PEACE CORPS:  MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS 
TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND VOLUNTEER RETENTION

By

Megan McDrew

A Thesis

Presented to

The Faculty of Humboldt State University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Arts

In Sociology 

May, 2006

ABSTRACT

PEACE CORPS:  MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS 
TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND VOLUNTEER RETENTION

By:  Megan McDrew

Peace Corps has been a successful American volunteer agency dedicated to world peace and cross-cultural friendship since 1961.  Since then, young and old have brought their skills to bear in the various parts of the world.  At this point, over 183,000 volunteers have been sent to 138 countries to serve for a variety of reasons (www.peacecorps.gov).  Surprisingly, very little is known about the pro-social characteristics and specific motivations of these people who volunteer internationally for twenty-seven months with little financial remuneration.  Therefore, the aim of this study is to survey past Peace Corps volunteers who presently reside in Humboldt County to determine what motivated them to volunteer.  After this information is established, the objective is to apply this knowledge to increase volunteerism in the Peace Corps and other organizations that call for a long-term (over one year) volunteer commitment.  In the future, recruiters will be able to identify personal volunteer characteristics and motivational factors that enhance the number of people who apply as volunteers and subsequently serve abroad.  
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
	First and foremost, I would like to thank my family for their support, encouragement, and patience over the last few years.  Without their constant and faithful presence along my educational path, I would not be where I am today at the brink of finishing my master's degree.  
	I would also like to acknowledge my thesis committee consisting of Judith Little, Samuel Oliner and Lee Bowker.  Each of them intrigue me in different ways which is why I asked for their participation in evaluating my thesis.  Judith has shown much patience with me as I continually changed my mind at the start of this thesis.  She has always been available, friendly and wise in her direction.  Samuel inspired me from the beginning of my career at Humboldt State University to study altruism.  Although I have spent few hours actually working with him, he has helped me in many ways.  Lastly, Lee was the first person I spoke with before coming to Humboldt.  His advice to me was to follow my heart and study what truly inspires me.  I appreciate his style of not only teaching but interacting with the world around him.  So, with that said, I thank you all for your contribution and effort.  
	Lastly, I would like to thank my survey respondents.  I could not have written this thesis without their honest answers and input.  Their responses reminded me of the tenacious, altruistic, and righteous spirit of those who volunteer with the Peace Corps, and for this, I am honored to be part of such a community as a returned Peace Corps volunteer.  
	I hope you enjoy reading my thesis.  Thank you, the reader, for giving me a chance to explain what I feel is a very pertinent and meaningful topic.  Enjoy!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract……………………………………………………………………..	iii
Acknowledgments………………………………………………………….	iv
Chapter								Page Number
I	Introduction………………………………………………………….1
II	Literature Review:  Peace Corps Motivating Factors……………….5			Altruism……………………………………………………………..6
	Idealism……………………………………………………………..	9
	Individualism………………………………………………………..14
	Universalism………………………………………………………...19
III	Literature Review:  Peace Corps Criticisms…………………………23
	Personal Reflection…………………………………………………..30
IV	Methodology…………………………………………………………33
V	Results	 of Peace Corps Survey………………………………………36
	Volunteer Feedback………………………………………………….42
VI	Discussion on Motivational Factors……………………………….....46	
VII	Conclusion……………………………………………………………50
Bibliography………………………………………………………………….52
Appendix A - Survey…………………………………………………………54
Appendix B - Peace Corps Figures…………………………………………..58
Appendix C - Peace Corps Basic Facts………………………………………59
Appendix D - Peace Corps Countries of Service…………………………….61

INTRODUCTION

Volunteering has been an available option for personal and professional development in the United States and is ever increasing in popularity.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, from September 2004 to September 2005, approximately 65.4 million people volunteered for either a national or international organization (www.bls.gov/cps).  Of these 65.4 million people, 7,533 citizens volunteered for the United States Peace Corps in 2005, the highest level of volunteers since 1974 (www.peacecorps.gov).    Although a small number compared to the overall national volunteer count, the Peace Corps has continued to intrigue a diverse group of people since 1961, and as the numbers illustrate, volunteerism in the Peace Corps is still rising.  
Peace Corps is a government funded organization that sends volunteers to participating developing countries to serve for twenty-seven months with few tangible rewards.  Based on their area of expertise, the volunteers work  in education, health, environment or small business development.  The Peace Corps pays for their round-trip flight and funds training and all living expenses while working abroad.  They also provide full medical and dental insurance and offer a small stipend upon return to the United States.  With this general background on the Peace Corps, I will introduce what this thesis will entail.  
Within this thesis, I ask, what has motivated people to volunteer for the Peace Corps, an organization that demands twenty-seven months of one’s time in very rural, underdeveloped, and extremely challenging international locations?  Are Peace Corps 
volunteers unique in their international altruistic aims or do they also fall prey to naked ambitions, the fulfillment of career objectives, and the meager financial benefits accrued by the end of service?  Do feelings of self-sacrifice and self-interest have to be entirely separate or can the two motivations co-mingle to create a heroic volunteer, able enough to take an individual stand against the oppressive regimes of history?  This thesis aims to answer such questions and perhaps, shed some light on the impact of the Peace Corps in today's globalized world.  It should be recognized that most people’s motives are mixed, and it is this mélange that allows the volunteer to uniquely spread love, honesty, and courage in the face of rising suspicions and animosity towards Americans.   The specific aim of a Peace Corps volunteer is to improve the lives of those being helped through introducing new educational methods, better health options, cleaner environmental standards, and sustainable business ventures.  Needless to say, this takes concentrated effort and extreme motivation.  
By surveying past volunteers now residing in Humboldt County, I will illustrate the various motivations of Peace Corps volunteers in order to enhance recruitment and retention strategies not only for the Peace Corps but other long-term volunteer organizations.   I also believe that not only will the organizations be better equipped to find suitable volunteers, but the communities in which volunteers live will be more adequately served due to the transparent nature of the volunteer’s motivations.  In this sense, my thesis can be used universally and can be applied to a greater understanding of altruism, volunteerism, and the basic human attributes of love and kindness in the face of struggle and oppression.  
	The first chapter on the initial motivations that started the Peace Corps will be broken up into four sections based on each motive.  Using various sources of literature, I will discuss the common themes and how these correlate with volunteer motivations.  
	In chapter two, I conduct another literature review based on various criticisms of the Peace Corps.  Following this explanation, I include a personal reflection on the Peace Corps.  Chapter three explains my methodology of research followed by chapter four in which I summarize my survey results.  
	Chapter five is a discussion of the results, highlighting the most crucial aspects of my findings as to why the respondents chose to serve for the Peace Corps initially.  I also include a section with select volunteer feedback that I feel explains why past volunteers would choose to serve now, in retrospect, as opposed to their motives prior to service.  
	Chapter six concludes the thesis by providing suggestions for the Peace Corps in recruiting and retaining volunteers.  By the end, the reader should have a solid perspective on who volunteers for the Peace Corps and most importantly, why.   Although the Peace Corps is intriguing to many, it is still an organization that thrives on having capable, strong-willed, adventurous volunteers.  This thesis aims at providing the tools that can be used to attract such people.  

CHAPTER ONELITERATURE REVIEW:  MOTIVATING PEACE CORPS FACTORS

	To analyze the motivations of Peace Corps volunteers from 1961 to present day, an understanding of the initial goals and reasons behind the creation of the United States Peace Corps organization is crucial and extremely relevant.  Most people do not join an organization, club, network, or even accept a job offer until ascertaining the moral structure and work ethic of the group.  Indeed, it is necessary to see that the organization’s agenda for development is somewhat congruent with one’s own goals when prepared to dedicate an extensive amount of time and energy to a project for little financial remuneration.  If there is not a certain transparency in each other’s driving motives, a low retention rate and lack of workers will be the an inevitable result.  Therefore, the research reported here has three objectives:  1)  to identify the four primary themes that initiated  the beginnings of the Peace Corps,  2)  to discuss critiques of the Peace Corps and lastly, 3)  to explain returned Peace Corps volunteer’s motivations for joining based on my first-hand data and input from these volunteers on the Peace Corps’ mission in relation to their personal experiences.  By the end of this paper, I hope to have contributed to the study of both the Peace Corps and volunteerism in order to increase both the quality and quantity of volunteers who serve for long-term, international organizations.  	Research on the Peace Corps is widespread (Colmen, 1965; Drezner, 2000; Fairfield, 1964; Hapgood, 1968; Hoffman, 1998; Hoopes, 1965; Mahajani, 1964; Peace

