Staying Connected

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers seem to have a nearly instant rapport with each other. It goes beyond the greetings of when and where you served. In addition to providing support for newly returned RPCVs, CRPCA is a great way to meet interesting people, network and re-connect with the international Peace Corps community.

Soirée - An informal gathering at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub (915 SE Hawthorne Blvd). Starts at 6:30 pm on the last Monday of every month but April and December (when we schedule special events). This is a great way to link up with other RPCVs, hear interesting stories from around the world, and grab a beer and a bite to eat among good company. You can usually find us in the front room.

Potluck/Restaurant Meetings (alternate months) - In Peace Corps style, we plan many of our events around food. Potlucks are generally in an RPCV's home and may feature a program of international interest. Restaurant gatherings take advantage of the many ethnic restaurants in the Portland metro area; attendees often make an evening of it by picking a film to share afterwards.

Regional Campout - Held in August every year, this event is an opportunity to meet members of other RPCV groups in our region, while enjoying the outdoor pleasures the Northwest offers. CRPCA hosted the 2005 campout at Honeyman State Park on the Oregon coast.

Email Distribution list - Time sensitive items, such as event reminders and job announcements, are sent out periodically to CRPCA members who provide us with an e-mail address.

Newsletter - Members receive a monthly newsletter with our calendar of events, as well as news of local, national, and international interest to our members. Keep in touch with the issues of concern to returned volunteers. What's our latest volunteer project or fundraiser? What are we up to this month? The newsletter often gives details of CRPCA's connections with other groups such as the Committee for a Museum of the Peace Corps Experience, updates on service projects which CRPCA is supporting, local volunteer opportunities, and other items of interest to the RPCV community.

Hosting - In summer 2003 we hosted the general meeting of the National Peace Corps Association in Portland. Previously we've welcomed Peace Corps Directors Gaddi Vasquez, Mark Gearan, and Carol Bellamy. We sometimes meet for pizza and beer with noted Peace Corps authors such as Mike Tidwell and Karen Schwartz.

Networking - If you're interested in international affairs, sustainable development, or just trying to locate that old Peace Corps friend contact us. We meet quarterly with returned volunteer groups from Eugene, Corvallis, Seattle, Spokane, and Boise. We have strong contacts with the National Peace Corps Association. We've had success in locating Peace Corps friends in the local area. Locally, we have people working with immigrants, social services, and international agencies.

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