Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 20
Get to the Point: The NCCC News
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication August 15-21, 2011 Volume XVII Issue 20 Perry Point, MD
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 20
Strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national & community service
Inside Issue 20: Faces of the Week
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Raven 5 Update
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AmeriCount Down
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AmeriGourmet
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Alumni Spotlight
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Brain Food
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NCCC Descriptions
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Counselor’s Corner
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Member Health & Wellness 12 Alumni Day of Service
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Bike Safety
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I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 20 to 24 years old & spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership skills. We serve on teams to help communities prepare for & respond to disasters, build homes & help the environment.
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Raven 5:Working Our Way to Piracy from Greater NY Actually this Get to the Point article has nothing to do with piracy but it has everything to do with Raven 5 & how we are working in the Greater Newburgh area & in Yonkers, NY. We as Raven 5 are thoroughly enjoying our project and the diversity it brings. So far we have done a variety of tasks that include but not limited to; weeding, picking up trash, removing invasive species of fauna, painting various objects, and demolition of standardized structures. We can not wait to see what tasks that will unfold before our eyes that we will have the opportunity to complete. As normal though we are a “hot mess”, emphasis on the word hot and the word mess, come on have you seen us we are all just naturally beautiful people and a mess if there ever was one. To say this we maybe hot of course and a mess of course but we are getting things done for America and making a name for ourselves as individuals and as an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team. Oh, by the way we trademarked our team as a “hot mess”. This year has gone by so fast; it has been very challenging at times and very fun at times. That is why we are told to live by one word “flexibility”. We as a corps have had to face diversity and challenges as we have gone through this year but we will all be greatly rewarded with the experience of a lifetime. So Raven 5 has one thing left to say actually not one thing more like two things but never mind that; “we can not wait to see everyone at graduation”. So with this we will leave you with some last encouraging words “Raven 5 we role tight”, ok ok they are not really encouraging words but they are words that we leave you with none the less.
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Raven 6 Shout Out: Congrats to Dehwen Steptow for
Buffalo 6 Shout Out: Fly of Die.
scarffin’ down some Triple Atomic Hot Wings (500,000 SCU) from Quaker Steak & Lube. Adam Richman ain’t got nothin’-on you, buddy ol’ pal! You betcha! Geegollygoshdarn! – R6
Shout out to all the fans of B6 (aka the corps). TL Rachel shouts out to her besty Tiffany. Love you!
Raven 1 Shout Out: Raven One is sad to
I am an AmeriCorps Member ...And… I will get things done!
say goodbye to Tennessee but happy to be reunited with Delaware State Parks!
Raven 7 Shout Out: This week Raven 7 has been painting and moving lots of stuff and then moving it back. The team has realized they have two and half weeks to complete three schools and have begun losing their minds. Carolyn the kindergarten teacher loves to feed us pie, cookies and doughnuts, rendering PT useless. The team has discovered they are expert
Buffalo 3 Shout Out:
movers and are revamping their resumes to
Chelsea, we missed
work with real moving companies! Until we
you for our girls
meet again, Raven 7 up, up, and away!!
night!! Twinkie Shawty has turned into a muppet. Please return asap. Barry and Tony we will see you just in time to celebrate and leave! :) Bring a sweatshirt. Tiff’s word of the day: Otto-Muppet Get ready to relax-break is coming!
Fall Break Starts on September 2nd!
AmeriCount Down
11 Days until Transition
15 Days until Fall Break
19 Days until Round 4
91 Days until Graduation
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AmeriGourmet: The Cooking Corner Eggplant Burgers Ingredients Serving: 10-12 people 2 eggplants, peeled and sliced into 3/4 inch rounds 1 tablespoon margarine 10 slices Monterey Jack cheese 10-12 hamburger buns, split 10-12 leaves lettuce 10-12 slices tomato 1 onion, sliced dill pickle slices bottle of ketchup mayonnaise mustard
Directions 1.Place the eggplant slices on a plate, and cook in the microwave/oven (350 degrees) for about 5 minutes, or until the centers are cooked.
