Feb 2010 Meeting notes & photos

Kudos to Allan Stern and Susan Scrimshaw for our wonderful evening at Vail House in Troy. It was terrific to be in their beautiful dining room, all seated at one long table and one round table to enjoy good food and each other. Our meeting/presentation was particularly lively as Susan led us in a dialogue about community participation, using the Sage Colleges in Troy and Albany as jumping off points. I know that Diane took notes of the meeting and discussion, and look forward to reading the good suggestions.

It was a well-rounded group of RPCVs, with a sprinkling of new faces, returning RPCVs, plus the daughter of one volunteer, and a student from RPI, Kat Foley, about to be sent on her assignment in the Peace Corps after she graduates this spring.

At this time, I don't think we have a place for our next meeting, unless Barb & John have offered their house.

Thank you, Allan and Susan for your generous hospitality.

All the best,
Augusta

Introductions:

Thirty-three people enjoyed an evening at the home of Allan Stern and Susan Scrimshaw, meeting new friends and reconnecting with people who can't make it frequently. Some items that members raised as we went around the table include...

Master's International: Carol Whittaker, Director of the Center for Global Health at SUNY's School of Public Health, coordinates the Master's International program. MI is a cooperative agreement between SUNY's SPH and Peace Corps where enrollees combine Peace Corps experience with a Masters in Public Health. Many of our members work in the field of public health, and we hope this connection will bring more public health volunteers to Peace Corps. For more info, contact Carol at CWhittaker@albany.edu.

Americorps: Carol Hegeman is anticipating Americorps volunteers to work on projects in the Office of the Aging. She will post more information as it becomes available.

Peace Corps reaches 50 in 2011: There will be many events at the National level for this year-long occasion. Undoubtedly, some of our members will want to participate in National events, and we plan to coordinate some of our own events around this theme. Watch videos and stay posted on the 50th Anniversary website http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.returned.fiftieth

Georgian Economics Conference: Bill Batt is the local coordinator for a conference on Georgian Economics to be held in Albany, July 12 - 16. He will provide a link when the registration is open.

Oral Histories: Jane Thapa, Eliot Creswell, Pat Sears Doherty and Sue Senecah are making progress in recording our oral histories for the Kennedy Library's Archival Project. Rob Groneman will be joining the effort.

Treasurer's Report

National dues: Our main source of income, rebates from National dues, has dropped significantly. We need to encourage RPCV's to join the National Peace Corps Association. As an official NPCA affiliate chapter, we receive $15 for every RPCV living in our catchment area that joins at the National level. We are a huge chapter (the blue area in the map at right) with thousands of potential members.

Value-Added: The value of RPCV's joining NPCA are numerous... ranging from the tangible Word View Magazine to the priceless participation with a group of people who share experiences and perspectives. The potential for influencing our communities and the world are limitless.

What our local chapter does: Our chapter has funded efforts overseas, such as Akkufo-Tom School in Ghana, aid to Samoa after the recent tsunami and funding an AIDS orphan. We've also been active locally with participation in programs through Albany's office of the US Committee for Immigrants and Refugees, outreach to international students at RPI and donations to local food banks. In addition, our members are active in hundreds of personal projects, some of which are listed on our "Links" page.

Maintaining our affiliation with the NPCA is critical to our continued funding of programs that carry out work consistent with our perspectives. Therefore, we need to be encouraging all RPCV's in our catchment area to join the National organization.

Community Development

Susan Scrimshaw, the 9th president of Sage Colleges, shared highlights of her life work as a medical anthropologist, human rights advocate, educator and educational administrator. She grew up "Guatemalian" as a bicultural person, which led her to a career in anthropology. Her research has included squatter's settlements, reproductive health, clean water and de-mystifying anthropology.

Susan believes in women's education and chose Sage because she could know everyone's name. Her work at Sage includes both expanding international programs and participation in Sage's local community... the college's Troy and Albany neighborhoods. She is increasing Sage's community involvement and opened a conversation with us on how RPCV's can participate in community development.

Several members gave their impressions on community needs and places where RPCV's can contribute.

Some links to Susan's work since coming to Albany include...

Susan's Times Union blog
An interview with Alan Charock on WAMC

Current balance:	$1523
Projected income:	3 calendars at $10 a piece!

Augusta's Note (aka Executive Summary!)

Introductions:

Treasurer's Report

Community Development

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Photos from the evening's meeting (thanks to Allan Stern)

Harriet Borton talks about her recent projects	(above) Augusta Field, our club president, summarizes our accomplishments of 2009
Dick Naylor tells us about his current work (at right, from left) Pat Sears Doherty, Joe Doherty, Steve Gottlieb, Carol Whittaker, Helen & Tom Sweeney, Rob Groneman & John Flynn listen to introductions