GET TO
THURSDAY, MAY VOLUME
16,
XIX, ISSUE
2013 10
THE POINT THE
NEWSLETTER
OF THE
NCCC
ATLANTIC REGION
Alumni Spotlight Cassie Campbell, Corps Member Pacific Region, Class XVII
Photo Gallery Week Two of Round Two Projects
Team Leader Spotlight What Does a Support Team Leader Actually Do?
CONTENTS
IN THIS
ISSUE 03
Gallery Images from the second week of Round 2 projects
05
Bulletin Board Vehicle Safety Tips & An Update of Independent Service Hours
I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps Program.
↑ Members of Moose 3 cut siding for a home being
06
Cassie Campbell
built by Habitat for
Corps Member
Humanity of York,
Class XVII, Pacific Region
Pennsylvania.
N-Triple-C members are 18 to 24 and spend 10 months getting things done for America
Alumni Spotlight
08
Feature
while developing their own leadership. We
Moose 2: Restoring Habitat in
serve on teams to help communities prepare
Martha’s Vineyard
for and respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment.
09
Team Green What does an OPSTL do?
To learn more, visit AmeriCorps.gov/NCCC or call 1.800.942.2677
10
Corps Contests Class XIX Photo Contest A Crossword Team Builder
CONNECT WITH AMERICORPS NCCC ATLANTIC REGION Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist (CRS) Phone: 202.528.3755 ● Email: smckenzie@cns.gov Mona Hillstrand, Assistant Community Relations Specialist (ACRS) Phone: 202.815.4259 ● Email: rhillstrand@cns.gov Ben Dillon, Community Relations Support Team Leader (CRSTL) Phone: 443.995.7940 ● Email: bedillon.guest@cns.gov
11
Shout Outs
12
Project Map
About the cover Members of Moose 2 walk along the beach in Martha’s
facebook.com/ncccatlanticregion
Vineyard, preparing to build a fence for
twitter.com/americorpsnccc americorps.gov/nccc
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MAY 16, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
The Farm Institute in Edgartown.
GALLERY
↑
Courtney Amburg of Buffalo 4 uses a stapler to secure insulation to the frame of a home in Moonachie, N.J. while working with the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.
→ Whitney Wooten of Buffalo 3 drives a utility vehicle at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maine. The team is helping maintain trails and buildings at the reserve, which is stationed largely on the historic Laudholm Farm. ↓
Raven 3 Team Leader Rebeckah Moran paints a hand rail while working with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 16, 2013
3
GALLERY
Alyse Kearns of Moose 4 is overshadowed by the massive root system of an overturned tree at Frost Valley YMCA camp in Claryville, NY. Kayla Hanson of Buffalo 1 removes insulation from a home while working with habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers in Bath, ME. The team is helping winterize and improve energy efficiency of homes in Bath. ↓ Buffalo 4 Team Leader Evan Berry triumphantly hoists a crow bar and a hammer after demolishing a flood-damaged shed while working with the Volunteer Center of Bergen County in Moonachie, NJ. ↓ A member of Moose 1 removes photo albums, books, and papers from a flooddamaged building while working with Friends of Rockaway in New York. The team is assisting resident’s who were affected by the flood from Hurricane Sandy.
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MAY 16, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
BULLETIN BOARD
“We make a living by what we get. But we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill
Members of fire composite team Fire Fox 1.0’s pose for a picture after their first burn in Soldier’s Delight, MD. Fire Fox 1.o is led by Moose Unit STL, Emily Tiffany and will spend the rest of the round assisting the Albany Pine Bush Preserve in New York.
d 2 and the Three weeks into Roun ahead of lled pu s Raven Unit ha it! Un falo the Buf ISP Hours Complete Raven: 42.86% Buffalo: 39.21% Moose: 32.2%
Vehicle Safety Tip Replace the Air Filter: The air filter is a paper screen that stops debris such as dust, leaves and wayward pelicans before they
get inside the engine and do damage. If your air filter gets too dirty or clogged, your engine
Members of composite team Peter Pan 1 celebrate the end of a successful two weeks clearing and building trails for the Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY by playing laser tag, racing go-carts, and bumping around in bumper cars.
