NCCC Atlantic Region's Get to the Point- Issue 17

Get totothe Get thePoint Point August 22, 2012 20,Publication 2012 An NCCCSeptember Atlantic Region

Get to the Point GET TO THE POINT ATLANTIC REGION, PERRY POINT, MD VOL. XVIII, ISSUE 17

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- Occopocho, Honey Badger and Hydra 33, prepared to get things done while on disaster! Top Left: Kelcy Engstrom and Colleen Shulte sharing tender moment at the health fair.

Top Right: Phoenix 4 walks the line on their first burn together.

Bottom Left: Melinda Long and Justin Brammer spreading the word at a DC CAP event. Bottom Center: Edward Schultz, Tierra Caldwell and Kateri Gruber walking through the airport on their disaster deployment. Bottom Right: Monique Cruz, Raven 4, releasing a bird after learning how to band it. Get it, Girl!

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

3. “The Impacts We Make”

By Ally Ramirez

4. A Q and A with a Playworks Program Associate 5. Staff Announcements/Photo Bubble Contest

SCOREBOARD

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AMERIBUBBLE

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SHOUT OUTS

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AMERIMAP

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Alumni Spotlight

6. That Ron, He’s So Hot Right Now

Featuring Ron Wheaton, By Alice Peterson and Cecilia Quillin

7. “Here’s a Little Pat on the Back”

By Moose 4

This issue has been brought to you by Robert Russo-Tucker and Melinda Long, Composite Capybara 1

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

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 disaster spotlight

The Impacts We Make

By Ally Ramirez

When joining AmeriCorps getting to go on disaster was going to be the icing on the cake of my service year, something I had hoped for since February.

So when it was finally confirmed the second time that we would be getting deployed to the South, text messages and phone calls traveled across 9H and Facebook statuses were updated within minutes. As I packed my good old red bag a rush of excitement ran throughout my body as I didn’t know what to expect down South. Then suddenly a flow of questions crossed my mind, “Would we be staying in shelters or hotels? How long would we be down there? What would we be doing?” All were questions that could not be anDisaster Composite Honey Badger swered until we were actually down South. Talk about an anxious plane The next few days were full of traveling ride! to Hattiesburg, Mississippi and orientations at the American Red Cross My plane seat was between Jessica Headquarters. We were all placed in Johnson and Cody Hanke, two familiar dorms at the University of Southern faces. When we landed in Atlanta, Mississippi. The team of 28 of us was Georgia I looked at the flight itinerary, soon split up into three individual our next plane took off at 8:30pm, the teams, Ashley leading Hydra 33, Oliver current time was 7:50pm and we were leading Octopocho and my team of seated in the very last row of the plane.

Honey Badgers lead by Miss Lydia.

Just our luck! What felt like a century later we were off the plane, now not As we arrived at the headquarters for only were we at the biggest, busiest our first work day we all felt very welairport in the U.S but we also had no comed. People would see us in the “A” idea where we were going. So there and would say things like “Yay Ameriyou have Jessica, Cody and me runCorps here!” or “We’re in good hands ning and sprinting around the airport now!” It felt really good to have people together, NO MAN LEFT BEHIND! who have never even met you before We get to our gate all out of breath (me applaud you for the work you do. I realizing how out of shape I was!) and guess when people think AmeriCorps what do you know, we missed our they think a team of strong dedicated flight. But that didn’t stop us from men and women who are here to get smiling, in fact we were laughing. things done. Which is exactly who we Luckily Lydia was there to come to our were. Eventually the first assignment rescue and we were all on the next for the Honey Badgers was handed out flight to Memphis, Tennessee. This all and we headed to Pascagoula to help felt like one big scavenger hunt and with bulk distribution. When we arwhen we finally arrived at the shelter rived the ball was already up and rollwe would stay the night at, it was aling. We weren’t really given any inmost 1am and everyone was beyond struction on what to do but we could exhausted. just see what was going on and what

needed to be done so we jumped right in and started helping. Within minutes shirts were full of sweat and I was hot and bothered! But as I was making clean up kits for families I realized it didn’t matter what the temperature was, this wasn’t about me or my needs.

