Jerry Keys of Delta 7
SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014 1
TAB LE OF CONTE NTS
In this
Special edition
ISSUE
04
CTI PHOTO CONTEST
I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps Program. NCCC members are 18 to 24 and spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership. We serve on teams to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment. To learn more, visit NationalService.gov or call 1-800-942-2677
See what made the winning entries such great photos Honorable mention photos
05
SOUTHERN REGION REFLECTIONS Get into the mind of a FEMA corps team leader. Insight from a 2nd year CM The power of CAPing
07
GALLERY CTI in review
Eric Kranz of Delta 3 speaks with High School Students about AmeriCorps NCCC
11
ATLANTIC REGION REFLECTIONS A first year Corps member recalls the impact of ‘Presidents Day’ Day of Service Presidents Day gallery
13
OLE MISS ROPES COURSE Team Leaders and Corps Members alike share their experiences
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GALLERY Camp Lake Stephens gallery
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1st ROUND PROJECTS Take a look where your traditional teams will be serving
AmeriCorps Pledge I will get things done for America to make our people safer, smarter and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Face with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps Member and I will get things done!
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REGI ONAL DI RE CTORS
A LETTER FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTORS
C
ongratulations Class XX! As you come to the end of CTI training, this is the beginning of the greatest year of your life! As a newly inducted AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Member, you are now part of an organization deeply rooted in the values of community service and civic engagement. You are part of a national movement on a mission to strengthen communities in the Atlantic and Southern Regions as well as other states affected by disasters while developing leaders to serve in our great United States of America. You will complete service for communities and organizations that will reap the benefits for years to come. Your footprint will be that of rebuilding physical structures, improving environmental conditions, but most importantly restoring the faith that there are good-hearted young people who care about those in need. This year will be full of many accomplishments and sometimes challenges, but remember you are never alone. You will always have the support of your team, which will soon become your extended family. The Atlantic and Southern Region Staff will also render support to you every day, often behind the scenes, but none the less completely focused on YOU! Last, but not least, you have the strength and support of your fellow corps members representing Class XX that will make this a very successful service year for all! On behalf of the Atlantic and Southern Region Leadership team, as well as Atlantic Region’s family back in Perry Point (soon to be Baltimore), we are so very proud of you for following through on your commitment to serve and we are always here to help you “GET THINGS DONE”! Safe Journey!!!! LaQuine Roberson & Donald Clark
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PHOTO CONTEST FE ATURE SAB REE KOONCE , RI VER 6
EDW ARD RI CH , RI VER 2
SHEA MILLER, DELTA 3
CONGRATUL ATI ONS TO T HE SOUTHERN REGION’S
RACHELLE
MCCLELLAN
FOR WINNING THE CTI
PHOTO CONTEST McClellan captured multiple elements that highlight the Southern Region Campus. The picture captures the Southern Region
CONGRATUL ATI ONS TO T HE ATLANTIC REGION’S
ORLANDUS SANTOS II
FOR WINNING THE CTI
PHOTO CONTEST
ALAN FOLZ, MOOSE 3
Campus from a unique angle as well as the flag frozen in time all of which compose a great shot!
ORLANDUS SANTOS II , RAVEN 1 Orlandus captured the “A” in action well ! You can also see the type of work Victor is accomplishing by viewing the cleanliness of the back fence compared to the piece he is currently scrubbing. 4 SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014
ERIK WRIGHT, RAVEN 4
SOUTHERN REGION REFLECTIONS
Q&ANDY WI TH ANDY OH
A Southern Region FEMA Team Leader reflects on his motivations and hopes for this year.
Why did you apply to be a Team Leader? As children, our generation was told to work what we love. The TL position allows me to get closer to that goal—where work is play, and play is work. This program co-develops my formal education/work experience with my passion for coordinating people and resources beyond the workplace. At this stage, figuring out the skillset to become an all-purpose project manager seems to be the most direct and applicable route to becoming a freelancer. My year
we place much emphasis on celebrity and hierarchy,
as TL is an important step toward that goal.
giving leadership roles disproportionate esteem. But
What was TLT/CTI like?