Corps Reader, 1969; Rice, 1985; Shapiro, 1994; Shriver, 1964; Viorst, 1986; Windmiller, 1970).  Likewise, research on volunteer motivations and altruism is equally available and pertinent (Colmen, 1965; Janoski, Musick, and Wilson, 1998; Oliner, 2003, 1988).  Combining these two paths of study, I will begin with a review on the Peace Corps main motivations stemming back to March 1, 1961 when the program found its roots followed by a review of criticisms of the Peace Corps.  	In a time when the United States was gradually being perceived as a domineering, hegemonic, militaristic nation, the Peace Corps sprouted from such contaminated soil, revealing a more caring, personable side of the United States.  The Peace Corps represented the first large, organized, peaceful, non-secretarian possibility for volunteering with promises of really making a difference.  Indeed,  as Amy Hoffman concedes, “the Peace Corps told Americans what was best about their country and about the 1960’s:  the promise of youth, the New Frontier envisioned by John F. Kennedy, the humanitarian impulses of the U.S., the pioneer spirit reborn, and the persistence of America’s democratizing ‘mission’” (Hoffman 1998, p. 8).   During a period when faith in the United States government political policies were diminishing, the Peace Corps symbolized opportunity, idealism, democracy and youth.  Such attributes were also keenly present in the founding father of the Peace Corps, President John F. Kennedy who was considered a hero by many.  In the words of Joseph Campbell, “The hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than himself, or other than himself” (Hoffman 1998, p. 3).  John Kennedy was perceived as a moral leader, a man who revived faith in humanity and whose courage was founded on being hopeful, open, and honest.  His reputation contributed to his success in spearheading the Peace Corps, an organization with motives that seemed overly altruistic in a time when the United States was becoming more unilaterally powerful and selfish.  	Kennedy rallied a receptive nation’s support for the Peace Corps with these famous words which still hold true today, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”  He projected the truism that, “every man is potentially extraordinary.”  These types of statements contributed to his popularity and hero status because as Joseph Campbell once remarked, “. . .only a hero can capture the secret imagination of a people” (Hoffman 1998, p. 3).  Kennedy revived a joy for living, a longing to believe in oneself, and the idea that one individual can truly make a difference by emphasizing, “the place of the individual in a mass society, capable of mass destruction” (Hoffman 1998, p. 14).  Destruction did not seem to be inevitable as long as somewhat ordinary, educated, middle-class citizens stepped up to the plate and volunteered for the Peace Corps.  It is in this vein that the organization became popular and world renowned.	Before proceeding into an explanation of the organization’s motivations, it is important to note the position of the Peace Corps in the United States government body.  The Peace Corps, for all intents and purposes, is an independent agency within the executive branch of the United States government (www.peacecorps.gov).  The director of the Peace Corps is appointed by and reports to the President of the United States and must also be approved by the U.S. Senate.  Presently, the U.S. Congress is made up of at least seven people who served as volunteers themselves.  President George W. Bush has given more money to funding the Peace Corps than any past President.  The annual budget for 2005 was $317 million yet, this is considered only one percent of the foreign aid budget (www.peacecorps.gov).  The Peace Corps administration attributes its success to the great institutional freedom that it gains from being separate from the mainstream bureaucratic regulations.  Daniel Drezner (2000) notes in “Ideas, Bureaucratic Politics, and the Crafting of Foreign Policy” that, “the Peace Corps Act of 1961 explicitly states that its operators were not obligated to agree with, or defend U.S. foreign policy” (p.7).  In this sense, it meets the criteria of an insulated agency, free to make autonomous decisions outside the influence of other government financed programs.  This is also reflective of how the volunteers are meant to feel; independent of the Peace Corps administrations agenda, free to make autonomous decisions that benefit the community yet still protected by the powers of the United States.  Perhaps this is why the Peace Corps recruits more than any other national organization (Drezner, 2000).  	Several predominant themes emerge from the literature on the humanitarian, benevolent agenda of the Peace Corps (Colmen, 1965; Hayes, 1961; Hoffman, 1998; Lowther and Lucas, 1978; Viorst, 1986).  These include altruism, idealism, individualism, and universalism.  In the following four sections, I will expound on each point further.  The themes are all interrelated and complement each other.  Overall, the literature focuses on the positive ideals and valuable impact of the Peace Corps in developing countries.  

Altruism
Altruism is a key feature found in the literature on the development of the Peace Corps (Hoffman, 1998; Mahajani, 1964; Waldorf, 2001; Windmiller, 1970).  Consensus holds that, “the public image of the Peace Corps is that of an experiment in practical altruism – a people-to-people effort aimed at fighting hunger, poverty, ignorance, and disease” (Windmiller 1970, p. 1).  Since the conception of the Peace Corps, altruism was a key word that resonated through the air waves, emphasizing the unselfish motives of the Peace Corps and their main desire to help people in developing countries with little or no immediate reward.  
	Altruism is a long-debated topic but there has been enough solid research on its natural prevalence in people to squash most contradictory theories.  Samuel Oliner, author of Do Unto Others (2003) along with many other works on altruism and prosocial behavior, explains that, “the word ‘altruism’ is derived from the Latin root alter, which means ‘other’” (p.15).  He mentions August Comte, the father of Sociology, as having said that, “ ‘Altruism’ meant the discipline and eradication of self-centered desire and a life devoted to the good of others, particularly selfless love and a devotion to society” (15).  Upon developing the Peace Corps in March 1961, Sargent Shriver, the brother-in-law of John F. Kennedy, and his staff questioned, “Does America really have enough altruism today to furnish the Peace Corps volunteers in the numbers needed?” (Hoffman 1998, p. 52).  Apparently, with over 183,000 people who have volunteered for the Peace Corps over the last forty-five years, the answer is a resounding “yes.” 	Samuel as well as his wife Pearl Oliner (1988) have defined altruism as, “devotion to the welfare of others, based on selfishness” (p. 2).  In order for an action to be altruistic, it must meet four criteria.  These include:  1 – it must be directed towards helping another, 2- the action involves a degree of sacrifice or/and risk, 3 – there are no external rewards offered for the immediate action, 4- it is voluntary (Oliner 1988, p. 6).  There are also a few different forms of altruism yet the one that most applies to the Peace Corps volunteer would be classified as conventional altruism.  According to Oliner (2003), “Conventional altruism. . .includes general volunteers, hospice volunteers, moral exemplars, and philanthropists.  Moral exemplars are individuals who have a moral commitment to achieve justice, equality, and fairness for those in the community who are in need of loving kindness, compassion, and caring” (p. 22).  By and large, Peace Corps volunteers and the organization itself has been defined by a high degree of morality, conviction, and a commitment to helping others, evidenced by the actual work and level of sacrifice of the volunteers overseas and the relationships they form in the process.   	Sargent Shriver was the first director following the official March 1, 1961 establishment of the Peace Corps by John F. Kennedy.  Similar to Kennedy, he exemplified what the Peace Corps was all about – altruism, idealism, a strong democratic faith, and righteous individuality.  He became known as the capital’s most ardent suitor and likeable politician (Redmon 1986).  Shriver (1964) authored the book, Point of a Lance, during his Peace Corps directorship.  He related Peace Corps work to altruism by stating, “. . .in the Peace Corps we ask people to volunteer all over the world, not for money or glory, not even for comfort or convenience, but only to help others who need and want their help” (p. 222).   Volunteers who serve for freedom, justice, human welfare, and individual dignity do so out of a deep commitment to alleviating suffering in this world and by doing so, they demonstrate the other, less militaristic, side of America.  	To conclude this section on altruism and the Peace Corps, I would like to quote David Crozier, who died in an airplane accident while serving for the Peace Corps in Columbia.  In a sadly insightful letter to his parents, he said, “Should it come to it, I would rather give my life trying to help someone than to give my life looking down a gun barrel at him” (Viorst 1986, p. 21).  Those who rather altruistically volunteer for the Peace Corps are not trained as fighters or even foreign service propagandists.  The volunteer’s enemies which they are trained to combat are hunger, ignorance, disease, and intense poverty along with a rising distrust and anger towards the United States government.  To face such ominous, towering opponents, altruism, or the desire to be unselfishly at service for others, is a vital ingredient for success.  Although in some instances, the Peace Corps mission might be perceived as the U.S. government’s desire for economic expansion and growth, the volunteers as altruistic agents of change reflect one of the organizations primary goals of helping others with the best of intentions and in this regard, help the Peace Corps in maintaining its integrity and altruistic tendencies.  
Idealism
Research has shown that idealism is another key component in both the creation of the Peace Corps and the volunteers who enable the growth and effectiveness of this agency (Hayes, 1961; Hoffman, 1998; Shapiro, 1994; Shriver, 1964;  Viorst, 1986; Waldorf, 2001;).  Indeed, it is ideas put into action that have the revolutionary ability to make progressive, positive change.    
	In The International Peace Corps:  The Promise and Problems, Samuel Hayes (1961) notes that, “young people saw here an opportunity to put their idealism into practice through direct service to the cause of peace.  Older people saw this as an opportunity for expanded international action to build world peace and progress” (p.8).  Although younger people appear more idealistic, older volunteers also feel inspired to serve based on grand hopes and visions that have persisted over the years despite witnessing various levels of corruption and disaster.  	Shapiro (1994) relates that “many excellent men and women, attracted by idealism and freshness of the Peace Corps idea, answered the urgent call for . . .help” (p. 17).  In response to the Cold War, the Peace Corps was an innovative idea and a non-aggressive, democratic reaction to the trends of Communism in the East.   Such idealism that grew up with the Peace Corps sprang from these turbulent times, lending to the idea that volunteers, “can contribute to the development of critical countries and regions. . .to the education of America and to more intelligent American participation in the world” (Shapiro 1994, p.10).  In this way, the Peace Corps was created not only to aid developing nations but also to contribute to the development of United States citizens, primarily youth or those fresh from college.  Shapiro (1994) concludes that, “with its emphasis on youth, its idealistic aims, its combined aura of personal sacrifice and adventure, the Peace Corps was to become the trademark of the new administration and to symbolize hope, energy, and idealism” (p. 11).  Obviously, the symbolic importance and values of the Peace Corps are just as notable as the actual work and tangibility of it.  	Viorst (1986) contributes to the study of idealism in the Peace Corps in meaningful and insightful ways.  Drawing from an article written by Shriver, he notes that the Peace Corps’ creation was based on, “a conviction that it was not muscle power but idea power that changed the world” (p. 17).  Ashedevi Aryanayakam, a devote follower of Mahatma Gandhi and a social activist in India, questioned Shriver with, “Your Peace Corps volunteers must bring more than science and technology.  They must touch the idealism of America and bring that to us, too.  Can they do it?”  (Viorst 1986, p. 18).  Shriver, along with the many other Peace Corps directors since 1961, knew that American idealism was strong and had the capacity to transcend boundaries of culture and language, great disparities of wealth and status, and to contribute to a greater understanding of people as people and not their governments.  According to Evelyn Jamilah (2004) stated that there is, “a waiting list of some 20 countries seeking new projects and a high demand for volunteers with expertise in technical skills” (p. 2).   Although technical skills are important for economic and social development, the influence of technology and other forms of capitalism inherent in material growth increases levels of stratification in many ways.  As I will prove in the data portion of this paper, the most effective act a volunteer can do, rather than inundate a community with unsustainable business ventures or impractical commodities, is to build relationships based on common interests, shared values, and an understanding of our diversity yet intrinsic similarities as well.  The Peace Corps organization’s goals compliment the volunteer’s actions.   
	The basic idea of the Peace Corps, implicit in its three missions (see Appendix B), is increasing equal rights and international goodwill.  In short, the three goals are helping people of interested countries in training men and women for skilled jobs, helping promote a better understanding of Americans and lastly, helping promote a better understanding of the other people being served (www.peacecorps.gov).  The British historian, Arnold Toynbee, in an article that Sargent Shriver clipped and sent to John F. Kennedy stated that, “America’s present affluence has sidetracked America from the main line of the world revolution and it has insulated her from the rest of the human race. . .any effort to break down the insulating barrier is a service to the human race as a whole, and thus is the ultimate significance of the Peace Corps” (Hoffman 1998, p. 23).  Over the last forty-five years of the Peace Corps existence, the goals remain unchanged, and cultural hybridity is certainly taking place in the minds and hearts of citizens all over the world as volunteers place more emphasis on exchanging cultural knowledge and practices rather than simply cloning American ideals abroad.    	Idealism was also fueled by volunteer’s stories and the administration’s romantic, revolutionary oratory.   Statements like Kennedy’s, “those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable” or a volunteer’s brave resolve that, “it is better to live humbly for a cause than to die nobly for one” re-ignited a dying flame in the hearts of American citizens (Hoffman 1998, p. 65, p. 146).  Literature is rich with volunteer stories of bridging cultural boundaries, teaching children to read, helping create a woman’s cooperative, or creating a water sewage system, all of which have turned idealist hopes into concrete reality.   	As a conclusion to this section on idealism as a driving motive in not only the creation of the Peace Corps but for those who volunteer as well, I will include one volunteer’s story recounted by John F. Kennedy that exemplifies idealism, individual persistence, and the altruistic, hearty work ethic that the Peace Corps was founded upon.  

