introducing the special guests at our march eventsa potluck appetizer and perhaps a game to play....
TRANSCRIPT
CRPCA Newsletter March, 2012 Volume 32, Issue 3
Introducing the special guests at our March events
Read on for more information!
What you'll find below...
On Service and Engagement - photo-packed penultimate President's message by Bill Stein
CRPCA March to May events - dozens added since our February newsletter
Winter 2012 Grant Awards - $2,000 to projects in Nepal, Panama, and USA
Board Member Nomination Process & Open Board Position Descriptions
"Dashing," original work Bill Stein prepared for CRPCA Writers' Group
Reception for environmental lawyer and Fulbright scholar from Madagascar, March 9
Life After Peace Corps
Writers' Group Survey Results
Grant Impact Report: Growing Social Enterprise in Sokal District (Ukraine)
On Service and Engagement
by Bill Stein, CRPCA President
At the close of 2008, the CRPCA board changed our byline from the tried-and-true (“Bringing the World
Back Home”) to the aspirational (“Serving our community. Engaging the world.”). Of all the trends in this
group over the years since, the most pleasing to me is that we have strived to inhabit that new byline.
All of the images in this piece were taken at our events in February 2012.
We have active service partnerships with the Oregon Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. We bond
over volunteering together. This month alone friendships and career connections were made at our
service activities.
On February 7 we sorted beans into 2-pound bags.
One benefit of volunteering at the Food Bank (as opposed to Habitat) is that we can teach the next
generation of PCVs the value of service.
On February 18, ten of us spent the day at Habitat’s Victoria Cottages in Gresham.
Some volunteers installed weathersealing around windowframes.
Others spent the day with a caulk gun.
I hung siding alongside a couple Burmese refugees who recently arrived from Malaysia.
Several of us enjoyed sharing Peace Corps stories at lunch.
Our members took pride in their work!
As for “Engaging the world,” our grant program has supported projects in 16 countries all over the world
since 2009.
We had a healthy turnout for our grant decision meeting on February 12.
Our diverse potluck programs connect us to a variety of international and community topics. On March
11, our presenter will be John Haines, who I first met in 1991 while traveling through Mali. At the time he
was kayaking the length of the Niger River with a friend. I reconnected with him after Peter Ames Carlin’s
compelling story, “John Haines: The dream life,” was published in The Oregonian in November 2010. I
look forward to hearing what he has to tell us about the inspired work of Mercy Corps Northwest, which
he leads.
Of course we excel at engaging each other.
On February 4, we dined on Ethiopian cuisine prior to our sponsored screening at the Cascade Festival
of African Films.
Some found the desserts tempting.
At our February 12 potluck, we enjoyed chatting with friends old and new.
Our February 21 discussion of Pearl S. Buck’s “The Good Earth” went in many directions.
Some of that engagement now comes in a form that is already having spillover effects toward serving our
community. Our most dynamic such initiative right now is our Writers’ Group. So far in 2012 we have
listened to and provided useful feedback on dialog-filled science fiction, a heart-wrenching piece about
access to health care, a richly detailed account of a day at a nut market, retellings of the stories of 19th
century women travelers, a diatribe about bad trekking party members, and more. I’ve witnessed the
growth in the writing skills of frequent participants, and I’ve been amazed at the literary output of
members I’ve known for years. Our participants write books on diverse subjects, plays for community
groups, and journal articles. They’re also learning to write more engaging text for family members.
Friendly feedback results in stories by RPCVs that people will want to read.
On February 1, some authors brought props related to the works they were reading.
Our newest participant, Peter Chilson (right), shared the opening chapter from his forthcoming book on
African borderlands.
I’m submitting a sample of my own recent work for this newsletter. It’s not by any means the most
amazing work that’s been shared, but I own the copyright to it.
Three exciting initiatives promise more such engagement with an eye toward serving our community,
influencing how we talk about our experiences in the community and how we talk to each other. See our
event listings (below) for more information.
On the morning of March 17, we will have the long-awaited Peace Corps presentation workshop.
Attendees will leave with a solid understanding of the elements of effective presentations about
your Peace Corps experience using PowerPoint and Prezi. We invite our members to share parts
of your presentations—if you’re open to constructive feedback. Our special guest will be Cleon
Cox, Distinguished Toastmaster and past CRPCA collaborator.
On the morning of March 31, we will have our first Civic Engagement workshop, “Where is the
Edge of Goodness?,” facilitated by Graham Murtaugh. This promises to be an excellent
opportunity to engage with each other on a deeper level than usual at our events. We’re investing
some of our membership funds in this event, so we hope many of you can make it. We’ll be
interested in members’ feedback on the prospect of future Civic Reflections discussions.
On the evening of April 12, we will begin monthly Storytelling Gyms led by your next President,
Chuck McConnell (RPCV Ukraine). Here’s how he describes our newest group activity: Every
RPCV brings home a backpack full of adventures. But, sometimes, spinning those adventures
into a yarn - that others will enjoy - is a challenge. Come to our “gym” for a storytelling workout.
