Get to the Point March 21, 2012
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication
Get to the Point GET TO THE POINT ATLANTIC REGION, PERRY POINT, MD VOL. XVIII, ISSUE 3
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: MOOSE 1 CLEANS A TRAIL IN PENNSYLVANIA. TOP; LEFT, MOOSE 3 MOVE OLD GAS TANK INTO DUMPSTER ON MINI-SPIKE; RIGHT, M4 STEVEN THOMAS PRACTICES WITH A DRIP TOUCH AT FIRE TRAINING. BOTTOM; LEFT, R5 OLIVER DOUGHERTY DECONSTRUCTING A ROOF OF AN OLD OUTHOUSE; MIDDLE, M1 BOOTS; RIGHT, B2 TOMOYO KURIYAMA SHOWS OFF HER FISH.
Some of the girls from Buffalo 1 grab a quick pic together during Team Reveal outside of Minker Hall
3 STRIKING BACK AT INVASIVES by Buffalo 1
4 MOOSE 2 ATTENDS HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT 4 DERNARD’S “TOO-DOGGONE-EASY” EXCERCISE TIP 5 MEDICAL POLICY UPDATES by Laura Tuck
VIDEO & PHOTO CONTEST
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NEW CAP COORDINATOR
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SHOUT OUTS
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AMERIMAP
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ALUNMI SPOTLIGHT
7 A TEAM HELPS THEIR LEARDER by Jeremy Exell
8 NEW DEADLINES FOR PRESS RELEASES
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
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QUICKIES
by Tristan Fowler
9 POISON IVY WARNING 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
Get to the Point Team spotlight - Buffalo 1
Striking back at invasives BUFFALO 1, WITH SOME HELP FROM THE LOCAL VOLUNTEERS OF ARDEN, DE, has successfully saved over 300 trees in Sunnyside forest of Arden. The forty-year-old forest is being overrun with invasive species such as English Ivy, Multi-Floral Rose and Japanese Honeysuckle. In the city of Arden, the forest makes up a half of the local area. The community of Arden has already begun work on removal of the ivy with different initiatives known as “Ivy Parties,” which is a gathering of local volunteers who help clear out the ivy around Arden homes, and their “kNOw IVY” program. Elaine Schmerling, our site supervisor, leads Buffalo 1 in the efforts to help save the old forest and return it back to its healthy state of life. The sponsors chain-sawed and stump-treated – a technique of brushing a highly concentrated herbicide on the stumps of large ivy vines to prevent it from growing back – while the rest of the team used loppers to pull and cut vines from the endangered trees.
Lydia Boote chops up invasives with the feared loppers of doom.
After half a week, the team split up into two different squads to get even more work done. Debra, Grace, John and Katee were part of Squad Alpha with Lydia as their squad leader. Squad Bravo consisted of Hannah, Edward, and Jeremy, which is led by Gregory. Our Team Leader Taft is working with stump treatments and catching trees that people may have missed.
The team has worked with invasive species during Mini-Spike at an estuarine in the Dover area of Delaware. With the help of their sponsor Charlie, they were able to clear out a large variety of invasive plants much like the ones in Arden such as Multi-Floral Rose, Wine Berry and Japanese Honeysuckle. Now seeing that they are working something similar but now on a larger scale, Buffalo 1 is set and ready to go to work to help save the forests of Arden. Along with the new spike that Buffalo 1 received, they also got to be the first team to work in Arden and the new sponsors. All the great sponsors welcomed Buffalo 1 and all the help that the team has offered. The sponsors provide plenty of water, food and opportunities to see and learn the town’s history, and made the work more fun, enjoyable and more meaningful to everyone on the team. The trees are grateful for all the help, and the ivy runs in fear of the loppers, which will seal their final demise. Although the invasive species fight back with honor to survive, the loppers and the trees win the much needed battle. With the reachable goal of saving 1000 trees by the end of their threeweeks, Buffalo 1 has already hit more than a third of their goal and surveyed over half their section of the forest. With the experience of removing invasive species in both Arden and Dover, Buffalo 1 is now suited up to help remove almost any form of invasive plant. Whether it is in rain or sun, snow or heat, they are ready for action in any work that lies ahead of them. Only once the job is done, they can set out and start a new task, but not before they can chant out and do a “stampede,” because they are Buffalo 1 Grace Hahm mashes multi-floral rose with her might gloves. Buffalo 1 has already and are getting things done! saved over 300 trees from the deadly invasive species. 3
Get to the Point From the blog
