more information with you.
**********************************************************

Schimelpfenig Middle School is planning their 1st Annual Career Day
for Friday, November 3rd.  We are looking for parents and other
members of the community who would like to come to school and talk
about their careers. The purpose of this program is to give our
students a better idea of the world of work as well as an
understanding of some of the different choices that will be
available to them as they plan for their future.

Volunteers are needed for sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. We
welcome your participation for an hour, half day, or all day. Each
class period is 44 minutes; however, you can present for 30-35
minutes and allow the remainder of the period for questions.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and their guests are invited to
spend an evening reminiscing and gaining insight into recruitment
with Chuck Brooks, Peace Corps Associate Director for Volunteer
Recruitment and Selection.  Chuck provides leadership for each
regional recruitment office and has been instrumental in helping the
agency achieve a 30 year high of Volunteers serving in the field.
He looks forward to hearing your stories as well as sharing his
insights into Peace Corps activities and initiatives from a global
perspective.

Please join us on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Grace United
Methodist Church - Fellowship Hall (4105 Junius St., Dallas, TX
75246).  Reserve a seat by going to http://dallaspotluck9-
26.mollyguard.com or call (214) 253-5479.  In Peace Corps tradition,
please bring a dish to share.  Table service and drinks will be
provided.  Contact the Dallas Regional Office at (800) 424-8580 or
(214) 253-5400, if you have further questions.

Best regards,
Shannon Borders
Public Affairs Specialist

I'm an RPCV (Namibia, Group 11, 1998-1999) who now runs a two-year teaching
program,
the Mississippi Teacher Corps, based in the Mississippi Delta.  Many RPCV's have
served in
our program, and we place a lot of emphasis on Peace Corps service when looking
at
applicants.

If you are interested please visit our website: www.mtcorps.net or email me at
mtc@....  You can apply online at:
http://www.msteachercorps.com/mtcapplication/application.aspx

Participants teach for two years in the Delta and receive full pay and benefits,
a full
scholarship for a master's degree, teacher certification, and, of course, the
opportunity to
make a difference in the lives of children in one of the poorest areas of the
country.  You
do not need to have an education background or teaching experience to be
eligible.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you.

Ben Guest
Program Manager
Mississippi Teacher Corps
Email: mtc@...
Website: www.mtcorps.net
Phone: 662-915-5224