The numbers are in.
By now, you probably know that the annual House Peace Corps funding letter secured a record number 175 signatures from a bi-partisan group of representatives.
That was due – in no small part – to a record breaking response from the Peace Corps community during the month of March!
Here’s a look at our advocacy mobilization around the country, by the numbers:
- 76 – During March, at least 76 advocacy mobilization events were held around the country. This is triple the number of events held in March 2016.
- 2/3 - More than two out of three mobilization events were face-to-face district office meetings with lawmakers or their staff. By the end of March, at least 53 district office meetings were held.
- 28 – At least 28 of NPCA’s geographic affiliate groups in 22 states organized one or more advocacy activities during the month of March.
- 12,723 – This is the number of messages sent to members of Congress in March using NPCA’s click-to-send email action. This represents the highest level of activity since we began using this feature 18 months ago.
- 510 – In March, 510 Members of Congress received at least one message from an NPCA supporter concerning the importance of funding for the Peace Corps and/or international affairs funding. Put another way, 97% of the members of Congress received at least one message of support for the Peace Corps in March!
Only the Beginning
As we celebrate the strong efforts of our advocates in March, and await President Trump’s release of his Peace Corps funding request in May, we are only getting started. A new round of district office meetings are underway. We are promoting advocate attendance at congressional town hall meetings, urging letters-to-the-editor to promote support for the Peace Corps, and encouraging thank you messages for signers of the House Peace Corps letter. Visit our recently launched #ProtectPeaceCorps campaign page and sign up to stay connected to all the latest updates and action opportunities.
The NPCA Community in Action
Here are some additional photos highlighting the fantastic advocacy efforts of the Peace Corps community across the country in March. Thank you!
In Tucson, the Desert Doves/RPCVs of Southern Arizona organized a great advocacy prep session featuring RPCV State Representative Phil Lopes, prior to holding district office meetings with staff of Senators McCain and Flake, and Representative McSally.
Five members of the Los Angeles RPCVs—representing five different decades of Peace Corps service—shared experiences with staff of freshman Senator Kamala Harris
In North Carolina, Congressman David Price (second from right), a new member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State/Foreign Operations, held a district office meeting with members of the North Carolina Peace Corps Association.
In the Senate, Marco Rubio (R-FL) is also a new member of the critical Appropriations Subcommittee for State/Foreign Operations. District office staff in his Jacksonville office met with members and friends of the First Coast RPCVs.
Board members of the Buffalo RPCVs showed the NPCA colors during a district office meeting with staff of Representative Chris Collins.
Seventy people attended an international dinner organized by the San Diego RPCVs, and took advantage of NPCA's click-to-send action email webpage (foreground).
During his late-March trip to California, NPCA President attended an advocacy mobilization gathering organized by the
Northern California Peace Corps Association.
Letter writing sessions and district office meetings (like this one with staff of Senator Cory Gardner) were among the March advocacy activities organized by the Colorado RPCVs.
Congressman John Faso became one of the first Republicans to sign the House Peace Corps funding letter, soon after this meeting with constituents and members of the Northeast New York RPCVs at his district office in Kinderhook.
Members of the St. Louis RPCVs organized four district office meetings in March, including this one with staff of Senator Claire McCaskill.
Prior to scheduling district office meetings with Representatives Ruben Gallego and Kyrsten Sinema, the RPCVs of Phoenix organized a
"Speaking to Legislators" workshop.
In Spokane, the Inland-Northwest RPCVs held district office meetings in March with staff of Senators Murray and Cantwell, and (above)
Representative McMorris Rodgers.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Wilmington, North Carolina came together for a meeting with district office staff of second term Congressman David Rouzer
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State/Foreign Operations, met with RPCVs at his
district office in Lincoln.