I looked around and seen compassionate helpful hands of all ages coming together to help their community and those families who needed it most. It was about them.

Now for the 28 of us who were down on disaster and are wondering why I didn’t mention all the “hurry up and waiting” that occurred, well it’s simple, because that stuff did not matter.

What matters most are the hands that we did lend, the lives that we did touch and the impacts that we did make, big or small. Just know that I am inspired by each and every one of you. It’s great to know that we did care, we did show up and we did try, we realized it wasn’t about us, it was about them. I am thankful to be part of a generation of smart, dedicated, ambitious, young men and woman who believe they have the power to change the world and make it a better one.

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Get to the Point

Playworks Q&A Panel Questions: Sunanda, Playworks Q: Tell us your name, position, organization and favorite hand tool?

Sunanda Pou, Program Associate, Playworks, gel pens Q: What is your agency tagline and what’s the idea behind it?

Mission: To improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. We serve our lower income communities through our national direct service program, but also provide a training component. We want everyone to know that "Everyone can be a Playworks school" Q: Tell us about the scope and size of your agency or program?

We currently have 10 office staff members, 11 AmeriCorps members, and 13 staff Program Coordinators, All together 33 staff members in the Baltimore office. Playworks, as a national non-profit, currently serves 23 cities Nationwide and in Baltimore we serve 24 schools.

Q: Is your office culture tuck in or tuck out?

TUCK OUT! We wear what we would want to play in! We are what we call a "Playful Professional," we bring play and work in one place! Judge free practice.

Q: Can you tell us about any positions currently available and any key skills necessary?

We are always hiring for Program Coordinators both AC members and staff. To distinguish, how we are between AmeriCorps members and staff - usually first year recess coaches are AmeriCorps members. After the AC slots are filled is when we hire for staff positions, but that is usually filled by 2nd year coaches. However, we usually hire for the school year. That process begins early April. Although, each city is different so it depends on which city you apply with.

We are looking for individuals that love kids and passionate about providing a safe and organized recess.

Q: How does a person apply for your career positions?

Playworks.org Apply online! We are also always looking for interns and volunteers!

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Q: Tell us about the benefits offered to national service members?

About $21,000 plus the $5,500 education award (depending on the amount of years that you have served as a member) upon completion of 1700 hours, health insurance, Playworks t-shirts, no relocation.

Q: How does a person apply for your national service positions?

Playworks.org. Online Application. Tips: Thoughtful answers to the questions asked on the application because maybe you don't have much experience with kids, but your passion for working for kids will show through your answers.

Q: What general professional advice would you offer? Or tell us how you got started in your role?

Just keep applying to jobs in fields that you want to work in. Really try to narrow down your field and what you want to do. Research organizations that you want to work with, don't settle. You will be discouraged, but it takes time. If you put in the time, it will all be worth it! I started as an intern for the National Training department and after learning what Playworks was and its mission, I knew I wanted to stay with the organization so I applied internally.

I did get some rejections during this process, so its not always easy this way nor is it a guaranteed job, but like I said, hard work pays off, just be patient. :) I really recommend interning - good way to learn the tricks of the trade.

Get to the Point

Staff Announcements AWARDS BANQUET- WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 REQUIRED ATTENDANCE: YES DATE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2012 TIME: AFTERNOON, 2pm to 4:30pm LOCATION: TBD – CONTRACTING BID PROCESS PAYMENT: CORPS MEMBERS ARE FREE, ALL GUESTS (CHILDREN INCLUDED) MUST PAY A COST PER PERSON PAYMENT AMOUNT: TBD WITH CONTRACT PAYMENT METHOD: TBD WITH CONTRACT – IT WILL BE HANDLED SEPARATELY FROM NCCC. THE WAY TO PAY WILL BE PROVIDED AS THE DATE APPROACHES RSVP DEADLINE: THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT– FRIDAY, NOV 9 AT 4:30 PM EST, NO EXCEPTIONS...

