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#ProtectPeaceCorps: Maintain level funding of $410 million for FY2018

 

URGENT: Call Congress

Urge them to protect Peace Corps funding. 

The President and the House have proposed $12 million in cuts to the Peace Corps budget for fiscal year 2018. This limits opportunities for Americans to serve abroad, where they work along side local leaders to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, and to bring their skills back home, where they benefit American communities and the US economy.

The click-to-call tool at the right will help you get connected to your Senator.

 

Here’s what to say:

Hi, my name is [FIRST AND LAST NAME] and I’m your constituent in [CITY, STATE]. (I served our country as a Peace Corps Volunteer in [COUNTRY] from [YEARS].) I’m calling today because I’m very concerned about the proposed cuts to the Peace Corps. These cuts would limit the number of opportunities to serve, restrict American influence abroad, and threaten to roll back more than 56 years of global impact. With all of the global challenges facing America today we need a strong and effective Peace Corps to promote sustainable development, democratic ideals, and partnership between nations. I strongly urge the Senator to protect funding for the Peace Corps and ensure the agency is funded at $410 million for fiscal year 2018.

Advocate for Peace Corps Funding in Other Ways

 Meet with Members of Congress

Attend a district office meeting or town hall, or join your Member of Congress for coffee. Want to organize an event and need help? Email us

 

 

 

Promote Peace Corps through Media

Congress pays attention to local media. Help put Peace Corps on the front pages, on the airwaves and all over social media. 

 

 


Find an Event

NPCA Events

NPCA's Advocacy Coordinators, Affiliate Groups and community leaders are engaging Congress at the local level through district meetings, town halls, letter-writing happy hours, phone-a-thons, and more. Click on an event below to sign up or contact us to organize one! (Events marked in red have already been held)

 

Other Events 

The Town Hall Project tracks town halls and other events with Members of Congress across the country. Check for an upcoming event near you, and organize a group of RPCVs and Peace Corps supporters to attend and speak up on behalf of Peace Corps! And let us know so we can map it!


Promote Peace Corps through Media

Share on Social Media

Social media is an easy, effective way to spread our message on the value of the Peace Corps.

  • Follow NPCA on Twitter: @npcaadvocacy; @PeaceCorpsNOW@pcorpsconnect
  • Post frequently, mentioning your Congress members' handle. Start with the samples below.
  • What is Congress saying about proposed cuts to International Affairs and Peace Corps? Find out

Example 1: 

@[Member's handle]: @PeaceCorps boosts America’s economy & nat'l security. #ProtectPeaceCorps #AmericaLeads http://bit.ly/protectpeacecorps

Example 2

@[Member's handle]: 121 gens to Congress: "@PeaceCorps...critical to preventing conflict" http://bit.ly/2mwif0G  http://bit.ly/protectpeacecorps

Example 3

@[Member's handle] If it weren’t for @PeaceCorps, [insert personal example] http://bit.ly/protectpeacecorps #ProtectPeaceCorps via @pcorpsconnect

 

Extend our Reach through the News

Do you have media contacts you can share? If so, let us know

In the coming weeks, we'll launch Letter-to-the-Editor and Op-Ed campaigns that you can join. If you're ready to start now, we've put together some guides to help you:


Talking Points, Resources, and Materials 

Additional Resources:

  • United States Global Leadership Coalition - NPCA is a proud partner of USGLC, America's leader in advocating for International Affairs. Explore USGLC's resources to see how International Affairs benefits America, the world and every state. #AmericaLeads

 

Latest News

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Press Kit

FAQs

Is this campaign aimed at President Trump?

  • No. This campaign is aimed at Members of Congress.
  • Furthermore, this campaign will be effective if Members of Congress are engaged in a constructive way. Demonstrating the positive impact of the Peace Corps, especially of its contributions to American national security and our economy, is most likely to result in a positive outcome. Stay on message, be persistent, be empathetic, and be positive.

 

What can I do if my Representatives are already supporters of the Peace Corps?

  • Turn them into champions! Ask them to enlist their colleague’s support or speak at a public forum to the importance of the Peace Corps.
  • Turn your attention to mobilizing others in your network to join the #ProtectPeaceCorps campaign.

 

Who are third-party validators, and why is it so important to enlist them in our advocacy efforts?

  • Third-party validators are individuals or institutions outside of the Peace Corps community that can speak to the value of the Peace Corps on your behalf. For example, faith-based leaders, elected officials, workplace supervisors, and immigrant services organizations are all examples of third-party validators.
  • Third-party validators tend to command the attention of Members of Congress. Advocacy on their part, whether it comes in the form of a letter, phone call, Op-Ed or Letter-to-the-Editor, face-to-face meeting or more, can have great impact on Members of Congress.

 

My network has competing advocacy priorities. How can I encourage them to prioritize advocating for the Peace Corps?

  • For district office meetings, see if your delegation would be OK with presenting three issues to your Member that you all agree on, one of them being the Peace Corps.
  • If they have another top priority, recommend that they prioritize advocating for the Peace Corps at critical moments.
  • Not all advocacy takes up an afternoon. Calling or writing letters or emails to Members can take anywhere from two minutes to thirty minutes. And it could mean one more Volunteer has the opportunity to serve.

 

Others in my network care about this issue but don’t have the time. What can they do?

  • Call lawmakers, write letters or emails, spread the word on social media, and/or donate.

 

I’m new at this or need help and I’m not anywhere near an Affiliate Group or an Advocacy Coordinator, but want to more than just call, write emails or letter. What can I do?

  • Whether you’re interested in finding other RPCVs near you to organize a meeting, promoting the Peace Corps in your community, or hosting a phone-a-thon, we’re here to help. Contact us at advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org and we’ll get you started.

 

Our Affiliate Group, 501(c)(3) or community organization is hesitant to “advocate” or “lobby.” Can we do this?

  • Absolutely! Participating in a representative democracy is what democracy is all about. If your organization is a 501(c)(3), the only limitation is ensuring that a “substantial” part of its overall budget is not spent on advocacy activities.  Learn more here.