get to the
point October 24, 2012
get to the point ATLANTIC REGION // PERRY POINT, MD
I’m a 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
FIND US ON FACEBOOK 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
VOL. XVIII, ISSUE 21
Above: (From Left) Justin Brammer, Chris Grandon, Tierra Caldwell, Laura Hazeltine and Jessica Reichmuth, members of Moose 5, in Vermont. On the cover: (Clockwise from top-left) Lina You of Moose 3 in Scoharie, NY; Members of Buffalo 2 at Habitat for Humanity Seven Rivers; Members of Phoenix 4 with STL Brooke Gates in Maine; the back of Raven 3’s 15p prior to departing Perry Point for Round 4.
contents: 3 4 6 7 8 9 10
A Reflection on Appreciation, by Cynthia Maddox-Byrd Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Saladino, Class XVII Bursting the AmeriBubble: National News Announcements / CAP & Media Scoreboard Humor: An NCCC Member Meme Team Shout Outs Team Project Map
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 strengthen 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
Get to the Point
What makes me feel like my work is meaningful? By Cynthia Maddox-Byrd Raven 5 Member
T
o be honest, most days I ask myself this question.
Most of my joy in working everyday for eight hours stems from the praise that we sometimes receive. I feel like it’s shallow to have to wait until someone praises me on a job well done, but I feel like I wouldn’t know otherwise. I start to ask myself if anyone realizes all the hard work we do, and if they appreciate it, and if they do realize it, how long until
down the street, at least they
they forget? I should be able to
noticed. Even if we’re not in
supply my own encouragement,
uniform and we are working on
my own joy, but most of the time I
laptops in the evenings, at least
either can’t or won’t.
they give us comfort in a free cup
It’s hard working eight or more of coffee or a plate of apple fritters. hours doing something that can
When people come up and
strain your mind, body, and
shake our hands, thanking us
sometimes soul. Sometimes I am
constantly, or even a smile or nod
just too tired, but when someone
in our general direction, I know
pauses to thank us, to get to know
that we have touched those people.
a little about us, I smile through
I feel I can keep working, even if it
the tiredness.
is hard work. I can keep going.
Even if it is only a two-minute
At the end of the day, the
conversation, at least they stopped. people and the communities we Even if they honk as they’re driving help make it all worth it.
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Get to the Point
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
A Q&A WITH SAMANTHA SALADINO ATLANTIC CLASS XVII BUFFALO 4
How did you find out about AmeriCorps? I found out about the program when I was on an alternative spring break down in New Orleans and we worked with an AmeriCorps team. My site leader was amazing and he really pushed me to look into it. Funny, though, I completely forgot about it after I applied because I just kept getting wait listed. I didn't think much of it, but one day I got an acceptance email
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for NCCC Class 17. I knew I was meant to go and dropped everything in my life to go after it.
NCCC taught me how to be strong.
What advice would you give to current NCCC members? How did NCCC impact your Keep an open mind. Let life after AmeriCorps? everything happen. Don't force I give back as much as I can. I anything, like I did. Enjoy every am apart of so many organizations moment because it is over before and love to help out. I work for the you know it. If you hate it, suck it Pitch For Kids Fund through the up! I promise it's over soon. Hudson Valley Renegades now, so I Learn something new. Take on get to go after my career in sports a hobby. Learn as much as you can while still giving back all my time to about each other. Be kind to one what I love most: to serve others. another and have fun with cooking. When I tell people about my There are plenty of things you can adventures through NCCC, I make besides rice and beans on a honestly don't believe they think I budget. am telling the truth. It is really Take photos and video. You will funny to look back on my time and look back on them one day and see what I have accomplished and realize how amazing it was. You how strong it has made me. will forget all the bad times, I am now out on my own in the because nobody remembers those world, with my own place, and all and you will see all the wonderful the adult problems it comes with. things you have accomplished. And I can say that AmeriCorps Always remember it only takes NCCC sits strong into why I am the one person to start the change. way I am. I know I can be completely independent and be OK. Continued on Page 5
Get to the Point Continued from Page 4 What advice would you give to current NCCC members? Take a moment half-way through each round, look down at your hands, and think about all you have done with that pair of hands through AmeriCorps. It's actually pretty cool!!! Just enjoy it all. Keep smiling and become a family. What was your favorite aspect of NCCC? I love team building and becoming one. It's a team for a reason. A lot of people lost that by the end of our year, including myself. Looking back on it, that was the only thing I miss most. Having that family the whole time. I loved the PT and military line of it all too. To me that is fun. I always wanted to be a part of the military and I still think about going. Sometimes AmeriCorps showed me how strong I was. What was one of your most interesting projects as a Corps Member? Maine was one of my most interesting projects. We did a lot. We cut trails, built a bridge, ran a haunted house, coached soccer kids, ran an after-school class and went on field trips! We were all over the place. It was fun because we were in such prime location, so close to Arcadia, Bar Harbor and so many hiking trails. It was a beautiful time of year to be a part of Bangor,
“ Take a moment half-way through each round, look down at your hands, and think about all you have done with that pair of hands through AmeriCorps. � Maine and I think our whole team really loved that project.