won't be able to suck enough
air into the combustion chambers.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 16, 2013
5
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Cassie Campbell Class XVII Corps Member, Pacific Region
Why did you join AmeriCorps NCCC? When I was in college, I participated in 2 different alternative spring break trips to help with hurricane relief work (one in New Orleans after Katrina and one in Galveston with your teammate Meg after Ike). During both trips, I served alongside NCCC members and learned about the program. As I was finishing up my last semester in college, I was still very unsure of what my next move in life was going to be. I randomly got a message from an old friend that already graduated a few years prior and was serving on at the Denver campus. He told me that I should apply but I only had 3 days to get my application in. I spent the next three days getting everything together to apply. A few months later I got a letter inviting me to serve at the Sacramento campus and I was sold! I always wanted to go to California!
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MAY 16, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
Interview by Kayla Lickey, Raven 1 Member
What kind of skills did you gain? I gained and improved upon a lot of skills during my time in NCCC. Through my various projects, I learned how to blaze trails, roof and side homes, and file taxes. I think the most invaluable skill I learned was how to work and live (happily) with people from all different backgrounds, work ethics and opinions. Do you have advice for current members? Experience as much as possible!!! I was lucky enough to travel to all states I had never been to before. I took every opportunity to visit new cities, hike through some beautiful scenery, try new food and meet some amazing people. Also, if you want to strangle a teammate take a few breaths and talk to them. There's no use in staying mad a someone who's face you're going to see when you wake up, when you work, when you're trying to relax after a long day, etc.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
“My team alone helped to return over $100,000 into the pockets of families that really needed it.” What was your most interesting project as a corps member? My team had a 10-week project where we studied with the IRS and California State Franchise Tax Board and then filed taxes for low-income individuals and families. My team alone helped to return over $100,000 into the pockets of families that really needed it. How did NCCC impact your life after AmeriCorps? I left AmeriCorps feeling inspired and knowing myself so much better. I have lifelong friends in people that I served with giving me connections all over the country. In interviewing for jobs, I get to share a lot about my experiences. It's also a great networking tool since there are so many alums out there! At my current job I
work with four other NCCC Alums, and that's not even counting the all of the other AmeriCorps Alums in the office! So if there's anyone looking for a job in Philadelphia in a couple months, let me know! If you could, would you do another year of AmeriCorps? Why? I have! After my term with NCCC, I joined the Philadelphia Health Corps and served in a city public health center. It was a totally different experience than NCCC but I'm glad that. As corny as it sounds, I knew I could never do a second year of NCCC because I do not want to mess with the memory of the perfectly imperfect year I had with the 11 strangers that turned into family.
← Cassie Campbell's team, Green 3, pauses for a picture on the last day of a Round 1 project at William Heise County Park in Julian, Calif. ← An illustration of the Green 3 team drawn by one of its members at the end of the Class XVII service term. "It pretty accurately reflects all of our quirky personalities," said Campbell. "I'm the goofball jumping."
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 16, 2013
7
FEATURE
RESTORING HABITAT IN MARTHA’S VINEYARD By Erik Vancleve, Moose 2 Member
M
oose Two has had an eventful two weeks on Martha’s Vineyard. The team started its spike with the intention of sleeping outside at night. Sleeping outside at night lasted two whole (cold) nights. Our days consisted mostly of removing invasive species, that is to say; pulling weeds. Really big, really tough, entangled weeds. Most of this weed pulling was to restore habitat to its natural condition and also to provide a better view to the ocean for visitors. We cleared about 100 yards of thick brush to open the view to the sea. The work was quite time consuming. First, the thick brush and vines had to be cleared, and the only way to clear it was by hand and with loppers, knives, and often just by pulling on them as hard as possible until they let go of the tree or broke. Once most of the vines had been pulled, the smaller brush and trees could be taken out. This was accomplished by hand (notice a pattern emerging?) with handsaws and loppers. As one group pulled, cut, bit, and swore at the brush, the other group would gather the limbs and vines and pile them in the back of a truck. The truck would then take them limbs and vines to a different site where they were piled for burning. Not all of the work done was quite this physical
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MAY 16, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
however. There were two special events that took place during Moose 2’s stay. Some of the team helped gather nettles for a nettle festival (dubbed “Heavy Nettle) and also a volunteer festival to recruit citizen scientists for various projects. During these events we had a chance to learn more about the mission of the wildlife sanctuary and about some of the projects going on there. Hopefully our time in New Jersey will be as rewarding and enjoyable as our time on Martha’s Vineyard.
