Spring

2009

From the RPCVw President...

Dear RPCVs,

It has definitely been a long winter here in the DC area, and I

am sure that all of your are as excited as I am for Spring to final-
ly overpower winter’s chill. However, in spite of the winter chill,
RPCVw and its membership have enjoyed an active and exciting
series of programs and activities over these last few months.

To begin with, the New Year brought with it the excitement

of Barack Obama’s ascension to the Presidency. RPCVw and
NPCA joined forces and led a group of 200 people from the
Peace Corps Community on a march through the Inaugural
Parade. It was an honor and privilege to celebrate Peace Corps
during this parade, and for anyone who still doubts the power
of Peace Corps – the cheers and cries of support for Peace Corps
The RPCVw Board Members Trish, Corey and Jim celebrate at the Holiday Party
during that parade was absolutely amazing.
Your 2008-09 RPCVw Board of Directors
For those of you who stay up to speed on our website (www.
rpcvw.org) and listserv, you may have noticed the wide array of
President: Jim Gore, Bolivia 03-05 programs and activities that we have developed in support of
Vice President: Molly Mattessich, Mali 02-04 our membership. You will see a review of those successes in the
Secretary: Joe Ford, Zambia 94-96 following pages of this newsletter.
Treasurer: Jeffrey Lovelace, Bolivia 95-97
Membership: Bea Tijerina, Ghana 97-99 & Zambia On a final note, our July annual membership picnic will bring
06 with it the election of new members of our Board of Directors.
New Members: Vacant I encourage all of you to give serious thought to becoming a
Communications: RaeJean Stokes, Ukraine 03-05 member of our Board. It is an amazing experience – one that
Web: Pei-Zei Lin, Burkina Faso, 04-06 will bring you experience, friendships, and fulfillment. As I am
now coming to the end of my third term as President of the
Development: Lindsey Johnson, Phillipines, 05-06
Board of Directors, I have decided to step down from this posi-
Special Events: Tamar Schiffman, Uzbekistan 01 & tion and allow others to step in and guide the future of RPCVw.
Ukraine 01-03 It has been a pleasure and honor to serve you, the membership
Social: Corey Taylor, Benin 97-99 of RPCVw, in efforts to build a strong community here in the DC
Community Service: Jessica Benton Cooney, El Salva- area as well as empower each of you to live your 3rd goal fuller
dor 04-06 here in your community. I have been endorsed by the RPCVw
Programs: Trish Calamari, Uzbekistan 04-05 Board of Directors in my campaign to become a Board Member
of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and fill the now
vacant Mid-Atlantic/Nationwide NPCA Board Position. For
Save the Date(s): those of you who are NPCA members, I respectfully request your
vote for that position in the upcoming elections, which will take
place April 15 through May 15 (results will be announced by May
Wreath Laying at JFK’s Grave 26).
Wednesday, May 13th at 6pm
Arlington National Cemetary I sincerely thank you all for your continued support of RPCVw
and the greater Peace Corps Community.

Annual Summer Picnic & Board Elections Kind Regards,

Saturday, July 11th from 12:30-4pm James Gore
DC Yacht Club President – RPCVw
Bolivia 2003-2005
Ticket to History
Volunteer’s Kenya service paved path to Inauguration
By: Jessica Benton Cooney

