Project Guide

The Project works in cooperation with the John F. Kennedy Library to afford the greatest number of former Peace Corps Volunteers the opportunity to include their stories in the National Archives and to assure that these materials are properly preserved as part of the public record. The Project organizes the taping of oral history interviews and the screening for donation of RPCVs' personal papers.

The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection of the John F. Kennedy Library is the repository for personal materials that relate to the individual and group experiences of those who served as Peace Corps Volunteers from its inception in 1961 to the present. It consists of papers, such as letters, diaries, and journals, representative sets of photographs, oral history interviews, and other items of unique archival value. The Collection is part of the National Archives and Records Administration.

>The Archival Project is endorsed by the National Peace Corps Association and functions primarily through its Affiliates with the goal of having the Project integrated into the regular long term activities of each Group. The idea of 'telling my story' applies to everyone who has ever been a Peace Corps Volunteer and those stories belong in the RPCV Archives. Individuals (affiliated or non-affiliated) can also participate. To become part of the Archival Project, an Affiliated Group:

1. Circulates information about the Project to its membership.
2. Identifies potential project interviewers and/or coordinators.
3. Informs the RPCV Archivist and the Project Organizer.
4. Arranges for orientation and training about the Project

James Roth, Archivist Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection The John F.Kennedy Library Columbia Point, Boston MA 02125 (617) 514-1633

Robert Klein (Ghana 1961 -1963) Project Organizer 699 W. Magee Rd. #3204 Tucson. AZ 85704 (520) 797-4485

Getting Started

1. Oral History Interviews
a. Interviewing is based on the assumption that Peace Corps service through the years has enough common elements to enable one RPCV to interview another, using the interview suggestions listed below. Potential interviewers can meet and discuss this Guide; can initially interview each other and provide feedback.
b. Try to diversify interviews in time (60s, 70s, 80s, etc.), place (Peru, Moldova, Malawi, etc.) and project (teaching, microfmance, health, etc.). The Project is continuous so that those not interviewed this year can be next year but give some consideration to matters of aging.
c. The Affiliated Group and those volunteering to work on this Project are expected to cover the expenses of equipment, tapes, and transmittal.

2. Personal Papers
a. All matters concerning personal papers should be referred to the RPCV Archivist who can assist in identifying acceptable donations. No personal papers should be forwarded without prior approval of the RPCV Archivist.
b. Personal papers are primarily contemporary accounts (letters, diaries, journals) written by the RPCV at the time of volunteer service. The RPCV Collection can not accept articles and stories, not produced directly by the RPCV. Donations may include representative sets of photos or slides (fully captioned) and items of unique archival value.
c. RPCVs wishing to donate should first send a list of personal papers with a brief description of contents to the RPCV Archivist via Email or post. He will reply with instructions.

3. Taping equipment
a. Use a cassette tape recorder (not a mini-cassette); it can be a basic desk style recorder with built-in mic (approx. $30) or a smaller, 'personal' recorder (more expensive). Any cassette with a mic input slot can be adapted to a 2 mic setup, using a plug-in mic signal splitter that allows you to use 2 clip-on mics. If using built-in mic, test placement of cassette to best record voices of interviewee and interviewer. Use battery or DC adapter.
b. Use only 60 minute tapes, decent quality but not ultra hi fi.
c. At present, the RPCV Collection prefers audiotape interviews. Future consideration may be given to videotape, CD-R, DVD, DAT, and other emerging technologies.

The Interview

1. General
a. Interview in a comfortable, quiet environment, free of interruptions and distractions. Be sure clip-on mics are not obstructed by clothing or hands.
b. Be conversational; use the interview suggestions to maintain flow.
c. Let interviewee do the talking. Silences are OK; it takes time to remember.
d. Avoid questions that simply require a 'Yes/No' answer. Use 'How', 'Why', 'Describe', 'Compare'; 'the best', 'the worst'. 'What happened before/during/after [an event]?'
e. If possible, before interview suggest interviewee look over letters, diaries, photos, etc.; can be used in interview (refer to for details, names, times).
f. Best to conduct interview with no one else present. Mates, friends, partners sometimes jump in and begin answering or commenting before interviewee can talk. It also breaks the conversational flow with third party present.

