A Call
to Service Continues: Celebrating 50 Years of Peace
Corps
This daylong conference
is a free service to our community, and we couldn't do it without
valuable assistance from Portland State University.
We'll
convene at 10:00 am in PSU's Multicultural Center.
room 228 in the Smith Memorial Student Union,
1825 SW Broadway in Portland. PSU is accessible by
MAX (Green and Yellow lines), Portland Streetcar, and a dozen
TriMet bus lines. There's also ample bicycle parking. If you choose
to drive, Saturday parking in PSU garages is $5/day.
Morning Plenary Session:
| Time |
Activity |
| 10:00-10:15 |
Opening/welcome remarks from:
- Martha Hickey, PSU Director of International
Studies
- Ally Packer (Cameroon 2005-2007), Peace Corps Recruiter
- Bill Stein (Niger 1990-1993), CRPCA President
|
| 10:15-11:45 |
The Paradox of Service
In
a nostalgia-free retrospective, a panel of RPCVs reflects back to look
forward. What motivates and inspires you to live a life of service? How
did your Peace Corps experience shape your choices? What guidance can you
offer to others seeking to continue to serve post-Peace Corps?
Moderated by Madeleine Mader (Cameroon 1984-1986), CRPCA's Networking
Coordinator.
- James Adriance (Costa Rica 1983-1985,
PC program training officer Guatemala 2004-2009),
Oregon Community Foundation
- Sherwin Davidson (Ghana 1968-1970),
PSU Chair of Department of Applied Psychology
- Nicole Dino (Ecuador 1994-1997),
Committee for a Museum of the Peace Corps Experience
- Erin Gettling (Ukraine 2003-2005),
CRPCA Events Coordinator & 4th Grade Teacher
- Sally McWilliams (Niger 1981-1983),
PSU Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Kimberly Schneider (Burkina Faso 2002-2005),
Director of Economic Development, Mayor's Office, City of Portland
|
Lunch:
Our schedule is open from 11:45 to 1:00 so folks can enjoy lunch
at the adjacent Portland Farmers Market or nearby restaurants.
Afternoon Breakout
Sessions:
| Time |
SMU room 228
(Multicultural Center) |
SMU room 236
(nearby classroom) |
SMU room 238
(nearby classroom) |
| 1:00-1:50 |
Peace Corps Today
Now
is a great time to join the Peace Corps! There are now plenty of
opportunities to serve abroad--in
one of 77 different countries--in areas of education, health, business,
agriculture and the environment.
Peace Corps Masters programs are available as well--including one at
Portland State University! The
agency is growing and we're highly recruiting individuals with a desire
to serve others and promote
peace and friendship through education and partnership. Come hear about
how you can to apply, why you
should apply and the new Masters International program at PSU.
- Ally Packer (Cameroon 2005-2007), Peace Corps Recruiter
- Teresa Taylor, PSU Peace Corps Masters International Program
Coordinator
|
Interview Skills
Cleon Cox is a person who has been unemployed for many years now, but has
been facilitating The Job Finders Support Group since 1991. The group, not
Cleon, actually assists folks to become re-employed. This afternoon Cleon will
share some insights and stories about why "Leaving a people trail rather
than a paper trail" is more favorable.
|
Writing the Borderland: A Discussion on
the Regions Between Fiction and Nonfiction
Peter Chilson (Niger 1985-1987) will talk about weaving the
the overseas experience into fiction
and nonfiction work and about carving out a life for writing.
Peter Chilson's recent fiction collection,
Disturbance-Loving Species,
won the Bread Loaf Writers Conference Bakeless Prize in Short Fiction and
the Peace Corps Writers Maria Thomas Fiction Prize. He is the author of
the travelogue
Riding the Demon: On the Road in West Africa, which won the
nonfiction award from the Association of Writers and Writing Programs.
His essays have twice appeared in Best American Travel Writing. He has
also published in Creative Nonfiction, Ascent, The American Scholar,
TheSmartSet, Audubon, The North American Review, Gulf Coast, and High
Country News, where he was an editor. He teaches writing and literature at
Washington State University and is working on a book about borderlands in
Africa.
|
| 2:00-2:50 |
Local Community Service
Opportunities
A
panel of RPCVs working for local community organizations will discuss
their experiences and advice for how to connect for volunteer or career
opportunities. What skills do local not-for-profit and social benefit
organizations need? What is it like to work in the non-profit sector? How
to translate Peace Corps experience to the local context.
