Another four years have rolled around: It's voting time. Voting is a precious right. We also have a responsibility to let candidates know how we stand on critical domestic and international issues. Encourage everyone to vote, especially young people, as actions taken and proposed for alleviating the economic situation can impact their futures.

The More Peace Corps organization is asking for support of their campaign to double both the number of Peace Corps Volunteers and the amount of the Peace Corps budget. They have specific recommendations for a "Bigger, Better and Bolder" Peace Corps. Presidential debates identified Peace Corps as one of several important groups to increase needed community service in America. The "doubling" of Peace Corps could complement this initiative. Peace Corps has made many contributions to the peoples of the world. But we may be the major beneficiaries, individually and as a country. George Nepert, FOI Treasurer, recently said to me: "Our Peace Corps service is a gift that keeps giving dividends, a gift that keeps on working." I believe we need only reflect on our own lives after Peace Corps to see this. Please see www.morepeacecorps.org/ for more details

Our Updated FOI Directory now has 103 entries. To be listed in and to view the FOI Directory you need to do the following:

1. Register with the FOI website. Fill out the questionnaire available on the website (see homepage) telling us that you wish to be listed and the information you would like made available in the Directory. Once the questionnaire is completed and returned to us, we will give you access to the Directory.
2. When you receive access, find the Directory by logging in at the Member Center. You will then be at the Member Information Page where you will see a button for FOI Directory. Click on it.

Available now is the FOI E-Newsletter sent by email, Content is same as hard copy sent by mail but may be in color. Hard copies would still be sent to those who wanted them. If interested in receiving the E-Newsletter, please send me an email and we will send October's Newsletter to you as part of a trial.

Finally, let us know what you think of the longer newsletter sent 3 times a year instead of 4 times a year.

Namascaram,
Jack Slattery
Email: FOIndiaSlattery@aol.com