The very cool group "SVAC" of the "NPCA"

The Philippines is renowned for its love of acronyms - it's a joke when we arrived.  However, I think that we Americans started the whole acronym fiasco - I mean SVAC of NPCA?    I really hate acronyms and think they are made up by people who want to exclude others - the in-crowd knows the correct acronyms, and the outsiders are exposed as dodos when they flub the acronym. (Hmmm, a little too passionate - perhaps I need psychotherapy to resolve this deep-seated problem)

But, I did want to put my work with this group into my blog - perhaps my favorite group to work with.  The NPCA is the National Peace Corps Association for all serving and returned volunteers, and I just found this webpage with all of our information.

We are the founding members of the Council - while they have an Advisory Group, it is of Returned Volunteers - who can't reflect current conditions around the world.  So, Erica Burman, a very sharp lady who coordinates many things for the NPCA in DC, sent out a request for interested folks - back in Spring, 2010, when I had just gotten my notice that I was going to Azerbaijan (thankfully changed at the last minute to the Philippines).  I immediately sent in my application, and was thrilled when Erica accepted me.  One of my favorite things to do is to inspire idealism in younger folks - and these guys are already passionate, so it is FUN to get together....well, actually, we SKYPE at 9AM EST...which is 9PM that night for me.  Now that I finally have internet in my home, I'll be dressed in jammies for the next meeting.  We are also going to try out the new Google+ "hangout" in the hopes that we can all see each other.  This is much more up my alley of interest and expertise - strategic change at the core, rather than one smile at a time...   Anyway - here we are!!  From www.PeaceCorpsConnect.org  

Serving Volunteer Advisory Council

The purpose of the NPCA Serving Volunteer Advisory Council is to create a regular two-way channel of communication between serving Peace Corps Volunteers and the NPCA, the nonprofit organization that connects the Peace Corps community at home and abroad.  For more information about the NPCA Serving Volunteer Advisory Council, view the SVAC Framework.  To contact the SVAC directly, email the Secretary at ContactSVAC@gmail.com.  If you’re interested in being considered for the Council, contact Erica Burman (see blog post “Seeking Leaders in the Serving Peace Corps Volunteer Community“).

Sarah Anderson  Albania Born and raised in Maine, Sarah studied International Affairs and Economics in college.  Since arriving in Kucove, Albania, she has worked with the local government on a variety of projects.	Löki Gale Tobin   Azerbaijan Alaskan born and raised, Löki has extended to serve a third year as a Youth Development Volunteer with the Peace Corps in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Win Williams   Peru Originally from Texas, Win is a mid-career Peace Corps Volunteer currently serving in Ica, Peru in the Water and Sanitation Program.	Nicole Fiol   Uganda Originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Nicole is a Peace Corps Volunteer working in a Health Center in Pallisa District, Uganda, assisting on HIV/AIDS testing, prevention lessons and counseling.
Austin Land  Dominica Austin majored in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Michigan and is currently serving as an Institutional Development Volunteer in the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean.	Alice Pettway   Mozambique Alice and her husband, A.J., are education volunteers in Mozambique.  Alice also serves as the National PR and Marketing Director for REDES, a girls’ empowerment organization founded by previous PCVs.
Zachary Pullin   Belize Born and raised in the Northwest, Zachary now promotes health in his Belize community.  He hopes to work to decrease the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and reduce the stigma of LGBT people within his region.	Kirsten Kensinger  Guatemala Kirsten is serving as a preventative health volunteer in the rural highlands of Guatemala.  Her earlier PC service as a TEFL teacher in the Republic of Georgia was cut short due to an evacuation.
Debra Pritchard   Philippines Debra is a 55+ recruit serving in the Philippines as a Youth Advisor to at-risk youth, and has career experience in strategic marketing for Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits.	Jon Schmidt   Bulgaria While serving in Bulgaria, Jon has been elected to serve a second term for the Volunteer Advisory Committee and co-founded the Tourism Task Force (Tourism Committee).
Travis Hellstrom   Mongolia Travis has extended for a third year in Mongolia, and has served as a Peer Supporter, a Volunteer Trainer and as a Volunteer Advisory Council representative.