Eric Streed
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Advocacy
Erik Streed served in Costa Rica from 1987 to 1989 where he worked in reforestation. He has returned to his host country many times since then. When he ended his service, he and three other volunteers working in reforestation, pooled their readjustment allowance and bought a small piece of land to start a reforestation project, and they are still caring for those trees - now 26 years later. Erik spent his career with USAID and has seen good and bad development from a number of perspectives. And over the years he is constantly reminded of the good value the US Government gets when it sends a Peace Corps Volunteer overseas.
Erik also served as MNRPCV Board President from 1999-2000. He rejoined the board in 2016 as Advocacy Chair. Erik believes advocacy in the RPCV community is important - both from individuals and in a more organized form within organizations like NPCA. The budget allocation process in Congress involves a lot of "putting grease on the squeaky wheel" and somebody must be squeaking on behalf of the Peace Corps. So he wants to support NPCA efforts to keep people in congress aware of all the benefits that we reap as a country when we provide an adequate budget for the Peace Corps through advocating for more recognition, budget and support for Peace Corps. If you have ideas for advocacy efforts or would like to get involved with advocacy, please contact Erik at [email protected] |