Welcome!

Hello, friends! I am so pleased to serve this year as President of MNRPCV for the 2016-2017 year. Since my return from service in 2013, it has been an honor to get to know a group that connects recently returned Volunteers and those who have been back for years. It is always humbling to meet the many members who have been part of the community for decades. I have come to realize that these long-standing relationships developed from our shared passion for Peace Corps and international service are the foundation of this exceptional group. I am excited to join a board that offers a unique balance of experience from years of service and creative new ideas from several recently returned volunteers. 

We are looking forward to growing the organization as we move further into the year, deepening our commitment to service and community. If you are hoping to get involved, please reach out to see if we can match you with a committee - social, fundraising, community service, and advocacy are just some of the opportunities available. 

The past year has included a wealth of wonderful activities, including our participation in the Adopt-a-Highway program led by Kristina Fosse to maintain the stretch of highway in Inver Grove Heights, continued participation in community service events at Second Harvest Heartland, Bridging, the Jeremiah Project, and Mano a Mano. Special shoutout to our community service co-chairs Sheila Collins and Michelle Short for doing a fantastic job of developing this arm of our group. 

The new year also brings a renewed dedication to supporting our membership, with a new emphasis on inviting Peace Corps Invitees who are waiting to embark on their journey to the Peace Corps into our fold before they embark on the journey of a lifetime. We hope that by establishing connections with these members early, we will be able to provide support for them while in service through mentorship and through our Grants program. If you are interested in mentoring a Peace Corps Volunteer during their service, please reach out to us at [email protected]. This support also includes our Job Shops, developed by Judy Marcouiller, Rosa Worthwein, Rhoda Brooks, Curt Rahman, Frank Alarcon and several others who provide help with the job hunt upon return from service. 

We continue to gather over monthly meals at our Metro dinners and happy hours, which lets us sample the variety of international cuisine offered in the Twin Cities and enjoy getting to know fellow MNRPCVs. We are looking forward to our annual Holiday Party on December 3rd, hosted by the Stander family. If you are interested in hosting an event, feel free to contact our Social Chairs Kristina Fosse and Casey Silver at [email protected].

I hope you enjoy our new webpage, hosted with the help of our new communications co-chairs Cathy Lee Gierke and Sara Rogers. If you have questions, comments or just want to connect please reach out to me at [email protected]. 

Warmly, 

Anna Baker
MNRPCV President 2016-2017 
Costa Rica 2010-2013