Together - we’ll practice, listen, and coach. The result? At the family picnic, Uncle Joe will listen
in delight and ask for more; at the middle school, the kids will hang on your every word; and the
members of the Bigtown Rotary Club will put down their forks as your story unfolds.
That’s it for my 35th President’s message. Look for my final one next month. And in the meantime, I look
forward to seeing more of you connect with each other at whichever of our many events in March that I’m
able to attend.
CRPCA March to May Events
Several members have asked for event hosts’ phone numbers. Now that most of our hosts have
provided their numbers, please make note of them before heading out. This should enhance our ability to
find each other in different corners of the region.
March 2012
Sunday 3/04, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Unique Outdoor Adventure. CRPCA's Bill Stein will lead
interested members and families on a unique outdoor adventure within the Metro area, in advance of
Game Night. Contact Bill at [email protected] or 503-830-0817 for the details.
Sunday 3/04, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Game Night. Hosted by Bill & Jenny Stein, 4308 SE Lexington St in
Portland (503-830-0817). ("Invite your friends and their kids, as we will."). Come and go as you like. Bring
a potluck appetizer and perhaps a game to play. Games on hand include Apples to Apples,
Bananagrams, Blokus, Risk, Scrabble, Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride. Fun for the whole family!
Tuesday, 3/06, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Writers' Group. Hosted by Mary Kay Landis, 1130 SE 36th Ave in
Portland (360-909-7732). Please bring a writing sample and perhaps a snack to share. See our Writers'
Group page for more information.
Saturday, 3/10, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – Northwest Regional Peace Corps Meeting. Hosted by
SEAPAX at 2100 24th Ave South in Seattle. Here is the planned agenda:
10:00-10:15: Social/Chat/Get settled
10:15-10:30: Welcome
10:30-11:45: Recap last year's activities, best practices, & questions for Oregon groups (CRPCA
and West Cascade PCA)
11:45-Noon: Break
Noon-1:30: Recap last year's activities, best practices, & questions for Washington and Idaho
groups (SEAPAX, Inland Northwest PCA, and Idaho RPCVs)
1:30-2:00: Open for additional agenda items
2:00: Adjourn
There will be light snacks and beverages provided during the meeting. At 2pm, the meeting will adjourn
and the group will head to a local restaurant for a late lunch. The CRPCA contingent will consist of board
members Mitch Auerbach, Bill Stein, and Gordon Young. Contact Bill at [email protected] or
503-830-0817 if you have any items you’d like us to discuss or are interested in joining us.
Sunday, 3/11, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Potluck Gathering. Hosted by Mari Alexander at
Trillium Hollow Cohousing's Common House, 9601 NW Leahy Rd in Portland. Please
bring a dish to share to the 6pm potluck dinner. After dinner, starting at 7pm, there will be
a program: John Haines on Mercy Corps Northwest.
John W. Haines joined Mercy Corps Northwest in December 2002 as executive director.
From 1997-2002, he was vice president of ShoreBank Pacific, a start-up sustainable
development bank in Portland, Oregon. From 1996-97 he was senior finance adviser to
the Czech National Environmental Fund in Prague, working for Chemonics International,
Inc. under assistance provided by USAID to improve environmental health conditions in
the Czech transition to a market economy. From 1994-95 he was executive director of
Trenton Business Assistance Corporation, an economic development loan fund in Trenton,
NJ. From 1986-1991 he worked in various corporate banking and commercial lending
positions with First Interstate Bank of Oregon (now Wells Fargo Bank). He is a board
member of Mercy Corps Northwest, Willamette Riverkeeper, Our United Villages/The
Rebuilding Center, The Food Alliance, Open Meadow Alternative Schools and Portland +
Oregon Sustainability Institute. In 1991-92 he made a continuous decent of the Niger
River in West Africa. His dog, a wild red-haired mutt found at a pinot noir vineyard, named
Mungo after the Scottish explorer of the Niger River in 1795, Mungo Park. He is a
graduate of the University of Wyoming and native of Laramie, Wyoming.
Tuesday, 3/13, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm – Book Club. Hosted by Liz Samuels, 3739 SW Hillside Dr in
Portland (503-228-7706). Feel free to bring snacks to share. The book to read is 1491: New Revelations
of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann (2005). See our Book Club page for more
information.
Thursday, 3/15, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Service Activity at the Oregon Food Bank, 7900 NE 33rd
Drive in Portland. RSVP required to Tom DeMeo, [email protected] or 503-267-3943. Please see our
Service page for additional details.
Saturday, 3/17, 9:00 am to 11:00 am – Peace Corps Presentation Workshop. Location
at Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Student Union (room 298), 1825 SW
Broadway in Portland. Several CRPCA members have asked for a workshop on preparing
successful Peace Corps presentations for contemporary audiences. This opportunity has
finally arrived! Workshop participants are asked to be in SMSU room 298 by 9:00 am and
to stay the full two hours. If you have a Peace Corps PowerPoint (or other presentation)
that you are willing to share, RSVP to Laura Kutner at [email protected] or
503-250-0997. Presentations can be on laptops, thumb drives, or available on the
Internet, and we’d like to test them at 8:45 am. Participants may want to preview
presentation hints on the Peace Corps website.
