By ANNIE, on April 17th, 2012 SAVE THE DATE
CAPCA’s annual Founder’s Day Dinner will be held Fri., June 8 at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St., Chicago.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Aaron Williams, director of the U.S. Peace Corps, Chicago native and RPCV Dominican Republic.
Tickets are $80.
Cocktails will start at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. A silent auction will also be held.
This is CAPCA’s biggest event of the year and helps raise money for Peace Corps Partnership Program projects abroad by PCVs from the Chicago area.
ORDER TICKETS here!
Invitations will go in the mail at the end of the month so if you need to update your information or renew your membership, please contact Melissa Shoemaker at melissashoe513 gmail com (melissashoe513gmailcom) .
If you have any questions, please email CAPCAfundraisinggmailcom (CAPCAfundraisinggmailcom) .
By ANNIE, on April 11th, 2012 Saturday, May 5 @10-4 pm
Iron Street Urban Farm
3333 S. Iron St, Chicago, IL 60608 (15 min walk from the Orange Line Ashland stop)
*Volunteer with fellow RPCVs at this 7-acre urban farm located in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood. Involves a short training and tour, then we get our hands dirty! Farm includes:
-10 hoop-houses to grow fresh produce year-round;
-aquaponics systems, which will produce healthy Tilapia and Yellow Perch;
-vermicomposting;
-small ruminant husbandry, including chickens, ducks, and rabbits;
-urban apiary with six bee hives;
-urban orchard and vine fruit production;
-green roof production and research; and
-the training and employment of over 40 youth.
-the vision for the site is that it will also include an anaerobic digester to not only create nutrient-rich compost, but renewable energy as well.
More info: http://www.ironstreetfarm.com/
Please RSVP to Caitlin Johnson at caitlinjohnson31gmailcom
By ANNIE, on March 13th, 2012 Volunteers are needed 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., March 24 to build (and fill) several raised beds for a newly minted urban farm project on some vacant land in gritty Gary, Ind. (Now is your chance to visit Michael Jackson’s childhood home!!)
The Stewart House Urban Farm Group (SHUFG) is planning to start its first growing season this spring with at least 1,000 donated tomato plants, fruit trees and other things. While the soil at the site – located just miles from the U.S. Steel plant — passed EPA inspection, raised beds are vital in urban farming to ensure for non-contaminated soil and easy maintenance. Raised beds allowing for a earlier start to the season and making for a longer growing season
All hands are needed, the more help the more we can do. Two RPCVs are on the urban farm’s board of directors – Desiree Simpson and myself. This project is very important in Gary as we are trying to promote locally grown food in a food desert. (Also, the Northwest Indiana men’s rugby team will also be there if that’s any incentive.)
WE NEED cordless drills, shovels, and as many hands as possible. Please wear appropriate clothing: Work boots, long pants, sleeves, and gloves. RAIN OR SHINE WE WILL BE RAISING THESE BEDS! We will also give a short safety orientation and require that you sign a liability waiver as we will be doing some clean-up of the site.
BRING WATERBOTTLES and, if you’d like, a dish to pass. We will be having food afterwards at a nearby pavilion park. Contributions would be welcome.
Here is the location of the urban farm site…
If you don’t have a car, carpool opportunities may exist. Also, the South Shore train takes you directly from the Loop to downtown Gary where someone can pick you up. (It’s gritty, but safe as I live in Gary and I have had no problems.)
For more information, contact Mary Owen at( owenmarygmailcom (owenmarygmailcom) or call 312-929-7252) or Community Service Chair Kat O’Brien at katmobriengmailcom (katmobriengmailcom) .
By ANNIE, on March 12th, 2012 Thanks to everyone who is taking action on Peace Corps funding letters. The National Peace Corps Association is only 23 signatures shy of having a record number of congressional signatures on these letters! These letters will close today in the House and tomorrow in the Senate. Your action NOW will help us reach record levels of support.
Tuesday Deadline for Senate Letter
As of Monday morning, 16 Senators signed the Feinstein-Isakson Peace Corps funding letter.
This letter will close at 6 PM (EST) on Tuesday.
Below is the list of Senators who are among those who HAVE NOT SIGNED this year’s letter and have signed similar letters in the past. For the Senators listed below:
• Please call the Senate switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected to the office of your Senator.
• Once connected, ask to speak to the staff who handles Peace Corps issues.
• Leave this message: “I am calling to urge Senator _____ to sign the Feinstein-Isakson Peace Corps funding letter. The deadline for signing this letter is close of business on Tuesday. Signatures are being collected by Daniel Saphire in Senator Feinstein’s office, or Chris Sullivan in Senator Isakson’s office.”