When the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced the “Ticket to History” contest, James Riviere wrote a quick essay over
a lunch break, using his Peace Corps service as fodder to describe what the inauguration meant to him and the nation. Little did
he imagine that he would be one of ten finalists to receive tickets to the opening concert at the Lincoln Memorial, the swearing-in,
the Inaugural Parade, and the Neighborhood Ball.
Riviere, who was assigned to the home province of President Barack Obama’s father during his Peace Corps service in Kenya,
said it was an honor to attend the inauguration of the man Kenyans hailed a potential presidential winner even before he of-
ficially declared his White House intentions.
The Washington, D.C. native arrived in Kenya in early 2007, but his time there was cut short when the disputed presidential
election in December 2007 unleashed chaos, destruction and looting.
Riviere was 20 miles from the border of Tanzania, inside the walls of a friend’s secure compound, when officials announced
that the incumbent president, Mwai Kibaki, was the declared winner despite opposition leader Raila Odinga’s claims of victory.
An eerie silence descended, which Riviere said proved to be the quiet before the storm.
In the distance plumes of smoke began to rise, matching news reports that violent activity was starting a kilometer away. He
remained holed up, with his friend’s armed military guards keeping watch, but after a few days the group was forced to make a
trek to the closest town to buy food supplies. From his perch in the back of the truck, he saw burning vehicles, stores and houses
destroyed by looters, machete wounds and even witnessed a man receive a gun shot to the head.
Within a few days he evacuated to Dar es Salaam,Tanzania and was reunited with other Kenya Volunteers. He returned to
the U.S. in February 2008. While Peace Corps has reopened its post in Kenya and Volunteers have since gone back, Riviere opted
to stay in the U.S. and accept a job with Management Sciences for Health in Arlington, Virginia.
Riviere said that he had work to finish in Kenya. “But I wanted to go back in a greater capacity. In those nine months at that
skill level I realized it would be about myself…it was better to go home.”
Because of heavy security, Riviere arrived to his seat two minutes before the swearing-in ceremony started, and although
Obama was a mere speck on the horizon, Riviere said he was overcome by a sense of peace. Despite the crowds and security
frustrations, being able to witness the historical moment “nixed out everything else.” He was confident that Kenyans were also
proudly watching the ceremony, given their penchant for bringing in generators to watch soccer in “even the tiniest villages that
had no running water.” He added that, “even in the slums of Nairobi, they probably watched it projected on the side of a build-
ing.”
During the inauguration, Riviere stayed at the Capital Hill Suites along with Hollywood and music stars, such as Alicia Keys,
Tiger Woods, Steve Carell, and George Lopez. He also attended the bi-partisan dinner for Vice-President Joseph Biden at Union
Station. “As blessed as I am,” Riviere said, “bless those that had patience…for coming at 4 a.m. just to look at the back of people’s
heads.”
Jessica Benton Cooney is a production editor and staff writer for the Congressional Quarterly, in Washington, D.C. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Sal-
vador from 2004 to 2006. This article is also appearing in the spring issue of WorldView magazine. Learn more at www.peacecorpsconnect.org.

RPCVw Marches in Inaugural Parade

Commemorate historic election

On January 21, nearly 200 RPCVs and

honored guests marched in the parade to
honor the inauguration of the 44th Presi-
dent of the United States, Barack Obama.
Despite the long lines, long waits, and bit-
ter temperatures, it was a memorable day
for all.

If you missed it, or would just like to see it

again, be sure to check out this clip from
MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/
vp/29898390#29898249.

Are you CONNECTED?
What are you waiting for? The Peace Corps online community is up
and running – are you a member yet? You can create your profile in
a few minutes.
Already created a profile? Take advantage of all the community has
to offer!
Now there are country pages to facilitate communication with your
fellow volunteers:
* Pose questions about Post-Peace Corps jobs in Para guay
* Find out if it’s going to be rainy during your vacation to Senegal
* Discuss the economic challenges of your town in Kazakhstan
* Add your photos to pages like Peace Corps Malawi
HOW: Simply click on the Resources section and go to the Discussion
forums for your country!
We’re one of the largest and most active RPCV groups in the world!
Let’s make RPCVw the group with the MOST members on Peace
Corps Connect. Join our group here!
The goals of the new online community for Peace Corps Volunteers
are to:
Engage all of the voices of the Peace Corps Community and be the
virtual umbrella under which Peace Corps stories are exchanged and
links are built.
Provide current and insightful information about Peace Corps coun-
tries and cultures.
Help Returned Peace Corps Volunteers make the Third Goal of
Peace Corps a reality.
Present career, educational, and service resources to Returned Peace
Corps Volunteers.
You can join this community now by visiting www.peacecorpscon-
nect.org .
Board Members on the
Move...
Elizabeth Olsen, the RPCVw
New Members Director has re-
signed from her position on the
RPCVw Board to accept a posi-
tion in the Obama Administration. We are
all very sad to see Elizabeth leave; however,
we are absolutely excited and supportive of
her new position. Elizabeth has been a true
champion of Peace Corps’ third goal and
her work has inspired many of us to con-
tinue our own commitment to service. We
wish Elizabeth the best of luck in her new
adventure, and hope you all will join us in
thanking her for the amazing work she did
for the RPCVw community.
*NEW* RPCVw Partner-
ship Award Program
This year, RPCVw will award one Returned Peace
Corps Volunteer with $1,000 to start or continue
a third goal initiative project. Our award will be
similar to the Peace Corps Partnership program,
but this year instead of granting an award to a
current volunteer, we will select a worthy project
from an RPCVw Member who continues to be
involved in his or her community post-Peace Corps
service. The award winner will be recognized at a
reception in the spring. Please stay tuned for more
information and for nomination criteria. If you
have any questions please contact Molly Mattessich
at vicepresident@rpcvw.org.

50 x 50 campaign
RPCVw’s exciting three-year membership plan went into effect in September and will run until the 50th anniversary of the
Peace Corps in 2011. The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington D.C. has launched a “50 by 50” membership cam-
paign to increase our membership by 50 new members each year between now and the 50th anniversary in September, 2011.