TL and CM are absolutely co-dependent, even if they
TLT has been a series of training sessions designed
are not equal. The TL is more effectively thought of as
to illuminate the different challenges our teams will
a focal point by which third parties (e.g. sponsors,
face
staff) can concentrate the flow of information and
with
the
coming
year.
The
trainings coordinated by NCCC and FEMA staff strike
directives.
This
gives
the
TL
a
new
sense
of
a balance of broad theories and specific advice
responsibility and opportunity to mentor, comparable
taken from years of experience in order to prepare us
to finding a new sibling or padawan.
for high-stress environments. For example, one day of training will involve talking about our “feelings” in order to get a handle on our ego so that we can respectfully process our past and not project our problems onto others. The next day will involve scenario role-playing so that we can get familiar applying philosophy with situations in the field. A big take away for me is learning to not apply any rigid formula to my work as a leader; that to be successful I should yield to things I cannot change, stay consistent with things I believe I can change, and be willing to admit that I am wrong. I've learned throughout CTI that the role of TL among Corps members can be framed as a specialty role with additional training, as opposed to a true indicator of one's aptitude or maturity. As a society, SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014 5
SOUTHERN REGION REFLECTIONS
Still growing... BY MAYO CAMPOS
As a second year Corps member going through CTI again, being here means being more engaged and motivating my peers as much as I can to step out of their comfort zone.
the whole year. The more I do something, the more I remember it. CTI is about having many opportunities to make connections with individuals and people from all walks of
“Each person
life. Some you'll keep in contact with
has a place in
for a lifetime. Each person has a place
this program.” I've also improved my knowledge and memory about the resources available to Corps members during
forever, and others you'll remember in this program and CTI is a great way for people to find out how important each person really is. It's amazing and surprising what the year can bring, and CTI is a small glimpse of what your next 10 months can be like.
A TALE OF TWO TABLES We got out of the van. Four of us up against an entire high school. It seemed like apathetic high school students didn’t want to hear about “serving their community” We set up the tables, hung some posters, Jamal started dancing, Tatiana started getting LOUD Michelle brushed off her Minnesota charm… BAM! Four lowly Corps members turned SUPER RECRUITERS. 67 conversations, 45 e-mail sign-ups We were on our way to recruiting America’s next generation of leaders...
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CTI G ALLE RY
↑ Incoming FEMA Corps members Elias Buzzell (Right( and Samantha Clark (left) check-in at the Jackson Airport → Corps member explores “The Attic” Art Gallery iin Downtown Vicksburg ↓ Besides providing many work opportunities, Camp Lake Stephens also offered up their lovely fire pit. Hometown stories and s’mores were a few of the many things shared over the camp fire by participating Corps Members.
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CTI G ALLE RY
→ Southern Region Team Leaders Daniel Padilla (top) and Andrew Oh (below) during Team Leader introductions at the first community meeting of CTI. ↑ Corps members during in-processing ↓ Wild land firefighting is an opportunity available for Atlantic and Southern Corps Members, but first one must be able to pass the PACK test. → Delta 7’s Nicole Yetke getting familiar with the 15-passenger van
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CTI G ALLE RY
↑ Upon compiling their team reveal puzzle, the new Buffalo 3 rejoices the unusual fact that a majority of their pod mates became their permanent team while simultaneously welcoming new teammates. → Delta Unit Corps Members at chainsaw training. ↓ Finding lifelong friendships is one of these amazing attributes of NCCC. Though our time in CTI is short it is technology that makes it easy to stay connected during spike round.
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CTI G ALLE RY
← Corps members join hands for a diversity photo. ↑ Hope Martindale & Rachael Schnoor get a little bit closer while learning the process of recognizing and assisting someone who is choking during the American Red Cross CPR & First Aid course. ↓ Trading jokes outside “Chapeltorium” Drew Pinchback and Kyler Thompson make the best of a break between training sessions. ←(Bottom Left) What a change a fresh coat can make! Justine Keys and Mayra Guzman give a wooden fence a new coat of green during Presidents Day of Service.
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ATL ANTI C REGI ON REFL E CTI ON
GARDENS, GRUB AND GETTING THINGS DONE! A new experience for many, ‘Southlantic’ campus breaks from
BY LUCAS MOORE
trainings to serve the community.
