Peace Corps - Timeline to Staging

2013-2014

Peace Corps Press Release
NextPCVS - Meet the Newest West Coast Peace Corps Volunteers

Going through the steps to complete the Peace Corps Volunteer application process and finally get an invitation is a lesson in patience and perserverance. The timeline for each applicant is different and the challenges unique. We have a lot of curiosity about what other volunteers are experiencing while we are waiting for our invitations, so PCV applicants out there... here is my 13 month timeline from Application to Staging:

Initial Steps

2007-October: Answered the question: What can I do to make a meaningful contribution and retire at 60? Join the Peace Corps, after all... "Life is calling. How far will you go?" (Peace Corps). Began attending Peace Corps recruiting events in the San Francisco Bay Area; continued attending events until departure.

2009-June: Completed the Literacy Training program for Project Second Chance Volunteers at the Contra Costa County Library, Pleasant Hill Branch, California. Began tutoring sessions with my first "student".  Continued Literacy Tutoring until 2014, completed over 500 hours.

2011-February: Opened Peace Corps user account and began work on application and acquiring all the documentation I would need such as college transcripts.  I would have to re-start the application in May 2013 since the on-line Peace Corps application portal was completely redesigned.

2011-March: Paid off my mortgage and began the long process of downsizing and making all the financial preparations (adviser, Living Trust, etc, etc.) that continued through to departure.

2012-August: Began volunteer service at the Contra Costa County Medical Center as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Hearts and Hands Doula Program. Continued volunteer work until December 2013, completed  over 200 hours.

2013-March 25: Met with PC recruiter at San Francisco regional Peace Corps office for an “informational” interview to confirm my qualifications and potential for service.

Official Start!

2013-May 04: Submitted on-line Application, submitted Medical Questionnaire, and provided my references the necessary forms to submit. Requested start date of June 1, 2014 to coincide with retirement from my employer, Kaiser Permanente, on May 31, 2014.  Did not specify any preferences for location or assignment - prefer to go to where I am needed.

2013-May 15: Completed Interview with Recruiter. Qualified for Health and Education sectors.  Nominated for HIV/AIDs program starting in June 2014 (location not specified).

2013-May 20: Had Finger Prints taken at Peace Corps office and submitted Background/Security Packet by mail.

2013-June 22: Passed the Spanish CLEP exam and qualified for 12 college semester units. 

2013-July 22: Received notification from Recruitment Center that I was Medically Pre-Cleared

2013-July 23: Received notification from Recruitment Center that I was Legally Pre-Cleared

2013-September 27: Submitted Suitability and Skill Evaluation form, updated resume, and heath questionnaire.

2014-January 9: Received and accepted Invitation to Serve in Lesotho; staging June 3, 2014. Received first set of Medical & Dental Tasks & PCV Portal Tasks - so much to do! Elapsed time from submitting Application to receiving Invitation = 8 months.

2014-February 11: Completed MAP tasks (medical & dental exams, x-rays, labs, and procedures) all documents uploaded for review. 

2014-February 28: Received notice of Final Medical and Dental Clearance!

2014-May 2: Received Staging Confirmation. Staging scheduled for June 3 in Philadelphia. Flights to Maseru, Lesotho via Johannesburg, South Africa scheduled for June 4-5.  The June 2014 Healthy Youth Advisers will settle in with to host families in Berea Province on June 5. 

Elapsed time: Application - May 5, 2014 to Staging - June 3, 2014 = 13 months.