profits and raising awareness. I am truly excited about this opportunity. Do you have any future Afterwards I plan on coming AmeriCorps plans (as in doing back as a VISTA leader or possibly another year)? If so, what? a NCCC team leader. I believe I Yes, I will be going to VISTA have what it takes to show a group this summer, and after I will be of individuals a wonderful going to become a Vista leader. experience and I do that now. I That is my plan. I will be stationed would love to show an NCCC team down in VA and will be working my skills and be there through all with TAF, planning events for non- their firsts as well.
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Get to the Point
Temporary Employees Sue Wal-Mart
BURSTING THE
AMERIBUBBLE
Reuters News Service
Clark Kent Quits Reporting at the Daily Planet BBC News Alter ego Clark Kent is resigning from the post of star reporter at the Daily Planet, the Metropolis newspaper where he has worked since the first Superman comics were published in the 1940s. DC Comics, which publishes the Superman stories, says Kent will walk out in protest that hard news has given way to too many "soft" entertainment stories. The move has been prompted by the Daily Planet's takeover by a conglomerate. The publisher has hinted that the Man of Steel might even go the way of many journalists and become a blogger, in an effort to get his views across to a wider audience. "Why am I the one sounding like a grizzled ink-stained wretch
who believes news should be about, I don't know, news?" says a disillusioned Kent, according to a leaked panel from Wednesday's edition of the comic that appeared on the Newsarama.com website. New Superman writer Scott Lobdell told USA Today newspaper: "This is really what happens when a 27-year-old guy is behind a desk and he has to take instruction from a larger conglomerate with concerns that aren't really his own."
Illustration by Andy Kuhn
A lawsuit filed Monday accuses Wal-Mart Stores and two staffing agencies of requiring temporary employees to show up early for work, stay late and work through lunch at the world’s largest retailer. The proposed class action, filed in a Chicago federal court, claimed that Wal-Mart and the agencies violated minimum wage and overtime laws, potentially affecting several hundred temporary workers in the Chicago area. Wal-Mart declined to comment immediately, saying it first needed to review the lawsuit. Wal-Mart has faced protests in various American cities lately, and some workers said they planned to walk off the job on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Such actions are being sponsored by groups including a contingent of workers called OUR Walmart that is calling attention to what it says are tough working conditions.
Hurricane Coming, Island Residents Warned; U.S. Could Be Next CNN Blog
Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba are in its Millions of people in the projected path, the National Caribbean are being warned to get Hurricane Center says. ready for a hurricane that's Some areas could see 20 inches expected to strike tomorrow, of rain in the coming days. bringing destructive waves and lifeThe United States might be in threatening mudslides. for a battering as well. Tropical Storm Sandy will be a As Sandy pushes its way hurricane by morning, and northeast, it could brush by Florida
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on Friday, says CNN Meteorologist Dave Hennen. Some forecasts say it could go on to slam the Northeast on Halloween, but other models say Sandy could miss the U.S. entirely. Jamaica is under a hurricane warning. Cuba issued a hurricane watch in several areas, and much of the Bahamas is under a tropical storm watch.
Get to the Point COMMUNITY COUNCIL
EVENTS Monday, Nov. 5, 7pm Zombie Dash (All CCRs)
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7 pm First Floor Kitchen Arts & Crafts (Buffalo CCRs) Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 pm The Village/Outdoors Scary Movie Night (Raven CCRs) Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 pm Field in front of 9H Glow Tag (Moose CCRs) Friday, Nov. 9, 8 pm to Midnight AmeriProm (All CCRs)
COMMUNITY MEETING
ANNOUNCEMENT
The last community meeting will take place on Friday, Nov. 9 from 9 to 11 am. The STLs will run the meeting, which will be titled “The Service Games: Closing Ceremony.” Corps Members are encouraged to supplement their uniforms to be Olympic Athletes.
CAP & MEDIA UPDATES
The Scoreboard Shout-outs, Tips and the weekly progress report. All the info you need to stay on top of your CAP and Media work.