By the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, RPCVw hopes to play a leading role with Peace Corps and the National Peace
Corps Association in the effort to celebrate the incredible legacy of the Peace Corps. We can only do so with an active, motivat-
ed member base. Please recruit your friends and group-mates living in the D.C. area, and be part of a monumental initiative!

For more information about becoming a member, contact Bea at membership@rpcvw.org, or sign up online at www.rpcv.org.
 New Peace Corps Books

Americans Do Their Business Abroad: The

Peace Corps Latrine Reader

Herein reside seventeen stories (and one

poem) written by Peace Corps Volunteers
from across the generations and across
the planet. Such writing often brings
expectations for a certain type of book
(heartwarming, uplifting, nice). Many
books give you that experience. And we
like those books. They are good books.
The world needs those books. This is not
that book. Americans Do Their Business
Did you see this picture of the Peace Corps Community in the Washington
Post on the day after the election? It was one of the only pictures from the Abroad is a collection of stories a little too
parade to run in the paper, and took up a gigantic two-page spread! If goofy, a little too personal (and maybe
you’d like to own this moment in history, you can purchase a high resolu- a little too gross) to belong anywhere
tion copy of this picture at http://gallery.pictopia.com/wpost/gallery/4528/ else. Latrines. Goat eyeballs. Pickpockets.
photo/xt-mt-25-210912/?o=49. Whimsy. Wisdom. And arson in the name
of hygiene. Enjoy.
Join the RPCVw Board in 2009
Learn more at http://www.amazon.com/Ameri-
cans-Do-Their-Business-Abroad/dp/098226190X/
Each year, RPCVw membership elects a new Board of Direc- ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237990507&sr=
tors. This year in particular, several longtime RPCVw mem- 8-1
bers have decided not to run for re-election. Among the
positions up for grabs: Behind Closed Doors:
Minutes from the RPCVw’s Semi-Annual
Treasurer Retreat
For those interested in becoming Treasurer with RPCVw, we’re looking Sunday, March 8th, 2009
for someone with a finance or accounting background, who’s comfortable
with numbers. Perhaps a small enterprise development RPCV? RPCVs Attendees: Jim Gore, Lindsey Johnson, Trish
from any Peace Corps generation are encouraged to run; we’re an inclu- Calamari, Joe Ford, Jessica Benton Cooney,
sive group! Interested? Email Jeff at treasurer@rpcvw.org. Tamar Schiffman, RaeJean Stokes, Pei-Zei
Lin, Bea Tijerina, Molly Mattessich, Corey
Taylor
Membership Director
Expand your membership and/or database management skills and help
Location: Bea Tijerina’s gorgeous, spectacular
RPCVs grow its membership! In this position, you’ll learn about our new
apartment – with an awesome view!!!.
membership program and connect with the RPCVw community. Inter-
ested? Email Bea at membership@rpcvw.org. Evaluation of vision, mission, programs and
activities:
Web Director
Love social networking? Have we got the position for you! RPCVw has big In general, board members were happy with
ideas about how to improve its web presence...we just need your know- the way things were going. Many board
how. You’ll have free reign to change, improve and modernize our website members showed a lot of creativity and
as well as expand our presence on the various social networks. Interested? thinking outside the box. Some board mem-
Email Pei at web@rpcvw.org. bers heard from RPCVs that they were happy
with the operation of RPCV/W. Some board
members indicated that RPCV/W should do
If you’re interested in any of these positions, be sure to mark more fundraising, similar to what the “Friends
your calendar for the Board Meet-n-Greet on June 15. Stay of…” groups do, and that we should find more
tuned for more details!! activities for the “older” RPCVs.
Continued on page 5
 Continued from page 4

Review of the status of each board position and board member:

Jim – will not run again for President, however he is very happy with RPCVs performance during the
last three years.

Lindsey – Will not remain in RPCV/W next year. She will be attending graduate school in the fall.

Molly – Will not be running for Vice-President next year. During the next 4 months she will organize
the Peace Corps Partnership. Trish, Lindsey and Jess will volunteer to help Molly in this task.

Corey - Cherry Blossom Picnic on March 29th, 12:00 3:00 PM; next Happy Hour: March 26, 6:00
– 9:00 PM – Eye Bar. He hopes to be on the RPCV/W Board next year.

Molly suggested having 2 Happy Hours a month in order to connect people with discussion groups.

Trish – Mentioned that smaller group events went very well. The next event she has planned will be
in April. It will be a dinner and talk about Social Entrepreneurship in Africa. She also plans to have
a 5 de Mayo dinner, maybe at Haydees, or some other location. She hopes to be on the RPCV/W
Board next year, maybe as Development Director or staying as Program Director.

Joe – Will continue with secretarial duties. He needs Annual Reports from each Board member by
June 1st. He hopes to be on the RPCV/W Board next year.