2.Melt margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry eggplant slices until lightly toasted on each
side, and place one slice of cheese onto each one. Cook until cheese has melted, & remove from the skillet. 3.Place eggplant on hamburger buns, and allow each person to top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, and dress with ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard.
Strawberry Cheesecake Ingredients Serving: 10-12 people 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 (10 oz) packages frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup lemon juice 3 eggs 1 tablespoon water
Directions
Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar & butter. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Pour most strawberries into a saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil & stir for 2 minutes. Set aside 1/3 cup strawberry sauce; cool. Cover & refrigerate remaining for serving. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light & fluffy. Gradually beat in milk. Add lemon juice; mix well. Add eggs, beat on low just until combined. Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over crust. Drop half of the reserved strawberry mixture by 1/2 teaspoonful's onto cream cheese layer. Carefully spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over sauce. Drop remaining strawberry sauce by 1/2 teaspoonful's. Bake at 300 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool for ~1 hour. Refrigerate overnight. Enjoy & Store in the refrigerator.
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Brain Food: L & M Trivia By: Those Crazy STLs L. Mack & M. Jabat
What is the name of the famous city?
What is NCCC-Activity: First team to get back to CRSTL Laura Mack will win a prize...trust us you want this prize!
What organizations does NCCC support?
Using the digits 1 to 9, create three 3-digit numbers. The second number is twice the first. The third number is three times the first.
Moose 2 Shout Out: Green Team: OH man there’sonlytwoweeksleftuntiltransition keepitmooovinghappyplunging! Buffalo 7: Eat some chicken strips.
Thank you to Briana, Angela, Christine, Aaron, Benton, Felicia and of course Chappy for all their hard work on Aug. 2 & 3. They made a major contribution to helping with a smooth running event, and helping a lot of Baltimore City middle school students have a great experience. For most of these students, this was the first time they had ever been to a competition. It was a very hectic day. The team was given a shout out during the final awards ceremony. Thank you to Jenny Beatty.
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Alumni Spotlight: Josh Kerber Josh Kerber, served as a Team Leader in Class XVI: Raven 5 at the Atlantic Region Campus at Perry Point. He is currently using his educational award to develop his passion for languages. How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC? No running water, no electricity, 120 degree weather, swarms of mosquitos, and the most fantastic sunset you could imagine. It was the summer of 2008 and I was living in paradise on an eco-village in the US Virgin Islands where I worked alongside a chap who first uttered the acronym N_C_C_C to me. What are your current plans? The status quo of my life can be quite nebulous at times, however, currently I am engaged in an intensive Chinese Mandarin language program putting that Segal Education Award to good use! The hope is to continue working towards bilingualism before potentially relocating back to the Land of the Orient. What was the best part of your year? I run the risk of sounding like a father, but seeing my most beloved knuckle heads and sweethearts graduate was the most fulfilling day of my NCCC career. As far as projects are concerned, working with Wilbert Mitchell at Respond Inc. in Camden, New Jersey was the type of experience that changes a person. I am forever grateful to have had that opportunity. Reflection points or recommendations for Class 17? If you have read this far into the NCCC spotlight, let me thank you, and leave you with this non-cliche, unquoted thought for your year of service: smile, smile, smile, because in the end all you can do is smile. Cheers!
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AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leaders-Position Description Position Overview: Team leaders provide experience and leadership to teams of AmeriCorps NCCC members as they work to strengthen communities. The Team Leader manages the day-to-day activities of 8 to 10 members, ages 20 to 24. She or he serves as a role model, facilitator, and educator. He/she encourages and maintains high standards for those Corps Members involved in community-based service learning projects. The Team Leader reports directly to the Unit Leader and works very closely with all members of the staff.
