I’ve started another Peace Corps project and Fundable is going to help me raise the money I need to get it done. Cool huh? https://www.fundable.org

I’ve started a project where Peace Corps volunteers around the world can post requests for help on various projects. We try to use local resources and materials but often what we need is not available or just not there. There are needs for materials, funding, virtual volunteers, hopefully this site will help volunteers fill those needs. I can only do so much work and I need to hire a developer to help finish this project.

You can visit the project at http://corpsrequest.ning.com https://www.fundable.org

I know many of you are broke, and that’s cool ’cause I am too, that’s why I’m using Fundable.org. All I am asking is for 200 people to give $10 each. Pretty easy. The cool part is, you aren’t obligated to pay a dime unless all 200 people pay $10 and meet the goal of $2000. If the deadline reaches and the goal isn’t met, nothing happens. It’s a cool fundraising concept. https://www.fundable.org

– What is Fundable?

Fundable.org is a new service that lets groups of people pool money to raise funds or make purchases without risking the money they put in. A group collection on Fundable resembles an online auction; each has its own page, describing how much money will be raised and what the money will do. No participant takes a risk: if a collection falls short of its goal on deadline, all money is refunded.

But if you can’t give $10, pass the word and spread the e-mail. That’s pretty basic. Anyone can do that! https://www.fundable.org

So check out this project and help me get this off the ground!

Thanks, Scott

I’ve started a project on Ning where Peace Corps volunteers around the world can post requests for help on various projects. We try to use local resources and materials but often what we need is not available or just not there. There are needs for materials, funding, virtual volunteers, hopefully this site will help volunteers fill those needs. I do need some serious php and css help though please contact me if you are interested.

You can reach me a jstadum AT gmail dot com.

I recommend setting up an account through Google Video if you have videos from your experience, they will host your clips for free.

I was a volunteer serving in Guyana when the series was first published. Peace Corps Head Quarters in Washington, DC sent word of the appearance of the series and told us to brace ourselves. They apparently weren’t very pleased with the articles. At the time I didn’t get to read them but my father had saved them for me and I have recently had the chance to look through them.

As a volunteer and even up until I had the chance to read through these articles, I felt my frustrations with my post and with Peace Corps were probably unique to Guyana. They are not. Peace Corps, which I love dearly, has many many problems. These problems start at the top and make their way down to the posts in all the countries. It’s not just violence, but it’s corruption, incompetence, apathy, nepotism, cronyism…I could go on, that affect the organization.

This series is a must read if you are thinking seriously of joining. I don’t know if I would have thought twice about joining if I had read these articles, but I do know that I would have saved a lot of headaches if I had.

In celebration of the Peace Corps’ 45 th anniversary, Peace Corps D irector Gaddi H. Vasquez has established the Kennedy Service Awards to honor the hard work and service of Volunteers, returned Volunteers, and staff. The Kennedy Service Awards will be given every five years to two current Peace Corps Volunteers, two returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and two Peace Corps staff members. These six recipients will exemplify the Peace Corps’ best in furthering the agency’s mission and three goals of helping people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served, and helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans; and in demonstrating exemplary service and leadership. Volunteers, returned Volunteers, and staff all contribute to the Peace Corps mission of service through the three goals. The John F. Kennedy Service Awards are an opportunity to recognize a few of the many people who go beyond the call of duty for the Peace Corps, both in the United States and in countries where the Peace Corps serves. The six awards include: Currently serving Volunteer (2 awards) Service in host country community

• Demonstrates impact, sustainability, creativity, and catalytic effect (two awards)
• At site at least 18 months

Peace Corps Staff (2 awards) Service in extra ordinary circumstances

• Demonstrates inspiration and leadership in challenging circumstances (one award)
• Demonstrates longer term leadership and support directly or indirectly for the Volunteer, giving beyond expectations (one award)

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (2 awards) Service in community after Peace Corps

• Demonstrates continued domestic or international service in the community (one award)
• Demonstrates Peace Corps related service with Peace Corps domestic and/or overseas Volunteer related programs (one award)

Anyone can nominate individuals for the above awards. Nominations are accepted through December 9, 2005. Those selected will be honored March 4, 2006, at the 45th anniversary event at the Kennedy Library, Boston, Massachusetts, and featured on the Peace Corps website.

Want to nominate someone? Go here.