Social and Service Events
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 2013
2013 MNRPCV Service Passport
Deadline: MNRPCV 2013 Annual Meeting (September)
To celebrate the 52nd year of Peace Corps, MNRPCV is challenging its members to perform at least 52 hours of community service over the coming year!
Download your Service Passport here: SERVICE PASSPORT.
Record your volunteer hours in your Service Passport. When you return it at the Annual Meeting in September 2013, the nonprofit organization of your choice will have a chance to win a $50 donation from MNRPCV! For further information contact Pat Smith at: patrick.gardner.smith@gmail.com
EVENTS: MAY 2013
Walker Tour for RPCVs
Metro Dinner: La Palmera Pupuseria (El Salvadoran), South Minneapolis
Saturday, May 25, 2013, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
La Palmera Pupuseria, 4157 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
We have been told that not only is this place incredible, but it’s a great place for all of you Spanish speakers to drop some Spanish. The menu ranges from their specialty, the pupusas, to standard Salvadoran fare. There will be a relaxed ambiance that is great for RPCVs joining the RPCV community for the first time. The host for this evening is Braden who served in El Salvador. He is an avid fan of this restaurant and he believes that “It’s always good to get some new faces at these things.” So come join, all are welcome! Please RSVP with Braden at braden.shannon@gmail.com
Check out the restaurant at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pupuseria-la-Palmera/394210600624420
EVENTS: JUNE 2013
MNRPCV Fundraiser Dinner: Southeast Asian Cuisine, Saint Paul
Saturday, June 8th, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
669 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
Join us at the unusual and intriguing home of Elsa Frettem and Bernard Gonzalez in Saint Paul for a fundraiser dinner featuring exotic food from Southeast Asia. Our creative and talented RPCV cooks will delight you with their amazing selection of dishes. If you want to help cook, contact Christi Williams at quiltzilla@gmail.com. The suggested donation is only $10.00 per person, and goes to support MNRPCV grants and programming. Cooks and kids eat free. Don’t miss this winter gathering of RPCVs and pre-PCVs – maybe even a PCV or two. All are welcome! Bring your family and friends.
Peace Corps Nominee Send-Off, Minneapolis
Saturday, June 1st, 1:00pm-4:00pm
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus
MNRPCV, PC@UMN, and the recruiters are excited to announce the return of the Send-Off Party! Join us June 1st at the Whole Music Club (inside Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota) to show off your Peace Corps pride and help welcome the newest members of the family!
We’ll start at 1pm with some yummy African catering and time to mix and mingle. RPCVs—come ready to share your stories, experience and excitement! We will have informational tables on Peace Corps programs and want to encourage the general public, those interested in Peace Corps, nominees/invitees and their families to come out and learn more about Peace Corps and the amazing community of RPCVs in Minnesota. We encourage you to wear any traditional clothing from your country of service or other travel abroad. Invite friends!
The program will start at 2pm and will include a RPCV panel, introductions of nominees/invitees, a keynote speaker, and a lively dance competition!
Volunteers are needed to staff the program sector tables, a table of parents to talk about their experiences, panelists for the Q & A session, and fun people willing to show off the dancing skills they learned during their service. Please contact Jess Brogger at jess.brogger@gmail.com if you are available.
This awesome event is made possible through generous funding from Coca Cola, University of
Minnesota Student Unions & Activities, MNRPCV, and the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center
Brunch at Maria’s Cafe, Minneapolis
Saturday, June 8th, 2013, 11:00 am- 12:30 pm
1113 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis MN 55404
If you like a mix of Latin flavors with brunch then come to Maria’s Café! This place has won awards for “best pancake” and “best breakfast”, blend that with RPCVs and you get a not-to-miss incredible brunch experience! Good timing for all of you 40 hours and over-time crew because this is during the weekend! We cherish all of those that partake in our events so come out and socialize. All are welcome! Please RSVP with Jess at: jess.brogger@gmail.com so that we make sure to reserve you a seat!
For directions please go to: http://www.mariascafe.com/directions.html
MNRPCV Fundraiser Dinner: Southeast Asian Cuisine, Saint Paul
Saturday, June 22, 2013, 6 pm
Home of MNRPCV President Anne Kanyusik
4925 1st Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55419Please join the MNRPCV Board in an evening of food and fellowship as we celebrate our wonderful MNRPCV members. Please bring drinks and your favorite dish — – from your host country or else-where– to share and/or something to put on the grill!
Peace Corps Connect – Boston 2013
Join RPCVs who have served in countries around the world – maybe even your host country – and RPCVs who now live in the US and beyond – at the second National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) Annual Gathering (Convention). Hear inspiring speakers at the break-out sessions. Share your ideas at the Group Leaders’ Forum. Meet with your NPCA Board Midwest-Representative and other RPCVs from the Midwest. Meet with the NPCA Board Representative for your host-country region and RPCVs who served there.
Make your own plans! Contact the RPCVs who served where you did, set up an exhibit table and have your own reunion. Look for NPCA Member-Groups and contact info here, to help you plan: http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/member-groups/
Take some time to get to know Boston – a city steeped in early US history. Follow this link: http://www.cityofboston.gov/ or go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston
Get all of the details and register at: http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/annual-gathering/
This event is planned for you – the RPCVs!
JULY 2013
Metro Dinner: Safari Restaurant, Minneapolis
RPCV Tom O’Toole would like to extend a warm invitation for a metro dinner at a wonderful Somali restaurant. The inside scope is that this is “where the young, hip Somalis eat” along with the great fact that the owner, Amad, is a fan of the Peace Corps and is a wonderful host. All of you RPCVs from East Africa, come out and teach us a thing or two about your experience! All are welcome, we don’t bite, but we do fight over the last piece on the plate. Please RSVP with Tom at: o_tooletom@hotmail.com so that we can save you a seat!
For directions and more information please go to: http://www.safarirestaurant.net/
AUGUST 2013
August Metro Dinner: Marla’s Caribbean Cuisine, South Minneapolis
All are welcome! Metro dinners are a great way to connect to the Returned Peace Corps community that is right here in the Twin Cities! Please RSVP to this event’s host Christi at: quiltzilla@gmail.com
For more information and for directions please go to: http://www.marlascuisine.com/#!about-us