Qualifications: AmeriCorps NCCC seeks applicants who are experienced supervisors with prior service experience in communities, schools, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, youth corps programs, or the U.S. military, and who have demonstrated leadership experience. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien; and have a valid U.S. driver's license. Duties and Responsibilities: Supervise, motivate, direct, and coordinate a team of young adults in a structured program of service, education, and training; maintain order; develop positive team morale; foster teamwork; monitor standards of behavior; ensure the safety of the members, including the proper use of equipment; model a good work ethic and work alongside members to set the work pace. Plan daily and weekly team schedules that will result in the execution of project objectives and activities. Manage service-learning projects, locally or on spikes (sites away from the main campus where teams establish temporary living arrangements for up to two months). Assist and support member development through regular assessment and goal setting. Ensure the development of good work habits on site as well as career and interpersonal skills off site. Assist and support members in the development of leadership skills. Identify and nurture leadership opportunities at the service project site and otherwise. Coordinate project logistics with unit leaders and project sponsors, participate in staff and member meetings, and serve as programmatic and administrative liaison between members and staff. Conduct regularly scheduled team meetings designed to unify team members by building consensus, resolving conflicts, and providing structured feedback. Oversee the care, safety and well-being of members. Facilitate, encourage, support, and model service-learning integration. Conduct or coordinate training such as skills building workshops, safe work practices, team-building exercises, mini-courses, and physical training in collaboration with NCCC staff. Manage budgets for spikes and submit written reports on project progress, achievements, and accomplishments; member evaluations; and special activities or incidents. Maintain daily records, leave of absence requests, service forms, etc. Monitor clean-up of common areas of living quarters, room cleanliness, uniform appearance, desk-staffing, quiet hours, and adherence to all AmeriCorps NCCC policies. Support residential life experience through conflict mediation, crisis intervention, counseling, etc. Represent AmeriCorps NCCC to the media, as necessary. Benefits Team leaders receive a living allowance of $12,500, room and board, and limited health and child care benefits. Like AmeriCorps NCCC members, team leaders will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award following the successful completion of the program.
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Team Leader Requirements Relocate to one of five regional campuses in Perry Point, MD; Denver, CO; Sacramento, CA; Vicksburg, MS; and Vinton, IA. From there, teams are deployed throughout the region on service projects. Make a full-time, 11-month commitment. Serve with diverse groups of people and manage conflicts. Enforce campus policies and regulations. Submit a current driving record. Makes recommendations relative to awards, rewards, and discipline; supports final decisions as their own.
Moose 4 Shout Out: Moose 4 would like to give a shout out to old man clutch & Mary Lue! Thanks for all the great times at camp! Danielle would like to give a shout out
On Tuesday, August 9th Congressman Charlie Bass (NH-02) stopped by the Salem Senior Center in Salem, NH just as our team was conducting a survey of the facility for use as a potential disaster shelter. Congressman Bass shook hands with each of us and asked several questions about the places that we had served earlier this year in NCCC. When we got the chance to explain our current project he seemed very impressed by the sheer amount of work that we were tackling in such a relatively short period of time.
to the fearless raven TL Amelia! Lets make forts
Don’t forget about those CAP Events!
The application deadline for Winter 2012 Corps Members has been extended until September 30th!
Team Work– Makes the Dream Work
when you get back!
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AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Members-Position Description Position Overview: AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for people ages 20-24. Members are assigned to regional campuses, located in Perry Point, MD; Vinton, IA; Vicksburg, MS; Denver, CO; and Sacramento, CA. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through team-based national and community service. NCCC requires a 10-month commitment of its members, who serve on teams of 8-12 people. Teams are assigned to service projects throughout the region of their campus and can expect to complete between 4-6 projects during their term of service. Service projects are developed in conjunction with sponsoring organizations and address critical needs in the areas of natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. NCCC's focus on responding to priorities in the area of natural and other disasters includes disaster preparedness, relief and recovery. Everyone serving in NCCC can expect at least one of their projects to be in the area of natural and other disasters. These types of projects can be performed within a member's assigned region or in some cases may be outside of that region. Member Duties: A member of the NCCC will perform hands-on service focusing on the areas of natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. The NCCC program is a rigorous experience and members are required to participate fully. Members must be able to serve effectively with a team of individuals from, and in, communities of diverse cultural, ethnic, economic, geographic, and educational backgrounds. Members must be able to communicate effectively in the English language with peers, supervisors, staff and other individuals, perform physical labor in stressful environments and adverse weather conditions, serve long hours beyond an eight-hour workday, live in a communal style living space, be flexible to sudden and unexpected changes, be drug free and maintain a drug-free environment, and participate in activities that improve their own personal skills.
