Great blog post on the program by a Peace Corps Mongolia volunteer.

I received this note, it’ll help you figure out how to vote from abroad in a US election -

 I came across a website today that made it really easy for me to register to vote by absentee ballot for the US General Elections in November 2008. I thought it might be useful for those of you living abroad who haven’t already figured out how to vote and want to as well.

They walk you through a short set of questions, create a personalized document for you to print off and mail to the appropriate government office in your state, tell you where to send it and what to expect after that. Short and sweet.

http://www.votefromabroad.org/

The RPCV Mentoring Program is now online and both potential mentors and mentees are signing up!  Read through this email to learn more and to find out how your group can benefit and participate.

Background

The RPCV Mentoring program was started in 2007 with a fundamental goal in mind: to connect recently returned Peace Corps volunteers with RPCV mentors. 

Via phone, email and face-to-face meetings, these mentors help ease the difficult transition, provide a connection to the RPCV community at large, and say some of the most comforting words in the English language, namely, “I know what you’re going through. I’ve been there.”

For NPCA member groups, this is also a great way to find and involve returning PCVs immediately with your group and to offer additional avenues to engage other RPCVs in your community.

How it works, in a nutshell

1. Interested mentors and mentees apply by creating their online mentoring profile in www.rpcvmentoring.org.  That profile includes not only basic contact information, but also allows individuals to prioritize their particular needs and/or strengths.
2. NPCA staff review the applications and assign each individual to an NPCA member group based on their geographic location and/or country of service.
3. Group mentoring administrators review the profiles of their assigned mentors and mentees and make appropriate matches.

In the 2007 pilot program (in Miami, Chicago and Portland, OR), the groups also hosted an orientation, communicated regularly with the mentors and mentees and involved them in their activities and programs.  You can do the same.  There are resource materials on the website to assist and we’ll be communicating regularly with groups as this program builds.

How your group can participate

All NPCA member groups are invited – and encouraged! – to participate.  To get started, simply designate an administrator for the group.  Send me (at anne@rpcv.org) their name and email and I’ll contact them directly with instructions.  You can be off and running in just a few short minutes.

During the 17 years Peace Corps has had a post in Guyana, over 470 Volunteers have assisted in the areas of health, education, community development and information technology.  Those 17 years span over four decades and, although many things have changed during that time, the basic mission of Peace Corps and its Volunteers remains the same. Friends and RPCVs of Guyana (FROG) would like to take a moment to thank you for committing your time and energy to the service of Guyana and its people.  Your efforts have had an impact on more individuals then you realize. Thank you!

We here at FROG left Guyana with the idea that once you completed your service, the experience stays with you. We hope that you will join us on our mission to maintain our connection with fellow RPCVs, Guyana and its people. Below you will find more information about FROG and how you can join us!

Friends and RPCVs of Guyana (FROG)

In 2007, several Guyana RPCVs joined together to form a non-profit organization that connected former RPCVs with each other, with the greater development community and with new opportunities. Most importantly, we wanted to build on the work we did while Volunteers and continue helping Guyana – a country we love.

Currently, we at FROG are busy developing our infrastructure, gathering new members, fund-raising and developing a strategic plan. If you are interested in staying connected with fellow Guyana RPCVs, participating in Third Goal activities and supporting development projects, please join us! However, as a new non-profit, we are finding our way and learning as we grow. Bear with us, and please, feel free to contact us (support@guyfrog.org) with ideas, help requests, etc. That is why we’re here! Also, check out our new website at http://guyfrog.org!

How to Join

There are three easy ways to join Friends and RPCVs of Guyana!

1. Go to http://www.change.org/frog and click JOIN

2. Join through the National Peace Corps Association. Their membership includes a subscription to WorldView, NPCANews, and discounts on auto insurance, rental cars and more!

1. Go to www.rpcv.org
2. Click on Join/Renew.  
3. Follow their 3 step instructions for signing up with the NPCA.
4. Select Guyana as your Country of Service group!

3. Join us on FaceBook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Guyana_RPCVs/573529771

If you have any questions about FROG, want to keep up-to-date with FROG happenings or would like to get involved…please feel free to contact us at support@guyfrog.org and on our website at http://guyfrog.org!  

Plans are underway for our second annual weekend of FROG events in New York City this July. Join FROG through one of the methods listed above to get the latest details for those events! We hope to see you in July!

Sincerely,

FROG Board of Directors

Timothy Delaney, GUY 12 – President

Michael Geurink, GUY 13 – Vice President

Peter Theis, GUY 10 – Treasurer

Eric Terpstra, GUY 14 – Secretary

Scott Stadum, GUY 12 – Web Committee Chair

Cabul Mehta, GUY 13 – Board Member

From the NPCA:

The National Peace Corps Association is seeking photos of returned Peace Corps volunteers for possible use in in our print and online communication materials.

We’re looking for great photos that capture the diversity and essence of the Peace Corps experience….that show volunteers “in action” both overseas and in their “life after Peace Corps” as they continue to serve by carrying out the Third Goal.

Email photos to me at news@rpcv.org. Please put “NPCA Photo” in the subject line and provide your name, permission to use, and explanatory information about the photo (when and where taken, etc.). High resolution photos taken at closer range work best.

Please let others in your Peace Corps networks know.