Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Get to the Point: The NCCC News
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication Final Issue Nov 9, 2011 Volume XVII Issue 26 Perry Point, MD
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national & community service
Inside Issue 26: Remember When
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Community Council
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I’ve Learned
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Disaster Response Stats
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Awards Banquet
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Graduation
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Alumni Advice
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Campuses in Your Area
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Life After AmeriCorps
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The NCCC Adventure
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Staying Connected
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I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 18 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.
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
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Community Council Announcements
Attention Class XVII: There are a few events to keep in mind over closeout. Raven Unit on Wednesday November 9 we're asking all teams to make some chili for a chili cookout! 7pm Raven kitchen! November 10th- Ameri-corpse(AmeriProm) 7-11pm in the VA Gym For those who still need hours set up starts at 5 and we will need help cleaning up after. We also welcome anyone who would just like to help! November 14th- Movie night 7pm in the VA Theater. The movie will be Zombieland or Into the Wild. Also there will be a Goodwill or Salvation Army pickup during closeout for everything you don't want to bring home. Date and time will be announced soon!
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
What Have You Learned?
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
What Have You Learned?
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Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
41 Disaster Deployments. 16 States. 9 months.
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Class 17 Awards Banquet Information Attire no jeans or shorts Professional business interview attire. No jeans or shorts. Formal black pants may be worn in lieu of slacks or khaki color pants. The National Director of NCCC will attend the Class 17 Awards Banquet. Seating Arrangements—Assigned Seats by Team with Guests Members will line up outside of Minker Hall to the left side of the building. Members should not block the doorway. Smokers will only smoke on the back side of the Minker Banquet Hall building Guests will enter from the right side. The seating arrangements will be assigned for Members and guests. There will be reserved seating for staff and other special guests.
Buffet Food Service Buffet. Members and guests may have as much as desired and available. Menu includes a chicken entrée, a beef entrée, a pasta entrée, vegetables, salad, coffee, Coca-Cola soft drink products and cake. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. No prior food selection is required by Members or guests. Date, Time, Location– MINKER HALL! NOT MacGREGORS Class 17 Awards Banquet will be on Wednesday, November 16, starting at 6 pm at Minker Banquet Hall, 920 Principio Furnace Road, Perryville, MD 21902 RSVP for Guests, All Members are Required to Attend: All guests must RSVP to SMcKenzie@cns.gov or 202 528 3755 by Monday, November 14, 2011 at 4:30p.m. ET. Payment for Guests: All Members should have a link to the PayPal site in their personal email accounts! Please forward and share the link with your guests or have them contact—SMcKenzie@cns.gov or call 202 528 3755 before Nov 14, 2011 at 4:30 PM ET All guests must pay MacGregor’s Inc. $30 per person. This includes minors and children. No person will be permit to attend the event and not purchase a seat which includes a meal. There will be no substitution of the Member’s meal for the guest. There is no cost for current NCCC Members of the Atlantic Region campus. Payment must be received by Monday, November 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Payment can be made using the PayPal link — a debit card or major credit card can be used:
Thank you Buffalo 5 for helping with the Awards Banquet set up on Wed, Nov 16 at 5pm
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Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Class 17 Graduation Information Date, Time, Location– Chesapeake Arts Center, Class 17 Graduation, Thursday, November 17, starting at 10 am at Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, MD 21225
RSVP for Guests, All guests must RSVP to SMcKenzie@cns.gov or 202 528 3755 by Monday, November 14, 2011 at 4:30p.m. ET.
Speakers Corps Member and Keynote, National Anthem Corps Member Graduation Speaker: Keynote Speaker: Ben Duda, Executive Director of AmeriCorps Alums National Anthem: Bethany Stolz, Moose 7 Graduation rehearsal will be on Wednesday, Nov 16 at the Chesapeake Arts Center. Any guests of Members will have open seating. There will be reserved seating for large groups over ten
Congressional Medals and Lapel Pins Members will wear their congressional medals to the Graduation Ceremony on Thurs Nov 17th The congressional medals will be received at the end of the Awards Banquet on Wed Nov 16. The NCCC lapel pins will be provided at the Graduation Ceremony prior to entry into the auditorium . The lapel pin goes on the right collar.