TEAM GREEN
What Does A Support Team Leader Do?
CHANDLER BALLENTINE OPERATIONS SUPPORT TEAM LEADER
Duties of Operations Support Team Leader (OPSTL)
Assist the Services Support Specialist in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the Corps by responding to Corps support, fleet management, and facilities management requests, as needed. These tasks include, but are not limited to vehicle inspections and general maintenance, uniform/equipment issue and return, and general facilities maintenance and repair
Support the members by supplying the teams with tools and equipment needed for each
I wanted to be the Operations STL because it would give me great
project
experience dealing with logistics and supply management skills which
Assist in training and instructing the Corps on
could come in handy in the world of business.
safety and health policy and procedures
Train and coordinate the specialty role of Vehicle/Safety/Tool Corps members.
Why did you want to be a OPSTL?
Assist the Support Service Specialist in the establishment and maintenance of a residential living program, including duty watch, room inspections, residence life morale and welfare activities programs, and facilities maintenance oversight
What is a typical day like for you? My days vary. One day I will be in the office organizing and gathering paperwork for files for people and equipment. On other days I will help do repairs in 9H. What is your favorite part your position? The variety I get to deal with. What is the most difficult part of the position? Coming in with no technical background can be a little bit of a hindrance but you learn quick on this job.
INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A SUPPORT TEAM LEADER? Speak with a staff member or a current Support Team Leader for more information. Applications for winter cycle Team Leader positions are open now at my.americorps.gov The deadline to apply is September 1.
Why are STLs important? STLs make sure that all the background and behind the scenes processes take place so that both corps members and Team Leaders have a little less they have to worry about. What is one of your responsibilities that CMs may not know about? I am the one that compiles all the information about what clothes you have and what supplies you need and if there is enough of it to go around.
GET TO THE POINT / MAY 16, 2013
9
CORPS CONTESTS
CLASS XIX
PHOTO CONTEST
Teams can email their best photos to Ben at crstlatlantic@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in Get to the Point and win a prize. Staff members and Support Team Leaders will select one photo from each category at the end of every project round.
CATEGORIES: Van vs. Mini Team Meetup “CAPture the Moment” (Best CAP Event Photo)
Alumni Engagement (Working with alumni)
On the Job (Action/Working Photo)
Unit Pride Team Meals
c c r o s s wo r d n t e s t
Directions: All members of the team must participate to create a crossword with answers to the following questions. First team to create*, complete, and send back to campus— attention to Megan, either by mail or email attached with a picture—wins a laminated certificate that can be proudly displayed on the dashboard of their 15P a.k.a. bragging rights. Good Luck!
*Statements and numbers can be switched around as needed, but each question must be addressed.
ACROSS
DOWN
1. TL: Positive characteristic of the Sponsor
1. HaWL: Favorite Team Builder
2. SLI: New term learned, related to work
2. FT: Team’s Favorite PT activity
3. Media: Name of newspaper in area
3. ATL: Newly learned responsibility
4. CAP: Recruitment Tool
4. CCR: Activity to do in the area
5. POL: Need fulfilled of team’s last ISP
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MAY 16, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
SHOUT OUTS
This Buffalo team has kicked into another gear, finally a full team of 11. Slater welcome back. Thanks Stephanie for taking care of him. Congrats Jimmie on your promotion! Justin good job on going Vegetarian! We all believe in you!