Recently I heard a story of a young Peace Corpsman named Tom Scanlon, who is 	
working in Chile.  He works in a village about forty miles from an Indian village which prides itself on being Communist.  The village is up a long, winding road which Scanlon has taken on many occasions to see the chief.  Each time the chief avoided seeing him.  Finally he saw him and said, “You are not going to talk us out of being Communists.”  Scanlon said, “I am not trying to do that, only to talk to you about how I can help.”  The chief looked at him and replied, “In a few weeks the snow will come.  Then you will have to park your jeep twenty miles from here and come through five feet of snow on foot.  The Communists are willing to do that.  Are you?”  When a friend saw Scanlon recently and asked him what he was doing, he said, “I am waiting for the snow.” (Hoffman 1998, p. 59-60).
Scanlon demonstrated that his ideals could truly be put into action with much tenacity and focus as well as an earned respect from the community.  Time and again volunteers are put to the test by the people they are serving in order to see if their ideals are actually grounded and practical.  Most volunteers, after agreeing to spend approximately twenty-seven months alone in a developing country, are committed to making their idealistic aims authentic. Jody Olsen, a returned Peace Corps volunteer, agrees that, “a volunteer cannot succeed without being idealistic” (Viorst 1986, p. 49).   In the end, a life without dreams and visions can be very bleak and colorless.  The Peace Corps is structured in a way that volunteers have enough independence and freedom to use their imaginations in creating projects and building relationships.  
Individualism
The last two themes, found in the literature on what motivated the creation of the Peace Corps, are universalism and individualism.  While altruism and idealism played a larger role in explaining the Peace Corps’ agenda, the plight for universal democracy and individual freedom to make change also influenced the development of the Peace Corps.  	
Individualism will be discussed first since it is often true that individual ethics reflect universal dogmas.  	Individualism, or the idea that an individual has the capability to make a positive difference in an increasingly volatile world, is a common theme found within literature on the Peace Corps main vision for volunteers (Hapgood, 1968; Hoffman, 1998; Hoopes, 1965; Oliner, 2001; Rice, 1985;).  In the context of volunteerism, the individual is defined as the potential to instigate progressive change, to be an agent of development where one is the magic number.  Often, the term ‘individualist’ implies one in search of egoist pursuits.  Within the Peace Corps, the individual is an autonomous volunteer, in charge of his/her destiny, actively engaging in cross-cultural dialogue, and somewhat mixed in motives.  	The Ugly American  by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer (1958) provides a quintessential description of an individual volunteer striving to help at the grassroots level in partnership with the community.  All the while, the top-level administrators do little but party and hang-out in air-conditioned offices, sending down directives to the volunteer of whom they know very little about.  The book’s main character, Homer Atkins, is portrayed as a skilled technician who lives and works alongside the locals.  He is called the ‘ugly American’ only because he is physically deformed.  In the epilogue of the story, the authors supply their view of United States foreign policy and their ideas for improvement:  

Whatever the reasons, our overseas services attract far too few of our brightest and best qualified college graduates. . .What we need is a small force of well-trained, well-chosen, hard-working and dedicated professionals.  They must be willing to risk their comforts and – in some lands- their health.  They must go equipped to apply a positive policy promulgated by a clear-thinking government.  They must speak the language of the land of their assignment and they must be more expert in its problems than are the natives.  (Burdick and Lederer 1958, p. 171).
This book truly motivated the creation of the Peace Corps as John F. Kennedy wanted the structure of the Peace Corps to be a rebuttal to the way the elitist system was so disparagingly described (Rice 1985).  It is Homer Atkins, the average American, who epitomizes the goodwill and trusting character of this nation.  Atkins and thousands of volunteers over the years portray the “real” American, one who labors hard, works for the common good without aggrandizements of external rewards, and exercises his/her autonomy through individual and voluntary initiatives.  Likewise, Hoffman (1998) adds that perhaps the most important reason for the creation of the Peace Corps in light of reading the Ugly American was, “their ideological commitment to a rugged individualism which called on volunteers to figure out, along with the peasants of the country, what they should do” (p. 59).  In the Peace Corps, individual expression and agency had found its niche! 	Richard Goodwin editorialized in the New York Times that the 60’s were based on, “morally-based politics that emphasized the individual’s responsibility to speak out against injustice and corruption” (Hoffman 1998, p. 44).  This rings true to this day for if I, as an individual, do not speak out, then who will?  Those who created the Peace Corps did so with the faith that each and every individual should be working against such ambiguous but virulent crimes as corruption and inequality.   All too often, responsibility is displaced which rarely, if ever, solves any complex problem.  	When explaining individual responsibility related to the Peace Corps, Hoffman (1998) wove existentialism into the picture; “existentialism demands that people should be treated as ends, not means, and that individual responsibility and creativity be defended.  The voluntary heroic act, undertaken with love and honesty, is the only salvation for modern man and woman” (p. 30).  The Peace Corps supports the individual’s propensity for greatness and apparently believes that one person can make a difference and contribute to a more peaceful planet.  	When actively involved in a developing community, Peace Corps volunteers are often referred to as agents of change.  Hoopes (1965) notes that it is, “this concept of the doer, as opposed to the advisor or the teacher, that is the distinguishing feature of the Peace Corps” (p. 82).  	Hapgood (1968) uses the term ‘agent of change’ to refer to the Peace Corps volunteer back in the 60’s, at the inception of the Corps.  At this point in history, he believed volunteers needed to, “shed dependence upon paternalism, which they view as a kind of narcotic that deadens the individual’s sense of responsibility to society” (p. 237).  It is this feeling of responsibility that personifies a volunteer who emulates esteemable traits such as an intuitive sense of morality, personal ethics, and confidence.   	Samuel Oliner (2001) agrees that the individual can play an integral part when facing a larger cause.  He notes that, “it is possible to have a strong sense of individuality while still being committed to a larger cause.  Indeed, there is no conflict between the two” (p. 141).  Likewise, an individual can contribute to a massive organization’s structure, as well, even when the volunteer is the lowest paid, least acknowledged person at times.  A volunteer’s impact on the community in which they serve and on the Peace Corps' structure should not be taken for granted for they are the life blood of the Peace Corps’ body and without the volunteers, Peace Corps would essentially be a corpse.  	The main novelty and often a point of confusion about the Peace Corps is its official sponsorship by the government yet autonomous in its decision-making.  The first administrators in the Peace Corps knew that to recruit the sort of person they wanted, one who is adventurous, independent, a moral exemplar, and somewhat suspicious of authority, they would have to create an individual agency, itself; the black sheep of the United States government.  As an expression of this individuality, Hapgood (1998) calls the Peace Corps, “a university in dispersion, an anti-establishment organization funded by the establishment” (p. 11).  Furthermore, Hapgood (1998) notes, “by all quantitative means, the Peace Corps is a very small component of the United State’s foreign policy.  The total annual budget of the Peace Corps would only run the Defense Department for half a day” (p. 40).  Unfortunately, the Peace Corps as an arm of the ever-expanding United States military is still a common misunderstanding amongst potential volunteers and the communities they serve who feel the Peace Corp’s efforts are somewhat intertwined with the doings of the Defense Department.	To conclude this section on the individual nature of both volunteers and the organization, I will include a quote by Michael von Schenck, the international secretariat for volunteer service in Geneva 1969.  His intriguing questions are not only worth pondering but emphasize the degree of one individual’s significance.  
	