Anaisa assists with historic announcement On March 13, Anaisa, 20, from Silver City, New Mexico stood in the front row with her AmeriCorps NCCC team, Moose 2, during the historic FEMA Corps announcement in Washington, D.C. “I felt like the face of AmeriCorps NCCC and not just in the background somewhere,” says Anaisa about the press conference experience. Reflecting back on her first time experience and her expectations, Anaisa said the press conference room wasn’t that big, but with big named media outlets like CNN asking questions from the second row, the room felt much bigger. Anaisa and her teammates met a variety of AmeriCorps and FEMA officials, including the Acting CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service, Robert Velasco, II, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "She’s a good person, a good political figure and very down to Earth," Anaisa said of Secretary Napolitano. Anaisa said it was an honor to stand beside the secretary because she has been a role model for her as a strong political figure and woman. “I think it (the FEMA Corps) is a good idea to get young people involved, because they are the voice of the future,” Anaisa said. FEMA Corps will create a new unit of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) whose members will be devoted solely to FEMA disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The new partnership will eventually provide for a full service corps of 1,600 members annually who will be an additional workforce in support of FEMA’s current disaster reserve workforce. NCCC campuses in Vicksburg, Mississippi and Vinton, Iowa will be the first campuses to start the new 480 FEMA Corps members in the summer of 2012. Overall, Anaisa is both a bit excited and a bit anxious about the new partnership. She is excited about what it can do for the country and in particular young people. “I’m interested in signing up for it” Anaisa said. “It’s a step forward.” For those interested in applying for the new FEMA Corps, visit here: www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/americorpsnccc_femacorps.asp DERNARD’S “TOO DOG-GONE EASY” EXERCISE TIP
PROTECT YOUR FEET how to prevent injury when in your boots all day CALF STRECH
TOE SPREAD
CALF DROPS
For this stretch, you want to lean against a wall, with one foot in front of the other. Your hips should be square, and your heels should be down. Keep your torso straight or even lean slightly backwards. Bend the knee of your leg closest to the wall, and “sit” into the stretch. You should feel the stretch in your calf. Hold for 30 seconds then switch.
This is an excellent stretch to help to improve balance and range of motion. It will help you to relax the small muscles in-between your toes. To do this stretch, you should sit in a chair, and wrap a rubber band around all your toes. Double if necessary for more resistance. Spread your toes wide and hold for 10 seconds. Do this for 10 times on each foot. Do this about three times a week.
This will help to strengthen your calf muscles and protect your tendons around your ankle. To do this stretch and exercise, find a step at your spike housing, and stand on just the balls of your toes. With both feet still on the stair, lift up for a calf raise. This will improve muscle. Then on one foot, drop your heel down to below the step. You should feel a nice stretch in your calf. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
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Get to the Point Health and wellness corner
Must read: important medical policies by Laura Tuck Health care is essential to all members of the NCCC program. You are responsible for your own health and welfare while serving. Limited health coverage is offered by the NCCC program to ensure that we are able to provide the basic care for you. If you have additional primary insurance or are still on your parents’ insurance, then you must provide that information FIRST to the attending physician when seeking care. Seven Corners Humana Choice Care will serve as your secondary health insurance coverage. All bills associated with any health care coverage can be discussed with the counselor or the Member Support Specialist (formally, Vivian Newstate). The MSS will work with you to clear up any confusion that may occur in your billing. The MSS can also assist you in calling the network if payment has been denied. All “Release of Information” forms must be returned to the counselor after care. The “Release of Information” form serves as the network claim form and this is how the health care provider is paid by Seven Corners. All care not associated with or covered by Seven Corners/Humana Choice Care must be approved prior to care if not an emergency. You are responsible for checking the status of your claim. Use your Seven Corners ID card and log information to check statuses of claims, find network providers, etc. and to manage your health benefits upon entry to the NCCC. Log into my plan at: https://myplan.sevencorners.com/default.login.cfm Members are responsible for making doctors’ appointments using the Seven Corners Humana Choice Care Coverage network. For more information call this number or visit this Web site for the Seven Corners/Humana Choice Care Network: 1-866-699-4186
www.americorps.sevencorners.com