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
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Class 17 Graduation Information
Members and Team Leaders will line up outside if the weather permits.
Line Up & Seating Arrangements Members will line up by team in alphabetical order by last name. The Team Leader of each team will walk in front of the team. There will be reserved seating for the Corps. Walk Across the Stage When Your Name is Called Each graduating Member will have their name read out loud and will walk across the graduation stage. Reception Following the graduation ceremony, Members and guests will have cake and soft drinks in the designated area
Lunches and Shuttles After the reception time, Members will receive lunches and shuttles will depart for BWI
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Some Advice from Perry Point Alums… I remember last year, everyone told us that our year was going to go SO fast, but it really is true. It seemed like a whirlwind from Induction to Graduation. But if there is one thing I would say to the current class, is that now that the year is coming to a close, cherish the time you have left in the program, and make good memories and experiences with your team that will last a lifetime. Carpe Diem.– Peter Winfrey, Class 16 Corps Member B7. Civil War Education Intern.
Enjoy every second of NCCC, even the seemingly unpleasant parts (especially the seemingly unpleasant parts, because they will make the best stories later!) And don’t stress out about the little things because they’re all a part of the experience and you will miss all of it when it’s over—Sterling Thomason, Class 16 Corps Member Raven 6. Peace Corps volunteer Cameroon.
Apply to everything and anything you may be interested in doing after NCCC. HAVE A PLAN whether it is school, a job, a road trip or another volunteer adventure.- Tara Johnston, Class 16 Corps Member Raven 4. City Year Diplomas Now Corps Member.
Being involved with the same 8-12 people day in and day out for almost an entire year can test the true limits of friendship, camaraderie, and general good behavior. Many of you may spend much of your time fixating on those things, but do yourself a favor from time to time and step back to see the bigger perspective. It’s 10 months of extreme living, but after you get through it, much of the normal world can be a breeze. Out here you don’t always have a team to fall back on and a leader to look to for direction. Out here, there isn’t always a mission statement that reminds you of your importance-you’ve made a commitment to take a stand. NCCC is like a door to a long hallway of doors, once you get in, all you have to do is start knocking. And above all, when in doubt, work harder and talk less, nobody can take issue with someone of such character. - David Pieknik, Class 16 Corps Member B2. Composite Team Leader, Firefighter, Leadership Award Winner
I learned a lot in NCCC– about myself, my team, about service and the unsung heroes (like you, Class XVII) who keep communities going. But more than a learning experience, I consider NCCC a living experience. It’s an experience in starting each day anew, in accepting change with an open mind and an open heart. It’s a lesson I paid for with sweat and tears, hope and laughter, and it’s a lesson I will never forget.—Gretchen Sneegas, Class 15 Corps Member. Class 16 Community Relations Support Team Leader
If you’ve read this far in the NCCC spotlight, let me thank you, and leave you with this noncliché, unquoted thought for your year of service: smile, smile, smile, because in the end all you can do is smile. Cheers!- Josh Kerber, Class 16 Team Leader Raven 5.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.—Dr. Seuss and Glen Stubbolo :)
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Get Involved with the NCCC Campus in Your Area
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Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
Life After AmeriCorps Still working on your Life after AmeriCorps plan? If you have an undergraduate degree consider applying to Teach for America. The next application deadline is January 6, 2012. Visit their website at www.teachforamerica.org to learn more about the application process. If you do apply let Sam McKenzie know at SMcKenzie@cns.gov or on Facebook.
Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a job. For eligible young people at least 16 years of age that qualify as low income, Job Corps provides the all—around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life. For more information contact 800 733 JOBS(5627). If you apply, let Sam McKenzie know at SMcKenzie@cns.gov or on Facebook!