	To many people, volunteer service is a suspiciously romantic notion.  But is it 	unrealistic. . .to recognize that the war of development is a peoples’ war and that	it has to be fought by the people at the level of the people?  And that the army that
will win such a war cannot be composed of officers only?  (Hapgood 1968, p. 235).
Consequently, individuality when structured around the idea of one person’s merit and ability to do great things should not be underestimated.  The Peace Corps seems to have understood this from the start and still puts much faith in the volunteers abroad.
Universalism
	There is considerable congruency found in the literature on universalism (Hoffman, 1998; Peace Corps Reader, 1961; Shapiro, 1994; Shriver, 1964).  By universalism, I am implying the universal, all-encompassing notion that everyone, despite race, class, sex, or any other discriminating barrier, deserves the basic life necessities of affordable and accessible healthcare, quality education, safe water, healthy food, and decent shelter.  	Volunteering with the Peace Corps allowed individuals a forum to express their intercultural solidarity and desire for global unity by working together with the community on these ideals.  World peace and communion was a seemingly insurmountable task made somewhat more possible by the Peace Corps.  	Universalism contributed greatly to the creation of the Peace Corps and motivated many people to volunteer for the common cause of universal equality.  Hoffman (1998) states that, “universalism expressed the general revulsion towards the extreme nationalism and racism that had fueled the Nazi assault on Jews and Slavs” (p. 25) prior to the Peace Corps creation.  Additionally, universalism stemmed from the widespread notion that, “American norms represented the pinnacle of progress and were self-evidently good, and that to encourage their replication around the world was not imperialistic, but in fact, just the opposite” (p. 25).  Working for the progression of universal values was and continues to be the essential motive of the Peace Corps.  The Peace Corps encourages volunteers to practice the idea of universal respect and human rights while working on self-development and personal projects that are aimed at alleviating suffering and providing life opportunities to the community members.  	Shriver (1964) was probably the most idealistic of all the staff in his optimistic way of thinking.  He concludes that the Peace Corps, “was our declaration of the irresistible strength of a universal idea connected with human dignity, hope, compassion, and freedom” (p. 80).  He strongly felt that all human beings have the same basic needs and desires and a common yearning to be understood, respected and accepted.  Loret Miller Puppe, Peace Corps Director from 1981-1986, agrees that the Peace Corps family is, “united in its motivation to pursue world peace and friendship” (Viorst 1986, p. 193).  Although the Peace Corps is often compared to the military as mentioned before by their means of intense training and expansionist agenda where numbers seem more applauded than anything else, Peace Corps volunteers truly feel from their experiences that they are doing their part to universally extend peace, friendship, and equality by living day to day according to the local standards.  	The universal idea that every person deserves the basic necessities for survival without having to exploit oneself to obtain them is not an extremely novel or new perspective.  Universalism as one of the predominant themes in Peace Corps literature is not surprising then, either.  Perhaps Americans have had the luxury of entertaining universal ideals due the productive development of the nation.  Indeed, the American people have lived in a country with increasing material prosperity, progressive ideals, and a diverse selection of opportunities that compliments a life of leisure mixed with one of hard work and productivity.  It is a country whose prosperity is without precedence, where virtually everyone has enough to eat, and there seems to be something for everyone as far as entertainment, sports, religions, occupations, and political affiliations.  While some people in the United States choose to spend their “free” time vacationing, others take the opportunity to work for universal rights through the Peace Corps which supports the ethic and practice of unobtrusive international involvement.  It is evident that the method of intervention is not one of force but rather one based on sharing and understanding each other’s needs and personal stories in order to help alleviate suffering and create amity.  One Peace Corps volunteer wrote that his relationship with the community, “gave me ties. . .gave me sudden inexplicable intimations of brotherhood with all people” (Peace Corps Reader 1969, p. 179).  A Peace Corps volunteer accepts that he/she is counted on, responsible for, and obligated to others and through this acceptance, the volunteer personifies the essence of universalism, the belief that we are all connected, that one man’s misery should not be another man’s stepping stone to power.  
	Although, the Peace Corps may be perceived as being laden with contradictions, the Peace Corp volunteer’s motives continue to be a dynamic interplay of altruism and self-interest, idealism and practicality, and helping others achieve equality while striving for personal development.  The artful practice of universalism transforms an average American volunteer into an extraordinary global citizen.	I will now include a counter argument to the Peace Corps seemingly humanitarian creation that states that the Peace Corps is simply, “an instrument of American foreign policy, a mitigating factor in American expansionism” (Windmiller 1970, p. 3).  To this day, many believe that the Peace Corps does little other than spread American material-imbued values while policing the world.    

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW:  PEACE CORPS CRITICISMS
The Peace Corps has been considered by some to be a form of cultural globalization, interested in creating a homogenous, Americanized planet more than one based on diversity, equality, and a rich blend of cultural practices.  Although there are far less scholars who choose to criticize the Peace Corps, there are those who have suspicions concerning the Peace Corps’ agenda (Hapgood, 1970; Hoffman, 1998; Lowther and Lucas, 1978; The Peace Corps Reader, 1969; Waldorf, 2001; Windmiller, 1970).  Surprisingly, most criticisms were initially spurred by returned volunteers who felt that they were nothing more than instruments of foreign policy, receiving much more from the locals than their college degrees allowed them to give back as far as skills are concerned.  Whereas most volunteers leave for the Peace Corps filled with altruistic, idealistic aims, their selfless balloons quickly deflate upon realizing that their projects are next to nonexistent, and there is no structure upon which to build something. Questions arise like, why is it the United State’s responsibility to achieve the towering task of alleviating suffering and ending oppression in the developing world?  Moreover, what gives the U.S. the right to potentially leave our cultural baggage and consumptive habits (or addictions) around the world more than any other country?   (Hapgood 1970).  These are some of the general questions that come up when studying the Peace Corps’ influence and international presence.  In order to supply a counter argument to the creation of the
 Peace Corps given in the last four sections, I will outline what critics assert according to their research.  It is only fair to include both arguments and allow the reader the opportunity to make their own individual judgment based on my research.  	The structure of the Peace Corps emerged as a counter attack to the Cold War, in the shadow of the Vietnam War and during a period of exploring “New Frontiers” as John F. Kennedy stated.  Waldorf (2001) believes that, “the Peace Corps had a strategic, Cold War purpose:  to flood the world, especially the third world, with young, bright, well-educated Americans who would aid development, plant the seeds of democracy, and check the spread of Soviet Communism” (p. 72).  As the United States avidly sought to expand its powers and foreign influence, people grew suspicious of Peace Corps themes that focused on altruism, democratic development, and untapped idealism.  Critics maintain that the Peace Corps should be honest about its ulterior motives, even if they are somewhat imperialistic.  	 In All You Need is Love,  Amy Hoffman (1998) defines idealism as, “the belief that democracy is ‘good’ for all human beings, and that to promote it is virtuous” (p. 5).  Hoffman (1998) explains that when the United States has been the most intent on expanding, it has also been the most idealistic.  Yet, are the Peace Corps’ humanitarian virtues a cover for imperialism and economic growth?  Many believe the Peace Corps to be nothing but a greed-driven power machine while others, Hoffman (1998) included, conclude otherwise.  She explains that, “power begets pretensions to altruism (and idealism), some of which are never more than pretensions, but some of which express values latent in national culture” (p. 5).  I take the stance with the latter meaning that idealism and altruism exist in the United States and are not simply myths embroidered into the construction of the Peace Corps to give the United States additional power and property.  Traditionally, Americans have believed that, “there is no basic inconsistency between ideals and realistic possibilities” (Hunt 1987, p. 6).  Apparently critical appraisals of the Peace Corps suggest otherwise by questioning the validity of Peace Corps idealism and the true practicality of Peace Corps goals.  	Hoffman (1998) explains that, “the Peace Corps emerged at the height of United States military strength.  One conclusion that might be drawn is that humanitarianism is a handy fig leaf for naked ambition.  Another conclusion might be that, desirous of but uncomfortable with power, the nation is driven to find ways of convincing itself that power is beneficial” (p. 5).  Interestingly, those with power are usually the ones who can afford to be more charitable and idealistic than those who have next to nothing.  In this sense, power definitely befriends altruist endeavors.  Yet, even if the Peace Corps’ main motives have been global control and power, the volunteers who serve are the ones actually out in the field, working for some of their primary hopes of sustainable development and friendship.  Their position, as voluntary ambassadors from a wealthy country, also affords them the ability to serve altruistically without want or need of additional remunerations 	Similar to most social structures, the Peace Corps operates within a hierarchy whereas those in the administration sector are far removed from the day-to-day work of volunteer and yet, they are responsible for making the decisions on funding projects that affects those doing service in the communities.  While not all Peace Corps paid staff are, “time-serving, self-promoting, luxury-loving bureaucrats” (Hoffman 1998, p. 21), many do not follow the main ideals of the Peace Corps but rather those of the United States government which are much less altruistic and humanitarian. 	Marshall Windmiller (1970) is the harshest critic of the Peace Corps in the reviewed literature.  He firmly believes that at the start of the Peace Corps, “the United States was attempting to police the world to protect its interests and to establish a sort of Pax Americana over the third world. . . it is counter-insurgency in a velvet glove” (p. vi).  Windmiller (1970) agrees that most volunteers are not consciously working as imperialists or conquerors although he thinks that Americans have deluded themselves into thinking that their main motive is to truly help.  This point is primarily stipulation with no further proof of validity.  	While discussing the subject of intention, Windmiller (1970) continually emphasizes that most Peace Corps volunteers are not consciously promoting America expansionism.  He concedes that, “many are devoted altruists, and many even disapprove of American foreign policy.  Moreover, I doubt that a master plan of American expansionism exists” (p. 2).  Contrary to popular belief, Windmiller (1970) argues that those who propagate United States foreign policy do so in a non-conspirital fashion.  Widespread beliefs have persisted over time centered around the idea that American ways are the most progressive, intelligent ways and should be spread like seeds around the world.  The Peace Corps, guised as an altruistic, idealistic, humanitarian agency, is one vehicle often thought of as a way to extend America’s insatiable power and presence internationally.  	Another popular criticism of the Peace Corps focuses on the high number of volunteers in relation to the amount of appropriate work.  It has been said that the Peace Corps is more interested in increasing the quantity of volunteers rather than the quality.  Recruiting, in the past, has been largely focused on obtaining as many “B.A. generalists” as possible despite their specific skills.  In this sense, “quality is sacrificed to quantity” (Lowther and Lucas 1978, p. 10).  Although many volunteers have proven to be apt in community development and participatory action initiatives, others find the flexibility and lack of programming inadequate and do not have enough personal initiative to start a project from scratch.  Additionally, most third world countries do not have enough skilled, general work for their citizens, let alone Peace Corps volunteers.  Yet, Jamilah (2004) found that, “President Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address called for doubling the number of Peace Corps volunteers by 2007” (p. 1).  More is only better if the quality of service continues to prevail, and communities abroad are able to safely accommodate the volunteer’s projects.  	Lucas and Lowther (1978) have looked extensively at the Peace Corps method of increasing volunteerism over the years.  They comment that, “confident that almost any right-spirited American could accomplish some good overseas, the Peace Corps was able in good conscience to sacrifice thousands of volunteers at the altar of expansionism” (p. 24). Understandably, confusion ensued among volunteers and tax-paying citizens alike as more and more volunteers were sent out in the thousands during the 60’s and into the 70’s.  The Peace Corps’ purpose and quality of the programs suffered in proportion to the organization’s initial emphasis on recruiting a high number of volunteers.  Yet, in the early 70’s, the administration began to see the light and recognized the importance of quality over quantity.  This is apparent by the statement made by the US Congress in 1973.  

