Get to the Point May 31, 2012 The Buffalo 3 Edition
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication
Get to the Point GET TO THE POINT
I’m an member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C 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 to prepare for and respond to disaster, build homes and help the environment. To learn more, or apply, visit americorps.gov/nccc
COVER: CENTER: B3,
SHOWING SOME BUFFALO PRIDE IN THE POOL AT HOPE FOR KIDS.TOP LEFT: R5, IN YORK, PA TOP RIGHT: M5, IN WILMINGTON , DELAWARE BOTTOM; LEFT, B1 AND B3 TEAM DURING AN ISP AT THE CURESEARCH CHIDRENS CANCER WALK MIDDLE, B4, GETTING THINGS DONE FOR AMERICA IN NEW YORK. RIGHT, FF2, AT FIRE STATION NEAR THEIR SPIKE SITE FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Buffalo 3 visits the magic wings butterfly conservatory for service learning
3 CAMP HOPE FOR KIDS By Buffalo 3
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ALUNMI SPOTLIGHT
CHARLIE BIRCHMEIER By Buffalo 1
5 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: SICK IN QUARTERS
6 THE SCOREBOARD: A RESOURCE FOR CAP AND MEDIA REPS
FACEBOOK.COM/ NCCCATLANTICREGION Community Relations Office Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist, SMcKenzie@cns.gov Tristan Fowler, Community Relations Support Team Leader, TFowler.Guest@cns.gov
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AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full time team–based residential program for men and women ages 18 to 24. The mission of NCCC is to strength communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national & community service. For more information about NCCC Visit www.americorps.gov/nccc or call 1 800 942 2677
QUICKIES SHOUT OUTS
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AMERISTARS
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AMERIMAP
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Get to the Point Team Spotlight—Buffalo 3
CAMP HOPE FOR KIDS By Buffalo 3 Schwenksville, PA- WHEN BUFFALO 3 ARRIVED ON THE scene, Camp Hope for Kids was in need of some serious help. The pool was dirty and filled with debris, cabin roofs leaked and the inside was covered in years of dirt and grime. Luckily Buffalo 3 was ready to get things done! Day 1 started out at full speed with roofing to be done as half the team climbed up on to the first cabin and was able to complete almost an entire roof just that day. The rest of the team was hard at work as well cleaning and repainting the cabins. As the days went on the team continued to exceed
Mercedes Abrahms paints the window trim inside a cabin at Camp Hope
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the sponsors expectations, originally it was said that it would take two weeks for a team of four to complete one cabin, but Buffalo 3 had other plans. In that same two weeks they had completed nearly four cabins and began the long process of cleaning, patching and repainting the camp's pool. The weather wasn't always on their side, ranging through out the round from the high 80's and extremely humid to cold and stormy the very next day, but the noble Buffalo pushed on enduring the sun as it beat down upon them in the empty pool and treading through the mud and water to complete any task given. During weeks two and three the teams spent most of their time cleaning and repainting the cabins and power washing the pool now filled with leaves, mud and small amphibious creatures. Through out the 4 week project the team did well to remain focused and kept in mind that without their effort and commitment to this project Camp Hope for Kids wouldn't be able to complete their goal of bringing underprivileged inner city youth to experience nature, many for the first time.
Remember Safety First– Mignon Bryant secures a ladder for Thomas DeMasters while
Camp Hope for Kids is dedicated to getting kids out in to nature and changing their lives through connections with each other and Buffalo 3 is honored to have been a part of their vision!
Thomas DeMasters and Tu Ahn Tran attempt to remove mud and water from the pool.
Get to the Point Alumni Spotlight—Charlie Birchmeir
MEET CHARLIE by Buffalo 1 Team Members from Buffalo 1 spent their Day of Service working with alum Charlie Birchmeier, class XIII Corps Member from the Sacramento campus. After spending the day working with Charlie, the team sat down to ask a couple of questions about Charlie’s NCCC experience. Why did Charlie join NCCC? Charlie joined NCCC in order to travel while still being able to complete service work. The program seemed to be a fit for Charlie because NCCC has a shorter commitment than other programs like the Peace Corps.
Buffalo 1 gets to know Charlie Birchmeier, during their Round 1 Day of Service
the facilities. What is one of the funniest moments that happened during Charlie’s service?