CORPS ROLES: CORPS SPEAKER IS NEEDED – TEAM LEADER OR CORPS MEMBER. FIVE MINUTES TO EIGHT MINUTES IN LENGTH. SUBMIT TEXT TO SMCKENZIE@CNS.GOV ADDITIONAL AWARDS BANQUET Q&A ATTIRE: NOT UNIFORM. MORE DETAILS COMING OUTSIDE FOOD & DRINK: NOT PERMITTED SEATING ARRANGEMENTS: BANQUET ROUNDS OF TEN, ASSIGNED BY TEAMS WITH GUESTS SITTING WITH TEAMS WHERE POSSIBLE MENU: TBD WITH CONTRACT, VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE GRADUATION CEREMONY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 REQUIRED ATTENDANCE: YES DATE: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 TIME: TBD, ANYTIME BETWEEN MORNING AND AFTERNOON LOCATION: TBD, WITHIN 1 HOUR OF THE NCCC ATLANTIC REGION CAMPUS REHEARSAL: YES, THE DAY PRIOR, SIMILAR TO INDUCTION WITH THE ADDITION OF WALKING ACROSS THE STAGETO RECEIVE CERTIFICATES. EVERY MEMBER WILL HAVE THEIR NAME CALLED ATTIRE: FORMALS – CLEAN, IRONED, BOOTS FREE OF DIRT, NCCC LAPEL PIN CORPS ROLES: CORPS SPEAKER IS NEEDED, TYPICALLY A CORPS MEMBER, FIVE MINUTES – SEND TEXT TO SMCKENZIE@CNS.GOV

PHOTO CAPTION CONTEST Write in what you think Jason is thinking here in this photo, send in your captions, and the best ones will be featured in Get to the Point!

Any questions?

Contact CRSTL Tristan Fowler at crstlatlantic@gmail.com

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Get to the Point .Alumni spotlight

That Ron, He’s So Hot Right Now Ron was a Corps Member on Silver 2, Class XVI in Sacramento, CA

By Cecelia Quillin and Alice Peterson What did you do and where did you go in your AmeriCorps year?

Rounds one and two: We went to Salt Lake City for a month and worked at a Food Bank. We worked at the Sacramento Zoo for chain saw and wildlife training. Then we went to Vashon Island, where we stayed at a Campfire camp and cleared one of their buildings and areas around it.

Working at the Sacramento Zoo

Ron Wheaton, third from the left, with Silver 2

hour was destroyed, so we spent all day clearing trees and stacking wood so the public could use the trails. On our way back we could see people enjoying the trail, biking and running and so on.

It was a really cool moment.

What was your favorite moment?

What really stands out was the work in the forest. We had no direct action with the community. There was this huge storm and everything within an 6

To do community service. Travel outside of the realm in my home state, Michigan. It has opened my eyes to what is possible in the world and what Iʼm capable of.

Now I know I can work 18 hours a day and how to problem solve with my Did you ever team. I realize now even in my daily want to quit? life I approach things differently. Being Nope. I never had a dirty is okay *laughs* and appearance moment where I doesn’t matter as much. wanted to quit.

How was your day?

Rounds three and four: We worked in Plumas National Forest in Northern California. I was on a fuels reduction team doing burns. This was also my favorite round because it was just a combination of everything. We had a really cool sponsor and site supervisor, Marv. My team worked really well together. We lived in barracks, a house with four or five rooms and a full kitchen/ living room.

What has AmeriCorps has taught you?

Anything you would do differently?

It was really good! I got my bike fixed and I got a good deal. I’m eating ice cream and hanging out with friends.

I wouldn’t get involved with a girl on campus *laughs* What are you doing now?

I graduated from Community college.

AmeriCorps helped me to realize what I wanted to go into, environmental work. I would like to come back as a team leader at some point.

Would you recommend AmeriCorps?

Yes! I recommended it to you. (Cecelia Quillin)

Ron on one of his burns

Get to the Point Moose 4 shares their thoughts on fourth round, and the upcoming end of our service year.

