Welcome to the National Peace Corps Association’s Affiliate Group Resource Library, your Affiliate Group’s one stop shop for resources to enable your group to thrive.
This Resource Library will be regularly updated as needed and based on your input.
Please click on a category heading below to see more information about that topic.
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NPCA provides:
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A network of affiliate group leaders from which to seek advice
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Webinars on group-related topics
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An affiliate group resource library for in-depth info
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Affordable website and database technology, if desired
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Collection and disbursement of membership dues, if desired
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An online directory that helps RPCVs find groups
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Promotion of groups through NPCA media channel
Threshold questions:
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What is your group's mission? Will people join to support a cause, advocate for Peace Corps, serve your community, promote the Third Goal and/or stay connected?
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Would your group have a charitable purpose — mentoring, grants, service opportunities, etc.? If yes, in which state would you want to register your group? Registration is usually a simple online process, costing a few hundred dollars.
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Will your group raise money? if so, how (e.g., memberships, donations, etc.)? Basic accounting software is easy to use, linked to your group's bank account.
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Does your group (eventually) want to seek 501(c)(3) tax deductible status? (No rush, you don't need it when annual revenues are $5000 or less.)
To start, tap into our resource library (including our Getting Started Toolkit), set up a call to talk through the process with NPCA staff and/or just start working on the affiliation application. Contact us if you have any questions!
But don't just take it from us; here's a note from one of our newest affiliate groups:
"We are extremely excited to become a part of the NPCA family and look forward to working with you all! "
"Honestly, your support and suite of available resources has made the once daunting task of starting [the group] easy. Likewise, we are extremely for you awarding us the IT grant to help us get up and running! THANK YOU! "
"We are ready to hit the ground running to start contributing to the NPCA's goals!"
Applications For Affiliation
Don’t fit into any of those models? Contact us!
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Questions Addressed
What are bylaws and how should my affiliate group write them? What are articles of incorporation? How can my affiliate group apply for and achieve 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Status?Step-By-Step Guides
Relevant Documents & Internet Links
- Roberts Rule of Order for conducting business meetings
- Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status (IRS Publication)
- Filing form 990-N (e-postcard) for small tax-exempt organizations (IRS website)
- Maintaining 501(c)(3) Tax-exempt Status (online video tutorial from the IRS)
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Questions Addressed
What are the NPCA membership categories? How can my affiliate group expand its membership? What are the best practices for managing my affiliate group’s members? How can partnership with NPCA benefit the members of my affiliate group?Step-By-Step Guide
Relevant Documents
- NEW! Answering Questions on NPCA’s New Membership Model
- for affiliate groups
- for individual members
- Language to Use in Group Communications on the New Membership Model
- Membership form template based on the new membership model as a PDF
- Group Membership Plan(s) Update Form
- Membership Donation Form
- Seven Reasons to Join the NPCA
- Membership Data Sharing Agreement (PDF)
- NEW! Privacy Policy Toolkit
- NEW! Answering Questions on NPCA’s New Membership Model
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The National Peace Corps Association’s Advocacy team advocates for Peace Corps community interests to the U.S. Congress. The NPCA is the advocate for issues important to serving and returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Our efforts are strengthened by the support of our affiliate groups. We need your support – and the support of your members – to ensure that our Congressional Representatives learn about the impact and importance of the Peace Corps.
For an overview of the NPCA Advocacy Program and the importance of collaboration with our affiliate groups, click here.
Relevant Documents
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The Affiliate Group Network – AGN facilitates communication between and among NPCA affiliate groups for purposes of sharing best practices and more. It consists formally of an annual meeting of the leadership of NPCA’s affiliate groups, scheduled each year in conjunction with the Peace Corps Connect conference. The meeting is open to all. NPCA also presents a webinar series. Throughout the year, NPCA affiliate groups are encouraged to communicate via the Facebook Affiliate Group Network and check out the NPCA Affiliate Group Directory!
NPCA affiliate group delegates elect an Affiliate Group Network (AGN) Coordinator every two years. The AGN Coordinator is a voting member of the NPCA Board of Directors, per the NPCA bylaws. The Affiliate Group Network Coordinator position (for the term 2020-2022) is currently vacant. Elections will be held in 2022.
Annual Meeting:
The Affiliate Group Network Annual Meeting is held annually in conjunction with Peace Corps Connect.
Minutes from previous meetings:
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2019 AGN Annual Meeting Minutes (pending) and agenda
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This capacity building webinar series is presented through the generous support of a grant from the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison. Use the links below to review recordings of past webinars.
Archived webinars
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Wednesday, April 24, 2019: Virtual Town Hall
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Wednesday, April 17, 2019: Establish a Micro-loan Program through TCP Global
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Tuesday, November 27, 2018: International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women
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Thursday, November 15, 2018: Engaging your Group with Refugees: Case Studies
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Wednesday, August 29, 2018: Collaboration discussion with Kul Gautam and RESULTS
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Wednesday, August 15, 2018: Preserve the Peace Corps Legacy
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Wednesday, July 11, 2018: Insurance 101: Do we need it? What do we need? Why?