RAVEN 3
After a week of sitting in meetings and listening to presentations, it is safe to say that everyone was ready to get some actual work done. Not knowing exactly what to expect but knowing that we were being sent somewhere to help out was all that was needed. The hour drive from Vicksburg to Jackson was a groggy, when-am-I-going-to-actually-wake-up kind of ride that was welcomed when it came to an end. Beneta Burt, the Executive Director of
of the day. All in all our team weeded 23 raised beds,
Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity, Inc. greeted us
added and replaced bricks on 11 of the 23 garden
and gave us a quick orientation of their organization
beds, added new soil on 5 of the raised beds, and
and the work we’d be doing for them. Their mission:
filled 30 garbage bags with straw, weeds, dead
to
plants, and trash.
advocate
for
changes
within
community
organizations that impact peoples’ everyday lives; to
When all the NCCC members got back to the
change institutions so that they will support the
Roadmap facility, we were treated with a surprise
community’s efforts to be healthy. Our job: to get
dinner. Lasagna, chili, cornbread, and salad were the
things done.
thanks that the people of Roadmap had to give us.
Our temporary team was assigned to help
All deliciously made we had a great time enjoying
out at the gardens of Brown Elementary School and
the food and getting to know the still new fellow
Rowan Middle School. Mariel, a FoodCorps Service
members of AmeriCorps NCCC. The people of
Member, was overseeing the work we were doing.
Roadmap gave us all a verbal thanks as well. We
She gave us our tasks and we were off to work.
thanked them back for letting us come out and
Throughout the day we got to hear about Mariel’s
helped them clean up after the meal. The day of
experience as an AmeriCorps NCCC member.
work, the meal, and the good company all made for
Comparing experiences gave us a sense of
a pretty good first day of service.
connection right away. She also told us about the work she was doing with FoodCorps, teaching health classes to the kids and running the gardens. Her appreciation for the work we were helping her do was probably the biggest plus of working with her. Physical and dirty, the work had us putting in the sweat part of the blood, sweat, and tears before we knew it. We quickly learned that fire ants and shards of glass were around and not to be messed with. Between being on our hands and knees to weed and bending over to put everything into garbage bags we all had some well-deserved sore back by the end SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014 11
D AY O F S E R V I C E G A L L E R Y
← Qwamella Manning of Delta 5 painting a picnic area at the Jackson Zoo. ↑ Sponsor s shares appreciation for AmeriCorps NCCC volunteerism
THE POWER OF “ALL HANDS ON DECK” → Buffalo unit members scrub clean trailer homes that were used as evacuation sites during Hurricane Katrina. ↓ Cameron Tingkang of Delta 1 (left) and Christian Hunter of Delta 5 get their hands dirty painting at the Jackson Zoo.
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C AM P L A K E S T E P H E N S
Ropes Course at Ole Miss
For the past two years, the Southern Region has had the pleasure to partner with Camp Lake Stephens and Ole Miss. This year the Atlantic Region was ecstatic to participate in the tradition. Freshly formed teams anticipated time out of trainings and were ready for some bonding time. Throughout a week long period, all six units rotated in and out, spending one day at the ropes course and another doing mini-service projects throughout camp.
“My fear wasn’t new to me I have had it for years but I chose to overcome it surrounded by people who I knew would not judge me for my fear, but would be happy that I took on my fear head.”
DANIEL DEITSCH DELTA 7
ROSE WISE RAVEN 2 “Ropes course lead to emotional bonding with my team that I didn’t expect. I cherished every second.”
HOLLY SCHNEE FOX 4
“We took team bonding to new heights, literally! Flying squirrel style! #Challengecourseswag
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Ryan Lundstrom of Delta 4 14 SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014
C AM P L A K E S T E P H E N S
↑ The first step off that platform is the hardest, Nicholas Klute showcases the exhilaration of participating in the zipline. ← Members of Moose 4 literally have “each others back” during low ropes elements.
MAURICE REDD RIVER 3 “The ropes course really allowed me to push myself further in getting over my fears and bond with my team in a fun and challenging way.”
“That was like the most fun I’ve ever had...I thought trust falls were just something you only see on TV, but it’s actually a thing.”