Where volunteers have been able to perform adequately (in areas of genuine need), their contribution has been disproportionate to their numerical strength . . . If attention to quality results in a smaller organization. . .it does not mean the Peace Corps is any less effective.  On the contrary, we believe a more streamlined corps of qualified individuals, which develops a reputation for efficiency and professionalism, is more likely to receive both the recognition and the candidates it seeks.” (Lowther and Lucas 1978, p. 48).
Achieving the goal of balancing quantity with quality is possible as long as the Peace Corps recruiters do not feel influenced by the top administrative officials that think that high numbers of volunteers means success.  Often, this is not the case.  The Dalai Lama defines success by how much had to be given up along the way to achieve it.  In this case, the Peace Corps might find greater success in limiting the number of volunteers while focusing more on the projects and skill-development of those in the field.  Fortunately, more and more programs are being evaluated for the actual work done by volunteers as opposed to simply counting the numbers in each country and relying on those numbers as signs of achievement (Hoffman 1998).  Over the years, the Peace Corps has realized this and seems to be directing their attention on volunteer performance and quality of work in the field while also adding new countries and increasing volunteer numbers.  	As far as solutions to the problem of imperialism within the Peace Corps agenda and their method of third world intervention over the last forty-five years, suspicions have arisen; both from the volunteers and communities in which they serve.  In the past, volunteers have asked whether there is truly a difference between unleashing napalm on the Vietnamese as a form of forced conversion and dropping a Peace Corps volunteer teacher on Africans to convert them to the American form of education.  Fortunately, there is a difference apparent in the volunteer’s manner of peaceful intervention.  The volunteer often makes partnerships with local non-profit agencies based in the developing countries that, together, work to build alliances with the community being served. A Peace Corps volunteer is supposed to help others help themselves in ways that are natural and available to those in the community.  In the end, many volunteers feel that by helping others, they receive priceless benefits in return.  	Hapgood (1968) explains that while the Peace Corps might be considered a cultural sandbox in which youth grow-up, the solution is not to end the Peace Corps.  He feels that, “if the Peace Corps is disbanded, other and more massive forms of government intervention will remain and so will the still more important intervention of private interests – missions, trade, exploitation of natural resources by American corporations” (p. 31).  At least the conscious intent of the grand majority of Peace Corps volunteers and the Peace Corps organization is to help make life better for others, not worse.  Charles Peters (1969) in the Peace Corps Reader also feels that the sort of global exchange going on in the Peace Corps is mostly positively aimed.  He explains his take on cultural globalization. 

The cultures are so far along the road to getting mixed up with one another that the relevant question is not should this happen, but how can we help the best values win out. . .the point is there are different ways our culture and our hosts’ are superior to one another and our aim should be to see that the exchange we encourage is of the best elements of each. (Peace Corps Reader 1969, p. 151).
With that said, I will conclude this chapter of Peace Corps criticisms with some thoughts of my own on the topic of volunteerism and the Peace Corps’ influence in the world.  
Personal Reflection
	After forty-five years of existence and 183,000 volunteers sent out since 1961 in over 138 countries (see Appendix D), the need lies in recognizing our universal, global interconnectedness and identifying each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  While the United States may be strong economically and technologically, we are a weak nation spiritually and communally.  People are raised according to political-based norms and social protocol rather than learning to rely on personal ethics and inner resources.  Veils of ignorance, disinformation, and illusion created by institutionalized structures separate us from that which is imperative to our understanding of each other and our essential commonalities and differences.  We are afraid to confront our neighbors but we do not mind flying half way around the world to live amongst strangers in order to help as part of America’s humanitarian objectives.  We rely on each other for material goods and services much more than for love, understanding, communication, and friendship.  What America lacks in spiritual and human capital, other nations have in greater supply.  Their sense of brother/sisterhood, of community, and shared living puts the American value system to shame.  Their connection to the natural world, to plants, animals and the virtue of manual labor to survive each and every day makes the United States society look like an artificial, mechanistic, concrete jungle.  Where we fall short, they stand tall and vice versa.  It is essential to never forget as this world becomes more accessible with high-tech communication devices that we all have something uniquely extraordinary to offer one another and we all have the exact same core needs.  Primarily, we all need love.  The type that comes without strings, without unrealistic expectations, without power struggles.  Providing this form of love and commitment might be the volunteer’s greatest challenge.  	At this point in history and in this thesis, we need not look at the dilemma of power but the dilemma of purpose.  Once we become more aware of why we do what we do, many veils will be lifted from the eyes of those who volunteer and those who are being served.  This is a process of learning to be honest with oneself and living with the least amount of contradictions possible.  This is about coming to know one’s own strengths and weaknesses and validating the freedom to choose to be exactly who he/she wants to be with absolutely no strings attached.  The reward, the real grace, of volunteer service is the opportunity to not only help relieve suffering but to grow in wisdom, experience, greater unity, and have a good time while doing it.  A commitment to both service and personal development entitles the volunteer to see life through clearer lens and indeed, motivates the volunteer to continue to work for equality and goodwill.  With this said, I have established the roots of the Peace Corps, considered the criticisms, and provided my own personal perspective on the Peace Corps.  It is now time to establish volunteer motivations and analyze their opinions on the efficiency of the Peace Corps as a beneficial humanitarian organization. 

CHAPTER THREEMETHODOLOGY
	 I am the Peace Corps Outreach Coordinator at Humboldt State University.  I obtained the names and addresses of Returned Peace Corps volunteers who voluntarily gave their contact information to the Peace Corps office on campus in order to be kept up-to-date on events, presentations and other such related functions.  I verified that the returned Peace Corps volunteer’s addresses were in, or around, Humboldt County and began creating the survey.  	The survey used in my thesis was pre-approved by the Human Subjects Review board, my thesis chair, and the Research and Graduate office at Humboldt State University.  	I sent out one-hundred fifty surveys by mail and received back eighty, twenty of which were forwarded back to my home address because the potential respondent had moved without supplying a forwarding address.  Therefore, I have sixty completed surveys (n=60) from returned Peace Corps volunteers.  I did one follow-up reminder by mail as well as another follow-up by email.  This additional effort provided me with another fifteen surveys.  My overall response rate was 40% (n=60).  	My survey (see Appendix A) starts with an explanation of my intended goals.  I explain that I am conducting a survey on motivational factors that encouraged past Peace Corps volunteers to apply and subsequently serve.  I designate the time it would take to 
do the survey, approximately ten minutes, and that there are no risks involved.  I assured confidentiality and optional anonymity.  I included a self-addressed, stamped envelope in which to return the survey at their earliest convenience.  I finished by supplying the contact information of my thesis chair and myself.   	The questionnaire consists of two sections.  The first section asks respondents to rate nineteen items on the Peace Corps Motivational Scale on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from ‘most important’ to ‘least important.’ I designed this scale based on my personal Peace Corps experience, conversations with past volunteers, and related readings on volunteer motivations (Colmen, 1965; Cnaan and Goldberg-Glen, 1991; Fairfield, 1964; Janoski, Musick, and Wilson, 1998; Rouse and Clawson, 1992).  The scale represents a wide range of possible motivations yet I did not claim to be omniscient in respect to knowing all people’s motivations for volunteering so at the end, I asked for additional motivations not listed.  Very few respondents had more to add but instead, reiterated the motive I listed in their own words.  	The second section asked a series of socio-demographic questions followed by two questions that called for optional narrative responses from the survey participants.  I asked the respondents if they would encourage others to join the Peace Corps at this tumultuous time in history.  The grand majority said “yes” as the international dialogue on universal rights needs to persevere despite fears of terrorism and the like.  I will include excerpts from the first question in the results section of this thesis.   I will limit the discussion of the second narrative survey question because it is no longer valid.  I asked respondents if they felt the institutional link between the Peace Corps and the military was a beneficial decision, but since sending out the surveys, the US Congress rescinded this decision, and the two government bodies, the Peace Corps and the military, will continue to remain separate.  Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to recognize the respondent’s opinions on this matter for future reference.   	Due to the small number of responses, the data on volunteer motivations is much more reliable and useful when analyzed using descriptive frequencies and factor analysis rather than pulling cross-tabulations on differences based on sex, income, college degree or spirituality.  There is not enough variation in the data to produce significant results if analyzed using cross-tabs or any other complex form of analysis although I did perform cross-tabulation analysis for a few cases using the demographic information.  