Our workshop orientation will be provided by Distinguished Toastmaster Cleon Cox, who
will also participate in evaluating the presentations. Cleon's opening speech is entitled,
"Keep them Awake, make them drool." Cleon has worn many hats in his life and career.
For the past 18 years he has found a new source of learning through his Toastmasters
experience. Combined with wearing a blue collar, then a white collar and finally no collar
he has accumulated many stories and friends in life. He continues to facilitate The Job
Finders Support Group where he weekly learns something new about those looking for
their next opportunity in life.
Friday, 3/23, 6:30 pm – Restaurant Gathering. Location at Thai Seasons, 5824 NE Sandy Blvd in
Portland. RSVP requiredto Mitch Auerbach, [email protected] or 503-505-2160.
Sunday, 3/25, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Peace Corps Birthday Party in Salem. Location at La Margarita
Express, 515 Chemeketa St in Salem. The Peace Corps community of Salem invites CRPCA members
and friends to their 51st birthday of Peace Corps party: "Last year's Peace Corps birthday party was so
much fun, we're doing it again! Returned PC volunteers, family, friends, and future PC volunteers all
welcome. We'll be ordering from the menu. The food is Salvadoran, muy bueno, and reasonably priced."
Hosts: Dan Hilburn (future PCV) & Carole Lee Smith (Thailand 1964-1966). RSVP to Dan & Lucy Hilburn,
503-585-9804 or [email protected].
Monday, 3/26, 6:30 pm – Soirée. An informal gathering at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub, 915 SE
Hawthorne Blvd in Portland. This is a great way to link up with other RPCVs, hear interesting stories from
around the world, and grab a drink and a bite to eat among good company. You can usually find us in the
front room.
Wednesday, 3/28, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Job Search Support Group. Informal gathering of CRPCA
members and friends who are seeking new work. Location at Lloyd Center in Portland. Meet 7pm at the
Food Court (3rd floor) exiting the elevator to the left side of the food court, looking for CRPCA sign plate
overlooking the ice rink edge, or call Gordon Young at 206-351-6465 for our location if you arrive later.
Contact Gordon at [email protected] for more information.
Saturday, 3/31, 10:30 am to noon – Civic Reflection for the Peace Corps Community.
Location at Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Blvdin Portland. Graham Murtaugh, a
trained Civic Reflection facilitator, will facilitate a group discussion of “Where is the Edge
of Goodness?” Graham writes: “During the session we'll read a short piece of literature
and spend an hour or so talking about it. We’ll dig out what baffles, what angers or incites,
what makes us react and try to understand how questions implicit in the reading relate to
our lives as civically engaged people. Answers will be thin on the ground, but we're sure to
end up with plenty more questions. Come see what pops up.”
Graham Murtaugh is a freelance writer, storyteller and group facilitator from Portland,
OR. He served with the Montana Campus Compact as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member in
Missoula, Montana from 2006 to 2009. Graham was captivated by Civic Reflection during
his service and has since been trained as a facilitator by the Project on Civic Reflection.
Graham has facilitated for groups large and small in Oregon and Ohio. RSVP required to
Erin Gettling, [email protected] or 971-404-4308, so we can tell the library how many
chairs to arrange in a circle. When you RSVP, please tell Erin whether you will join us for
the post-event lunch. Then please be ready for our discussion at 10:30 am.
Saturday, 3/31, noon to 1:30 pm – Post-Event Pub Gathering. After our Civic Reflections discussion,
we will reassemble for lunch at McMenamins' Hillsdale Pub, 1505 SW Sunset Blvd in Portland. All are
welcome. RSVP requested to Erin Gettling, [email protected] or 971-404-4308.
April 2012
Monday, 4/02, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Writers' Group. Hosted by Ray Thompson, 917 SE 28th Ave (just
south of Belmont) in Portland (971-295-6644). Please bring a writing sample and perhaps a snack to
share. See our Writers' Group page for more information.
Wednesday, 4/04, 7:00 pm – Portland Trail Blazers Basketball Game Outing. CRPCA has 25
reserved seats at $23/each for the Portland Trail Blazers' basketball game against the New Jersey Nets
at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland. To reserve your ticket(s), please do ONE of the following:
RSVP with your name, cell phone number, and number of tickets to Tom DeMeo at
[email protected] or 503-267-3943. Then mail a check for $23 per ticket to CRPCA, P.O. Box
802, Portland OR 97207.
Pay using the PayPal button at http://www.crpca.org/checkout.html.