2. To start
a. Let tape run 10-15 seconds. Say, "Today is{Mo/ Day/ Year}. This is (Your Name) and I am interviewing (Interviewee) who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in (Country) as (Project -teacher/coop developer/health aide/etc.,1 from (Mo/ Year) to (Mo/ Year),"
b. Then start interview.

3. Transmitting tapes
a. Label and number each cassette and cover. On TAPE: number (1/2,2/2), Date, Interviewee. On COVER: Number, Date, name of Interviewee, name of Interviewer.
b. Complete Basic Data Form (with Abstract) and TWO (2) Copies of the Deed of Gift (both signed by Interviewee and Interviewer). Make copies of forms, as needed.
c. Give Interviewee copy of Thank You Letter. (Make copies, as needed.)
d. Mail or ship interview tapes and completed forms to:

James Roth, Archivist, RPCV Collection
The John F. Kennedy Library
Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 514 -1633
james.roth@nara.gov

[Use this address for communications about donation of personal papers.]

Be sure to complete both Basic Data Form and Deed of Gift for each interview. The abstract of the interview is essential for archival use in accessioning tapes.

Suggestions for the Interview

For many of us what distinguishes our Peace Corps service is its uniqueness in our lives, so it is not easy to develop a simple list of questions for all interviews. It is hoped that the interviewer can evoke that special quality of each RPCV's experience, which should emerge in a wide-ranging discussion of their service. Keep the focus on the individual's experiences, not on the 'bigger' picture. Try to get specifics and descriptions of people, events, and environments; encourage anecdotes rather than generalizations. When interviewee talks of 'we' or 'they', ask for specifics.

1. Start interview by letting interviewee describe present family, work, current residence, interests. Then ask interviewee to think back to the year before joining Peace Corps, talk about life then (can include childhood, education, other experiences relevant to becoming a PCV).
2. The most common question, from 1961 to the present, is, of course, 'Why did you join the Peace Corps?' It can appear at various places in the interview and may stimulate memories of the contemporary social and political milieu.
3. How did you hear about the Peace Corps and what made you decide to apply? Describe the process and timing. Did you have a specific country or project in mind?
4. What were your/friends'/family's reactions when you were accepted? Was there any hesitation or reservations? On your part? On their part?
5. What project were you invited to join? How did you prepare yourself and others for dislocation of entering into 2 years of Peace Corps service?
6. Training: Where, faculty, syllabus, technical studies; reaction to other trainees. Language training. The selection process: Surprises, disappointments, enjoyments. Hindsight: Did training prepare you, was it useful to PC service?
7. Initial entry into and reaction to country to which you were assigned: Describe project, PC staff, impression of people of country, physical environment. Role of language.
8. Assignment: Specifics of job assigned, living conditions, typical day, relations with people of country (if possible, speak about individuals encountered there), other PCVs, PC staff; Work time vs. leisure time — describe both. How life and work changed over the months.
9. End of first year: notable events, reflections after one year, joys and woes, unexpected events, relationships. Health problems? Vacation? Any travel?
10. End of tour: sense of achievement/failure, pluses and minuses in relations and work with people of country; regrets and satisfactions; plans for future.
11. Overall: evaluate your service in light of 3 goals of the Peace Corps: a. To provide technical assistance where requested. b. To help promote better understanding of Americans by people served. c. To help promote better understanding of other peoples by Americans.
12. Through the years have you continued any kind of involvement with your country of service and/or contact with people from that country? Any continuing Peace Corps involvement? Have you been involved with Third Goal activities? Describe over time to present.
13. Effect on you of your PC service: immediate (change in self, career plans), long term.