During the summer in Louisiana, another team member (the vehiWhat was Charlie’s favorite cle tools and safety officer), was round? checking fluids in the van after Charlie’s favorite round was while the van had been running. Due to working during the Gulf recovery. the heat, the van caught on fire as Charlie remembers working with the Corps Member was completCampfire USA Council to help ing the van inspection. The van, with demolition and rebuilding. What Charlie liked best about the named 1400 after the van license project was being able to see the plate, was put out of commission progress that the team had made and was replaced by their new during their time and to see and van, the Granite Stallion. interact with the people who use
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What advice does Charlie have for current Corps Members? Charlie stresses the importance of starting to plan what you want to do after NCCC now. According to Charlie, it’s best to take your experiences with NCCC and decide if it’s something that you like to do. Charlie also talked about how many of the Corps Members from his class ended up working for their sponsor after NCCC due to the relationships that they established during their project rounds.
Get to the Point
A MUST READ FOR ALL CORPS MEMBERS AND TEAM LEADERS: Sick in Quarters Proper Procedure WHAT IS THE AMERICORPS NCCC PROCEDURES ON MEMBERS TAKING SICK DAYS IN QUARTERS?
1. A member may elect to take up to two consecutive Corps work days as sick days in quarters. He/she must report this to his/her team leader by personal phone contact or face-to-face at or before the pre-determined accountability/departure time for projects/training for each day of sick in quarters. 2. The Sick Day in Quarters (SIQ) is intended for rest and recuperation. As such, the member must remain in quarters that entire day so that he/she may return to work the next service day. If a member chooses to remain in quarters for the day, it is understood that he/she must remain in quarters throughout the evening as well. 3. If on spike, the member must remain in the spike housing for the duration of the day. On spike, the team leader or unit leader may designate an alternative resting place to the spike housing if that housing (e.g. tents) is not conducive to recuperation. 4. In the event the member is unable to return to work or training at the beginning of the third consecutive Corps work day, the member must then go on sick call to seek professional medical advice. 5. In the event that a physician requires bed rest or issues other limits on duty or activity, written documentation from the servicing physician will be turned in to the Unit Leader or the team leader if the team is on spike. If a member requires bed rest, they are to remain in his/her dormitory room or spike housing until the prescribed period of bed rest is over. Members on bed rest may attend meals, if able. 6. Team leaders will report daily members who are sick in quarters to the unit staff through the appropriate regional administrative mechanism. 7. An unusual number of requests from a member for “sick in quarters” days will be examined for legitimacy. The team leader and unit staff will record and address suspected abuses. 8.Individuals absent from work because of sick call will not be awarded service hours for service time missed. Whenever a Corps member misses work due to illness, it is the corps member’s responsibility to perform a sufficient amount of independent service hours to mitigate the absence.
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Get to the Point CAP & MEDIA UPDATES
The Scoreboard Shout-outs, tips and the weekly stats. All the info you need to stay on top of your CAP and Media work.
Shout-Outs: Buffalo 3 - For putting this whole issue together! Buffalo 3 asked over transition to have a chance to design and create a issue of ―Get to the Point,‖ and this week they go there wish. I hope they learned a lot about design and editing, along with teamwork and time management. It takes me on average eight to 10 hours a week to produce, so I appreciate the break :-) I hope you all had a great experience with it. It looks great! Raven 3 - So far has had the largest CAP event of the round with 274! That’s a whole lot of capping. Well done.
Updates of the Week: Half way! - Please take a look at your goals in your evaluations from transition. Are you going to make it? There are a critical few weeks left in the round. Do you need help? Can we make calls for you? There are a lot of zeros on the scoreboard still, and there will be more serious consequences this transition if teams have failed to reach their goals two consecutive rounds. Latest stats as of : Wednesday, May 30, AM
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Buffalo 1
CAP Events 1
Media Hits 1
Alumni Events 1
Elected Officials 0
Buffalo 2
2
1
0
0
Buffalo 3
0
2
1
0
Buffalo 4
0
3
0
0
Moose 1
2
6
1
1
Moose 2
0
3
1
0
Moose 3
1
4
3
0
Moose 4
3
5
0
1
Moose 5
2
1
0
0
Raven 1
0
12
0
1
Raven 2
2
41
1
2
Raven 3
2
1
1
0
Raven 4
2
2
2
0
Raven 5
3
2
1
1
Phoenix 2
1
0
0
0
Fire Fox 2
1
0
0
0
Reminders from last Week: Gmail Accounts—Use them! Do not use your personal e-mail for CAP events, contacts, or media relations. Sam and I can not support you or your contacts if we don’t have access to your emails. Furthermore, we use these emails as evidence of the work you do in the field during our yearly review. Alumni Event Form Update! This form will now include the alumni’s e-mail contact. Be sure to ask for it during your events.