CHAPTER FOURRESULTS OF PEACE CORPS SURVEY
	With this thesis, I have sought out to discover what motivated past volunteers to serve for the Peace Corps in order to not only develop strategies for recruitment but to further serve as an advocate for those who have volunteered and wish to volunteer in the future by discussing their ongoing influence in the today’s world.   I will begin with a description of the respondents followed by the results of the motivational scale.  	Of the sixty valid responses I received back by mail, 67% (n=37) were from women and 38% (n=23) were from men.  This is a typical variation in sex due to the fact that there have always been more women volunteers in the Peace Corps than men  (www.peacecorps.gov).  	Although the Peace Corps accepts people without a college degree if they are over eighteen and have three-five years of specific trade experience, 98% (n=59) of the respondents graduated from college prior to the Peace Corps.  The one woman who did not go to college before the Peace Corps decided to go afterwards.  Indeed, the Peace Corps does most of its recruiting on college campuses as I can attest to, considering my current position at Humboldt State University.  	The majority of Humboldt County respondents, 35% (n=21), fall in the income 
bracket of 35,001-50,000 whereas 69% (n=11) were women and the rest were men.  Another 26% (n=16) made under 35,000 while 12% (n=7) made over 100,000.  Of the 12% who make over 100,000, 71% (n=5) were men and 29% (n=2) were women.  Hence, it can be concluded that Peace Corps volunteers are typically middle class citizens with the rare person falling into the lower-middle class or the upper-middle class as indicated by the incomes.  This can also be linked to the notion that Peace Corps accepts mostly college graduates who also typically fall within the middle class boundaries as well.  	The percentage of people who volunteered with other organizations before the Peace Corps, 62%, was less than those who volunteered after, 88%.  Apparently, Peace Corps motivated people to continue to volunteer once they returned back to the United States.  Many respondents have done so much volunteer work since finishing the Peace Corps that they could not list them all!  Additionally, 53% of the respondents work full time while the second largest group of 27% are now retired but continue to volunteer with a variety of local organizations.	Lastly, I ran a cross-tabulation analysis to see if the sex of the respondent significantly affected whether their religious or spiritual beliefs were altered by Peace Corps service.  Interestingly, more women, 77%, felt that their time in Peace Corps affected their spiritual/religious beliefs compared to only 23% of men.  More men, 54%, stated that their experience serving the Peace Corps did not affect their beliefs.  This analysis proved to be significant (p=.043).  	In order to empirically analyze the data, I performed a factor analysis using extraction with an eigenvalue < 1.3.  I intercorrelated the nineteen motivational statements to narrow these down into four main motivational themes that correspond with the four themes discussed in the literature review.  Out of the nineteen motivational statements, fifteen were extracted at a level of 0.5 and greater, while the other four statements showed weak relationships and were not included on the table (Refer to Table 1).   Two of the statements were closely related and could have been put in more than one theme which emphasizes my argument in that the categories are interconnected, and the various motivations can linked to more than one of the motivational themes.  Both the statements of feeling an obligation to serve the country and helping career advancement could have been put in other themes due to their close empirical correlation.  
When crossing the variables of sex as well as whether the respondent volunteered before the Peace Corps with the four indexes, no significant results were found due to the small size of my sample.  Yet, the factor analysis supplied significant categories which are well-aligned with the Peace Corps’ original motives.    It is also vital to note that the four common trends found in the literature review and in my data are synergistic, meaning that not one motivating trend dominates the other. Rather, they work in synergy whereby altruism makes possible idealism which spawns individual action, ultimately contributing to universalism or the conglomeration of people working for universal rights and friendship.   When the concepts are all put together, they create the foundation of a Peace Corps volunteer’s motives for serving and the organization’s reasons for sending the volunteer abroad.     
Table 1. Motivational statements and their relationship with the four main motivational themes. a

	Motivational Themes			
Motivational Statements	Altruism	Idealism	Individualism	Universalism	
Motivated by moral values	-0.003	0.62*	-0.20	-0.30	
Feel better about self	0.32	0.80*	0.10	-0.004	
Preferred to give time than money	0.51*	0.22	0.20	0.21	
Wanted to create better world	-0.008	0.70*	-0.005	0.30	
Felt sense of obligation to serve the country	0.51*	0.40	-0.006	-0.21	
Wanted to help people less fortunate	-0.001	0.67*	-0.28	0.39	
Helped career advancement	0.26	0.44	0.52*	0.26	
Needed a chance to escape	-0.002	-0.22	0.67*	-0.13	
Enjoyed traveling	0.13	-0.0008	-0.12	0.83*	
Wanted to learn a new language/culture	-0.009	0.13	-0.007	0.75*	
Wanted to meet new people	0.19	-0.005	-0.007	0.83*	
Continue family tradition for volunteering	0.80*	0.16	-0.009	-0.002	
Wanted to learn new skills	-0.009	0.36	0.54*	0.35	
Wanted to leave USA	-0.005	-0.14	0.77*	-0.16	
Wanted to delay career decisions	0.24	-0.12	0.57*	-0.005	

a Factor analysis was performed using the extraction method:  principal component analysis.  Varimax rotated component matrix.  

* Factor scores of 0.5 or larger 

	By and far, the main motivation that led people to volunteer was the desire to create a better world which I define as an idealistic motive.  Over 80% of the respondents felt that this aspect of volunteering was a highly important reason for joining the Peace Corps.  	 The second most important motivation at 74% was in the universal category of wanting to learn a new language and culture.  On the other hand, 89% of the respondents felt that the advantage of reducing college loans was of little importance.  Another 87% felt that the financial benefits and other extras were also of  little importance. The full range of motives are important to take into consideration when recruiting volunteers for long-term projects.Altruistic Motives 				Continue family tradition of volunteering for the Peace Corps			Prefer to give time rather than moneyWant to serve the countryIdealistic MotivesMoral obligationAllow one to feel better about selfCreate a better worldHelp people less fortunateIndivualistic MotivesNeed a chance to escapeWant to leave the United States Delay career decisionsHelp future career advancementLearn new skillsUniversalistic MotivesEnjoy travelLearn a new language and cultural practicesMeet new people
	I will now include respondent’s comments on whether they would encourage others to serve for the Peace Corps as well as their thoughts on the Peace Corps and the military working officially together.  The volunteer’s comments are associated with how they feel about Peace Corps in retrospect and why they would now encourage or discourage people to volunteer.  The motivational factors were more linked with what motivated the respondents to volunteer prior to joining the Peace Corps.  The respondent’s reflections on the Peace Corps are as equally valuable and insightful as the survey results on the original motivations for serving.  
Volunteer Feedback
The response to the question on whether, in retrospect, the volunteers would encourage people to serve for the Peace Corps now with fears of terrorism and anti-American sentiments prevalent in many countries, the resounding response was “yes.”  95% of the respondents agree that it is crucial to serve for the Peace Corps at this point in history compared to 5% who now feel it is too dangerous.  I will use the volunteer’s comments to exemplify both the positive and negative responses to this question.  “If you want to improve America’s reputation, join the Peace Corps!” was one woman’s advice who volunteered in Nepal.  For the most part, after circling “yes,” the respondents wrote that people should continue to volunteer for the Peace Corps in order to, “give other countries an alternative view of what an American is like.”  A respondent who served in Mongolia in 2002 goes on to say that, “the Peace Corps continues to be one of the best ways to wage peace and dispel disagreeable opinions of Americans.”  The respondents feel that the United States government is not the heart and soul of the American people whereas those who volunteer for the Peace Corps do represent the altruistic, idealistic, prosocial participants of this nation.  
	 A woman who served in Benin in 1994 had a more political stance on the Peace Corps while emphatically stating that people should continue to volunteer.  

I think our government is creating an attitude of fear towards all foreigners in an effort to justify this unnecessary war that is George W. Jr’s personal vendetta.  Peace Corps can be a very beneficial influence in other countries to demonstrate that we are not all in agreement with our government, which is a cornerstone of democracy and the best example we can set.

In this sense, the Peace Corps is more important than ever at this present time.  	In regard to encouraging others to serve in order to dispel anti-American sentiment, a woman who served in Tunisia eloquently wrote that, “I do think the world is more dangerous now.  But, I do not feel this should deter idealistic, altruistic people from volunteering abroad.  I believe you create social change one person, one neighborhood, one town at a time.”  The predominant opinion in these surveys is that the Peace Corps is one of the best tools we have at our disposal to restore a positive image and role for the United States and its people in other countries.  As individuals their contributions were pivotal and personally life-altering, based on engaging in cross-cultural dialogues and getting to the heart of issues.  As one respondent commented, “the only corrective to ‘anti-American sentiments’ we can make as individuals is our willingness and desire to be of help to our friends around the world.  Enough of that and ‘terrorism’ goes away.  What better time?  What better motivation?”  
  	Another woman who served in Papua New Guinea and is now eighty years old states that, “a strong person with an inner self-respect and some knowledge of self defense can manage anywhere on our planet.  No one is 100% safe.”  She emphasizes the need to have a high level of self-respect and confidence in order to serve for the Peace Corps.  A male volunteer who did not mention his site felt that, “it’s better than living in the American pop-culture box and will change your life if you let it.  The risk is worth it.”  He encourages people to join and feels that the most important reason for going is to build relationships and understanding which are the key ingredients to create a better world.  
	Related to needing a strong sense of self is the idea that people should continue to do what they love.  Another woman of 78 years who served in India states that, “Life does not come with a guarantee.  If we stop doing what we feel good about we might as well quit entirely.”
	Two other volunteers noted that it was the best experience of their lives and it is the best way to educate oneself on international realities.   Related to this, a female volunteer who served in the West Indies concludes with a wholesome and fitting remark.  
	
	The U.S. is so insular – we know nothing of how many people in the world live 		until we venture off our own shores. . .as the world becomes increasingly globally 	connected, Peace Corps offers a chance for U.S. citizens to become more aware of 	their many brothers and sisters around the world.  It is an incredibly enhancing 	and vital experience.  
All in all, the respondents feel that the Peace Corps is safe, and the organization takes good care of the volunteer.  They also feel that it is extremely important to serve at this time in history and perhaps, there is no better way to counter violence and negative U.S. images.  	On the other hand, a few respondents would not encourage people to serve and I will include a few of their remarks.  One man who served in El Salvador in the 60’s feels that, “the present administration’s policies will render volunteers’ effort less effective” and does not recommend anyone to serve.  	A female respondent who served in Haiti also would not recommend the Peace Corps because, “thanks to the decisions of the Bush administration, what was once a mild distaste for Americans and their push for manifest destiny has now become a seething hatred.”  She feels that, “this nation is destined to join the ‘fallen empire syndrome club’ of so many nations that have paved the road before the U.S.”  Apparently, a few returned volunteers would not encourage others to join because of the rising animosity towards current administration’s policies which is a reasonable reaction and worthy to take into consideration.  Yet, by and large, the respondents agree that the Peace Corps still holds true to its missions, and encourage continued service on the part of new volunteers, there is a possibly for greater peace, friendship and understanding across the globe.  	The last question on my survey asked whether the respondents felt the institutional link between the Peace Corps and the military was a beneficial decision.  As mentioned previously, this link has been rescinded and the question is no longer relevant.  Yet, if the case ever arises in the future, I would like to note that 92% of the respondents agreed that it was a bad decision while 8% felt it could be beneficial.  The common theme among those who disagreed with the link was that, “a separation from the military is essential for the success of the Peace Corps.”  They feel that the Peace Corps mission is in sharp contrast to military goals and any link between the two will put Peace Corps volunteers in harm’s way.  One man finished by saying, “it is the one thing that would keep me from recommending the Peace Corps.”  	Those who felt it could be a beneficial decision commented that the military could promote safety and goodwill if approaching from the right angle.  Another lady felt, “it could help to support and understand each other’s values.”  Otherwise, the overwhelming majority felt very strongly that the two should never be linked in any way whatsoever if the Peace Corps wants to continue to recruit the sort of people it has over the years.  I appreciate the honesty and wide range of comments from all the respondents and hope that I have given an equally just account of their opinions and feedback.

