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 Letter from the President
Hello SDPCA Members,
I hope that this newsletter finds you well and in good health, and that in the past month, despite the quarantine, you were able to find peace. We had many sunny and beautiful San Diego April days to enjoy social distanced outdoor activities, which is something for which to feel grateful. I also hope that in the distance and solitude, you found connection with your family and friends albeit virtually.
Last month, the SDPCA offered activities to foster connection through a virtual meet and greet with Danielle and a virtual Book Club meeting with Sharon. There were some technical difficulties with accessing the NPCA’s Zoom account for the sketch class scheduled with Alia and thus the class was canceled. The good news is SDPCA now has its own Zoom account and Alia has rescheduled her class.
In May, we will also be offering some exciting virtual events! The first is a Yoga class brought to you by SDPCA member Sara Szunyogh be on Wednesday, May 6th at 7pm. We will also have a Trivia night with Colleen!! No cheating with your devices :). Trivia will be hosted on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30pm via Zoom. We’ll have the sketch class on Sunday morning, May 17 and another book club meeting on Wednesday, May 27 at 7pm.
Please let us know if you might want to host a virtual meeting/event with our membership base. We are still a bit unsure, as is everyone, as to how the months of May and June will end in terms of societal openness. We do have in-person events planned for June, just as we had for April and May, but we will reassess if we will be able to host them in the coming month.
In a normal year, we would have had our annual meeting this weekend and invited members who are interested to join the board at the event. Plans to elect a new board, like all others, have changed. This year, we will elect our board virtually. If you are a member interested in joining the board for 2020-2021, please contact Danielle (Vice President) at vicepres@sdpca.org or me at president@sdpca.org.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!
Ashley Smallwood
SDPCA President
Ecuador, 2004-08
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 Virtual Yoga
Wednesday, May 6 from 7 to 8pm
Zoom details in the Evite
RSVP: http://evite.me/hYQ8CbwdQy
Join RPCV and Registered Yoga Teacher Sara Szunyogh for a time of restorative self-care. Sara will be leading us through a 60-minute virtual yoga class accessible to all levels, no prior experience necessary. If you have never tried yoga, this is your chance! We will enjoy a gentle, full body stretch, connect to our breath, and cultivate a mindful sense of calm and relaxation.
Grab a yoga mat or towel, and a small pillow or blanket for added comfort. Set the mood by lighting a candle or playing relaxing music.
Zoom details in Evite.
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 Geo Quiz Night
Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30pm
RSVP: http://evite.me/6ujWDZym5Q
We are doing Geography Trivia Night! Think bar style trivia game, but with a serious geography theme and virtual!
As with our annual geography trivia game, there will be teams, competition will be fierce, and the geography questions tip-top. The winners get bragging rights until next year's annual picnic geography trivia challenge!
Couples can play together to minimize streaming slowdowns. Can't wait to see you all!
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 Virtual Sketch party!
Sunday, May 17 from 10:30am to noon
Location: Zoom (info in Evite)
RSVP: http://evite.me/thgtXBwAR1
With these difficult times, art is a wonderful resource and retreat! Please join me in a virtual sketch party! No experience is needed! I will lead you through the basics of shading and perspective. We will focus on drawing a human face ( since we miss seeing each other’s so much!)
Required Materials - please bring to your Zoom sketch class: regular pencil 2B, eraser, pad of paper / blank paper, a picture of someone you’d like to draw or a mirror, any art materials you’d like to work with - suggested pencils or charcoals (if you have them): 2B, 4B, 6B,HB, H
Contact Alia, aka Bob Ross, with any questions: Aliakroos83@gmail.com
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 SDPCA Book Club
Wednesday, May 27 from 7 to 8:30pm
RSVP: http://evite.me/7JrqHj6DWk
Join us for the SDPCA Book Club! The book is "Daily Life in Turkmenbashy’s Golden Age" by Sam Tranum, RPCV Turkmenistan. This book is available on Kindle for $3.99. Please finish the book before our meeting date and join us for a lively discussion.
Zoom information will be sent to those who RSVP.
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Annual Financial Report
The following financial information is for the most recent SDPCA fiscal year: April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. While this year's expenses exceeded our income, the SDPCA utilized savings from previous fiscal years.
Income: $8710
Expenses: $10,239
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Peace Corps Partnership Projects supported during the most recent fiscal year by the SDPCA Mark J. Tonner International Support Fund:
| Project |
Country |
Amount |
| Hygiene Promotion & Open Defecation Elimination via Community Led Sanitation |
Guinea |
$1000
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| Middle School Latrine Project |
Senegal |
$750 |
| Patisserie Expansion |
Morocco |
$377 |
| Water Project - Girls Secondary School |
Tanzania |
$500 |
| Motor Activity Training Program |
Mongolia |
$500 |
| Borehole Water Supply |
Gambia |
$1500 |
| RUMPS (Re-Useable Menstrual Pads) Camp |
Lesotho |
$151 |
| Fruit Tree Training and Planting |
Guatemala |
$271 |
| Science Club Electronics Kits |
Ghana |
$75 |
| Community Garden Well |
Benin |
$1,000 |
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$6,124 |
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Unemployment Benefits for Peace Corps Evacuees
The U.S. Labor Department has ruled that evacuated RPCVs will be eligible for unemployment benefits through the previously approved Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provision of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act. To learn more and to review new guidance, see the NPCA’s blog post from April 28, 2020.
Here is a Press Release issued on April 28, 2020.
New Senate Legislation for Peace Corps Evacuees
Senator Markey (D-MA) and Van Hollen (D-MD), have announced a second piece of Peace Corps legislation which would promote having RPCVs (along with AmeriCorps and vets) to assist in combating COVID-19, extending evacuees health coverage options to six months, and calling for expediting evacuees ability to re-apply when Peace Corps re-opens. Read more.
HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:
Evacuees, please click here to support this legislation by sending an e-letter.
Non-Evacuees, please click here to support this legislation by sending an e-letter.
Hit New Record for Dear Colleague Letter!
Please thank Senators Feinstein (co-author) and Harris for signing on to the Dear Colleague letter that was circulated in the Senate in April requesting robust funding for FY 2021. We hit a new record of 42 signatures on this letter!
Click here to thank your Senators.
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Career Corner
May 7th NPCA Webinar: Using LinkedIn for More Effective Networking and Informational Interviews
Need Support?
Join SDPCA’s LinkedIn Group
On LinkedIn, you can see where current members work and reach out to them. Go to LinkedIn and search the groups for San Diego Peace Corps Association and ask to join. Please make sure your LinkedIn profile shows that you served in the Peace Corps.
Jobs & Certificate of Service
Here is information about the certificates you may need when applying for certain jobs. Some (federal) employers require both your certificate of service and your certificate of Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE)/Description of Service (DOS) with your application.
Helpful Web Pages
Peace Corps Career Support Web Page
NPCA Global Reentry Program Page – Jobs & Careers
NPCA Career Resources Page
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Zoom Welcome to San Diego Meet and Greet. April 17, 2020.
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