Get to the Point
USTLs - We‟d like to send a shout out to Liz and Rhoda, the unstoppable duo, for all the miles logged together. Also to Tony Horton for all the bonus sessions. We really enjoy getting X-ed.
Dept. STLs – Red hair; Don‟t Care (Michael) Raven 1 - Ladies and gentleman, the Pig Tail Friday revolution has begun. Raven 2 - Raven 2 filled up multiple garbage trucks of debris from two vacant lots in Frankford this past week. Shout out and congrats to Raven 2 member Erick for completing his ISP hours. Raven 3 – To Avery Engle on Phoenix 2, Dearest Avery, we are Raven 3 miss you greatly. Make sure to drink a gallon of milk, because it‟s your birthday. We love you very much. Oh, and eat some dirt/worms, too. Raven 4 - Raven 4 had an entertainment packed week… Tuesday – Hosted two alumni for dinner, Wednesday – Hip Hop Hustle class at the local YMCA thanks to free Y passes from our sponsors, Friday – The Avengers in 3D thanks to free movie nights arranged by our sponsor, Sunday – SIX FLAGS New England! Raven 5 - Raven 5 would like to send a smoke signal to our dear dear dearly missed Phoenix 2 team member as she is burning her way through her hours on composite and would like to let her know that there is still a seat in the S.S. Ticket for her when she returns. Miss you Lex. Burn baby, burn. Buffalo 1- Hey guys! Hope you‟re having a blast on spike… Miss you. Thanks for the card. –Kelly Buffalo 2 - Happy Belated Birthday Laura & Happy birthday Grace!!! Our very own James Ramiscal is now officially „Uncle Jim‟ to baby Liberty! Buffalo 3 - Buffalo 3 would like to send a shout-out to Liz, for being the best Support Team Leader in the world and an awesome rock climber! Buffalo 4 - Congrats and way to go, B3 & B4…leading the herd in ISPs!! CONGRATULATIONS to our Jess, for being named the composite TL for the Crossroads Composite Team…we are “over the moon excited” for you and your accomplishments. Thanks Tristan for all your hard work, support & encouragement…it‟s a comforting breath of fresh air. -Tiffany Phoenix 2 - Moose 1- I hope you‟re having a great time on spike. I‟m glad you can enjoy the Philly area. Good luck and see you soon! -Chandler ; To Raven 5- My favorite dorky dirty birds raven 5… cacawwwwww!!!!!! –Lex; To Raven 4- Wait until you guys see my new Richard Simmons dance moves when I get back… -Em Moose 1 - Looking Forward to working with Raven 1 for the last three weeks! Moose 2 -Lobster and Scallops!!!! Tourists have invaded! We‟re having a blast in Maine. Moose 4 -Blitz Build T-minus 9 days! “Steve, we can‟t wait to see ya. See ya in „bout four weeks time. Hope you are having fun in Albany. It‟s a really good place. And hope you are having fun trying not to get poison ivy or oak.” – From your bestest friend Brit Brit Coco 7
Get to the Point
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Each week, the Health and Wellness Liaisons will submit members to feature, giving everyone a chance in the spotlight.
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Get to the Point
Buffalo 1 Taft— Williamstown, NJ Buffalo 2 Tomoyo— Camden, NJ Buffalo 3 Tony— Stroudsburg, PA Buffalo 4 Tiffany— Angola, NY
Phoenix 2 Emily— Suffolk, VA Fire Fox 2 Steve—Albany, NY
Moose 1 Patrick—Valley Forge, PA Moose 2 Megan— Bath, ME Moose 3 Jami— Hamden, CT Moose 4 Casey— Newburgh, NY Moose 5 Toby— Camden, NJ
Raven 1 Keiper— Wilmington, DE Raven 2 Davey— Philadelphia, PA Raven 3 A.T.— New Castle , DE Raven 4 Millena—W Springfield, MA Raven 5 Dan— York, PA
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