October 2011 Newsletter

USAID Alumni Association
October 2011

Don’t Forget to Vote!

 

On-line voting for the next round of Board Members is now open until 5:00pm on October 18th, but eligible voters will also be able to vote on the day of the AGM. Our candidates are:

  • Frank Almaguer
  • Gary Bisson
  • Margaret Carpenter
  • George Hill
  • Jim Michel
  • Patrick Rader
  • Alexander Shakow
  • David Sprague

Reminder: Eligible voters are those who have made a tax-deductible contribution (suggested amount is $75) to the UAA this year. For those of you who have not made a contribution but would like to vote in this election, simply click here to make your membership contribution to the UAA and then go on-line to vote here.

Re-Birth of the UAA Website
If you haven’t visited the UAA website recently, take another look and see all the changes and improvements that have been made. It contains a wealth of information about the Association (e.g. the Speakers Bureau, the work of the UAA committees), your friends and colleagues, and the world of international development. See the updated Alumni Directory, links to recent thought-provoking articles on development topics, and links to development-related websites. Comment on any of these or other things you would like to share or discuss on our new easily accessed interactive forum. Importantly, you can now make your annual membership contribution to UAA online. Visit the website today!
Alumni Spotlight
 Alumni Spotlight: Pamela Baldwin, From Across the Pond to Farm Life on a (Very) Small Pond!

 

Pamela Baldwin left USAID in late 2002 after serving as Mission Director in Croatia, joining World Learning to serve as Senior Vice President and head of the Vermont-based NGO’s Washington division. World Learning’s projects during her tenure focused on training and capacity-building, gender, child labor, conflict resolution, primary education and civil society. Baldwin Oct

 

Pamela’s second retirement came at the end of 2006, when she decided to join her husband Malcolm full-time on the farm in Lovettsville, Virginia that Pamela had purchased on a whim in 1992 while on emergency leave from Sri Lanka.

 

With 28 acres of fields previously dedicated to hay and horses owned by others, as well as a 1794 house and a large 1870 barn in reasonably good condition, the Baldwins worked to develop an integrated agricultural and tourism business that now includes a flock of Romney and Merino sheep (raised for their excellent wool) and two guard llamas, a vineyard producing Viognier and Cabernet Franc grapes for a nearby winery, a wedding venue and a “farmstay” B&B cottage. WeatherLea Farm & Vineyard hosts several hundred visitors every year during the Loudoun County Spring Farm Tour, as well as up to 10 weddings each year between May and October, with outdoor ceremonies, cocktails in the vineyard and dinner receptions in the renovated barn. Last year they also began hosting overnight guests in their farmstay cottage and have been overwhelmed by its popularity.

 

In addition to their farm activities, Malcolm Baldwin is currently a Democratic candidate for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, while Pamela chairs the board of a start-up food co-op in Lovettsville and both are active in a wide range of local environmental and land-use issues including farmland preservation. The Baldwins would be delighted to see USAID friends at WeatherLea and encourage those seeking a getaway from urban or even overseas life to check out their cottage at www.vrbo.com/275209 or www.weatherleafarm.com. A USAID discount will apply!

The Showcase Project – information from USAID
Dear Colleagues,
I’m delighted to announce the launch of The Showcase Project, USAID’s 50th anniversary exhibit.  We’re asking you to pull from your display cases and dig through your storage boxes for historic, memorable artifacts that tell the story of the Agency.  Whether it’s an improved seed variety from the Green Revolution, a Solo Shot syringe, or a referendum ballot from South Sudan, items – past and present – should represent a movement, impetus for change, moment in time, or milestone relevant to our important work.
Once gathered these artifacts will be highlighted and immortalized as part of our anniversary celebration, showcased at the Agency’s commemoration event on November 3rd in DC, at the Mission Director’s Conference the following week, and other potential exhibit venues in the coming months.  USAID staff and alumni will be able to vote for their favorites, choosing the items that best represent the Agency’s legacy.
Please check out the website for submission guidelines, deadlines, and voting information.  We’ve also included a section to test your Agency knowledge – look for new trivia questions each week.  We request that you share this with all staff who may have suggestions that could be included.
Any/all questions pertaining to the showcase or your submission should be sent to 50thanniversary@usaid.gov.
We look forward to seeing what you send!
Regards,
Bambi  Arellano
Agency Counselor

 

Annual General Meeting – More Info Early Next Week!
Don’t worry–we know the AGM is October 20th!  We’ll be sending out details including the agenda early next week so stay tuned!
USAID 50th Anniversary Gear
 If you’d like to get some gear to commemorate USAID’s 50th Anniversary, check out the USAID Employee Store for mugs, shirts, notepads and more: www.employeestore.org/50.usaid/
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