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Thursday, May 17, 2018: Get Strategic, Part II: How to Develop a Strategic Plan that Empowers your Group
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Thursday, April 5, 2018: Get Strategic: How to Develop a Strategic Plan that Empowers your Group
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Thursday, March 15, 2018: Get Social: Tips and Tricks for Engaging your Members Using Social Media
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Wednesday, February 7, 2018: International Women's Day 2018: Another Opportunity to Serve
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Wednesday, January 10, 2018: Partnering with Hostelling International USA
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Wednesday, November 15, 2017: Tips of the Trade: Building Your Database - Finding RPCVs
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Wednesday, October 11, 2017: Supporting Women and Girls Around the World: A Conversation
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Wednesday, May 17, 2017: Engaging your Group in Support of Refugees
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Wednesday, May 3, 2017: Highlighting your Group on the NPCA Website
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Wednesday, April 19, 2017: Building an RPCV Support Network
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Wednesday, March 15, 2017: NPCA Meet and Greet (focus: NPCA Governance)
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Thursday, January 26, 2017: Movement Builders—Help Bridge America's Divides Through Service
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Tuesday, January 24, 2017: National Days of Action Mobilization Update
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016: Movement Builders—Help Bridge America's Divides Through Service
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Tuesday, November 29, 2016: Advocacy Coordinators Update. President-Elect Trump and the Peace Corps
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Tuesday, November 22, 2016: Advocacy Coordinator 101
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Tuesday, November 1, 2016: Rally Peace Corps Champions: Become an NPCA Advocacy Coordinator
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Tuesday, October 25, 2016: Building Affiliate Group Engagement in Support of Refugees
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Thursday, June 23, 2016: Building an RPCV Support Network
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016: Amazing Technology Resources for your Group
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Thursday, May 19, 2016: Interested in Hosting a Peace Corps Story Slam?
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Saturday, March 12, 2016: Legal Considerations 101: Non-profit Status and Tax Filing
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You've put a lot of work into your group and you've accomplished a lot. You should be proud! And you should be sure you don't lose that history as your group evolves and changes.
We encourage you to consider donating your group history to the Peace Corps Community Archive at American University in Washington, DC.
Learn more here.
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Network with other members of the Peace Corps community, carry out the Third Goal of Peace Corps and support efforts to strengthen our community at the workplace! Here are some resources shared by workplace affinity groups that may be helpful for others that are forming. (See above for the application to formally affiliate with NPCA.)
Relevant Documents
Charters
Establishing an Employee Association
Non-competitive Eligibility (NCE)
- Guide for hiring RPCVs with NCE (from RPCVs@EPA)
- RPCV Hiring at GSA (from GSA RPCV Employee Association)
Other Resources
- GSA Emerging Leaders Program (Fall 2015)
- Welcome to EPA! (Orientation flyer for RPCVs@EPA)
- Buying Back Service for Retirement (from RPCVs@EPA)
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Topics Addressed
Generally the most successful Affiliate Groups are ones with clearly-defined activities and goals. For what is your group known? Why do people join or support your group? How can you best carry out the Third Goal of the Peace Corps and share your Peace Corps county’s culture with Americans? These links below offer some toolkits and resources to help you make your activities a success and strengthen your group.Relevant Documents and Links
- How to Plan a Country of Service Reunion
- Tips tools and resources to share your country of service (from the Peace Corps Office of Third Goal and Returned Volunteer Services)
- Tell Peace Corps about your activity to help showcase Peace Corps’ domestic impact
Office of Third Goal Toolkits
- Around the world festivals
- Storytelling
- Map Murals
- General Presentation Tips
- Videos
- Video chats
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While these documents are quite dated, the general content could be helpful for logistics and planning purposes. The toolkits may be replaced with updated documents over the coming months.
- Third Goal Report – This report, researched and compiled in 2008 in response to the question “How is the Peace Corps’ Third Goal implemented by NPCA Affiliate Groups?” may offer some ideas for your group!
- Opening Windows On The World: A Cross-Cultural Film and Lecture Series Guide – This guide, written by Northern Ohio Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, was prepared as part of a development education grant from NPCA in 1986.
Event Planning Toolkits (originally created in 2011 for Peace Corps’ 50th Anniversary)
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Your Divisional Board Director and the Affiliate Group Network Coordinator are your key connections to the NPCA Board of Directors. Invite them to your events, send them your newsletters and reach out with questions/comments on NPCA’s direction, governance and plans. For organizational questions, to start a group, or for logistical or technology support, contact NPCA staff at groups@peacecorpsconnect.org.
Please reach out to the director in your division and add them to your email distribution list if they are not on there already.
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vacant (Affiliate Group Network Coordinator): npcaglf@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Eileen O'Donnell (Northeast U.S.): npcanortheast@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Rogelio Quintanar (Southern Tier U.S.): npcasouth@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Kim Herman (West U.S.): npcawest@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Mary Owen (Upper Midwest U.S.): npcamidwest@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Evelyn Ganzglass (MidAtlantic and Nationwide U.S.): npcamidatlantic@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Nikole Allen (Europe, North and East Africa): npcaeuropeneafrica@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Faith Van Gilder (West, Central and Southern Africa): npcawcsafrica@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Katie Long (The Americas): npcaamericas@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Jed Meline (Asia and the Pacific): npcaasiapacific@peacecorpsconnect.org
NPCA Staff:-
Anne Baker (NPCA Vice President): groups@peacecorpsconnect.org
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Ella Dowell (Community Technology Manager) ella@peacecorpsconnect.org
Meet the full Board of Directors.
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