• The list of Senators below also includes the years in which they have signed previous, similar Peace Corps funding letters. You can reference this in your messages.
• Follow this link if you prefer to send the above message by email.
• Ask 1 – 3 others from your state to take similar action, and contact us at advocacypeacecorpsconnectorg to let us know you took action.
• For latest updates on Senate sign-ons, please follow this link.
The following Senators are among those who HAVE NOT SIGNED this year’s Peace Corps funding Dear Colleague letter (information in brackets indicates past years when they have signed similar letters).
Alaska: Begich (2009)
Colorado: Bennet (2010)
Connecticut: Lieberman (2008 through 2010)
Florida: Nelson (2009)
Georgia: Chambliss (2009, 2010)
Illinois: Durbin (2008 through 2010)
Maine: Collins (2010), Snowe (2010)
Massachusetts: Kerry (2007-2010)
Michigan: Levin (2008 through 2010), Stabenow (2006, 2008)
Minnesota: Klobuchar (2009)
Nevada: Reid (2009, 2010)
New Hampshire: Shaheen (2009, 2010)
New Jersey: Menendez (2007 through 2010)
New Mexico: Udall (2009, 2010)
New York: Schumer (2006 through 2009), Gillibrand (2010)
Ohio: Brown (2007 through 2010)
Pennsylvania: Casey (2009, 2010)
Tennessee: Corker (2008 through 2010)
West Virginia: Rockefeller (2008 through 2010)
Today is Deadline for House Letter
With 115 Representatives already signed onto the Farr-Petri-Honda-Garamendi Peace Corps funding letter, we are ten signatures away from a record number of Congressmen/women signing this letter.
This letter closes at 6 PM (EST) today.
Please follow this link to see if your Congressman/woman has signed onto this letter, and take appropriate action if they have not yet signed the letter.
It is especially important for you to reach out if your Congressman/woman is a Republican member of Congress. We want to strengthen the bi-partisan nature of this letter, so please take the following action:
• Please call the House switchboard (202-225-3121) and ask to be connected to the office of your Representative. Once connected, ask to speak to the staff who handles Peace Corps issues.
• Leave this message: “I am calling to urge Representative _____ to join Congressmen Farr and Petri by signing their Dear Colleague letter requesting $400 Million for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2013. The deadline for signing this letter is close of business today. Signatures are being collected by Caitie Whelan in Congressman Farr’s office.”
• Follow this link if you prefer to send the above message by email.
• Ask 1 – 3 others from your state to take similar action, and contact us at advocacypeacecorpsconnectorg to let us know you took action.
• For updates on House sign-ons throughout the day, please follow this link.
You still want to make a difference. Be a member to continue serving, connect with others, and support the legacy of the Peace Corps.
JOIN TODAY!
SEND TO FRIEND
By ANNIE, on March 1st, 2012 It’s March 1st. Happy Peace Corps Day! The National Day of Action in Support of the Peace Corps is here. Please take action now and share this action alert with others. If you need more information before taking action, please go to the bottom of this page. Contact advocacypeacecorpsconnectorg to let us know what lawmakers you contacted.
Take Action With Your Senators
Follow this link for contact information to phone or email your Senators.
If you are a constituent of Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) or Lindsey Graham (R-SC), scroll down to the “Special Action” section of this message.
For other Senators, ask them to:
Please sign the Feinstein-Isakson Dear Colleague letter in support of strong Peace Corps funding in Fiscal Year 2013.
Please co-sponsor Senate Bill 1421, Peace Corps commemorative legislation. (If your Senator is already a co-sponsor, say thank you and urge them to lead efforts to pass this legislation).
If you are sending an e-mail to your Senators, you can use the sample message below as a guide. We encourage you to personalize your message if time allows.
Take Action With Your Congressman/woman
If you are not sure who your Congressman/woman is, go to www.house.gov and use the “Find Your Representative” link in the upper right corner.
If you are a constituent of Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY) Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) or Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) scroll down to the “Special Action” section of this message.
For all others, call your Rep’s office or dial the Capitol Hill switchboard (202-225-3121) and ask to be connected to the office of your Representative. If you want to send an email, visit your Reps’ website or follow this link to send your message (you may need your nine digit zip code for this link)
Ask them to:
Please sign the Farr-Petri-Honda-Garamendi Dear Colleague letter in support of $400 Million for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2013.
Please co-sponsor House Bill 854, Peace Corps commemorative legislation. (If your Rep is already a co-sponsor, say thank you and urge them to lead efforts to pass this legislation).
If you are sending an email to your Congressman/woman you can use the sample message below as a guide. We encourage you to personalize your message if time allows.
