April 2025 From the Field
By Jeanette Gottlieb
From the Field has become a periodic report rather than a monthly letter, for which I apologize. We moved to a retirement community in anticipation of time to enjoy all the activities offered without the stress of maintaining a large house. I am sure many of you have experienced the chaos this involves. After six weeks, my desk system is finally operational. Between now and THE CONFERENCE/REUNION I plan to bring more timely updates.
THE CONFERENCE/REUNION: Remember it is only five months away. October 3 will be here soon and, wow, what an exciting program is being planned. You can make your hotel reservations now at the Grand Hyatt at our conference rate. (https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASGH/G-PEA5. Be sure to register for Sunday night, October 5th, so you will not miss the fabulous Persian banquet.
Conference/Reunion registration is now open at www.peacecorpsiran.org with both online and mail-in options. The conference will include an opening reception Friday evening, two days of exciting programs (including lunches and snacks), and closing with a Persian Banquet catered by Joon, one of D.C.’s outstanding Persian restaurants. Also, this will be our last reunion, so make plans to see old friends. Training groups are encouraged to make plans for get-togethers on Saturday evening.
If you come early or stay late you can advocate for the Peace Corps and diplomacy with Iran, visit the Peace Corps Archives at American University, and enjoy viewing Iranian art and artifacts.
Conference co-chair Brad Hanson sends this message:
A booklet is being planned and the conference planners have three asks:
- Check out the map of Iran in Genna’s book, Land Between Two Waters. If your Peace Corps site is not on the map, please email [email protected] the name, province, and approximate location. He’ll put your site on the map for the booklet.
- If you have a favorite ta’arof, a favorite Persian proverb, or a favorite line or two of Persian poetry, please send it to [email protected] for inclusion in the booklet. We aim to print these in Farsi with a good English translation. If you can provide the original Farsi so much the better, If you provide it transliterated, we’ll de-transliterate it into the original Farsi. If you provide an English translation, please provide the translator so we can give credit where credit is due. We already have famous poems by Sa’adi, Hafez, and this conference’s poet, Forough Farrokhzad. Here’s one of my favorite proverbs I used as a diplomat promoting education in Afghanistan: هرکی دانا بود تانا بود “Whoever is knowledgable is capable.”
- If you have a favorite Iranian film, please send its title and a one-two sentence description of it to either John Limbert, who agreed to compile 20 to 25 films for the booklet or to Brad. Please respond to [email protected]
In this time of uncertainty we have one of the best sources of information on what is happening with Iran in the Advocacy Bulletin edited by Paul Barker. Also 4th Monday discussion is an open forum where our members share their sources and examine current events. To join the discussion send an email to [email protected]. Another excellent source is Iran Unfiltered from NIAC which covers news stories from the Iranian press.
I hope you all enjoyed reading the KhabarNameh. We have about a year left to tell our stories in the KN before PCIA sunsets so do not procrastinate. Plans are in the works for a second edition of a PCIA anthology. If you want to send your stories to John Krauskopf, [email protected]. He needs them now.
If you are downsizing, please remember that the history of our Peace Corps service is being archived. The Museum of the Peace Corps Experience accepts items and stories and your letters and original materials can be archived at American University. We have shared our stories with family and friends but we can share them forward by archiving them.
We have recently heard from Philip Price that he is planning a trip to Iran in 2026. The proposed itinerary looks exciting if it is possible and safe to travel to Iran by then. This is not a PCIA sponsored trip so if you are interested, please contact Philip directly at [email protected]
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the next two Doreeh book club sessions led by Jim Goode and Jackie Spurlock. May 14 is Heroes to Hostages and July 9 is The Lion Women of Tehran. Contact [email protected] to join the discussion.
Donations to PCIA are tax deductible and help us provide all of our programs. Additionally we are still seeking funding for the conference/reunion to defray expenses and to enable us to offer assistance to members who may be on fixed incomes. Donate here.
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