NorCalPCA's Annual General Meeting & Festival of Cultures

Get ready for the Northern California Peace Corps Association's 2018 Annual General Meeting and Festival of Cultures!

First, we conduct the Annual General Meeting in which we elect Board Directors, vote on proposed ByLaws changes (electronic voting 02/08 - 03/01, paper ballots may also be cast at the meeting), and transact other business.

Then we have a big, international party we call the Festival of Cultures to celebrate the countries where we served with informational tables representing different countries of the world and an international potluck!

The theme of the evening will be "Taking Charge of Change" by advocating for the Peace Corps! The Peace Corps requires resources and sound policies in order to progress forward and support volunteers as they serve the Peace Corps' critical mission. Learn more below about the advocacy actions, information, and materials we will have at the event!

Announcing our Keynote Speaker: Mike Honda, Former House Congressmen of Silicon Valley
We are excited to announce that Mike Honda (RPCV El Salvador '65 - '67), former House Congressmen of Silicon Valley, will join us as our Keynote Speaker! Beyond his service with the Peace Corps, Mr. Honda has served his community through many different roles and on a variety of important issues and knows first hand the critical role advocacy efforts can play. He's remained an avid supporter of the Peace Corps and we are honored to have him speak at our event!

Bring a Potluck Item!
Bring a potluck food item (preferably international, but not required) to serve at least 6 people!

Show-off Your Host-Country Dress!
Come dressed in clothing from your country of service or in a Peace Corps shirt (preferred, but not required)!

"Taking Charge of Change" by Advocating for the Peace Corps!

We'll have materials ready to take advocacy actions such as sending letters and making phone calls to our local representatives relating to a couple of urgent Peace Corps issues:

1) #ProtectPeaceCorps Funding. As the government's complicated budget process moves along, we need to consistently remind our representatives of the Peace Corps' value and importance, and ensure it has the funding it needs to accomplish its mission.

2) Peace Corps Health Care Reform. Legislation is now moving through both the House and the Senate that pushes for higher standards of medical care for Peace Corps Volunteers. The Senate version carries the name "Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act" in honor of NorCal-native Nick Castle, who passed away due to preventable illness while serving in China in 2013. 

These activities are part of a "National Days of Action" campaign of the National Peace Corps Association that is taking place throughout the month of March. Taking action on these issues is a great way to contribute to the future success of the Peace Corps, its volunteers, and our community!

Volunteer at the Event!

Can you help with any of the following? Please email AGM@NorCalPCA.org with what with your volunteering preferences! A BIG thank you in advance!

• Display Table - Set up and staff a table during the Festival of Cultures regarding your country of service, a social service organization that is near and dear to you, or an issue of importance to the Peace Corps.!
• Signage - Be in charge of making sure signs are made and posted helping people find our room.
• Setup - Help setup decorations and equipment and arrange tables and chairs prior to the event (3-4pm).
• Registration - Welcome attendees; help enroll persons that are interested in joining or renewing their membership, subscribe to our emails, and/or make a donation; and provide general information about NorCalPCA and the event.
• Table Supervision - Make sure people bringing pot luck items know where to take them, welcome those staffing display tables and make sure they know where to go and have what they need, and keep an eye on table items to make sure they remain secure at the site. 
• Photography - Take pictures / video with your phone or camera and share it with us to post on our website and social media networks!
• Ombudspeople - Actively calm and gather the audience when it's time for speakers. Answer guests' questions. Direct guests to help if there are questions you can't answer.
• Balloting - Assist with our board elections, helping to tally ballots and facilitate a smooth and efficient process.
• Tear Down - Help us get the place back in order at the end (8-9pm)!

Donate to NorCalPCA’s General Fund!
NorCalPCA's Annual General Meeting and Festival of Cultures is free for anyone to attend, but does require some organizational expense as well as many volunteer hours dedicated to making it happen! Please consider making a donation to NorCalPCA's General Fund so we can continue welcoming all members to our events for free!

Hope to see you there!