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
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The NCCC Adventure My name is Tiffany Solis. I am 18 years old and I am from Washington, DC. I came in the program two days after I turned 18. It's been very difficult being away from home for ten months including five and half months from when I was in Freestate Youth Challenge. It was hard leaving again but when I told my mother about AmeriCorps and explaining to her what they offered, she finally agreed. I felt it was a way to start my independent life as a matured young lady that I am. When I came in the program, there were a list of opportunities to reach my goal. My specific goals was to pass my GED, finish my hours, to gain new skills, and most importantly is to have fun with my team known as the Buffalo 3. Thanks to Ms. Carlyn, I was offered to re take the GED. She gave me the resources that I needed to study. I studied when I had the opportunity because that's when my team was sent on disaster for our second round. We had hard working days and it was difficult to study but I pushed myself. Gladly my team was able to help me to define definitions and give me a test. I spent almost all of second round studying just waiting for that day to come. By the time it was time for my team to leave for their third round. Unfortunately I had to stay behind to take the GED. Another challenge for me was to complete my hours and my Individual Service Project hours. I have had many urgent care runs and dental appointments and because of those reasons I have lost a lot of hours. I was way behind and it seemed like I was not going to be able to complete my hours. But I was determined to complete them. One thing that I was excited about was to learn new skills. I learned how to make fliers for community events, environmental skills such as planting trees, and beautification skills such as painting. One of my favorite projects was when my team and I was sent to Baltimore to work with Rebuilding Together. We were helping them to prepare for the big event that they had on April 30 with 800 volunteers helping to rebuild homes. I feel like I can take these skills home with me and put it to a good use. My main goal was to get to know my team and being able to trust them. Well, I didn't have a problem with that at all. My team did not judge me in any way. They are wonderful people who are filled with lots of excitement and loudness but also filled with genuine kindness. Buffalo 3 pushed me with my GED and my hours. At the end, we all became a family and love one another. I am happy to say, after studying hard, that I passed the GED and now I am going to Trinity Washington University. With all the skills that I have learned I will share them with my community. As for my team, Buffalo 3 thank you for being there for me, I will never forget you guys. As for AmeriCorps NCCC thank you for showing me quite an adventure. This is an experience that I will always remember.
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
2011Selected Highlights and Accomplishments 384.79 tons of debris or trash removed 220.63 tons of food received, inventoried or distributed 54.06 tons of underbrush removed 51.04 tons of exotic vegetation removed 17671 new trees planted 21637 people assisted in disaster areas 17617 new trees or shrubs planted 13013 books sorted, inventoried, repaired or shelved 28875 volunteers recruited or coordinated 6480 feet of streambeds or riverbanks restored or protected 80.18 tons of clothes received, sorted or distributed 2638 people in environmental education programs 146 community assessments conducted or evaluated 4038 damage assessments completed 2811 people participating in recycling programs 80 people tending or helping with community gardens 2409 at-risk youth assisted 813 senior citizens assisted 368 NCCC alumni engaged in service 29 houses constructed
Throughout the service year, the members of Class XVII represented the Atlantic Region with pride and honor as they worked in the field. Their commitment and perseverance produced substantial results in the communities they served. The 200 members of Class XVII completed 155 projects with 91 sponsor organizations supporting the focus areas of disaster relief and recovery, environmental conservation, infrastructure improvement, urban and rural development and energy conservation. Projects ranged from assisting people in disaster areas, constructing houses, to debris and trash removal. A staggering 327,297 hours were completed on projects estimated at a value of 6,991,063.92 The members of Class XVII fully honored the AmeriCorps pledge to Get Things Done for America!
Get to the Point Volume XVII Issue 26– The Final Issue for Class 17
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Stay Connected... You just never know when you might need to reconnect with the campus for a copy of something you wrote or created, or a copy of your medical records or for an employment reference, or something else! Maybe you’re interested to meet up with teams in your area? Maybe you’re interested come back for the Class 18 Team Leader Roundtable, CTI, Induction, Mid Year, Awards Banquet or Graduation? Or perhaps you’re curious to see pictures of what Class 18 Members of your team number look like? The best place to keep in touch with the campus is on Facebook at the AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Fan Page. You can also check out the Picasa Photo Albums, Read Get to the Point issues, and watch YouTube videos.