Jess - Plans on doing the Servathon on May 2nd, from 8:00 to 12:00. There is a $ 25.00 registration
fee for the teams. The JFK Wreath Laying Ceremony will be on May 13th, at 6:00 PM. The Wreath
Laying committee is formed by Jess, Corey, Tamar, and Jim. Jess is planning on getting a speaker for
this event. The new members brunch will be on March 15th in Eastern Market, from 12:00 to 2:00.
Will also have one in April and May. She will not be on the RPCV/W Board next year.

Tamar – The Annual Picnic will be in July (no date yet). She wants to be on the Peace Corps 50th
Anniversary Committee. She hopes to be on the RPCV/W Board next year.

RaeJean – Wants to have more continuity in communications. For the newsletter, she needs infor-
mation from Jim and Molly regarding the Inaugural parade. The newsletter will come out 3 times this
year. The next one will be in June (pre – election issue). She hopes to be on the RPCV/W Board next
year.

Pei – She fixed a lot of bugs on the RPCV/W website. She suggested setting Google Analytics, in or-
der to see who is looking at the RPCV/W website. She plans on putting more photos on the RPCV/W
website. She hopes to be on the RPCV/W Board next year.

Bea – The membership this year has remained steady. She mentioned that there is no more family
rate membership. Currently there are about 420 paid members, and about 120 recently returned
PCVs who are members. The membership committee (Jeff, Molly, Bea) met last week. They would
like to clean the database. Next in their agenda is to obtain membership lists from DC, MD and VA
from NPCA and compare it with the RPCV/W list, and then send a postcard to each person on the list
to see if his/her address is still current. She hopes to be on the RPCV/W Board next year but in some
other capacity.

Peace Corps Connect:

Molly gave a presentation on the Peace Corps Connect Website (http://peacecorpsconnect.org). She
brought up the possibility of using the PC Connect web page instead of the RPCV/W page.

Election:

The new elected board will be announced at the Annual Picnic in July. Voting process will begin
about 3 weeks before the Annual Picnic. Meet the candidates will be during the week of June 10th at
 About the RPCVw
The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. (RPCVw)
was founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1990 in the District of Colum-
bia. RPCVw is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world.
RPCVw is a nonprofit 501c3 and represents more than 900 returned
Peace Corps volunteers, Peace Corps staff, and Peace Corps families
and supporters in the greater Washington, D.C. area. RPCVw is gov-
erned by an elected board of directors.
MISSION & VISION:
By fostering opportunities to share our unique experiences and com-
mitment to service, we create a community that celebrates the diver-
sity of the greater Washington area and world cultures.
GOALS:
* Undertake and sponsor educational and charitable activities in
support of the Peace Corps 3rd goal of “Helping promote a better
understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans;”
* Inform and educate members and the public on matters relating to
economic development and developing countries, including but not
limited to those countries which have been served by the Peace Corps;
* Support policies to maintain a strong and healthy Peace Corps;
Encourage continuing volunteer involvement of its members in serving
the needs of their local communities;
* Affiliate and strengthen other organizations with similar vision and
mission goals, such as the NPCA; and
* Provide the foundation of a Community of Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers to support all of the above activities.
Become a Sponsor
If your organization is interested in becoming
an RPCVw sponsor, please start by either log-
ging in to your existing account or create a new
account profile. You will then be directed to
a form where you will be asked to submit your
sponsorship proposal. Sponsorship proposals are
evaluated on a case by case basis by the RPCVw
Board of Directors. For questions please e-mail
development@rpcvw.org.
The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
of Washington, D.C.
P.O. Box 66101
Washington D.C. 20035
Webite: www.rpcvw.org
Email: communications@rpcvw.org
Spring Recipe
Manti (Central Asian and/or Turkish
dumplings)
Ingredients:
1 pkg wonton wraps (3.5” x 3.5”)
150 gr. ground beef or lamb
1 sm onion, ground
salt & pepper
plain yogurt mixed with minced garlic & salt
2 tbs butter
Spicy red pepper to taste
Cut the wraps diagonally, ie. two triangles per
wrap. Take approximately half a teaspoon of
filling in the shape of a ball and put in the center
of each triangle. Have a cup of water nearby,
and use your little finger to dampen the sides of
each triangle (so the dough will stick) and close
them up.
Boil some water with a tablespoon of salt and
a tablespoon of olive oil (so the manti doesn’t
stick together) in a large pot. Put all the manti in
and stir occasionally. Cook for exactly 10 minutes
and then drain. Put in plates. Fry the butter in
a small pan with the red pepper. First put some
garlic yogurt on top of the manti, then add the
fried butter.
Makes 3 servings. You can also try keeping the
manti in the freezer for a couple hours before
you cook it.
Recipe courtesy of www.turkishcookbook.com
The RPCVw Newsletter comes out several times
per year. Look for the next one this summer.