Here’s a Little Pat on the Back

We’ve made it folks, it’s round four. The last beginning; the spike we thought might never come. Looking back at my journal entries from CTI, I laugh because I can sense an underlying tone of fear and trepidation in my writing: Ten months. TEN MONTHS?! This sounds like a lifetime when I only have one day under my belt…

It was completely reasonable to have the thoughts of, “What the heck am I doing here? Is this what I thought it was going to be?” I don’t believe I was the only person in the Corps to ask themselves these questions at least once. In retrospect, is this what I thought I was getting myself into? My answer is both yes and no. Did I think I’d help struggling communities, befriend total strangers, live in the middle of nowhere, and feel good about this work? Totally. But did I consider that I might hate parts of a project, loathe in cadence and 6am PT, clean up after teammates, or have a limit on the number of granola bars I can eat… definitely not.

But you roll with it, and that is why we are still here. Something has kept each of us going through our lowest times in AmeriCorps.

Whether it has been the anticipation of a Phoenix round, prospect of being a TL, the education award, a special confidant, or a project that you’ve believed in, as a Corps, we’re almost done and we should be proud of that.

The light at the end of the tunnel is brighter, almost tangible at this point. This is just a mini hoorah from a fellow peer. Keep the adventure going strong for the next seven weeks.

And cheers to us for escaping the ordinary, even if it was only for a little while.

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Get to the Point 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: M3, M4 and R1 start the round with a BANG! Way to go guys, keep it up! Special recognition to the Hurricane Isaac composites for managing to get 4 media hits while on disaster. No fourth round fatigue, let’s finish the year strong!

CAP Events

Media Hits

Alumni Events

Elected Officials

Buffalo 1 Buffalo 2 Buffalo 3

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B3 - Stay ahead of work and local media

Moose 3

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B4 - Pictures and photo-tweets

Moose 4

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Moose 5 Raven 1

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M3 - Blog, video and WSJ

Raven 4

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M4- TV, radio, video and Get to the Point article

Raven 5

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M5 - Radio

Phoenix 4

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Hurricane Isaac Composites Rutabaga 1

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Super 6

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Dream Team Supreme Sufi Surfers

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R3 –Traditional media hits, videos and veterans

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R4– Videos

Ah ah ah! Get those hits!

Hey media kittens! Remember, this round is your very own Choose Your Own Adventure.

Just a refresher, here is what each team committed to: B1 - Hometown media hits and videos B2 - TV, radio and video media hits

M1 - NPR, personal team member outreach videos M2 - Editorial/opinion piece

R1 - Special event media hits R2 - Traditional media hits - hometown press releases

R5 - TBD 8

Get to the Point

US ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack

By Hadeel Al Shalchi | Reuters – Wed, Sep 12, 2012

BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Libya and three embassy staff were killed in an attack on the Benghazi consulate and a safe house refuge, stormed by Islamist gunmen blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.Gunmen had attacked and set fire to the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi, the cradle of last year's uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule, late on Tuesday evening as another assault was mounted on the U.S. embassy in Cairo. California-born ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed in the assault, but it was not clear how or where he died. U.S. consular staff were rushed to a safe house after the initial attack, Libya's Deputy Interior Minister Wanis Al-Sharif said. An evacuation plane with U.S. commandos units then arrived from Tripoli to evacuate them from the house. "It was supposed to be a secret place and we were surprised the armed groups knew about it. There was shooting," Sharif said. Two U.S. personnel were killed there, he said. Two other people were killed at the main consular building and between 12 and 17 wounded. The attack raised questions about the future U.S. diplomatic presence in Libya, relations between Washington and Tripoli, the unstable security situation in post-Gaddafi Libya and whether more protests might erupt in the Muslim world over the film. The amateurish film, promoted by a U.S. pastor, portrayed Mohammad as a fool, a philanderer and a religious fake. In one clip posted on YouTube, Mohammad was shown in an apparent sex act with a woman. For many Muslims it is blasphemous to depict the Prophet and the incident had echoes of the publication in a Danish newspaper of cartoons that touched off riots in the Middle East, Africa and Asia in 2006 in which at least 50 people died.U.S. President Barack Obama, whose administration supported the Libyan insurgency with funds, weapons and training, branded the killing an "outrageous attack" and ordered increased security at U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide.