Thursday, 4/12, 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm – Storytelling Gym. Hosted by Chuck McConnell, 1200 NW
Marshall St in Portland (503-806-3522). Entry instructions will be posted to the right of the door. Parking
can be a challenge, but on-street spaces are free after 7pm. It's also accessible by the Portland Streetcar
and TriMet buses 17 and 77. We will start at 7:15 pm sharp. Come ready to tell at least one five minute
(or shorter) story. And remember, this is a gym. You’re coming for a workout so the best story to bring is
the one you love…that never seems to “work.”
Sunday, 4/15, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Potluck Gathering. Hosted by Cate Wilcox, 4609 SE Mitchell St in
Portland (503-777-3578 or 503-704-9465). Please bring a dish to share to the 6pm potluck dinner. After
dinner, starting at 7pm, there will be a CRPCA business meeting. The agenda items include reviewing
and approving minutes from past business meetings, electing our 2012-2013 board members to one year
terms beginning 5/01/2012, our mid-year budget review, and a report from the Northwest Regional Peace
Corps Meeting that took place in Seattle 3/10/2012. Send additional agenda items to Bill Stein,
[email protected] or 503-830-0817.
Wednesday, 4/18, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm – Book Club. Hosted by Tom DeMeo, 301 NE 67th Ave (tan
bungalow 1.5 blocks south of Glisan) in Portland (503-719-5806). Feel free to bring snacks to share.
Special book discussion: Three Cups of What? Greg Mortenson's books (Three Cups of Tea and
Stones into Schools) were hugely inspiring to millions, but Jon Krakauer (Three Cups of Deceit) has
called key pieces of his stories into question. The truth is almost certainly somewhere in between. This
gathering of CRPCA's Book Club will be an extraordinary discussion shared by folks who have read one,
two, or all three of the books. See our Book Club page for more information.
Saturday, 4/21, 7:30 pm – Portland Timbers Soccer Match Outing. CRPCA has organized a group
outing to the Portland Timbers’ soccer match against Sporting Kansas City at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland.
As this newsletter goes to press, three tickets (at $25 each) are still available from the 25 we purchased.
If these sell out—and there is interest—we can try to obtain additional tickets for the game. Please check
with Tom DeMeo. [email protected] or 503-267-3943, before mailing a check to our P.O. box or buying a
ticket on our Checkout & Donate page.
Sunday, 4/22, 11:00 am – Family Bike Ride on the Banks-Vernonia Trail. 1 hour west of Portland. See
our February newsletter and the trail’s brochure/map for more information. RSVP to Karen Cellarius at
[email protected] or 503-998-5572 with the names of the people in your party, your e-mail address, & cell
phone number. Participants of all ages are welcome as long as they bring an adult who will take
responsibility for them. Bring: a bike, helmet, water, lunch, and a patch kit/pump, if you have one.
Wednesday, 4/25, 7:30 am to 8:30 am – Habitat HopeBuilder Breakfast. Habitat wrote CRPCA: "I
would like to ask you to host your team at our Annual HopeBuilder breakfast on April 25th. Your group
has shown dedication and excitement in helping build homes. This breakfast is free and provides an
amazing program." Participants in CRPCA's Habitat builds are particularly encouraged to attend. To be
among the ten people at our table, RSVP to Tom DeMeo, [email protected] or 503-267-3943.
Saturday, 4/28 – Service Activity: Building a Habitat Home. As this newsletter goes to press, Habitat
for Humanity has not yet confirmed our next group build for this date, but it’s probable. Once it’s
confirmed, Tom DeMeo ([email protected] or 503-267-3943) will be seeking 15 volunteers, and no
donations will be required. Stay tuned.
Monday, 4/30, 6:00 pm – International Development Happy Hour. Location at the Lucky Labrador Tap
Room, 1700 North Killingsworth St in Portland. Co-hosted by CRPCA, Development Salon, Global
Sistergoods, Green Empowerment, Jubilee Oregon, North West Fair Trade Coalition, and the Portland
Area Global AIDS Coalition. An informal gathering to share information, resources and network and just
plain chat over food and drink. Note the location and time change from our usual Soirées. For 4/30/2012
we will gather in the pub's private room for a brief address from and lots of informal mingling with Joy
Mabenge. Mr. Mabenge, whose appearance is sponsored by event partner Jubilee Oregon, is a leading
human rights and social justice activist and political analyst from Zimbabwe.
May 2012
Thursday, 5/03, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Writers' Group. Hosted by Peter Chilson, 4950 NE 35th Ave in
Portland. Please bring a writing sample and perhaps a snack to share. See our Writers' Group page for
more information.
Saturday, 5/05, 10:45 am to 1:00 pm – Peace Corps Send-Off Party. Our next big Peace Corps
recruiting event will be at Multnomah County Central Library's US Bank Room, just to the right of the front
entrance at 801 SW 10th Ave in Portland.
11:00 am to noon: Info session for Peace Corps recruits. RPCVs welcome to attend.
noon to 1:00 pm: RPCVs gather by region (Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Eastern
Europe/Central Asia, Pacific, Asia) and set up host country items at the regional tables. As with
previous recruiting events, RPCVs are encouraged to wear host country dress, bring photos and
artifacts to display, and be prepared to share stories.