Moderated by Madeleine Mader (Cameroon 1984-1986).
- Elizabeth Elbel (Ghana 2005-2007),
Friends of Trees
- Julie Granger (Sierra Leone 1969-1971),
Director of Programs, Volunteers of America
- Kara Helme Lee (Kenya 2001-2003, Ghana
Peace Corps Response 2004),
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
|
Interview Skills
Cleon Cox is a person who has been unemployed for many years now, but has
been facilitating The Job Finders Support Group since 1991. The group, not
Cleon, actually assists folks to become re-employed. This afternoon Cleon
will
share some insights and stories about why "Leaving a people trail rather
than a paper trail" is more favorable.
|
Grad Schools
Learn what to look for in a graduate school and what questions to ask
during the application process.
- Randy Bluffstone (Nepal 1983-1985),
PSU Chair of Department of Economics
- Keith Walters (Tunisia 1975-1977),
PSU Chair of Department of Applied Linguistics
|
| 3:00-3:50 |
International Development
Career Opportunities
Madeleine Mader (Cameroon 1984-1986) will present and lead a
discussion on the primary options for a career in international
development: not-for-profit/social benefit/non-governmental, government,
private sector, and independent options. Madeleine has 25 years experience
in community development and civil society in East and West Africa, and
domestically. |
Résumés and
Cover Letters
Barbara Barde, owner of Barde Career Solutions.
Learn how to build successful résumé and cover letter
tools--get yourself "seen" and chosen for the "right" career opportunity.
Please bring your résumé! |
Storytelling
Construct clear and moving stories based on your Peace Corps experience.
Whether you are bringing your message to schools, community groups or
government agencies,
Ted Magnuson is an author, speaker, as well as an accomplished Toastmaster.
|
Wrapup Session:
From 4:00 to 5:00 we'll gather again in the Multicultural Center
(SMU 228) for a presentation from the President of Idaho RPCVs,
Kevin Laughlin, entitled "Tools for Living with Unwanted Change."
Kevin provided the following information:
Peace Corps service provides insight and tools we need to reflect on change!
We will uncover practical resources and explore how present interruptions
help us find new life in unwanted changes we face. To embrace change we must
choose to start with our individual lives. The outcome of the workshop is to
turn around in our views and gain renewed courage to change in our work, in
our lifelong learning, our families, and in our communities.
Kevin M. Laughlin retired in 2009 as Extension Professor from the University
of Idaho. He completed PCV service in Belize 79-81 as Rural Education
Agricultural Program (REAP) Lecturer for the Belize Teachers College, was a
College PC Recruiter in North Dakota and has been active in RPCV/NPCA groups
in Idaho since 1991. A consultant with educational, sustainable agriculture,
government and non-profit groups, he completed a Doctoral Degree in
Education (2001) at the University of Idaho. His ongoing research focuses on
gardening, teaching, learning, and mentoring. He currently serves as
coordinator for IRPCVs, is a Certified Master Naturalist, board member of
the Idaho Life Long learning Association and the Mountain Plains Adult
Education Association.
Fundraiser
for 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps Exhibit
The Oregon Historical
Society's exhibit, Peace
Corps: 50 Years of Service, will open March 1, 2011 (on the
50th anniversary of JFK's executive order establishing the
Peace Corps) and will run at least three months. OHS wants this
exhibit to have a have a significant audio-visual element, and
CRPCA aims to replenish our grant fund,
so we're jointly planning a fundraiser for the evening of
October 16.
We'll move eight
blocks down the Park Blocks from PSU to OHS
(1200 SW Park Ave) at 5:30 pm. Proceeds from our
donations ($20 at the door) will be split equally between OHS'
exhibit and CRPCA's grant fund. We'll sample artisan cheeses
and local microbrews and wines. We'll also tour the current exhibits,
preview the Peace Corps exhibit, and enjoy belly dancing from
Origin and
Mediterranean music from
Negara.
Advance ticket sales closed at 9pm Friday 10/15
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Last modified: October 16, 2010