What’s up doc? How to make a medical appointment You are responsible for making appointments based upon your own medical needs. You are authorized to use your team leader’s phone if you do not have a cell phone. When making appointments with a physician it is imperative that you try and work around your daily work schedule and coordinate these times with your team leader. If knowing that you are making a medical appointment, check with your team leader first to see if morning or afternoon appointments would work best based upon the weekly schedule. You are required to have your NCCC ID card and Seven Corners card when arriving at the appointment. You may not use another member’s insurance card. Following your doctor’s visit, the physician must fill out the NCCC “Request for Information” form and you must return it to your team leader. Your doctor must place any restrictions that you have on this form as well as any recommended follow-up visits needed. Failure to have this form completed may result in you missing the follow-up appointment. All follow up visits must be coordinated with your team leader who will then inform you of the shuttle time if back at the Point or the time that they will take you to your appointment on spike. If in need of a specialist and/or surgery, please inform your team leader and your unit leader along with the counselor who will coordinate and make the necessary appointments. In some cases, specialized care may not be able to be accommodated at the Point. The member will be advised by the Region Director and Counselor who will coordinate medical leave procedures with the unit leader.
Don’t delay on tooth decay! Understanding your dental coverage Seven Corners does not offer nor provide dental care coverage. There is no coverage plan for dental cleanings, x-rays or exams. The provider does cover “emergency alleviation of pain” in the area that is affected. If your dentist has indicated that additional teeth may be in need of extraction, this must be coordinated through your own provider. It does not fall under “emergency alleviation of pain” If you decide to proceed with the dentist’s recommendation of extra extraction of teeth or any other dental correction, you must be prepared to provide all associated cost to your dentist through your medical provider and you must negotiate treatment cost when necessary. NCCC is not responsible for the travel or transportation cost when accommodating your additional appointments that have NOT been deemed as a dental emergency. When on spike, Members will use the Seven Corners/Humana Choice Care network at 1-866-6994186 to locate an area dentist in the event of an emergency dental issue.
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Get to the Point
Severe storms and floods hit south-central US OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Storms shuffled through parts of the southcentral United States again Tuesday, bringing more heavy rain, damaging winds and thunder so loud some people in Oklahoma mistook it for an earthquake. Forecasters said the slow-moving storm system that socked the region Monday could cause more flash floods, hail, strong winds and possibly tornadoes in a corridor stretching from Texas east to Louisiana and as far north as Missouri. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for parts of Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, though the watch in the latter states expired by Tuesday evening. Two tornadoes in the San Antonio area injured at least eight people and damaged about 30 buildings Monday. A twister injured four people and damaged homes near North Platte, Neb., on Sunday. In central Arkansas, strong winds Tuesday afternoon caused extensive damage in the town of Morrilton and contributed to at least one injury when a tree fell on a home, authorities said.
UNITED NATIONS DEMANDS SYRIA TO SUPPORT PEACE MOVES; VIOLENCE ERUPTS AMMAN (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council, including Russia, agreed on Wednesday to a statement endorsing efforts by Kofi Annan to end the Syrian uprising, providing a rare moment of global unity in the face of the year-long crisis. The statement, which threatens Syria with unspecified "further steps" if it fails to comply with a six-point peace plan drawn up by Annan, will be formally adopted in New York later in the day, diplomats said. Although the original Western-drafted statement had to be diluted at Russia's demand, editing out any specific ultimatums, the fact that all major powers signed up to the proposal represented a blow to President Bashar al- Assad, who is fighting for his survival. At least 8,000 people have died in the revolt, according to U.N. figures, with the violence intensifying in recent weeks as pro-government forces bombard rebel towns and villages, looking to sweep their lightly armed opponents out of their strongholds. 6
PRES. OBAMA USES SIGN LANGUAGE DURING IMPROMPTU GREETING WITH STUDENT President Obama was shaking hands with supporters after an energy policy event on March 15 with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley when he had an impromptu sign language exchange with a deaf man . The exchange was captured on video by a 26-yearold Prince George's Community College student named Stephon, who is deaf. As Obama made his way down the line of supporters, Stephon used American Sign Language to tell the president, "I am proud of you." Obama momentarily paused at the unexpected greeting, but he quickly responds by signing, "Thank you." A second deaf student then signs, "I love you." Obama smiles back at the student and shakes her hand before continuing down the line. "When I shook his hand it did not feel like he was superior to me," Stephon said. "He was just a humble man.�
