News Archive
Full Board has its First Meeting
Friends of Armenia held its first meeting as a full board on May 6th. Since the election of new officers in March, two prior meetings were used to appoint a new president and a new technology officer as those positions remained unfilled after the election. I'm thankful that my time as interim president was so short lived. Vanessa Bowie Rankin (A16)has accepted the appointment as president, and David Coe A17) will take on the role of technology officer. When I complete the minutes from this meeting and they are approved, you will be able to view them on our website. I can say in general that we approved some funding for our ongoing community support programs and reviewed the success of our first try at an annual membership renewal period. Though there were many that did not renew their membership in April, we can now focus our efforts on obtaining new members. Those whose membership has lapsed may change that status at any time by sending in the $15.00 membership fee. Additionally there is a commitment to keep our website updated and a newsletter is in the works.
I'm excited about the enthusiasm of the new board and look forward to working with them and you during the remainder of the year. Your ideas and comments are always welcome.
Wayne Burt A16
Secretary Treasurer
Membership Update
FOA currently (as of May 5) has a total membership of 141 - this includes 8 PCVs (A19 and A20), 10 donors, and 123 regular members (RPCVs, PC response, PC personnel, etc). Of the 123 members, 31 (22%) are currently "active" - that is, they have renewed this year.
New FOA Board
Hello friends and RPCVs,
So I’m happy to announce the incoming new board of FOA. Wayne Burt will be our interim president and treasurer-secretary. Hedley Bond will serve as our membership officer. Paige Prince will serve as our communication officer.
We’ve had some after-the-fact interest communicated regarding the President’s position, and Wayne will lead the ongoing search with Hedley and Paige for the right candidate. There will be outside assistance and continued involvement from past officers to help administrate and assist where needed, to be determined by the board.
Wayne, Hedley and Paige have great experience and a passion for the mission of FOA, Peace Corps, US-Armenian relations, and serving the legacies of your individual and respective services. I wish them luck in growing the footprint of the organization over the next year or two (or maybe more, who knows!).
For myself, it’s been great working with FOA over the years. David Barshes brought me in working on the Grants Committee, something I very much enjoyed. I did that twice, evolving into this role I’m now leaving. I think FOA has huge potential, but will need your involvement, interest and participation to to realize that potential. As David had said many times, FOA is only as good as its members want it to be. As I leave, my wish is that you all take an interest, in some part, in FOA moving forward and find a way to get involved. It’s enriching serving others, as you all well know, and I believe in the work that FOA can do, building on the extraordinary service legacies of you many volunteers and friends of Armenia.
With my sincerest regards,
Robert Dietrich
CALL FOR BOARD MEMBERS!
Call for New Board Members at Friends of Armenia: Serving with FOA is a great experience and with a motivated group of colleagues, or even friends, I know personally that you'll have an amazing time bringing assistance to the people of Armenia, continuing our collective legacies of service, as well as serving as a positive force for building community with RPCVs and other vested stakeholders. Submit yourself today for a position to take the organization to the next level. -Robert Dietrich, President FOA
Positions available:
President: lead the organization, providing strategic direction and serving as an ambassador to external/internal groups to fulfill the mandate of FOA. Facilitate the successful execution of all FOA program initiatives and endeavors.
Secretary-Treasurer: Take notes from board meetings, maintain documents in shared document folders, report on the financial situation of FOA at all board meetings, maintaining all financial accounts and agreements with grant recipients.
Technology Officer: maintain all digital and technology properties of FOA, including all areas of email, website, and social media properties.
Membership Officer: work with the active and lapsed membership base to grow our footprint in early and recent groups of RPCV and PCV classes/groups. Lead strategic initiatives that grow our membership base, and inspire a sense of community amongst members.
Communication Officer: administer all strategic and ongoing communication activities, including the FOA newsletter, social media properties, communication with Post and front-end website publishing working in conjunction with the Technology Officer.
Email nominations to president@friendsofarmeniaonline.org
Nominations due: February 15th
Announcement of candidates: February 17th
Receiving input on candidates from membership: February 22
Announcement of new board members: March 1st.
Winter Newsletter!
Hey everyone, please download our quarterly newsletter for Winter 2013 at this link HERE
Please write in to us with information you feel would be beneficial to our community of members! We're always interested in bringing service opportunities, relevant news, grant opportunities, events and more to our community's attention through inclusion in our quarterly newsletter.
Accepting Applications: 2012 FOA Community Grants Program
We're excited to announce the opening of the 2012 FOA Community Grants Program. This year's Grants Committee is chaired by Lindee Johnson, A-15 and is co-chaired by Maggie Woznicki, A-18 and Vanessa Bowie Rankin, A-16. Please download application guidelines here and get started with your application today!
Application Guidelines in English - CLICK HERE
Application Guidelines in Armenian - CLICK HERE
In early 2013, we hope to distribute at least $2000 in small grants to Armenian communities and their counterpart Peace Corps Volunteers, as well as interested Armenian organizations with FOA member sponsorship.
Join FOA on LinkedIn!
Visit FOA’s official LinkedIn Group, a forum for information exchange, resource sharing and networking. Check it often for job opportunities in Armenia, special exchange opportunities and other information on technical assistance and FOA’s ongoing development activities in the Republic of Armenia. Click on the icon below!