RSVP requested! Please contact the recruiters at [email protected] or 206-553-5490
if you plan to participate.
Saturday, 5/05, 1:30 pm – Post-Event Pub Gathering. After the Peace Corps Send-Off Party, we will
reassemble for lunch at Rogue Public House, 1339 NW Flanders St in Portland. We have a big table
reserved, but we need to give the pub a number to prepare for, so RSVP is required to Chuck McConnell
at [email protected] or 503-274-9606. Then ride the free Streetcar from SW 10th & Yamhill (departs
1:10 pm) to NW 10th & Everett (four stops to the north) and walk one block north to Flanders and three
blocks west to 13th.
Monday, 5/07, 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm – Storytelling Gym. Hosted by Chuck McConnell, 1200 NW
Marshall St in Portland (503-806-3522). Entry instructions will be posted to the right of the door. See our
4/12 listing above for more information.
Friday, 5/11, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Bowling Fundraiser. Location at Hollywood Bowl, 4030 NE Halsey
St (immediately west of the Hollywood Transit Center) in Portland. Support CRPCA’s mission and grant
program during our fundraiser at Hollywood Bowl, next to the Hollywood Transit Center in Portland. Pay
$14/adults and $10/kids for 3 games and shoe rental. Half of the proceeds will benefit CRPCA! Please
bring cash as CRPCA will be taking the funds and paying the alley after the event. We'd like images of
our members bowling to help us promote this event! Please send them to [email protected].
Thursday, 5/17, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm – Book Club. Hosted by Carol McCormac Wild, 7865 SW Parrway
Dr in Portland (503-292-3385). Feel free to bring snacks to share. The book to read is Mountains
Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy
Kidder (2003). See our Book Club page for more information.
Sunday, 5/20, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Potluck Gathering. Hosted by Caitlin McSweeny, 20941 SW
Augusta Ct in Beaverton (503-964-4036). Program TBA.
Monday, 5/21, 6:30 pm – Soirée. An informal gathering at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub, 915 SE
Hawthorne Blvd in Portland. Moved up a week due to the holiday.
Winter 2012 Grant Awards
At our February 12 potluck gathering, over a dozen of our members voted to award a total of $2,000 in
grants to the following projects. All three are led by (other) CRPCA members!
$800 to Namaste Katmandu: "Mechi Mahakali School Septic Improvements" (Nepal). To pump
the old latrine near the river and build a new one.
$800 to Playa Balsa Water Committee: "Water and Sanitation for Healthy Lives" (Panama). To
provide healthy drinking water to the residents of Playa Balsa, creating a chlorinated gravity fed
water system.
$400 to Trash for Peace: "Empowering Communities to Live in a World Without Waste" (USA).
To build a recycle bin prototype and 4 additional bins, and to purchase a video camcorder.
Our next grant application deadline is May 20. See http://www.crpca.org/grants.html for the application
form.
Board Member Nomination Status
We welcome member participation on our board! CRPCA’s 2012-2013 board members will be elected on
April 15 to one-year terms that begin May 1.
Here is the status of the nomination process, as of February 26, 2012. Note that nothing listed below is a
fait accompli; the decisions will be made by our members on April 15, when you must be present to be
elected onto the CRPCA board. Please contact Bill Stein at [email protected] or 503-830-0817 if
you’d like to nominate yourself for ANY of these positions.
President: Bill Stein will be stepping down. Chuck McConnell has offered to be nominated to
this position. Before this transition takes place, we’re aiming to transfer at least the e-update
duties that Bill has been performing to another board member.
Secretary: The incumbent, Melissa Ngaruri Kenney, has not yet stated her intentions.
Treasurer: Phyllis Shelton is term-limited (three years in the same position), but she has
expressed interest in continuing, under Article V, Section 2 of our bylaws.
Newsletter Editor: Roberto Masferrer is willing to continue but would welcome being replaced
or recruiting a Co-Newsletter Editor. A co-editor would be an excellent idea, as Newsletter Editor
is a natural landing point for the e-update duties.
Webmaster: We’re inviting Scott Eckert to continue to see our transition to our WordPress
website through to completion. Scott seeks help with this endeavor, which we hope to
implement before the new board members take office. Contact Scott at [email protected] or
971-832-9695 ASAP if you’re willing to help.
Education Coordinator: Laura Kutner has expressed interest in continuing.
Events Coordinator: Erin Gettling has expressed interest in continuing.
Fundraising Coordinator: Katie Masferrer will be stepping down. We are recruiting a new
Fundraising Coordinator.
Grants Coordinator: Richard Rystrom will be stepping down. We are recruiting a new
Grants Coordinator.
Membership Coordinator: Adrienne Wolf-Lockett has expressed interest in continuing, and we
will also be nominating Bob Lockett to be Co-Membership Coordinator. Bob is already assisting
her; this will make the arrangement official.
Networking Coordinator: Gordon Young has expressed interest in continuing.