Shout-Outs: Ben Dillon—Again, fantastic job with this week’s “Get to the Point.” I very much like the NCCC member meme. I’ve been wanting to make something like that all year. What do you all think of Ben’s new designs and creations for “Get to the Point?” Post on the Media Hub and Class 18 Group! Moose 3 Media—You just so you are aware, you hold about 42% of the media hits for this round Raven 5’s Lex Ogilvie wears so far! Great work! Let’s see if you can break the CAPR cap for a day at a 50%! recent CAP event.
All my CAPRs—I’m very proud of all the events you have done on your own. Without a CAP Regional Coordinator, and with my composite, I am very encouraged by all your work to spread the word about AmeriCorps NCCC! Reminders: Please submit your headshots for yearbook! As of 9 am Wednesday morning, I have headshots from: Raven 4, Buffalo 4, Moose 4, Raven 2, and Raven 3. If your team is NOT on here, please send these to me ASAP, or if you have already submitted them on the Facebook Media CAP Media Alumni Elected Hub, but you name is Events Hits Events Officials Buffalo 1 5 0 0 0 not on here, PLEASE CALL RIGHT AWAY. Buffalo 2 1 1 0 0 Buffalo 3
5
10
2
0
Buffalo 4
2
3
1
0
Moose 1
3
1
0
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Moose 2
2
1
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Moose 3
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42
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Moose 4
2
9
1
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Moose 5
4
0
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Raven 1
3
7
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Raven 2
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Raven 3
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Raven 4
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Raven 5
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0
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Phoenix 4
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This is your LAST CHANCE to make a difference as a CAP or Media rep. Last chance to spread the word about AmeriCorps NCCC. Young people and average Americans need to know about YOUR hard work. Tell them. Share your stories. Time is running out. Make it happen.
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Get to the Point
AN NCCC MEMBER MEME What My Friends Think I Do
What My Parents Think I Do
What My TL Thinks I Do What Passersby Think I Do
What I Think I Do 8
What I Actually I Do
Get to the Point
SHOUT OUTS! CRSTL “Thanks to Chris Grandon for all his help around the office and helping to complete the graduation certificates.” BUFFALO 2 “As the time is winding down, we are enjoying our time in Delaware! Shout Out to all the units: remember, YOLO! You Only Live Once! Everybody enjoy the rest of Round 4. See you back at the point in a couple of weeks! Shout out to Sami: Good luck at the National MOOSE 4 Aquarium! It’s not the same without “Congratulations to everyone who has you!” made it this far in their service year. It was a tough one. When the 15th of BUFFALO 3 November gets here (and it’s coming “We miss you, Rocky!” real fast) you can look in the mirror and say, I DID IT. You can be proud of BUFFALO 4 yourself, because this was not an easy “Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand, ride. So congrats one more time. You Six Hundred Minutes, carried on the NCCC legacy and you Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand, got things done for America!” Moments so dear, Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand, MOOSE 5 Six Hundred Minutes, “We got your letter, Jessi, and we are How Do You Measure, proud of you! Keep persevering and Measure A Year? having fun!” In Daylights, In Sunsets, In Midnights, In Cups Of Coffee, PHOENIX 4 In Inches, In Miles, “Almost done! Hang in there and keep In Laughter, In Strife? up the good work, N-Trips! See you soon, B3. Love, Rocky.” MOOSE 1 “We are happy to be whole again with RAVEN 1 our TL back in action!” “Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” -Rumi MOOSE 2 “See you soon!” RAVEN 2 “Raven 2 had the honor of passing the MOOSE 3 keys to the homeowners of 8 & 10 “Mr. Cangelosi, can we please have Catherine Street this past week at the our trampoline back?” dedication ceremony. We are very
excited to have seen the transformation of those two homes throughout our project and are looking forward to working at the Ann Street home this week.” RAVEN 4 “Raven 4 is helping to warm up campus for when everyone returns after Round 4! We are glad to be sharing the village with the Nomadic Neanderthals and Buffalo 2. See everyone else soon!”
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Get to the Point
Buffalo 1 Taft— Tunkhannock, PA Buffalo 2 Tomoyo— Wilmington, DE Buffalo 3 Tony— Berlin, VT Buffalo 4 Tiffany— Reisterstown, MD
Phoenix 4 Jessica— Suffolk, VA
Moose 1 Patrick—Portland, ME Moose 2 Megan— York, PA Moose 3 Jami— Schoharie, NY Moose 4 Casey— Philadelphia, PA Moose 5 Toby— Deerfield, NH
Raven 1 Keiper— Marion, MA Raven 2 Davey— Newburgh, NY Raven 3 A.T.— Bridgeport, CT Raven 4 Millena—Kennett Square, PA Raven 5 Dan— Brownsville, PA