Buffalo 1 It was really not that long ago, In a Maine estuary That a team there lived whom you may know By the name of Awesome B3. And this team they lived with many a thought About service and NCCC
We went zip-lining and did "I'm a Star" off the platform. We miss Tyrell but know P2 is awesome and taking care of him. Good luck to Stephen "Snax" Silber and all of the FireFox composite team. It was a fun time seeing "Tinkerbell" and the "Lost Boys" in Kingston, NY. Our main sponsor POC, Heather, is Canadian and full of “Fun Facts.”
Moose 4 Raven 4 Shout out to our sistah team Raven 1! You all have the second best Cabooses in the Corps and we’re proud to be your sisters from another Moosaven!
Moose 5
Buffalo 4 Shout out to Fire Fox 1! Good Luck in Albany!
Phoenix 2 Moosicorn Megan bout ta DBT! You’ll bring honor to us all!
Raven 3
Who wants to be elite when you have the FOURce on your side?
Buffalo 3 Buffalo 4 has had a great time down and dirty getting under trailers in our tyvek suits. Hope everyone else is enjoying their rounds!
Spent the week with Wiz Khalifa’s grandma working on her house and had a great time. Hope everyone has a great project.
To Peter Pan and the Lost Boys: Tink misses you all and hopes you are all having a good time with your permanent teams!
Peter Pan 1 Baa-ram-ewe! To your breed, your fleece, your clan be true! Sheep be true! Baa-ram-ewe! That’ll do, AmeriCorps. That’ll do.
Raven 2
Ravens Fly High here in Rockaway. Lock, stock and wheel barrows, Taking loads of sand away. Bad tan lines look just fine, Hiding under dirty grays. As we swoop by, the people say “It’s superman, it’s a plane. No, look it’s those ravens.” P100s fit tight when cleanly shaven, Full Tyveks to disinfect the spreading spore hoard. Wielding brushes, Benefect and sanders to scrub moldy floor boards. Furry creatures looked like specs as Raven 5 and the score soared. Having fun, but we’re not just here to play. Getting it done, here in Rockaway.
Raven 5
Moose 1 GET TO THE POINT / MAY 16, 2013
11
Where in the Atlantic Region Are They?
Round 2, Week 3
For Round 2, Class XIX teams are slated to complete 21 projects across 10 states. Seven teams will continue hurricane recovery efforts in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Five teams will focus on environmental stewardship in recreational camps and conservation areas in five different states. Four teams NEW YORK will help better develop low -income urban communities through housing and facilities improvements. Lastly, one team will improve energy PENNSYLVANIA efficiency of homes and another will improve facilities for youth NEW programs. MARYLAND JERSEY
MAINE
VERMONT
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MASSACHUSETTS CONN.
R.I.
D.C.
WEST VIRGINIA
DELAWARE
VIRGINIA
MOOSE 3
RAVEN 2
York, Pa. Habitat for Humanity – York Urban & Rural Development
Edgartown, Mass. The FARM Institute Environmental Stewardship
MOOSE 4
RAVEN 3
Claryville, N.Y. Frost Valley YMCA Environmental Stewardship
Pittsburgh, Pa. Rebuilding Together – Pittsburgh Urban & Rural Development
BUFFALO 1
BUFFALO 5 (PATRIOT 1)
MOOSE 5
RAVEN 4
Bath, Me. Habitat for Humanity – 7 Rivers Energy Efficiency
Braintree, Mass. Cardinal Cushing Centers Urban & Rural Development
Brattleboro, Vt. SerVermont Disaster Recovery
Providence, R.I. Serve Rhode Island Disaster Recovery
BUFFALO 3
MOOSE 1
PHOENIX 2
RAVEN 5
Wells, Me. Wells NERR Environmental Stewardship
New York, N.Y. St. Bernard Project Disaster Recovery
Suffolk, Va. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Disaster Response
Queens, N.Y. Respond & Rebuild Disaster Recovery
BUFFALO 4
MOOSE 2
RAVEN 1
RAVEN 7 (BLACK BEAR 1)
Hackensack, N.J. Volunteer Center of Bergen County Disaster Recovery
Tabernacle, N.J. Town of Tabernacle Disaster Recovery
Middletown, De. Boys & Girls Club of Delaware Infrastructure Improvement
Toms River, N.J. Jersey Cares Disaster Recovery