Program Coordinator: Caitlin McSweeny will be stepping down, but Tara O’Connor has not yet
stated her intentions. We may be recruiting a new Program Coordinator.
Service Coordinator: Tom DeMeo is term-limited, but he has expressed interest in continuing,
under Article V, Section 2 of our bylaws.
Social Coordinator: Mitch Auerbach has expressed interest in continuing.
Open Board Position Descriptions
Grants Coordinator
The Grants Coordinator corresponds with people who want to submit a grant, then collects the grants
and, a week prior to the meeting to vote on them, summarizes each grant for presentation to the
membership. After the grant money has been voted upon, the Grants Coordinator sends a Grant
Agreement to each “winner” and notifies the Treasurer to send the amount of the grant that was awarded.
If you have further questions about this position, please let Richard know, at [email protected].
Fundraising Coordinator
The fundraising coordinator is responsible for brainstorming, planning, and executing events that raise
money which is used to support CRPCA's grant cycle. You are not alone in this job as you are welcome
to form teams or committees for the events. The position typically requires coordination with local
businesses or venues but is completely open to your creativity. Please contact Katie at
[email protected] if you have any questions.
Newsletter Editor
The newsletter editor is responsible for acquiring submissions for the newsletter through out the month,
and then compiling and organizing the submissions into Mailchimp between the 25th of the current month
and the 1st of the following month. The editor also prints and mails a handful of newsletters for those who
receive a hard copy rather than an email. Mailchimp is very easy to use and Roberto is willing to train you
if you do not have experience with creation and submission of electronic newsletters. This position is an
easy one to hold as the time commitment is minimal, and is ideal for someone who likes to know what is
going on! Please contact Roberto at [email protected] if you are interested.
Dashing
by Bill Stein, © 2012
Dashing. That’s not a way I would have described myself when I was an earnest young man serving as
an agroforestry extension agent in Niger, West Africa. I had pretty good language skills but felt awkward
in social situations with other Americans. As I discovered years later, as a young male human, my brain
wasn’t yet done sprouting connections. But dashing is the word that first comes to mind when I imagine
how I was viewed by that woman I never met.
Toward the end of each month, I prepared a hand-written report of my activities in French. The six copies
were made bearing down through five layers of carbon paper, a copying technology long abandoned back
in the United States. The original I mailed to my Peace Corps boss, and the one on the bottom I mailed
to CARE International, since they provided my motorcycle. One I saved for my records, and the others I
dropped off on my next trip to Birni N’Konni.
My routine for these trips was pretty set. I dropped off copies of my monthly report at both the county
agriculture and environment offices before they closed for the siesta, then I ran errands in town before
sharing lunch with the nearby Peace Corps Volunteers who had motorcycles. I next bought groceries
from the market, then I attached my heavy bag to the back of my motorcycle for the mid-afternoon ride
away from the sun toward Malbaza.
After riding past the hulking cement factory, I bought black-market Nigerian gas from teenage girls
fighting over the right to fill my tank, and I dropped off the local agriculture agent’s report. Then I visited
my friend Alassane, the local environment agent. There I enjoyed engaging conversations until I knew
the mail truck had arrived at the Malbaza post office. Just before embarking on the bumpy road back to
my village, I visited my nearest Peace Corps Volunteer, Michael, who had spent the day teaching math at
the middle school.
I gave very little thought to those perfunctory visits to the county environment office in Birni N’Konni. But
unbeknownst to me, I was being observed. My Yamaha DT 125 had a distinctive roar compared to other
motorcycles. Anyone looking out for me would have had advance notice of my arrival. I must have
appeared dashing as I extended the kickstand, dismounted, hung my yellow helmet on the mirror, and
walked into the office announcing, “Asalaam alaikum.” Once inside I would exchange greetings with the
woman at the front desk, then I would hand over my report before saying “until next month” and then
remount my motorcycle.
On my final such trip, I was surprised to see a brown envelope with Nigerien handwriting among the mail I
picked up in Malbaza. All my mail from Americans arrived in white envelopes. I waited until I was at
Michael’s house to open it. I will never forget the uncomfortable laughs we shared over the one secret-
admirer letter I ever received.
First I noticed the color photo of a well-dressed Nigerien woman slightly older than me. It had clearly
been taken in a city home rather than a bush village, with kitschy wall coverings visible against a cement
wall. Writing in formal French, this woman wrote: “You don’t know me, but I’ve been admiring you every
time you ride your motorcycle to the environment office in Birni N’Konni. I hope you will look for me in a
nearby window the next time you visit my father’s office. In any case, I’m providing my address so you
can write me.”
Michael exclaimed, “She wants you to marry her and bring her to America!” I wasn’t interested in making
a romantic connection with a Nigerienne on my last months in the country, and I was uncomfortable with
my first-world visa appeal to someone who had never even exchanged a greeting with me. So I tucked
the letter into my grocery bag, and our conversation soon drifted to other gossip.
