Skip to Main Content

About SEAPAX

Mission

1. To carry out charitable acts to support the 3rd Goal of Peace Corps, set by Congress in 1961. (3rd Goal of Peace Corps: "To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.”)

2. To support the mission of Peace Corps, including assisting prospective and current Peace Corps Volunteers.

3. To support newly returned RPCVs during their re-entry phase and to serve as a professional and social network for RPCVs.   

4. To support individual immigrants, immigrant families, and/or the organizations that provide assistance to immigrants to the U.S. through activities that help them to successfully integrate, maintain good health, and gain necessary skills and knowledge to lead productive lives and become contributing citizens. 

5. To provide an interdisciplinary forum for the promotion of social justice through civic and charitable activities, professional development, networking, and interaction with people from diverse cultures in the Seattle area and in countries and regions where Peace Corps Volunteers have served.

 


Vision

A robust, engaged, and supportive RPCV community in the greater Seattle area.


Programs + Events

We participate in activities that aim to help our home communities better understand the people and cultures of the countries and regions where we once served, including:

  • Global education efforts of local educational institutions, organizations and the media
  • Involvement and advocacy efforts with immigrant communities in Washington State Community
  • Service projects
  • Recruitment of potential new Peace Corps Volunteers
  • Partnership with other organizations with similar goals

SEAPAX has business and general meetings, educational programs, potluck dinners and social gatherings throughout the year, as well as Happy Hours/Trivia Nights and Eats Out events (visits to local ethnic restaurants). We offer and participate in community programs, service projects, networking opportunities and a speakers program. SEAPAX traditionally holds a December holiday party and a summer picnic. Events are open to all, including RPCVs, prospective Peace Corps Volunteers, families, friends and community members. We participate in RPCV gatherings, including a regional summer campout and regional/national meetings, held in rotating locations.


Peace Corps Recruitment

SEAPAX assists the regional Peace Corps office with recruiting efforts. We participate in Peace Corps week (the first week of March), an annual Send-Off party for new volunteers (usually in May) and outreach events across Washington State.


Grants

Since its inception, SEAPAX has raised funds for a variety of community projects, both domestic and international. Each year we sell international photo calendars produced by the RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison with proceeds going to support the work of grant projects.


Communications

In addition to our website and monthly newsletter,  SEAPAX also offers social media options through Facebook. Our Facebook Page is an official platform for SEAPAX. Members and community members are welcome to join and post on our Facebook Group directly. For our Facebook Group, click here. For our Facebook Page, click here.


SEAPAX History

1977: SEAPAX was founded in 1977 by returned Peace Corps Volunteers living in greater Seattle. Originally called the Returned Action Volunteers of the Northwest (RAVN), it included both former Peace Corps and Americorps VISTA volunteers.

1983: Became an affiliate group member of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).

1996: RAVN became the Washington State Peace Corps Association (WSPCA).  

2007: WSPCA changed its name to the Seattle Area Peace Corps Association (SEAPAX) in order to not be confused with the Inland Northwest Peace Corps Association (INPCA) and other satellite groups in Washington State.

2008-2009: SEAPAX was incorporated as a nonprofit with Washington State. The SEAPAX Board of Directors obtained a certification of exemption from the Charitable Solicitation Registration requirement, registered with the IRS, procured an EIN and filed a Form 990-N e-postcard.

2011: Peace Corps celebrated its 50th year anniversary; SEAPAX joined in with a large local celebration.

2018: SEAPAX launched new several social media platforms to boost member communication. A new website was launched to help streamline information available to RPCVs and those interested in SEAPAX activities.  

Join SEAPAX

Join SEAPAX to stay connected and support Peace Corps community initiatives! 

We are an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). NPCA is the nonprofit network of 220,000 people who share the Peace Corps experience. NPCA champions lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals by connecting, engaging and promoting its members and affiliate groups as they continue to make a difference in communities in the U.S. and abroad. NPCA is also dedicated to advocating for, contributing to, and supporting the betterment of the Peace Corps.