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Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake Announces Initiative Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by residents, community leaders and two AmeriCorps NCCC teams (Buffalo 2 and Raven 7) to announce details about one part of her stepUP! Baltimore initiative, called “Power in Dirt.” The Power in Dirt initiative reduces systemic barriers that prevent residents and organizations from revitalizing vacant lots, creates new incentives, and provides support to them through the entire process. Everyone has been very appreciative of all the assistance NCCC teams give, keep up the great work everyone.
Buffalo 2 Shout Out: Welcome back Andi, Kendrick, and Tomoyo! Pat did you light that fire? Phoenix 3 Shout Out: All of Phoenix 3 has begun to smoke… oh no wait—that’s the 6,500 acres of land that’s on FIRE!!! Moose 3: I miss you more than Jamie’s miss out of the van. I love you more than Mark loves peanut M&M’s. I think about you more than Sunshine thinks about whatever it is she thinks about. I care about you more than Bethany cares for her Cosmos. I will advocate for you more than Roxann advocates for recycling. I talk about ya’ll more than Nick talks about movies. I enjoy watching us grow more than Patrick enjoys video games. And I’m better at basketball than Evan.
Alumni Day of Service @ The Loading Dock Baltimore, MD
September 17th: 9:30-1pm No matter what you’re project is Remember Safety First! Moose 5 Shout Out: Moose 5 went to Niagara Falls and saw a cloud that looked like a shark! David: Only 9 days dork!
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Maryland Bicycle Laws and Regulations Extracted from the State Highway Administration booklet BICYCLING IN MARYLAND A Bicycle Information Guide, printed in the fall of 1995.
When bicycling through Maryland, we want you to have fun & be safe, so please be aware of your skill levels, make sure your equipment is in good working order, always wear a helmet & obey the following rules: In Maryland, the bicycle is classified as a vehicle with all of the same requirements & restrictions as a motor vehicle. Bicycles are prohibited on: Roads where the posted speed limits are greater than 50 mph (riding on the shoulder of the roadway is permitted) Expressways or other roadways where bicycles are prohibited The travel lanes of roads where there exists a smooth shoulder or bicycle lane (except to make left turns or to avoid debris in the shoulder space) On all public roads, where bicycling is allowed, the operator must: Wear a bicycle helmet if they are under 16 years old Obey all traffic signs, signals & other traffic devises Ride in the same direction as motor vehicles, as near to the right side of the roadway as possible Use standard arm signals to alert other drivers of lane changes & turns Stop for school buses when they are loading or unloading children Yield to pedestrians Refrain from wearing a headset that covers both ears Legally, the bicycle must be equipped with: Front and rear lamps & reflectors if the bicycle is used on a public road at any time when there is insufficient light or inclement weather A bell or horn (sirens & whistles are not acceptable) Brakes
Rod’s Ruminations
Rod Swain, Raven Unit Support Team Leader
Random Thoughts for Random Times -Golf enthusiasts make a big deal about famous golf course designers. These guys garner a lot of money and fame from constructing championship caliber fairways and greens. But do you think there is a similar culture for Putt-Putt golf courses? Are there famous designers for them? -The television show Glee is killing America. You know what thought I really do not have every day? “Man, I really love classic rock music. But what I really want is to hear some of my favorite songs systematically butchered by 16 year olds.” -Why are all first-person shooter video games set in the present or future? You know what would be really cool? Call of Duty: American Revolution. This would teach kids about history while they play their PS3! It could get kind of annoying when they have to wait 60 seconds to reload their musket every time they shoot though. -Many people believe that future wars will be fought over access to fresh water. These people are idiots. Wars in the future will be fought not over water, but over access to inexpensive parking spaces in urban areas.