June 21 - 23, 2002, Washington, D.C.

Report on 2002 Reunion  |  More reunions?  |  Announcement of 2002 reunion

The feedback has been quite rewarding and now we begin to look at our future. 

Pictures are on our website: www.pcpfpanama.org/Reunions/Reunion2002Fotos.html. 

Those of us on the Reunion Committee thank you all for attending, the enthusiasm with which you joined in to help things go smoothly, and your kind words. 

There were many volunteers from recent years who told us PCPF should nourish and help fund ongoing volunteer projects in Panama today. 

We need PCPF members who will direct those efforts.  The handful of Washington-based gray heads are still willing to do the administrative work of PCPF, but we need others to step up to manage specific projects. I'd welcome ideas for establishing communication points.  

The PCPF listserv (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcpf) was initially set up as a general forum.  Relatively few people have chosen to subscribe.  It now has only 63 members, even though we have email addresses for more than 300 people.  .  I'd be happy to set up a project specific listserv if that would be useful, or we could set up a message center on our web site. 

Please share what you especially enjoyed from our recent reunion and what might be done to make the next one even better.  I'm particularly interested in how to attract more recently COS'ed volunteers.  We had quite a few attend the embassy reception on Friday evening, but they found something else to do on Saturday.  I wonder why. 

Again, thanks for coming.  I look forward to your responses. 

Bud Keith, PCPF President 

Reunion Committee Members: Bonnie Birker, Jerry Lutes, Carol Ritter, Steve Spangler,

That depends very much on you. Since 1986 we've had our PCPF reunions at the same time and place as the conferences organized by the National Peace Corps Association.  The NPCA has developed a two year cycle.  Their next conference is tentatively being planned for sometime in 2004 in the Chicago area. 

I've also been asked how much interest there might be in holding another reunion here in Washington for the mid Atlantic community.  I don't think it would be all that difficult, and there are willing volunteers to help make it happen. 

We can also support reunions in other parts of the country.  For example, Group 8 is planning a reunion in Oak Creek Canyon for October.  From a group of 35, we expect to have 20 or more in attendance, many of whom will bring families. 

All it takes is someone sowing a seed and following it up with a little coordination.  PCPF leadership will do what we can to provide support and information if you want to try and gather the flock. 

Finally, some minds are at work to explore the feasibility of holding a reunion in Panama.  John Allensworth has led tours in the past for small groups who wanted to revisit old haunts.  I'm certain that your interest in a Panama reunion will be sought in the not too distant future. 

For now, thanks again for this recent reunion, and I look forward to our continuing friendship.

Bud Keith, PCPF President 

Dear Peace Corps Panama Friends:

This is the text of a mailing that was sent out in mid April, 2002.

• If you received the mailing, then we're glad we have both a good street address and a valid e-mail address for you. 

• If you did not receive the mailing, please reply to this message with your correct street address and a valid phone number. 

Thanks in advance for helping us keep the PCPF connected.

This mailing contains three very important items of news:

1. Announcement of a PCPF reunion in June in Washington, DC.  (Note: there is a correction for the number to make hotel reservations. The number you should use is 202-659-9000.)
    

2. A request for membership dues
     

3. A request for help in finding lost Peace Corps Panama alumni. 

June 21 - 23, 2002, Washington, D.C.

Peace Corps Panama Friends (PCPF) will host a reunion in Washington D.C. for former  volunteers and staff who served in Panamá.

   June 21, 22 and 23, 2002

The reunion will be held the weekend of June 21, 22 and 23 in conjunction with the rescheduled National Peace Corps Association's (NPCA) conference celebrating the  40th plus 1 anniversary of the Peace Corps.
    (You do not have to attend the NPCA 40th (plus 1) Anniversary celebration  to attend our PCPF Reunion.  And vice versa.)
    We had nearly 70 people registered for our reunion scheduled last September.  We hope that these June 2002 dates will allow even more Peace Corps Panama alumni to participate.

After last September's reunion had to be cancelled, many of you agreed to have your registration fees donated to help those effected by the terrorist attacks.     On December 20, 2001, our Treasurer sent a check for $1,084.88 to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.  That was the full amount we received for the reunion, less refunds and expenses.  Their web site

   Embassy Square Hotel

The Embassy Square Hotel is the home of this year's PCPF reunion: 

Embassy Square Hotel 
2000 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-659-9000

Rooms are $109, $10 below the official NPCA hotel.

For room reservations, you must call the hotel directly.  Make certain that you tell the reservations agent that you are with Peace Corps Panama Friends, to get the reduced rate.

The Embassy Square is an all-suite hotel and has a pool.  Each room has two beds and a pull-out sofa.

Make reservations at 202-659-9000. Note: This is a corrected number from that sent out in the
mailing.

   PCPF Reunion cost $30

PCPF Reunion registration is $30, and includes the following six activities:

Friday June 21    

  Activity 1.    Panamanian Ambassador's Reception

When? 
6:30 to 8:30 pm.   