2012 Grant Recipient: Camp Aparan
The Grant Committee of Friends of Armenia (FOA) was happy to approve the application for an FOA Community Grant in the amount of $221.13 USD in support of the project, Sports Equipment for Children with Disabilities Summer Camp. The FOA Grant Committee found that the project merited approval as it was presented as an easy-to-implement, cost-effective project that will positively impact more than 360 children from an often underserved population in Armenia. FOA is proud to support this project and Camp Aparan. Congratulations Chris Sherwood and Mnacakan Sargsyan!
For more information on our grants program, please contact grants@friendsofarmeniaonline.org2012 Grants Update
The Grants Committee is no longer accepting applications for 2012. Thank you to all of the applicants!
The grant recipients will be announced early next year.
Holiday Greeting 2011
Holiday Greetings 2011
Join us in sending holiday greetings to Armenia PCVs and staff! Just fill out our simple form, and we'll combine everyone's messages in an electronic card scheduled to arrive just in time for Nor Tari.
Just select the link in the Menu Bar!!!
Or click here: http://www.friendsofarmeniaonline.org/index.php/2011-holiday-greetings
2012 Grants - Apply now!
FOA is pleased to announce that the Grants Committee is now accepting grant applications for 2012.
Applications are due December 2, 2011.
Please direct your questions to grants@friendsofarmeniaonline.org.
FOA Celebrates PC 50th Anniversary
FOA members are meeting for dinner on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 at 6p.m., to celebrate Peace Corps' 50th Anniversary in Washington, D.C.
Join us at Vapiano (Chinatown) at 623-625 H Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 20001.
You don't have to be an FOA member to come! Everyone's welcome!
Contact Bonnie at communications@friendsofarmeniaonline.org for more info.
Check www.peacecorpsconnect.org for the NPCA schedule of anniversary events.
2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. will feature a program on the Peace Corps this year! The free festival starts June 30 on the National Mall. Visit www.festival.si.edu for more info.
2011 Board of Directors
The election results are in for FOA's 2011 Board of Directors.
We are still looking for a much-needed Membership Officer to keep our membership strong and growing. Interested? Contact David at president@friendsofarmeniaonline.org for more information.
Holiday Greetings
Join us in sending holiday greetings to Armenia PCVs and staff! Just fill out our simple form, and we'll combine everyone's messages in an electronic card scheduled to arrive just in time for Nor Tari.
FOA Board Nominations
Calling all aspiring officers!
As the end of 2010 approaches, it's time again for FOA Board nominations, and we need your talent and enthusiasm! The terms of service for the Board of Directors will expire on December 31. All FOA members are eligible and encouraged to apply for the officer positions listed below.
If you are interested in applying, contact Bonnie Barron by December 10 at communications@friendsofarmeniaonline.org. Please include a brief statement describing your qualifications and why you want the position. Voting will begin on December 13 when an email ballot will be sent to all FOA members.
Available Officer Positions for 2011
President – Directs all organizational activities; actively recruits new members and assists with fundraising; serves as liaison to National Peace Corps Association and Peace Corps Armenia; coordinates monthly Board meetings; collaborates with all Board members and Committee Chairs.
Secretary-Treasurer – Oversees all financial matters; maintains records of good-standing with U.S. Government and affiliated offices; assists with conducting Board meetings.
Membership Officer – Recruits new members/secures renewal memberships; maintains FOA membership database; welcomes new members/thanks renewed members; coordinates Board elections; collaborates with Membership Committee Chair.
Communications Officer – Writes and designs quarterly e-newsletters; coordinates content on FOA website and other websites of related interest (i.e. PeaceCorpsConnect, Facebook, Yahoo!Groups, LinkedIn, etc.); advises to and supports communications and marketing needs of all Board members and Committee Chairs.
Technology Officer – Maintains and updates FOA website with content and functionality; maintains organizational emails and document repository; advises to and supports tech needs of all Board members and Committee Chairs.
Call for Grant Proposals!
We are pleased to announce Friends Of Armenia's second annual Grants Program! In early 2011, we hope to distribute at least $5,000 in small grants to Armenian communities and their counterpart Peace Corps Volunteers, as well as interested Armenian organizations with FOA member sponsorship.
The deadline to apply for an FOA grant is November 15, 2010.
Applicaton instructions are now available in:
Please direct your grant application questions to grants@friendsofarmeniaonline.org.
Odar's Corner
Check it out! FOA Member Kristi Rendahl (A-5) has a new column in The Armenian Weekly where she explains her many connections to the Armenian community, including her Peace Corps service.
Read Kristi's column, "Odar's Corner," here.
Win $2,500!
NPCA has organized a contest titled "My Piece of the Peace Corps." Submit a video explaining how the Peace Corps changed your life, and you could win $2,500. The deadline is September 30, 2010 and ANYONE can participate. Visit the NPCA website for more details.
A-18 Blog
CONGRATULATIONS A-18's! The newest PCV's have been sworn-in and are on their way to their respective sites. Check-out Maggie's Blog and see what it's like to be in Armenia for the first time (again)!
NPCA
Keep in touch with other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: Visit the National Peace Corps Association website and join the Friends of Armenia group-page!