Note: Chuck served in the early years of PCN ad is running for the NPCA Board of Directors. The Friends of Nepal Board officially nominated him in April, 2008.
Dear Friends of Nepal:
I am writing to you about my nomination to represent the Asia/Pacific region on the board of the National Peace Corps Association. I am hoping you can forward this message to the members of our group of RPCVs from Nepal.
I have just completed my second tour as a Volunteer, serving in Senegal (05-07). I had previously served in Nepal (68-70). My wife served with me in Senegal and she had served previously in Kenya (68-70). So, we have current information on the state of the Peace Corps and how it’s changed over the years.
While we were serving in Senegal we were invited by Senator Chris Dodd in 2007 to fly to Washington, D.C. to testify on behalf of the current Volunteers regarding the Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act, S. 732. We did so at our own expense and enthusiastically supported the legislation, which we believe will substantially improve the effectiveness of the Volunteers. (Oral Testimony, Written Testimony)
On the NPCA Board I hope to press NPCA to provide much greater support to the Friends groups. One issue I’ve pressed in the legislation is to provide funding for Third Goal projects and to provide assistance to the Friends groups to help them provide funding to current Volunteers. The legislation would also permit current Volunteers to solicit funds from Friends groups without having to funnel the funds through the Peace Corps Partnership Program, which can be quite bureaucratic.
I’ve attached a copy of our testimony at the hearing, which will give you detailed information about our views on the legislation. If I become a member of the NPCA Board, I will work diligently to represent the interests of the Friends groups for the Asia/Pacific region.
I am happy to answer any of your questions or those of your members. Printed below is my profile and statement of my interest in serving on the NPCA Board.
Thank you very much.
Chuck Ludlam
Email: Chuck.Ludlam@gmail.com
Phone: 202-364-6021
Nominated by NPCA Group: Friends of Nepal
Peace Corps Service:
Country: Nepal (1968-1970: Agriculture Extension Volunteer)
Country: Senegal (2005-2007: Agriculture/Forestry Volunteer)
Current Position: Retired Federal Government Legal Counsel
Employment History: Legal Counsel, US Senate and House Committees (1975-1979, 1981-1993, and 2001-2005); Legal Counsel, White House Domestic Policy Council (1979-1981)(Carter); and Trial Counsel, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission (1972-1975). Vice President and principal lobbyist for the association representing the biotechnology industry (1993-2001).
Experience on organization boards: Founder of Friends of Nepal (1984); member of Advisory Board of Stanford in Government Internship Program (1970 to present); organizer and leader of Springland Farm community association (1993 to present); organizer, leader and/or member of approximately 75 legislative coalitions (1975-2005); principal advisor to board of biotechnology industry trade association and chair of its 10 legislative committees (1993- 2001); organizer and leader of coalition seeking enactment of Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act (S. 732, Dodd/Kennedy).
Explanation of why you want to serve on the NPCA board, and what you hope to accomplish as a board member (100 words).
My top priority would be to ensure that the Peace Corps remains vibrant for future generations of Volunteers. To this end I believe securing enactment of the pending PCV Empowerment Act is essential. In 2007 while serving again as a Volunteer I was invited by Senator Dodd to testify on the legislation, which I’d helped him to draft. Having served as a Volunteer in the 60s, I saw how today’s Peace Corps managers often do not listen to or empower Volunteers. In addition, I want to increase Peace Corps support of the COS groups and highlight RPCVs at the 50th.
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Chuck Ludlam chuck.ludlam@gmail.com
4020 Reno Road, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-364-6021 (home)
202-841-3006 (cell: Chuck)
—
Chuck Ludlam chuck.ludlam@gmail.com
4020 Reno Road, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-364-6021 (home)
202-841-3006 (cell: Chuck)