Gwen Stefani is back with No Doubt AFP Relax – Tue, Sep 11, 2012 In an exclusive interview, Gwen Stefani told The Sun that her band No Doubt never split up in spite of an 11-year hiatus between album releases, and that she isn't keen on going solo again. She confides that going solo was not the best experience: "It's such a vulnerable situation to put yourself in. And I never need to do that or want to do it again. I'm happy being in No Doubt. And it's nice to have a record where there's no fat on it."

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Gwen Stefani released two solo albums -Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004) and The Sweet Escape (2006), produced respectively

by Dr. Dre and The Neptunes -- during the 11 -year period when all four No Doubt band members took time off from the studio to start families. The California rockers sold more than 45 million records globally and hope to repeat the feat with their next one, Push & Shove (Universal), which is set to hit stores on September 24. Its first single, "Settle Down," was revealed to the general public a couple of weeks ago. This winter, No Doubt is launching a world tour that will take the band to Europe, but no details about the tour have been announced yet.

Get to the Point Moose 3: This goes out to Robert, Melinda, and Ja’Lissa: Baby come back! You can blame it all on me.

Raven 2: Raven 2 wishes Moose 4 a fantastic time in Philly. “It’s great to be alive!” Raven 2 has been learning how to put up siding on a home this past week. We are getting quite good at “may-sure -ments.”

Moose 2: York Habitat is wonderful! We were almost kicked out of our housing though! MOOSE DEUCE!

Raven 1: Mikey Q- get ready for veggie heaven and the compost toilet, stay away from UBP’s. Jerbear- we miss your bearded magic. Raven One has peace like a river.

Buffalo 4: Shoutout to the NEWEST Field Team Leaders, especially Buffalo V & Buffalo VI!! Welcome to the FIELD!!!

Buffalo 3: Shout-out to our wayward members: Cedez, TomBomb, Travvy-Trav, Steak, and let’s not forget our old Insanity workout instructor, Rocky!

Buffalo 2: B2 is loving Maine!

Attended a home dedication ceremony in Wiscasset, ME and we are motivated to get some WICKED work done!

Buffalo 1: Shout out to Hannah. Shout out to Deb. Don’t forget that you are on Buffalo One.

Rutabaga 1: Rutabaga one is having a grand ole’ time in New Hampshire so far! Shout out to Moose 5 for meeting us in beautiful Portsmouth! Dinner one of these days?

Shout out to all of the lovely STLs on composite: you are all beautiful and doing such a glorious job. This is the longest we have been away from each other!

Keep it up and keep it real! <3 Michael Sufi Surfers: Shout out to all of the Sufi Surfer’s permanent teams. We are having an awesome time and we hope you are too! Hang loose!

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Super Six: The newly-formed “Super Six” in Camden would like to shout-out to Moose 4 across the river, Buffalo 3 in Canada, Moose 3 in BrokenClock-and-Big-Ben, NY and Moose Deuce in with our cousins in York. Tristan would also like to give best wishes to Patrick, and know that all the green shirts “got your back.”

Phoenix 4: 70+ hours, 900+ miles, and 30+ acres = one heck of a week!

Get to the Point

Buffalo 1 Taft— Baltimore, MD

Phoenix 4 Brooke— Wells, ME

Buffalo 2 Tomoyo— Bath, ME Buffalo 3 Tony— Berlin, VT Buffalo 4 Tiffany— Baltimore, MD

Rutabaga 1 Michael— Manchester, NH Dream Team Supreme Alix— Wilmington, DE Sufi Surfers Liz— New Lebanon, NY Super Six Tristan— Camden, NJ

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—Wells, ME Raven 5 Dan— Brownsville, PA

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