CHAPTER FIVEDISCUSSION:  MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS
As the results indicate, the primary motivations of past Peace Corps volunteers in Humboldt County reflect the organization’s original goals and ideals illustrated in the literature review.  Related to the respondent’s motivations, the altruistic intentions consist of wanting to continue a family tradition, serve the country, and give time rather than money to a humanitarian cause.  The driving motives of the Peace Corps which emphasize altruism are in union with that of the volunteer’s motives to serve selflessly and without external rewards.  As far as the motivations to serve the country and donate their time rather the money, I found that the respondent’s comments reflected these intentions.  Many of the respondents noted that they see the good in America, in our founding democracy, and the everyday people who strive to make it real.  By volunteering for the an American agency like the  Peace Corps, they are demonstrating to those abroad that Americans do care about the welfare of other cultures and people even though our government does not always give this impression.  Volunteers care so much about restoring the positive image of Americans that they intentionally put themselves in precarious and extremely lonesome situations at times.  By altruistically serving for the United States and the Peace Corps, the volunteer is proving that the average American’s method of interaction is predominately geared towards being peaceful, friendly and open-
minded while also contributing to education, skills and development.  It is as if the government and select Peace Corps administration hires volunteers to counter the negative opinion that has developed and grown exponentially over time.  This is especially apparent by the volunteers’ feedback given in the previous section.	 Interestingly, the least important motives to serve are for financial and material bonuses that follow Peace Corps service although these are certainly worth mentioning for some people do find them quite important.  Often recruiters stress the material benefits to lure in the volunteer but as my data reveals, these factors are not nearly as important as serving for the United States and donating personal time and energy to helping others.  The respondents agree that it is possible that one individual volunteer can make a difference by working for universal rights and sustainable development practices in other countries.  
	The second category on volunteer motivations is based on idealistic reasons.  These consist of feeling morally obligated to help, wanting to create a better world by helping people less fortunate, and lastly, volunteering contributes to an increase in self-esteem.  I included two questions related to self-esteem.  Whereas the first one that stated, “I volunteered because I felt it would enhance my self-worth” was of little to no importance, the second one that stated, “Volunteering made me feel better about myself” was the most or somewhat important to the majority of respondents.  Based on this wide discrepancy between the two responses that implied almost the same idea, I assume there was some confusion based on how I chose to word the statements.  In effect, though, it seems that volunteering as a way to build self-confidence and esteem is at least somewhat important to potential volunteers.  In order to be of service to others, volunteers must be willing to face their own doubts, needs, and resistances before being able to deal with other people’s issues.  	According to the data, the two of the most important reasons for volunteering are to help create a better world and help people less fortunate.  Apparently, Peace Corps volunteers are just as idealistic as the agency.  The Peace Corps gives volunteers enough freedom and agency to make their ideals a reality.  The lengthy process of applying for the Peace Corps and actually moving to a developing country for such a long period duration takes an incredible amount of motivation that is grounded on the faith that they will be able to truly contribute to a better world and help people.  Peace Corps volunteers decide to serve based on their ideals which can also be considered very altruistic as well.  
Individualistic motives are also prevalent in the data.  Within the individualistic variable,  I included the motives of needing a chance to escape, wanting to leave the United States, learning new skills and helping career advancement.  All of these motives are somehow related to the individual’s desire to do something for themselves while still helping others.  Although these four motives are not nearly as statistically important as the altruistic and idealist motives, they are still reasons why some of the respondents volunteered for the Peace Corps.  As was discussed in the literature review, the Peace Corps supports the individual’s ability to make a difference in the developing community.   The organization also provides such extensive training because upon return to the United States, these volunteers will have the opportunity to contribute to this nation’s development with the skills they acquired abroad.    	Lastly, motivations considered universalistic were predominant in the data.  These motivations are related to the volunteer’s desire to be a global citizen, consciously working to spread universal rights and values.  Those who volunteer for the Peace Corps are attracted to the chance of learning new cultures and languages along with meeting new people and traveling abroad.  They are showing an earnest desire to learn about foreign lands and people while exchanging cultural practices.  The Peace Corps supports these endeavors which is apparent by looking at the original Peace Corps’ goals that emphasize the importance of intercultural exchange (see Appendix B).    	By and large, the Peace Corps offers United States citizens, with the appropriate qualifications (See Appendix C), the opportunity to learn an incredible amount about themselves and the world while promoting world peace, friendship, and creative, international dialogues. 
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSION
	After extensively reviewing Peace Corps literature detailing the motives that initiated the organization’s start and attracted thousands of United States citizens to volunteer, I surveyed returned Peace Corps volunteers in Humboldt County to ascertain their motives for volunteering.  Upon reviewing the data, I have come to the conclusion that there is little contradiction between the advertised motives of the Peace Corps cited in the literature reviews and those of the volunteers found through surveying.  By advertised motives, I am implying the goals that the Peace Corps publicly states to be true.  Whether the organization has other motives that are less humanitarian and more political is not what I have aimed to discover.  Rather, my focus is on finding the most effective and honest ways to recruit volunteers for the Peace Corps in order to increase volunteering and subsequent retention.  The conclusion that both the Peace Corps and the volunteers whom I surveyed have similar primary motives for helping people in developing countries is of great significance for it is much more likely to recruit people for an agency when the agency’s goals are synchronous with those who volunteer for it.  By pulling together the data and using sociological methods to determine motivations for long-term, international volunteerism, I propose a set of strategies to enhance recruitment and volunteer retention.  These include:1)  Instead of emphasizing financial benefits, center on idealistic, universal statements
such as the notion of one individual playing a real part in creating a better world and helping others directly.2)  Reinforce the benefits of learning at least one more language, a new culture, and traveling to extremely foreign lands to meet new people.  Mention the Peace Corps’ willingness to fund additional language training throughout the service.  Note that volunteers are encouraged to travel within the country of service to learn about other volunteer’s projects to build upon one’s own work.  3)  Discuss the aspect of personal growth, the innumerable ways a volunteer changes for the better as they help others in the process.    Point out that many volunteers say it was the best experience of their lives.  4)  Point out that if the volunteer is concerned about world affairs and the current negative image of America, being a Peace Corps volunteer is one of the most effective and proactive ways to create another representation of the United States.5)  Emphasize that the Peace Corps works to place volunteers in sites that are well-matched to their skills.  Note that throughout the service volunteers continually receive support and training on how to implement their projects.  Emphasize that the aim is to spend as much time as needed on training the volunteers for their sites so the volunteers are fully equipped with the materials they need to be productive and helpful while still remaining flexible and open to new ways of doing projects.  6)  Be honest and transparent about the reality of being a Peace Corps volunteer.  The volunteer acts as an agent of change without being overly intrusive.  The predominant goal is to cross bridges once seen as impassable and contribute to the livelihood of the people whom the volunteer has been sent to serve.  
My research has led me to the conclusion that the primary question should not be whether the prevailing motive for volunteering is altruistic, idealistic, individualistic or universalistic but rather, how can such motivations be used to best help those who are living in extremely poor and oppressive conditions?  As found in the volunteer motivational scale, the reasons for volunteering were a combination of intentions.  How can these four motivations, which contain many specific motives within each larger context, be exploited in the most efficient and beneficial way in communities that the Peace Corps serves?  	As a suggestion for future research, it would be useful to look at other long-term volunteer organizations similar to the Peace Corps and survey the returned volunteers to see if their motives correlate with those of past Peace Corps volunteers.  Peace Corps volunteers are a unique blend of people but then again, every person is extraordinary and has the ability to contribute to the global awakening and transformation that is occurring on this planet.  With enough desire to make healthy, conscious changes in one’s own life, there lies a vast, open road to instigate change in those you meet along the way.  To volunteer for the Peace Corps is just one path to harmonize the spirit, the mind, and the body of humanity.  
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burdick, Eugene and William Lederer.  1958.  The Ugly American.  New York, NY:  
W.W. Norton and Company, Inc.  

Colmen, Joseph.  1965.  “Volunteerism:  A Constructive Outlet for Youthful Energy.”
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Cnnan, Ram and Robin Goldberg-Glen.  1991.  “Measuring Motivation to Volunteer
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Drezner, Daniel.  2000.  “Ideas, Bureaucratic Politics, and the Crafting of Foreign 
Policy.”  American Journal of Political Science 44:1-20.  

Fairfield, Roy.  1964.  “The Peace Corps and the University:  Promises and Problems for
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Gallagher, Sally.  1994.  “Doing Their Share:  Comparing Patterns of Help Given By 
	Older and Younger Adults.”  Journal of Marriage and Family 56:567-78.  

Hapgood, David.  1968.  Agents of Change:  A Close Look at the Peace Corps.  Boston, 
	Mass:  Little, Brown, and Co.  

Hayes, Samuel.  1961.  The International Peace Corps:  The Promise and the 
	Problems.  Washington, D.C.:  Public Affairs Institute.  

Hoffman Cobbs, Elizabeth.  1998.  All You Need is Love.  Cambridge, Mass:  Harvard
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Hoopes, Roy.  1965.  The Complete Peace Corps Guide.  New York, N.Y.:  Dial Press.  

Jamilah, Evelyn.  2004.  “Wanted:  Life Experience.”  Chronicle of Higher Education 50:  
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Janoski, Thomas, Musick, March and Wilson, John.  1998.  “Being Volunteered:  The 
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Lowther, Kevin, and Payne C.  Lucas.  1978.  Keeping Kennedy’s Promise.  Boulder,
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McAdam, Doug and Ronnelle Paulsen.  1993.  “Specifying the Relationship between 
Social Ties and Activism.”  American Journal of Sociology 99:640-67.  
Mahajani,  Usha.  1964.  “American ‘People to People’ Diplomacy:  The Peace 
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Midlarsky, Elizabeth and Eva Kahana.  1994.  Altruism in Later Life.  Thousand Oaks,  
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Musick, March and John Wilson.  1997.  “Who Cares?  Towards an Integrated Theory of 
	Volunteer Work.”  American Sociological Review 62:694-713.  

