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Denver & Estes Park, Colorado October 11, 12 & 13, 2013. Reunion of Returned peace corps volunteers of Honduras. October 14,1960: concept of Peace Corps announce d by Kennedy at University of Michigan during presidential campaign
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Denver & Estes Park, Colorado October 11, 12 & 13, 2013 Reunion of Returned peace corps volunteers of Honduras
October 14,1960: concept of Peace Corps announced by Kennedy at University of Michigan during presidential campaign Kennedy's opponent, Richard Nixon, predicted it would become a "cult of escapism" and "a haven for draft dodgers” The beginning
Created March 1,1961 by executive order Sargent Shriver appointed first director Began recruiting in 1962 1961 - 1962
August 28,1961: first group of volunteers left for Ghana and Tanzania September 22,1961: program formally authorized by Congress Within two years >7,300 volunteers serving in 44 countries Number increased to 15,000 in 1966 1961 - 1969
1971: President Nixon, an opponent of the program, brought the Peace Corps under the umbrella agency ACTION • described as: "the Federal Domestic Volunteer Agency“, formed in 1970 from VISTA • 1979: President Carter made it fully autonomous via executive order • 1981: legislation made the organization an independent federal agency 1970 - 1999
Number of applicants have declined steadily from a high of 15,384 in 2009 to 10,091 in 2012 • 210,000+ have served in 139 countries • Now trying to recruit more diverse volunteers of different ages: • 1961: 1% of volunteers over 50, 7% today • Average age 28 • ethnic minorities currently comprise 22% of volunteers 2000 - Present
1973: Attended University of Michigan – noticed plaque on Union wall 1977: Graduated, applied for Peace Corps 1979: Re-applied, accepted to Honduras 1980: Attend Dover, DE screening program 1980: Arrived in country 1982: Completed service Me and the peace corps
50th Anniversary Peace Corps gathering in DC • Decision to have Honduras reunion in Colorado • 2012: Committee established • I agreed to help along with Steve Phelan to contact people • List of about 250 volunteers • Fred Corvi joins the effort and finds everyone! • List grows to >3,500 Road to this reunion
Acting Peace Corps Director letter • Embajada de Honduras http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrSZXZzepaA • Letter from Lesbia • Recognition for reunion volunteers • Searcher-finder people • Registrations • Setup • Volunteers from 2010-2012 Peace corps recognition
Jim Barborak for facilitating decision, kicking off the committee and suggesting the YMCA • Sue Golding for more logistical support than can be imagined, website creation, decorations and more • Fred Corvi for finding more people than ever before • Steve Phelan for being the listmeister – again! • Leslie Hughes-Lind for all of her support and insight • All the sub-committee volunteers: • Music – Maggie McQuaid & Brant Miller; Political panel – Maria Robinson, Service project – AimeDeGrenier; Slide show – Patty Ayala • YMCA staff and in particular Emily Herman • All of you for making the effort to be here and make this a wonderful event Thanks – reunion support
Tracey Callahan – New Belgium – BEER Jerry Bauer – group photo Jean Cox – Honduran cashews Jack Riehl – bird house Mary Quijano – book Emily Untermeyer – PC pins Richard Sitler – PC photo books Kathy Bussert – gift certificates Terri – Salus – memorabilia Sue Golding – custom jacket Julian Ciampa & Jillian – Facebook, More thanks – good stuff
Michael Ketover: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ8Rn62XjcU • On the lighter side: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koUWaAr-itY Peace corps tributes