Where? 
The Panamanian embassy, located at 2862 McGill Terrace    N.W., Washington, DC. 
  • The current Ambassador is Guillermo Ford.    
  • Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served, hopefully enough as dinner.  
  • You need to let Carol Ritter know by June 10 if you plan to attend the reception.      
  • We will coordinate the subway trip between the hotel and the embassy.     

  Activity 2.  Meet and Greet Party

When?  
9:00 PM until 11:00 pm. - ?   
  • Friday evening back at the Embassy Square Hotel after the Ambassador's Reception.

Where?
Embassy Square Hotel, P-1 level, room  
  • The reception at the embassy should make a good start on catching up with old friends. 
  • PCPF has reserved a room at the hotel for the "get together", but there will be no food nor drink provided.
  • You can bring your own drink. Alcoholic beverages are permitted, and each hotel room has a kitchenette with a refrigerator.
  • Last September we had planned a participatory performance by Las Brisas, a dance group of returned Panama volunteers.  If they attend and want to perform, we'll make it happen!

 Saturday June 22   

  Activity 3.   PCPF organizational meeting

When and where? Embassy Square in the afternoon.  
  • Exact time will be shared at Friday night's gathering, and posted in the hotel lobby.
  • PCPF has been run by the same bunch of 1960's volunteers since its inception in 1986.  
  • Since Peace Corps has now been back in Panama longer than during the early years, it seems quite appropriate that PCPF leadership shift to more recent and probably younger alumni.  
  • At this meeting we'd like to explore ways of making this happen. 

  Activity 4.    Panama Update

When? Afternoon
. 
  • The exact time and location will be announced at the Friday evening "Meet and Greet" and posted near the hotel registration desk.  . 
  • This PCPF website -- www.pcpfpanama.org -- will have the latest schedule.     

  Activity 5.    Panamanian-style Dinner     

When? 6:30 pm.   

Where? Embassy Square Hotel.  
  • A dinner of Panamanian-style food is included in your PCPF reunion registration fee of 30. 
  • You must register and make reservations with Carol Ritter to be assured a place at the table.  Anyone who shows up without reservations will be charged $5 extra and will be served only if there is still food available.     

 Sunday June 23    

  Activity 6. March to Arlington Cemetery

  • A march to Arlington Cemetery will be held on Sunday morning.  This is part of the NPCA activities. PCPF friends will meet as a    group to participate.
  • When and Where? We'll let you know at Friday or Saturday activities.     

Schedule Changes:
This PCPF website willhave the latest schedule changes:  www.pcpfpanama.org 

Questions:
If you have any questions, feel free to call Bud Keith at 703-528-4455 or email him at pcpanama@hotmail.com.

PCPF Registration Form  
Make your reservations for the embassy reception and for our Panamanian-style dinner with Carol Ritter.  You can call her at 610-874-3568.  

Please send your checks for $30 per attendee to Carol as soon as possible.  Make checks payable to "PCPF".

Carol Ritter  
5200 Hilltop Drive, K-2
Brookhaven, PA 19015
Tel:  610-874-3568

National Peace Corps Association
You can obtain details on the NPCA celebration by checking it's website at www.rpcv.org

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MEMBERSHIP DUES

For 16 years PCPF has attempted to function on a few fund-raising projects, and dues that have been directed by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) from members who have designated PCPF as their affiliate of choice.

During this time we have coordinated 6 or 7 reunions, raised nearly $20,000 for environmental protection projects in Panama, published two directories, periodically produced "El Bo" (our newsletter), established a web site, created a listserv, and represented Peace Corps Panama at conferences, other meetings, and in celebrations including marching with the Panamanian flag in an inaugural parade, and carrying the Panamanian flag at the peace vigil last September in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Each of our mailings costs approximately $500.  This is the third mailing in the past year.  

If you believe that what we are doing is important, then we hope you'll help keep it going.  The organizational leaders, President Bud Keith; Webmaster, Steve Spangler; Treasurer, Jerry Lutes; and all-around "do it" person, Bonnie Birker agree that it is now time to developing a formal dues policy.  

We have an optional membership agreement with the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).  

• That means if you join the NPCA for $40 and designate PCPF as your affiliate of choice, we get $15.  

• If you join NPCA and do not designate an affiliate of choice, the money goes to the affiliate in your geographical area closest to your home

We are asking you to become a dues-paying member of PCPF for $15 a year.  

If you also want to join the NPCA, then please send us $40, and we will send $25 to them for you.  As an affiliate we are obligated to send our membership information to the NPCA, so if you join only PCPF, you'll still receive an invitation from NPCA. 

Thanks in advance if you believe enough in what we have been doing to support the cause.

Please make checks payable to "PCPF" and mail them to:

Bud Keith, President
Peace Corps Panama Friends
737 N. Buchanan Street
Arlington, VA 22203-1428

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