When I returned to the village, I wondered how the woman could have been so shy in a nation full of
extroverts. I know I would have spoken to her had she approached me. She obviously had viewed at
least one of my reports so she knew where to mail her letter. Though I never gave thought to responding,
I hope she later found a man, dashing or not, who admired her back.
Reception for environmental lawyer and Fulbright scholar from Madagascar, March
9
CRPCA’s Diane Henkels forwarded this announcement:
You are invited to a presentation on Madagascar by Dr. Lalaina Rakotoson on Friday, March 9,
2012, 7-9 p.m. at the Willamette Sailing Club (yes, a sailing club), 6336 Southwest Beaver Avenue
in Portland, OR (on the West bank of the Willamette River across Macadam from Carolina).
Serving heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
A native Malagasy, Lalaina is trained in environmental law and policy in Vermont, and received her PhD
in San Francisco and has been working in Madagascar for most of her life to protect the rights of
Malagasy and the environment. Among her other work, Rakotoson is leading The Access Initiative
Madagascar Coalition for Rio 20, and will be in the Pacific Northwest as an O’Donnell Visiting Speaker at
Whitman College. I met Lalaina at Vermont Law School and collaborated closely with me when I finished
my environmental law degree in Madagascar, and we will be speaking on related themes at Whitman
College the week prior to this.
See more info below the photos. RSVP to [email protected] or 541-270-6001 so we’ll know for
food and drink, and feel free to bring a friend or send this message along.
Biography of Dr Lalaina Rakotoson
Team Leader, Development and Environmental Law Center Madagascar (DELC)
Dr Lalaina R. Rakotoson is an environmental attorney and Fulbright scholar from Madagascar. She
received her Law degrees in Madagascar. In 1995, she graduated from Vermont Law School with a
Master of Studies in Environmental Law (MsEL). Five years upon returning home, she has been working
in Madagascar as National Research Coordinator for the Center for International Forestry Research
(CIFOR). In 1996, she founded with faculty members of the Fianarantsoa Law School, the Development
and Environmental Law Center (DELC Madagascar). In 2002, she participated in the drafting of
Madagascar’s Policy and Strategy for Sustainable Management of Coastal Zones. As of 2003,
Rakotoson went back to school in the United States and accomplished in May 2007 her Doctoral Degree
in International Legal Studies from Golden Gate University of San Francisco. From September 2006 to
September 2007, Rakotoson worked with the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) in Washington DC as
Visiting Scholar. She worked on the Ocean Program, and assisted the drafting of the Legal Drafter’s
Handbook for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine and Coastal Environments, a project carried
out with the UNEP. From October 2007 to July 2008, Rakotoson worked with the Universal Human Rights
Network in Washington DC as Human Rights and Environment Associate. In 2008, she secured a
funding for DELC Madagascar to conduct a three year project on capacity building, environmental justice
and advocacy for coastal communities in Madagascar. As of August 2008, Rakotoson returned to
Madagascar and currently manages DELC project as Team Leader. In 2009, Rakotoson was selected by
the Environmental Law Institute to be an advisory member for the project on ”Adaptation of Legislations
to a Changing Climate” Rakotoson is member of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association
(WIOMSA), the Marine Turtle Scientific Group (MTSG), and the Gender and Trade Network in Africa
(GENTA). Since 2011, Rakotoson is leading The Access Initiative Madagascar Coalition, in partnership
with the World Resources Institute.
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Writers’ Group Survey Results
Fifteen CRPCA members took our Writers’ Group survey in February. Here was the primary question:
CRPCA's Writers' Group gatherings have been so engaging that we've lately exceeded the allotted
7-9pm time slot. Please rank the following options for how to address this good problem:
Stay with the status quo (7-9pm). Decide on ground rules at the start of each meeting.
Start at 6:30 sharp. Limit readings to ten minutes per author and feedback to ten minutes per
author. Authors cannot provide any explanatory information about their work before or after the
reading. End at 9:00 sharp.
Stay with 7-9 pm. Institute a signup procedure in which no more than six authors read at each
gathering.
Results: More people ranked the Status Quo as their top choice. But awarding 2 points for respondents’
first choices, 1 point for respondents’ second choices, and zero points for respondents’ third choices…
14 points for 6:30-9:00 with time limits (10 first or second choices)
13 points for status quo (7 first or second choices)
10 points for signups and limits on number of authors (7 first or second choices)
Eight submitted comments on this question:
Stay with same 7 p.m. opening but make it open-ended. Why not make it as long as people have
time and material for?
Authors should be able to explain or describe the INTENDED AUDIENCE for whatever they read.
Beyond that, nothing else is needed.
Word limit as well as time limit.
I think the writer should be able to give some intro/explanation concerning their writings.
Authors should be able to provide explanatory information but it takes away from their reading &
feedback time.
Mostly, I'd ask that authors read no more than 10 minutes, then allow OTHERS to talk about the
work--without interrupting or explaining. They can then ask questions at end of discussion. Time
limit/sharing equally or with a sign-up is important, too, so all voices get heard (if they want to be).
