What is an RPCV group?

For those of you stumbling across this blog for the first time you might have some questions about RPCVs and RPCV groups and what they do.  So here are some terms to go with our acronyms.

PCV-Peace Corps Volunteer

RPCV- RETURNED Peace Corps Volunteer

RPCV group- a returned Peace Corps Volunteer group :)

RPCV groups are generally formed by RPCVs to give them some continuing connection to Peace Corps and other RPCVs who have gone through some of the same experiences as themselves.

 A group can do several things:
-Be a service group, for example participate in charity walks, community drives, trash pick ups

-Do recruitment events, not all areas have access to recruiters or people from the recruitment office, in this case the RPCV group can fill that gap and be a good source or people interested in the Peace Corps

-Hold Peace Corps related events, for example a send off party for anyone in the process of applying or nominated to leave

-Fund-raise/donate money to worthy causes (this of course is decided by the group), for example donate to Heifer or Kiva micro-loans, or current PCV projects

The Northern Alaska Peace Corps Friends do a combination of all of these things.  In addition, about once a month or so we hold group meetings to talk about events, fundraising, etc.  We also talk about the Peace Corps, what our own service was like, and volunteering in general.  It is a great way to connect with other RPCVs and talk about the Peace Corps without worrying about over-sharing (a common problem among recently returned PCVs).  Groups offer support and a shared community.  If anyone is ever interest in the Fairbanks group we always welcome newcomers, friends of PCVs, and any new or old RPCVs in the area.

The Send-Off, Welcome Back Party

The group had it's first official Send-Off/Welcome Back Party this past Saturday at Pioneer Park.  We had a great mix of RPCVs, Applicants, and people who are interested in the Peace Corps. 

 People brought a variety of food from around the world.  There was some Mongolian bread, Venezuelan Arroz con Pollo, salads galore and lots of different treats.   Thanks to everyone who came and brought food to share! 

The purpose of this gathering was to "send-off" any applicants in the area.  We were lucky to 3 applicants who were in the process/already had their assignment and were getting ready to go.  Each person shared where they were going (or hoped to go) and what they might be doing as a volunteer.  Good luck to each one of them in their Peace Corps journey!  

In addition to lots of delicious food we also played Peace Corps Country Trivia!  There was a variety of fun fact questions about the current Peace Corps countries.  Some where easy: From this narrow country you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans...hint hint Panama.  To the slightly more difficult: The majority of Balsa wood comes from this country.....Ecuador.   Everyone had a good time trying to see if they knew the fun fact.  

To finish off the night each person received a piece of paper with some Peace Corps "words of wisdom", quotes that PC Washington had collected from volunteers past and present.  We all shared our words of wisdom and some people offered their own for those interested in the Peace Corps and for those we were sending off.

We did not have any PCVs to welcome back at the party, but we were luck enough to have the parents of a PCV who will be returning soon.  We wish to give a special thanks to them for coming to the party and for being a great support system for a PCV!  Through the grapevine we heard about another PCV who will be returning soon who wished that they could have made it to the party, hopefully we will see them later this summer.

Congratulations again to those leaving for the Peace Corps!  And a great big THANK YOU for everyone who attended!