Get to the Point Alumni spotlight
At times, a team needs to help their leader Jeremy Exell, was a Corps member on Eagle 3 for Class XIV and a Team Leader on Raven 6 for Class XV here at Perry Point. How did you hear about AmeriCorps NCCC? I heard about AmeriCorps Jeremy, center, works with his team in Louisiana. While there he made many friends NCCC from two sources. First my with other Corps members from around the country. dad told me I should check it out, and then a co-worker at my restaurant came back from a year of service at Perry Point and he had nothing but good things to say. I had a college degree, a dead-end job at a college food joint, and no idea what to do with my life. So I decided to give NCCC a shot. What was your most memorable moment in NCCC? There are two moments that impacted me in my time of service. The first was just how it felt staying in the volunteer camps down south in New Orleans and Biloxi. Coming home after a long day, seeing volunteers of all ages along with NCCC teams from Denver, Sacramento, and Perry Point was just really amazing. It really helped to make me realize how big a community we are all really a part of and how awesome a community it is. The second moment was at the very end of my second year. My team was working in Baltimore for our last project. Coincidentally, the submarine my grandfather served on in WWII was docked right outside the aquarium and there was a service day on the sub that my Dad and Grandfather were attending. I had travel plans already and couldn't attend the service day, which really broke my heart, but my team went in my place. My grandpa sent me a letter a few weeks later telling me how much that meant to him and how my team restored his faith in our generation through their selflessness. I've never been more proud of a group of people in my life and will carry that memory with me forever. What are you doing now? Right now I'm in Washington DC managing an AmeriCorps program for Reading Partner, a non-profit that strengthens reading skills and lowers illiteracy.
Know someone who’d make a great Team Leader? Deadlines for TL applications are April 1 at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at: americorps.gov/nccc
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Get to the Point
CAP Regional Coordinator is ready for action The CAP Regional Coordinator position has been filled, and we are excited to announce that Chelsea Pennucci from Raven 5 will be taking the lead this round! Her role is to assist the Community Relations Office in coordinating and setting up large CAP events with our recruitment partners in the northeast Maryland, Delaware, and Philadelphia area. Expect her to be contacting your CAP reps in this area either by phone or by e-mail with upcoming CAP events. Her role will be very similar to how your Project Outreach Liaison (or POL) works for your team. While CAP events are the CAP reps responsibility to find and set up, we want to properly coordinate these events so each team has a chance to work with our partners. Bottom-line: Chelsea is the main contact person for recruitment partners in these areas. Before you contact them, contact her.
Cap and Media corner
New deadlines for press releases by Tristan Fowler, CRSTL Your teams hometown press release must be sent to your teammates’ hometown media outlets by Friday, March 23. Your teams project press release must be sent out to your community or project media outlets by Friday, March 30. In the future, press releases must be sent out one week after they are due to be submitted to the Google Portal. It will match this round in the future (i.e., Hometown press release were due on March 16 and the send out due date was March 23, or one week later). Along with this, media reps must keep a record of how they send out these releases. For example: if they send an e -mail to a newspaper, keep the e-mail; if you send a fax to a radio station, keep the fax cover sheet; if you call a TV station, write down the time, date and who you spoke with. Just like holding onto a receipt from a large purchase, keep a record of your communication. The reason for this new deadline is so that all campuses across the country can be coordinated and have a set procedure for sending these out. I want to thank the media reps and Team Leaders in advance for your flexibility and understanding. Competition
AmeriCorps video contest Looking for a chance to show off your photo skills? Wanna impress the nation with you amazing editing? How about winning $4,000? AmeriCorps is sponsoring a contest for the best photo and 60-second video that fits the 2012 theme of “AmeriCorps Works.” This theme provides an overarching framework to communicate AmeriCorps triple bottom line return on investment -- for the recipients of service, the people who serve, and the larger community and nation. Any current or former Corps member can submit their work. Deadline for submissions is July 1st.