Since I'm not sure I'll be active, I have no time preference:)
Readings should be limited. Responses should be limited and reader can't talk. Kind of militant...
but would be helpful I think. And a big "tangent bell".
Start at 7pm.
Thanks for the feedback! Here’s how we intend to respond: Stay with 7-9 pm. Aim to start and end
on time. Each author gets one minute to explain their piece, the intended audience, what they'd like help
with, etc. Then they read their piece for 5-10 minutes depending on the number of writers sharing. The
evaluation period can also be adjusted depending on the number of writers. Clarifications from the author
during the evaluation are discouraged. Tangents on subjects other than the works being read are also
discouraged.
Other results:
Monday and Tuesday are equally popular for Writers’ Group gatherings; each was checked by
eleven survey respondents. Wednesday and Thursday are less popular, checked by eight and
seven respectively. Only one member cannot meet on a Monday or Tuesday. Most future-
scheduled gatherings will be on Mondays or Tuesdays, with the occasional Wednesday thrown in.
Regarding whether to meet in summer, nine selected July and seven selected August. We will
schedule at least a July Writers’ Group gathering.
Six checked, “I attend Writers' Group to improve my writing skills.” Five checked, “I write as an
avocation/profession.” Four checked, “I write primarily for family members.”
Writers’ Group next meets Tuesday, March 6. Bring your new or prized writing sample and see what all
the excitement is about!
Grant Impact Report: Growing Social Enterprise in Sokal District (Ukraine)
CRPCA requests Grant Impact Reports from all grant recipients. Following is a synopsis of a very
thorough and honest Grant Impact Report that was submitted by PCV Emily Watson in Ukraine. Our
$300 grant to Sokal Rayon Association for the Disabled was awarded on February 13, 2011.
Please give an overview of your project. Describe any unexpected successes or challenges:
Columbia River Peace Corps Association (CRPCA) funds were sought to support the efforts of the Sokal
District Association of the Disabled (SDAD) in Sokal District. SDAD works to support any and all Persons
with Disabilities (PWDs) in Sokal District. CRPCA funds were used to support the nonprofit
organization’s budding social enterprise, which was established with USAID/SPA funds totaling just over
four thousand US Dollars. CRPCA funds were used to purchase materials necessary to support existing
(free) workshops to PWDs in the community and to expand the product base of the social enterprise.
More specifically, SDAD added candle-making workshops for eligible participants.
Overall the project has been a success. Candle-making equipment is very expensive and CRPCA funds
were not enough to cover the costs. However, a private international donor gave nearly all the equipment
needed to get the project started. We learned quickly that the candle-making/decorating process requires
precision in order to turn out quality products. While this limited some of the current clientele with more
severe disabilities from participating in the process, it also provided opportunities for other PWDs to
participate. As a result we have diversified some of the client base and now have three new volunteer
workshop leaders who focus only on candle-making.
Please list the objectives of the project and evaluate the measurable objectives achieved. Explain
HOW you measured those objectives:
This project was linked to a larger USAID/SPA project which sought to launch a social enterprise where
members of the special needs community could not only generate a small income, but display their
talents and abilities to the greater community. The project sought to take a two-prong approach to
addressing barriers to employment in Sokal District; one approach was to secure a public venue to sell
products and the second to provide assistance and skill development through trainings. The project itself
was designed to benefit SDAD through the strengthening of organizational capacity and existing
partnerships while also working to represent PWDs in Sokal District.
This project met the goals outlined in the USAID/SPA project. Community partnerships were
strengthened with the Sokal Town Council, the Sokal District Council, and the Department of Labor. A
kiosk was purchased and opened for business in the Sokal Bazaar. Round table discussions were held
and local media was used to promote workshops and SDAD services. Goals and objectives specific to
the CRPCA funding were also met. A candle-making program was launched. While we did not meet the
original target of reaching seventeen new community participants, perhaps more importantly SDAD grew
the workshop leader/volunteer base (comprised of PWDs). While not an original project objective, this
can be viewed as a significant organizational success.
Other project objectives included the management of supplies, purchasing of materials and tracking
receipts. All of this was done without the assistance of PCV Emily Watson and reflects the increased
ability for SDAD to successfully and accurately manage projects.
Describe the population(s) or target audience(s) served. List how many individuals benefited or
were impacted:
Twelve PWDs were directly impacted by the expansion of the social enterprise to include candle-making.
This includes opportunities to support the development of social and interpersonal skills through the
workshops and also the ability to directly impact the economic situation and professional skill
development of participants.
Through the launch of the social enterprise and the start of the candle-making workshops, SDAD was
able to increase organizational capacity as well as outreach opportunities to the over 3,000 PWDs in the
community.
If this is a continuing project, describe future plans/program objectives:
This project is part of a larger social enterprise. SDAD hopes to continue to support and expand candle-
making workshops. As additional space and equipment can be secured, the organization anticipates
seeing growth in product production and participation.
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