PAPCA
Pittsburgh Area Peace Corps Association

Volunteer Activities

PAPCA Board

We are always looking for people who would like to become members of our board. We are a working board, carrying out projects and providing leadership for a variety of group activities. For more information or to volunteer your services, please contact Bill Kulina, PAPCA President, 412-420-4006. All our board meetings are open, and you are cordially invited to attend. Times and locations are listed in our newsletter and sent out via email.

Peace Corps Recruitment

John Stein, Peace Corps Representative for Western Pennsylvania, maintains an office at the University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus and is administratively part of the University Center for International Studies. Reporting to the New York Regional Office, he designs and coordinates recruiting events, advises and interviews candidates, and makes recommendations to the New York office concerning nomination for service. Josh frequently invites RPCVs to participate in a variety of recruiting and informational activities for which he is responsible. Anyone interested in assisting Josh should contact him at 412-648-7424 or [email protected].

Speakers Bureau/PC Week

For Peace Corps Week, PAPCA provides RPCVs to schools in western Pennsylvania. Held March 1st, this national event annually brings together RPCVs and local schools to recognize the anniversary of the signing of the Peace Corps Act on March 1, 1961. Our Speakers Bureau fills requests for RPCVs to talk about their experiences to school classes and other organizations throughout the year as well as on Peace Corps Day. We are always looking for additional RPCVs, especially from among recently returned volunteers and those living a distance from the city, to fill speaking requests. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Goetschkes at [email protected].

Also, please contact us at the above email address if you are a teacher or program planner and would like to have an RPCV speaker for your class or meeting.

Global Links

Global Links is a Pittsburgh organization dedicated to collecting, sorting, and shipping surplus medical supplies to hospitals and clinics overseas. They began several years ago with sutures left over from operations in local hospitals and today send everything from cleansing solutions to hospital beds to medications. PAPCA volunteers work from 9:30 to noon, usually on the last Saturday of each month, to help sort and pack materials for shipment. For more information, contact Kay Jennings at [email protected].

Other Community Service Activities

Occasionally we provide personpower for a variety of Pittsburgh events. We have, for example, handed out water to Pittsburgh Marathon runners and assisted for an evening at the Pittsburgh Blues Festival, held on behalf of the Pittsburgh Food Bank. If you would like to be contacted when there is an opportunity to participate in this kind of activity, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

 

Social Activities

 

PAPCA social events are open to all members of our mailing list and their friends and family, including (most of the time) younger children. Don’t let the fact that you don’t know anyone stop you–our potlucks, TGs, and dining out events are a great way to meet new friends who have shared a common experience: being a Peace Corps volunteer.

Potlucks/Annual Meeting

Potlucks take place every two to three months, generally at the homes of hospitable RPCVs. Occasionally we picnic in one of our local parks, and in February our annual meeting, with a guest speaker, is held at a facility such as a church social hall somewhere in the city. We are always looking for willing hosts for the regular potlucks and recommendations of suitable spaces for the annual meetings, so please contact us at [email protected] if you are willing to make your house available or know of a good location for the annual meeting. Just in case you’re wondering, we don’t do food assignments–just bring whatever you want.

TGIFs

Even RPCVs need to unwind and relax at the end of a busy week. Approximately once a month we meet at one of Pittsburgh’s many watering holes to down a beer or two (or soft drink, if you prefer), sometimes to eat, and always to enjoy socializing with fellow RPCVs. We try to pick interesting places and are always open for suggestions on new places to try. Contact us at [email protected] for more information and to pass along your suggestions.

International Dining Out

Every so often it’s nice to eat at a restaurant where the food reminds you of far away places. So, several times a year, PAPCA members Think Globally and Eat Locally at Pittsburgh restaurants featuring international cuisine. Dates are announced in advance in the newsletter and in messages to the email list. These get-togethers are a good way to meet other PAPCA members while you tingle your taste buds. As with the TGs, we are always looking for new and interesting restaurants that serve affordable food. Contact Valerie Hopkins at [email protected] for more information and to pass on your suggestions.

Questions/Comments please contact the webmaster at [email protected]. This page was last updated on 10/04/2004.