Sam McKenzie and Tristan Fowler are excited The judges are looking for bold, creative, and exciting videos and pictures to help edto give Chelsea the chance to ucate the public about AmeriCorps and inspire them to join! build and show her leaderThe winners will be announced on Sept. 14. First place prize for the video contest is ship. You may her contact at $4,000 and $1,000 for second place. First place prize for the photo contest is $2,000 and americorpsnccc.raven5 $500 for second place. For a complete listing of rules and guidelines visit, @gmail.com americorpsvideo.challenge.gov/ or americorpsphoto.challenge.gov/ 8
Get to the Point
SCRATCH OUT POISON IVY There are various reports coming ber the old saying, “Leaves of three, let in that Poison Ivy (the plant, not the it be.” And finally, check out these evil Batman villain) has been attacking helpful links from Laura Tuck: our Corps members. Don’t let it hapcdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/ pen to you! wikihow.com/Prevent-GettingWhen working outdoors wear Poison-Ivy-or-Poison-Oak long-sleeve shirts and pants. Remem-
RAVEN 2 - THIS WEEK EDGAR LEARNED HOW TO AIR SEAL AN ATTIC SPACE, CALCULATE R VALUES, MEASURE STORM WINDOWS AND ENJOYED FRESH BAKED GOODS WITH HOMEOWNERS. HE IS LOVING MAINE AND HIS TIME WITH RAVEN 2. HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO ONE MORE WEEK UP NORTH BEFORE EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY SOUTH TO ANOTHER RAVEN TEAM FOR NEW ADVENTURES. MOOSE 1: MISS U GREEN TEAM! MOOSE 3: BEST WISHES TO JARED KARP AND THE REST OF THE FIREFIGHTERS!
BUFFALO 2 - B2 SURVIVED OUR FIRST WEEK AT RACCOON CREEK STATE PARK WITH NO TICK BITES OR RACCOON ATTACKS… YET. ALEX: MAKE US PROUD BY SHOWING PHOENIX 1 WHAT A MEMBER OF B2 CAN DO! BUFFALO 4 - BEST WISHES TO ALL THE TEAMS, B4 MISSES YOU!!
RAVEN 4 - TIP FOR TEAMS: RAVEN 4 STARTED A VENT WALL THIS WEEK IN OUR SPIKE HOUSING! GRAB A FEW STICKY NOTEPADS AND DESIGNATE ONE HALF OF A WALL AS POSITIVES AND THE OTHER HALF AS NEGATIVES. THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR YOUR TEAM TO VENT ABOUT ALL OF THE GREAT WORK YOU’RE DOING, POST INSIDE JOKES AND QUOTES, QUICK “PICK ME UPS” FOR FELLOW TEAM MATES, AND EVEN YOUR DOWN PARTS OF THE DAY. ENJOY THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE!
RAVEN 1- THE TEAM IS HAVING A GREAT TIME AT WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WITH ITS MUSEUM CENTER BUT ESPECIALLY THE GARDENS WHERE WE HAVE ENJOYED SPENDING OUR FREE TIME AND PT. BUT THE BEST DAY WAS SATURDAY WHEN WE WERE REUNITED WITH THE REST OF OUR TEAM. WE SPENT THAT NIGHT DANCING, LAUGHING, AND DOING OUR HIGH AND LOWS OF THE PAST WEEK. NOW THAT EVERYONE IS FINALLY TOGETHER, IT REMINDS US THAT TOGETHER WE TRULY R1 - SKYLAR WODKE
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Phoenix 1 Evan— Suffolk, VA
Raven 5 Dan— Northeast, MD
Raven 4 Millena— Wilmington, DE
Raven 3 A.T.— Montague, NJ
Raven 2 Davey— Bath, ME
Raven 1 Keiper— Wilmington, DE
Moose 5 Toby— Wilmington, DE
Moose 4 Casey— Newark, DE
Moose 3 Jami— Baltimore, MD
Moose 2 Megan— Baltimore, MD
Moose 1 Patrick— Benton, PA
Buffalo 4 Taft — Orefield, PA
Buffalo 3 Tony— W Springfield, MA
Buffalo 2 Tomoyo— Hookstown, PA
Buffalo 1 Taft— Edgemoor, DE
Get to the Point