“I wish we hadn’t dropped Jake for the trust fall. A good bonding experience other than that though.”
ALEX CARROLL MOOSE 2
JOSH SUISO COAST 1
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C AM P L A K E S T E P H E N S G A L L E R Y
↑ Pushing through the drop into cooler temperatures, Eric Poencet and Ethan Reber prepare to relocated brush and gardening materials. → (Top Right) Frankie Stroud of Delta 4 mixes paint → (Right) In preparation for their painting endeavors, Joanne Pohl and Kirsten Jacobse don the newest chic item in fashion and safety, oversized trash bags.
↑ River 5 poses for a victory shot after clearing “that much” debris during a demolition project at Camp Lake Stephens
← Isaac Martin of Delta 2 shown painting the exterior of a supply room
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C AM P L A K E S T E P H E N S G A L L E R Y
↑ River One Team Leader Elizabeth Reitzell setting up plants during a greenhouse project
←(Top Left) “Mama Buffalo” aka Buffalo Unit Leader, Sharon Kellogg, steps out with her unit members Ta-jah Gordon and Kristen Beierwaltes to help “get things done!”
←(Left) Michelle Desch of Delta 4 plays tug-ofwar with the Camp Lake Stephens dog
→ Christian Hunter (left) and Rebecca Schmitz (right) of Delta 5 undergo construction tools training led by OPS STL Darin Bontriger ↓ Showcasing the wide variety of project available, Lauren Meyer and Francisco Orellana make sure every kitchen item is squeaky clean.
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Where in the Atlantic Region will you be?
Round 1, Week 1
With CTI coming to an official end for most, traditional NCCC teams finally get to depart onto the most anticipated part of the program, SPIKE! Our fellow FEMA units have the pleasure of spending more time together in the warmer weather for FEMA specific training.
BUFFALO 1 Moonachie, NJ
MOOSE 2 Baltimore, MD
RAVEN 1 Camden, N.J.
Volunteer Center of Bergen County –Disaster Services
Baltimore County EPA & Sustainability
Camden City Garden Club - Urban and
Environmental Stewardship
Rural Development
MOOSE 3 Baltimore, MD
RAVEN 2 Marshfield, MA
Baltimore Recreation & Park - Environmental
MA Audubon Northfield Infrastructure
Stewardship
Improvement
MOOSE 4 Camden, NJ
RAVEN 3 Toms River, NJ
Camden Children’s Garden—Urban and Rural
Jersey Cares – Disaster Services
Development
RAVEN 4 Deep River, CT
MOOSE 5 Rockaway, N.Y.
Incarnation Center
St. Bernard Project, Friends of Rockaway - Disaster Services
PHOENIX 1 Suffollk, VA
BUFFALO 2 Hookstown, PA Raccoon Creek State Park –Environmental Stewardship BUFFALO 3 Bath, ME Habitat for Humanity 7 River - Energy Conservation BUFFALO 4 Garden City, N.Y. NECHAMA - Disaster Services MOOSE 1 Catonsville, MD Great Kids Farm - Infrastructure Improvement 18 SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014
US Fish & Wildlife - Disaster Services
TRADITIONAL CORPS
FEMA Corps teams Coast 1 & 2 will be deploying to the Washington, DC area.
TEAM
LOCATION
SPONSOR
D1
Elizabethtown, KY & Vicksburg,
Lincoln Trail District Health Dept. & Vicks-
MS
burg
D2 D3
Military Park Scott Depot, WV
Rivers to Ridges Heritage Train, INC.
Frankfort, KY
Kentucky Dept. of Parks—Cumberland
D4
Falls/Carter Caves
D5
Huger, SC
Francis Marion National Forest
D6
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
Jackson, MS
Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi
D7
& MS Roadmap to Health Equity
R1
Tupelo, MS
Natchez Trace Parkway
R2
Vicksburg, MS
City of Vicksburg
R3
Eustis, FL
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter,
R4
Homestead, FL
Florida
R5
Beverly, WV
Urban Oasis Project SOUTHLANTIC CTI| MARCH 6, 2014 19
To our Southern Region friends, thank you for hosting us this year! We enjoyed our stay and look forward to the possibilities of serving together out in the field.
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