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Peace
Corps and Rotary Kickoff Historic Collaboration
John Osterlund
(far left) and Ron Burton watch as Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie
Hessler-Radelet and Rotary International General Secretary John
Hewko sign a letter of collaboration on a one-year pilot program
in the Philippines, Thailand, and Togo. Photo
Credit: Rotary International/Alyce Henson
4 June 2014 - PEACE CORPS AND ROTARY KICKOFF HISTORIC COLLABORATION
In an effort to promote global development and volunteer service,
Rotary and Peace Corps have agreed to participate in a one-year
pilot program in the Philippines, Thailand, and Togo.
Under the agreement, Rotary clubs and Peace
Corps volunteers are encouraged to share their resources and knowledge
to boost the impact of development projects in these three countries.
Opportunities for collaboration include supporting
community projects, training, networking, and community education.
Through the Peace Corps Partnership Program, Rotary clubs can continue
to provide small grants to support volunteers and their communities.
Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet
and Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko signed the
letter of collaboration on Monday, 5 May, at Rotary's headquarters
during a ceremony that was attended by RI President Ron Burton and
RPCV Rotary staff. In his remarks to the audience, Burton applauded
the collaboration and both organizations' commitments to service.
"Today's announcement is particularly
meaningful for me because I come from a family of Rotarians,"
said Hessler-Radelet, referring to her father, grandfather, and
aunt. "We are eager to join together in common efforts to inspire
volunteerism across the country and around the world."
Hewko noted how both organizations are committed
to improving lives and building stronger communities by addressing
the root causes of violence and conflict, such as poverty, illiteracy,
disease, and lack of access to clean water and sanitation.
The two organizations also agreed to explore
expanding the collaboration to more countries based on the results
of the pilot. Rotary will enlist the support of its members in recruiting
Peace Corps volunteers and involving returned Peace Corps volunteers
in service projects at home.
ROTARY MEMBERS MADE COLLABORATION POSSIBLE
- Hessler-Radelet credited Rotary members in the Denver area, particularly
returned Peace Corps volunteers Sue Fox, Valerie Hopkins, and Steve
Werner, with helping to make the collaboration possible.
The three Rotarians, who attended the signing,
are members of the District 5450 Rotary-Peace Corps Alliance Committee,
which has sought a formal agreement between the two organizations
since 2010.
Werner said they wanted to create an official
relationship to make it easier for Rotary clubs and Peace Corps
volunteers to connect. "[The letter] ensures compatibility
and a shared value system," he added.
Jesse Davis, one of more than a dozen Rotary
employees who are returned Peace Corps volunteers, said he hopes
the partnership inspires more like it around the world.
"While serving as a Peace Corps response
volunteer in Panama, I found myself working with the local Rotary
club on countless occasions. They were an integral partner in my
work," he said.
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STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS - The letter of
collaboration not only officially recognizes the partnership between
the two organizations, but also encourages Rotary clubs and Peace
Corps volunteers to expand the connections already in place.
In Togo, Peace Corps volunteers Daniel Brown
and David Gooze have teamed up with Rotary and other partners in
the United States and Togo to distribute more than 5,000 soccer
balls to disadvantaged youth. They are organizing 'More Than Just
a Game' sessions, which use soccer as a medium to teach children
about malaria prevention.
"It's just one example of how Rotary
and Peace Corps can collaborate on the ground to achieve lasting
impact in the communities where we work," Hessler-Radelet said.
Within the Philippines, Thailand, and Togo,
Peace Corps posts and Rotary districts will coordinate at the country
level with support from the headquarters of both organizations.
Local Rotary clubs interested in working with Peace Corps volunteers
should contact their district governors. Clubs located elsewhere
should work through their Rotary counterparts in the pilot countries.
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