Worldview Magazine - Fall 2007 - (Page 11)

Interview DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE Ron Tschetter is looking for a lot more older Peace Corps volunteers by Erica Trafas Burman clearly comes through. He received high marks within the Peace Corps community for overnighting with volunteers during his overseas trips and for his handling of several events in the news. When volunteer Julia Campbell disappeared, he flew to the Philippines to oversee the search and when her body was found he wanted to be the Peace Corps official who notified her family. More recently, when the U.S. ambassador in Tanzania withdrew the country director’s authorization to remain in country, Peace Corps Washington issued a strongly worded statement in support of her and of the agency’s independence from political interference. Tschetter is very clear that by talking about the positive qualities of older volunteers he in no way diminishes the value, contribution or numbers of younger volunteers. “All we’re trying to do is put a focus on it, and by doing that, create broader and deeper interest and bring more people in. Young people right out of colleges and universities–that will always be our core focus of recruiting, but this is to augment that and to deepen and broaden interest in Peace Corps. I’m hoping that the Peace Corps can grow.” Currently, five percent of Ron and Nancy Tschetter as India volunteers in 1967. Peace Corps volunteers are over the age of 50 and the investment industry, yet retains the the hope is to increase that significantly. down-to-earth qualities one associates Much of the impetus springs from with his upper-Midwestern roots. He’s simple demographics: the 78 millionfocused, plain-spoken and friendly… person bulge in population coupled and his enthusiasm for Peace Corps with the beliefs and values of this hen Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter talks about the agency’s current focus on recruiting older volunteers, he easily shares stories of older volunteers he has met–not only on his recent travels as director, but from 40 years ago when he himself was a volunteer in India with his wife, Nancy. “ is is not a new phenomenon at all. I had them in my group when I was the young 20something,” says Tschetter, who then rattles off the names of half a dozen older volunteers who served with him, the best known being Lillian Carter, mother of former President Jimmy Carter. “A certain kind of person is going to join at 50… very outgoing and not afraid… it’s hard to describe. ey brought a completely different dimension to what us 20-somethings thought we were going to do over in India.” Tschetter forged a successful career in W B age cohort. “I spent 35 years in the securities industry,” says Tschetter, “I can’t tell you how many demographic presentations I sat through from all kinds of marketing experts on the profile of the Baby Boomer. It’s ey are givers. ey compelling. give of themselves, they give of their resources … and it stands out when you look at the market research, which shows that a lot of them volunteer already.” ut what really resonates with Tschetter and others is the 30plus years of experience and expertise these volunteers can bring to Peace Corps. “I hate to use the word ‘maturity,’ because that implies that 20-somethings aren’t mature, and that’s not what I mean at all,” says Tschetter. “But older volunteers can bring a higher level and breadth and depth of experience and expertise. A 20-something will look at a problem a little differently than somebody who’s probably dealt with that problem 20 times in his of her life.” “Country directors say it’s really a positive thing to do. In most of these countries age comes with a tremendous amount of respect, plus they’ve got all this experience to bring to the needs of the host country. When you sit back and look at it, it’s kind of a no-brainer,” says Tschetter. “And they’re healthy. At 65, at 70 they’re still vibrant, still strong.” Clearly there is pent-up interest out there. Just talking up the program gently, without a big roll-out campaign, has on its own resulted in a significant response. Numerous articles have appeared in the media outlets around WorldView 11

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Worldview Magazine - Fall 2007

Worldview - Fall 2007
Contents
Presiden'ts Note
Lafayette Park
Introduction
Interview
Commentary
Editor's Note
Letter from Rumbek, Sudan
Listings
Letter from Yekaterinburg, Russia
Letter from Codaesti, Romania
Letter from Catia La Mar, Venezuela
Letter from Gumare, Botswana
Letter from Ridder, Kazakhstan
Letter from Rincon, Cape Verde
Letter from Port Au Prince
Another Country
Community News
Giving Back
Opinion

Worldview Magazine - Fall 2007

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