Welcome!

Welcome!Old Business New Business Main Topic: Safety and SecurityRPCV Panel Discussion

Congratulations!You are a part of something very special and we thank you all for making Tulane one of the top Graduate Schools in Peace Corps!

Brown Bag Lunch with CurtThursday, February 28th 12-1pm, room TBDAn informal lunch meeting with our Dallas recruiter, Curt Baker. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the person who will be interviewing you and/or ask any Peace Corps related questions you may have.Bring your lunch!

THE INTERNATIONALISTWe need a few more volunteers to be on the committeePlease talk to Sarah or Ann-Marie ASAP if you are interestedMARDI GRAS photos- We need some good pictures!!Comic strip photos from your travelsRPCVs- Readjustment tales

March Service ProjectHandOn New OrleansWhen: Sunday, March 3rd, 9-12 (Lunch in the quarter following the event)Where: St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 located outside the quarter on Basin St.What: We will be working on historic cemetery preservation, tomb and marble cleaning, lime washing,painting, vegetation removal and iron work restorationHow: Only a few spots left. Sign up on the link from the weekly email. If you signed up and CANNOT go you MUST go back and cancel.*Unique New Orleans Experience!

March Social Event:Potluck at the FlyBefore Spring BreakVoteThursday, March 21st -4:00?Friday, March 22nd - 4:00-?

Office Hours Sign UpResource lists for MIs in the filed Internationalist helpUpdating our office maps

Looking aheadMarch 20, 12-1 in the Diboll Auditorium, reception following: Public Health in the Land of the Batwa Pygmies- a presentation by Scott Kellerman, SPHTM alum April 1, 6:30-?, Muses Apt Building: Come support Hannah Nelsons NGO APF Tanzania which promotes arts among youth in the community. Music, food and charity- $10 donation suggested.

Aimee DAvingnon: Albaniahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBLAFpedOFc

Safety and Security

Possible Safety and Security RisksNatural DisastersPolitical UnrestCrimeCorruptionHarassmentSexual Assault Transportation Accidents The Stats

Peace Corps Approach

IntegrationVolunteers are safest when they are in their communities and have developed appropriate relationships and earned community respect by:Respecting local customsDressing in a culturally appropriate mannerCommunicating in the local languageDedicating time to working with community members on projectsParticipating in local festivities and cultural eventsDemonstrating expertise in their technical fieldMitigationActions taken to reduce the likelihood of a safety and security incident or impact.Housing choicesPost choice TrainingCountry specific policiesStaff

ResponseThe strategies in place in the event that there is a specific threat to the well-being of volunteersEmergency Action PlansSafety and Security officers

Safety and Security RPCV Panel Discussion Gabe Cohen El Salvador Nicole Carter- PeruKen Blaylock- EthiopiaSarah Syed JordanAnn-Marie Yongho- Cameroon

What did you feel was the biggest safety and security threat was in your country/post?What PC rules/regulations were in place to prevent safety and security issues?Did you have any safety issues in country? If so, how did Peace Corps help/handle the situation?What do you think is the most important thing volunteers can do to keep themselves safe?Any advice or suggestions for future PCVs?