Case For Appeal

Officially, the Peace Corps claims that I received an Early Termination/Interrupted Service because there was no viable assignment in-country for which I was qualified; stating:

"Jason is being given an Early Termination/Interrupted Service per MS 284, 5.0. 'The host country (or other cooperating agency to which the volunteer is assigned) requests that the volunteer be removed from service for reasons that would not consist grounds for administrative separation.'" (see memo)

The events and actions taken by the Peace Corps Guyana Country Director Earl Brown, however, indicate that I was wrongly and unjustly terminated. This is my story.

The underlining reason for my termination of service lies in the issues regarding my personal website and online content.

I maintain a personal website at http://net.jasonpearce.com. I also maintain personal online photo albums at Ofoto.com and a personal listserve/community at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jasonpearce/.

I use these mediums to freely share my experiences with family members, friends, co-workers, and community groups. I maintain that my online content helps "promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of the American people" - one of the Peace Corps' primary goals.

Mr. Brown, however, had many concerns regarding my website and online content. He believed that I was not aware of, or had been sensitive to, the impact that my personal comments - posted on my personal website and personal Yahoo Groups listserve/community - might have on myself, my co-workers, and the Peace Corps worldwide. He stated that the potential damage to the Peace Corps and the U.S. must be weighed against my rights of free speech, political expression, and religious beliefs. (see memo)

I understand that an ill-considered statement could erroneously be used to embarrass me, the Peace Corps, the U.S., or the people of Guyana. Such an embarrassment was something that I wanted to avoid, for I volunteered for the Peace Corps to help and support the Guyanese - not to harm them.

Having understood Mr. Brown's concerns, I chose to self-censor my online content. I did so by restricting access to my online content, prohibiting anyone beyond my personal circle of friends and family from viewing that content. By requiring a username and password for the Monologue section of my personal website, my personal photos albums at Ofoto.com, and my personal listserve/community at Yahoo Groups; I fully addressed and resolved all of Mr. Brown's concerns. (see memo)

I made all of my censoring adjustments within 24-hours from when Mr. Brown voiced his concerns. Furthermore, I completed these adjustments 48-hours prior to my scheduled swearing-in ceremony. Yet, Mr. Brown chose not to swear me in on August 16, 2002, stating:

"I am unconvinced that you have the requisite emotional maturity and adaptability necessary for you to serve as an IT Volunteer. A Trainee cannot be sworn in as a Volunteer, unless he or she has demonstrated in training that all competencies have been met. You will remain in Trainee status."

Of the 23 GUY 10 trainees, I was the only one not sworn in on Friday, August 16, 2002. I was not, however, the only trainee or volunteer who uses the Internet to share experiences with family members and friends.

Several Guyana trainees and volunteers also maintain personal websites, personal photo albums, and personal online communities; while others distribute personal emails to more than 100 recipients. Among the Peace Corps worldwide, there is no telling how many people use the Internet to share their experiences with friends, family, and the rest of the world. (see global examples)

Mr. Brown was aware that other Peace Corps Guyana trainees and volunteers use the Internet to communicate with their friends and family in ways similar - if not identical - to how I use the Internet. But by choosing not to swear me in (extending my training), yet swearing in the other 22 trainees, Mr. Brown wrongfully and unfairly discriminated my actions from those of my colleagues.

On Monday, August 19, Mr. Brown held a meeting with Dr. Patrick Williams, the director of the World Wildlife Fund in Guyana and my assigned counterpart. During this meeting, Mr. Brown shared with Mr. Williams the reasons for not swearing me in on August 16. As a result of this meeting, Dr. Williams revoked the World Wildlife Fund's invitation to have me serve as a volunteer. (see WWF email)

It was not until Wednesday, August 21, that Mr. Brown informed me that I no longer had a viable assignment in-country for which I could serve. For this reason, he said that he was going to give me an Early Termination/Interrupted Service, stating, "It is the best that I can do. At least it is not Administrative Separation, which I should have given you for your online content." His plans were to send me home Friday morning.

While I was disappointed to have lost my assignment with the World Wildlife Fund, I knew there were plenty of other opportunities within Guyana that would greatly benefit from my web development skills and services. In particular, I had already agreed to help the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana improve its website, marketing, and online services. This was going to be my secondary project, pending approval.

In lieu of sending me home on Friday, I asked Mr. Brown to consider making THAG my primary assignment. While Mr. Brown was able to speak with the executive director of THAG over the phone, he was not able to accurately determine if THAG would be a suitable replacement for my defunct WFF assignment. (see Terrance Simmons' email)

According to Mr. Brown, it is his experience that sites that are selected in haste often do not work out. I reminded Mr. Brown that he doesn't have to end my service on Friday for there is no deadline regarding my extension of training. I pleaded that he take the next week or two to carefully consider THAG and any other site that his staff or I might propose as a replacement. During that time, I would remain a trainee.

Mr. Brown's response was that he was unwilling to have me remain as a trainee for the period of time that he expected would take to find a viable assignment in-country for which I could serve.

On Friday, August 23, I was sent home.

Summary
As an American citizen, I have the constitutional rights of free speech and political expression. Peace Corps trainees and volunteers are not only guaranteed these rights, but they take an oath to "... support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, domestic or foreign..." Because of this covenant, I believe that my use of a personal website, photo albums, listserve, communities, and online content is lawful and well within my rights.

I understand, however, that there is a responsibility that goes with these freedoms. An ill-considered statement could wrongfully be used to embarrass me, the Peace Corps, the U.S., or the people of Guyana.

After hearing Mr. Brown's concerns regarding my online content, I freely made swift adjustments to my website, photo albums, and communities; ensuring access was granted only to my friends and family. (see timeline)

Mr. Brown, however, chose not to swear me in despite my efforts to appease his concerns. Because of his decision to not swear me in, as well as his decision to share those reasons with the World Wildlife Fund, the WWF decided to revoke its invitation to have me serve as a volunteer.

With no viable assignment, Mr. Brown had reason to terminate my service early, despite my efforts and pleas to provide the staff and me a reasonable amount of time to find me a new assignment.

It is because of these grounds that I ask the Peace Corps Washington office to appeal Mr. Brown's decision, swear me in as a volunteer, and provide me a new site assignment. I further request the Peace Corps to establish a clear set of global guidelines or polices regarding Internet usage among trainees and volunteers.