Sample Letter For Your Lawmakers
(Feel free to use this letter as a guide when writing to your lawmakers. Make sure to edit so you use the appropriate references for the Senate and House. Personalize if you can. Include your Peace Corps service and why you believe Peace Corps is important)
Dear ______
As a strong supporter of the Peace Corps, I am writing to urge you to take the following actions:
Please sign the (Senate/House) Dear Colleague letter requesting strong support for Peace Corps funding in Fiscal Year 2013.
Please co-sponsor (Senate Bill 1421/House Bill 854), bi-partisan legislation that would authorize a privately funded effort to establish a commemorative work near the National Mall that would mark the lasting historical significance of the founding of the Peace Corps in 1961, and the ideals Peace Corps service represents.
As the Peace Corps community embarks on its next 50 years of service to our nation, your support for these two matters will recognize Peace Corps’ role in our evolving American story, and help provide resources that are necessary to support thousands of volunteers.
The Peace Corps remains as one of our nation’s enduring expressions of global friendship and understanding. More than 200,000 citizens have answered the call to service, while Returned Peace Corps Volunteers provide ongoing service as leaders in communities all across our country.
I thank you in advance for taking positive action to support the Peace Corps.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your Peace Corps Service, if applicable)
By ANNIE, on February 21st, 2012 HAPPY HOUR @PLYMOUTH BAR (head to the roof-top)
MONDAY, FEB 27th @5:30pm
327 S. Plymouth Ct (b/w State & Dearborn; Jackson & Van Buren)
*Drop by after work to mingle over cheap martinis and beer specials. This is the first event to celebrate Peace Corps Week (Feb 27-Mar 4), so head up to the roof-top and catch up with CAPCA folks. Recently-returned PCVs are especially encouraged to attend.
See you there!
By ANNIE, on February 20th, 2012 On March 1, 2012, the Peace Corps will hold its eighth annual National Day of Action in support of the Peace Corps, the one day of the year when everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes to contact their members of Congress. There are many things you can do from your home to help. Here is a link to a list:
http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Things-to-Do-From-Home4.pdf
By ANNIE, on February 18th, 2012 Reminder about CAPCA’s social event next week!
Dinner at Essence of India, 6 pm
4601 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625 (10% off all checks for CAPCA!)
Then World Music Wednesdays at Old Town School of Folk Music featuring Raul Fernandez’s “Paseo Jarocho”, 8:30 pm
(Latin, Arabic and Afro-Caribbean music)
http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2012/2/22_fernandez.php
Concert is free with a suggested $5 donation.
Please RSVP to caitlinjohnson31gmailcom
By ANNIE, on February 15th, 2012 Volunteer to answer phones at WTTW–Channel 11 (Chicago’s Public Television Station) for fundraising to help support the PBS broadcasting in Chicagoland!
Our shift runs from 6:00 to 10:45 PM on Saturday, March 3, 2012. Arrive at WTTW by 6 PM.
WTTW 5400 N. St Louis Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60625
There is a large parking lot at the station or you can come via public transportation.
What to wear: Do not wear white because it creates too much glare on the cameras. Feel free to wear Country of Service clothing or PC clothing. DO bring a sweater, because it can be very cool to cold at the beginning before the camera lights are turned on. You will likely be on camera.
WTTW provides a meal at the beginning. Then you will trained on how to answer the phones and record the pledges. 10-12 volunteers are needed to staff the shift.
I have 5 spots left and I need to send in the list of volunteers by THIS FRIDAY (FEB. 17th) so email me to sign up– katmobriengmailcom (katmobriengmailcom) . Thanks!
By ANNIE, on January 11th, 2012 Join CAPCA in the Loop for drinks and a documentary
Drinks (possibly snacks) will be at Plymouth Restaurant & Bar meeting around 5pm. Afterwards we are going to see a documentary called “Human Rights Watch: The Price of Sex”, which is about women who are trafficked into prostitution in Eastern Europe.
Emmy-nominated and Bulgarian-raised photo journalist Mimi Chakarova, shares the stories of women who refuseto be silenced by shame, fear,
and violence. The movie starts at 6pm and is at the Harold Washington Library, around the corner from Plymouth.
Date: January 12, 2012
Time: Meet at Plymouth 5pm ish or head straight to documentary. The
film starts at 6pm, but, we need to be there by 5:45 to get seats.
Place:
Drinks/Snacks @ Plymouth Bar327 South Plymouth Court Chicago, Illinois 60604
Documentary @ Harold Washington Library400 South State Street ,
Chicago, IL 60605
Cost: The documentary is free. Pay for your own drinks/snacks at Plymouth.
RSVP by Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Email Crystal Brown at
nerodivagmailcomor call/text at 773-220-0182
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