Oliner, Samuel and Pearl.  1988.  The Altruistic Personality:  Rescuers of Jews in 
	Nazi Europe.  New York:  Free Press.  

Oliner, Samuel.  2003.  Do Unto Others.  Boulder, Colorado:  Westview Press.  

Peace Corps Reader.  1969.  Washington, D.C.:  Library of Congress.  

Redmon, Coates.  1986.  Come as You Are.  New York, NY:  Harcourt Publishers.  

Rice, Gerald.  1985.  The Bold Experiment.  Notre Dame, Indiana:  University
	of Notre Dame Press.  
Rouse, Shirley & Barbara Clawson. (1992). “Motives and Incentives of Older Adult 	Volunteers.”  Journal of Extension  40:1-6. 
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	Center for Political Leadership and Participation.  

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	Publishers.  

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	Weidenfeld and Nicolson.  

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APPENDIX A

Peace Corps:  Motivational Factors to Enhance Recruitment and Volunteer Retention

Survey Questionnaire

Explanation and Purpose of Study

As the Peace Corps Outreach Assistant at Humboldt State University, I have obtained 150 addresses of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who now live in Humboldt County.  Over time, this contact information has been given voluntarily by you, the returned volunteers and compiled in our database on campus.  I am conducting a survey on motivational factors that encouraged past Peace Corps volunteers to apply and subsequently serve.  After gathering all the data, I will apply the information to my thesis on recruitment and retention strategies for long-term volunteer organizations such as the Peace Corps.  The survey should take you approximately ten minutes.  There are no risks associated with your participation and I assure confidentiality and optional anonymity.  Upon conclusion of this study, I will destroy all data.  Hopefully with your participation, the survey results will be of great benefit to the Peace Corps, the communities they serve, my self, and lastly, you!  Rest assured that your participation will contribute to the recruitment and retention of people for long-term volunteer assignments.  By understanding your intentions and motivations to serve, organizations will be better equipped to find the best possible volunteers and in turn, better serve the communities in need.  I sincerely appreciate your time and effort in completing the survey and mailing it back to me at your earliest convenience (stamp and address label included).  By completing and returning the survey, you are consenting to participate in this study.  If you have any further questions or concerns, contact information is given below.  Thank you!  

Investigator Contact Information:  
Megan McDrew
415-845-2885
meganmcdrew@yahoo.com

Thesis Chair Contact Information:
Judith Little
Sociology Professor
707-826-4567
jkl1@humboldt.edu

Peace Corps Service Motivational Scale

On a scale from 1-5, with 1 being most important and five the least important, please rate the following motivational statements based on your own experience with the Peace Corps.   Be honest, your answers will be kept confidential.

I volunteered for the Peace Corps because:                 most imp.                 least imp.

I was acting on moral values …………………......		1     2     3     4     5
			
Volunteering made me feel better about myself…..		1     2     3     4     5

I preferred to volunteer my time than give money……...	1     2     3     4     5

I wanted to do my part to create something better…………	1     2     3     4     5

I felt a sense of obligation to serve for my country………..	1     2     3     4     5

I wanted to help people less fortunate	………...........	            1     2     3     4     5
  
Volunteering helps with career advancement……………… 1     2     3     4     5

I needed a chance to escape……………………………….. 	1     2     3     4     5

I felt it would enhance my self-worth …………….. 	 	1     2     3     4     5

I enjoyed traveling …………………				1     2     3     4     5

I wanted to learn a new language/culture ………….	            1     2     3     4     5

I wanted to meet new people.					1     2     3     4     5

I was continuing a family tradition of volunteering… 	1     2     3     4     5

I desired to learn/develop new skills..............			1     2     3     4     5
	
The Peace Corps would reduce my loans....			1     2     3     4     5

I liked the financial benefits and other ‘extras’......		1     2     3     4     5
	
I had a lot of free time	...........					1     2     3     4     5
	
I wanted to be independent of my life in the USA.....	1     2     3     4     5

It allowed me to put off future career decisions.......		1     2     3     4     5

The motivational list is not exhaustive.  Please take a minute to list any other factors that contributed to you joining the Peace Corps.  Feel free to include any recommendations for recruitment and/or ways to maximize volunteer retention for the 27 months of service.  Thank you! 

Demographics

1.  Name (optional):				Sex:   Male          Female

2.  Date of Birth:  

3.  Peace Corps Country and Years of Service:
 a. Did you complete the 27 months?   Yes     No      If not, please explain the circumstances.  

4.  Did you graduate from college?  Yes        No     If yes, what is your degree?

5.  Did your Peace Corps experience affect your religiosity or spirituality?
a.  yes, very much
b.  some
c.  a little
d.  no, not really
e. not sure

6.  Please circle your income bracket.  
a.  under 35,000 a year
b.  35, 001 – 50,000
c.  50,001 – 75, 000
d.  75,001 – 100,000
e.  100,001 and above

7.  Did you do any volunteer work before joining the Peace Corps?                                     
Yes		No 
Please explain the work and the approximate amount of time spent volunteering.  

8.  Have you done any volunteer work since finishing the Peace Corps?                        
 Yes		No
Please explain the work and the approximate amount of time spent volunteering.  

10.  Are you are presently employed? 
a.  Yes, full time
b.  Yes, part time
c.  Not employed at all
d.  No, retired
e.  Student

11.  Would you encourage people to volunteer with the Peace Corps now with fears of terrorism and anti-American sentiments prevalent in many countries?   Yes        No
 Please explain.  

12.  Do you feel the institutional link between the Peace Corps and the military is a beneficial decision?    Yes               No	Don’t Know     
Please explain.  

Thank you!!  Please mail back to me immediately!  I appreciate your help immensely!  I hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season!  

APPENDIX B

FACT SHEET 2006

The Mission of the Peace Corps
 
To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.

To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.  

History

Peace Corps officially established:  March 1, 1961

Total number of volunteers and trainees to date:  183,000

Total number of countries served:  138	 	Current Director:  Gaddi Vasquez

Current Volunteers

Volunteers and trainees:  7, 810

Gender:  58% female, 42% male

Marital Status:  91% single, 9% married

Age:  Average – 28 years old
          Median – 25 years old
          6% of volunteers are over 50 (oldest volunteer is 79)

Education:  96% have at least an undergraduate degree
	       13% have graduate studies or degrees

Countries and Sectors

Current number of countries served:  75
Current number of posts:  69
•	Education – 34%				 
•	Health and HIV/AIDS – 20%
•	Business Development – 16%
•	Environment – 14%   

APPENDIX C

BASIC FACTS ON BEING A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER

QUALIFICATIONS

To be a Peace Corps volunteer, you must:  
•	Be a U.S. citizen
•	Be at least 18 years old, though applicants under 21 are rarely accepted
•	Meet legal and medical requirements
•	Have a skill (degree or work experience) requested by one of the Peace Corps’ host countries
•	Be willing to live and work overseas for 27 months

TRAINING

Peace Corps provides 10-14 weeks of training in:
•	Technical skills – Skills needed for your Peace Corps assignment, specific to host country.
•	Cross-cultural knowledge – Customs, manners, protocol, religious beliefs, history, laws, and other important information integral to becoming a contributing member of your host community.
•	Language – Instruction and immersion in the national and/or local language(s) of your host country.
•	Medical – Information that will help you keep yourself healthy and safe for two years in your host country.

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

While you serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, you will receive:
•	Living allowance – A monthly stipend, paid in the currency of the host country, that covers the costs of food, housing and personal expenses such as clothing and transportation
•	Medical and Dental coverage – Provided by the Peace Corps health professionals in every host country.  All necessary immunizations are included.
•	Travel expenses – To and from the host country.
•	Leave – 48 days of vacation leave, plus a monthly leave allowance of $24, during the two-year period of service.  

BENEFITS

Upon completion of Peace Corps service, volunteers receive:

•	Readjustment Allowance – A $200 allowance for every month you spent in training and service.  This amounts to $5,400 for a standard 27-month commitment and can be used any way the volunteer wishes.
•	Graduate Education Opportunities – More than 70 graduate schools nationwide offer special programs specifically for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.
•	Student Loan Deferral and/or Forgiveness – If you began borrowing on a Perkins Student Loan after July 1987, you may be able to cancel 15-30% of your debt in exchange for Peace Corps service.  Most other federally funded student loans may be deferred while you serve as a Peace Corps volunteer.
•	Non-Competitive Eligibility for Federal Jobs – You may be hired more quickly and easily, without having to compete with other applicants who do not have this status. 
•	Career Skills – You will gain the kind of international experience that is valued by employers back home.  You will develop leadership, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in today’s global marketplace.  And, you will receive what is arguably the best language and cross-cultural training anywhere in the world.  

www.peacecorps.gov
Information in Appendix B and C is based on data as of September 30, 2005.

APPENDIX D

PEACE CORPS COUNTRY LIST

Today, 7,810 Peace Corps volunteers work in over 75 countries around the world.  These include:

AFRICA			INTER-AMERICA		ASIA/PACIFIC
Benin				Belize				China
Botswana			Bolivia				Fiji
Burkina Faso			Chile				Kiribati
Cameroon			Costa Rica			Micronesia/Palau
Cape Verde			Dominican Rep		Mongolia
Chad				Ecuador			Niue
Congo				El Salvador			Papua New Guinea
Cote d’Ivoire			Guatemala			Philippines
Eritrea				Guyana			Solomon Islands
Ethiopía			Haiti				Sri Lanka
Gabon				Honduras			Thailand
The Gambia			Jamaica			Tonga
Ghana				Nicaragua			Tuvalu
Guinea				Panama			Vanuatu
Kenya				Paraguay			Western Samoa
Lesotho			Eastern Caribbean
Madagascar			Suriname
Malawi			Uraguay
Mali
Mauritania
Namibia		EUROPE, CENTRAL ASIA, and THE MEDITERRANEAN
Níger			Armenia		Turkmenistan
Senegal		Bulgaria		Ukraine
South Africa		Estonia			Uzbekistan
Tanzania		Jordan
Togo 			Kazakstan
Uganda		Kyrghyztan
Zambia		Latvia
Zimbabwe		Lithuania
			Former Yugolav of Macedonia
			Malta
			Moldova
			Morocco
			Poland
			Romania
			Russia				 
			Slovak Republic