Escape the Ordinary - October 2012
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Transcript of Escape the Ordinary - October 2012
Es
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pe
th
e O
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AM
ER
IC
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NC
CC
Volume 3, Issue 7
October 2012
3 cities, 2 Red Cross shelters, and more than 200 clients — Oak 3 (North Central
Region) has helped Louisiana recover from Hurricane Isaac and transition from
disaster over the past 3 weeks.
285 Corps Member uniforms being issued at the Southwest Region campus on Day 1.
They look good in gray!
Jenna and Maggie, NCCC alums, visiting the Atlantic Region
campus.
Team Leaders from the Pacific Region take time out for a unit
photo during chainsaw training.
The Southern Region’s Summit 4 having a little fun before heading off to FEMA
training.
All About NCCC
E S CA PE T HE OR DI NARY
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-
based residential program for men and
women ages 18-24. NCCC members are
assigned to one of five campuses and
organized into teams of 10-12 members.
Campuses are located in Perry Point, MD;
Vinton, IA; Denver, CO; Vicksburg, MS; and
Sacramento, CA. NCCC teams serve
approximately 4-6 projects throughout their
ten months of service. NCCC serves every
state, responding to pressing local needs that
are identified by organizations in the
community. Projects are focused on the
following five categories – Natural and
Other Disasters, Infrastructure Improvement,
Environmental Stewardship and
Conservation, Energy Conservation, and
Urban and Rural Development. 100 percent
of members are certified in CPR, first aid,
and disaster response; approximately 9% are
firefighter trained by the National Park and
U.S. Forest Services. NCCC teams also
support local disaster relief organizations to
help communities prepare for, respond to,
and recover from natural or man-made
disasters. Since September 2005, NCCC
members from all campuses have served
more than 9.6 million hours on 5,035
projects.
Inside this issue:
Benefits of Service 1
An Alumni Perspective 2
Where Are We Now? 3
Getting Things Done: Catching up with Cedar 6 4
Leave Your Mark: A Corps Member Spotlight 6
The Application Process 7
V OLU ME 3 , IS SU E 7 Page 1
AmeriCorps NCCC: Benefits of Service
Uniform—includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, BDU pants,
shorts, steel-toed boots, fleece vest, coveralls and more
Housing—campus residences are co-ed floors with same
gender roommates; spike housing is provided by the
project sponsor
Health Care—limited coverage includes payment for
most medical and surgical costs, hospitalization,
prescription drugs, and certain emergency dental, vision,
and maternity care. However, these benefits may be
affected by restrictions on payment for pre-existing
conditions as well as other exclusions.
Child Care—up to $400 per month may be available for
a custodial parent of a minor child
Personal Days—Corps Members are entitled to 3 paid
personal days off from service, as well as 2 paid Life
After AmeriCorps days (subject to approval).
Transportation—NCCC will cover the cost of a Corps
Member’s travel to a campus at the start of a
service year and back home at the end of a service year.
Living Allowance—approximately $4,000 per year (or
$200 every two weeks) before taxes
Training/Skills—CPR/First Aid and Disaster Relief
certification training from the Red Cross, leadership
skills, conflict management, team-building and lots more
Education Award—Once a Corps Member has
completed 1700 hours of service and successfully
completed the program, they are eligible for the
Education Award. Currently, the award is $5,550.
Loan Forbearance—If Corps Members have Federal
Education loans (Perkins, Stafford, or Direct Loans) they
may be placed in forbearance. Once a Member earns an
Ed. Award, NCCC will pay the interest accrued on these
loans while the Member was in service.
College Credit—We currently offer, through the
American Council of Education, undergraduate credit for
the following three-credit-hour courses: Introduction to
Service Learning and Diversity in Service (available to
both Team Leaders and Corps Members); and
Supervisory Skills (available only to Team Leaders).
Certification from American Humanics in Non -
Profit Employment and Management—NCCC alumni
may enroll in this online program offered by the
University of Montana and LSU-Shreveport.
Congratulations to our inaugural
FEMA Corps members from the North
Central and Southern Regions on their
successful induction into AmeriCorps
NCCC FEMA Corps.
V OLU ME 3 , IS SU E 7 Page 2
An Alumni Perspective
How many teammates did you have as
a Corps Member? As a Team Leader?
How many do you still keep in contact
with?
Lucky 13 on both teams. Thanks to the
wonders of modern communication, I
can tell you where almost each one of
them is right now.
What was your favorite project from
your Corps Member year? Team
Leader year?
Rebuilding basements that had been
damaged in the Red River flood of 1997
alongside volunteer old-timers who
taught me enough about carpentry that I
was able to use those skills later to build
my own home. And working in Point
Reyes National Seashore, a peninsula
north of San Francisco, the most
picturesque place I’ve ever pulled non-
native vegetation.
What were your most
interesting/challenging
accommodations?
In no particular order: a homeless
shelter, a naval barracks, an attic, a
closed-for-business hotel, a haunted
boathouse, a monastery and plenty of
bunk beds.
What are your fondest overall
memories?
The spontaneous fun you can have with
12 friends in tow.
What was something you did for the
first time?
I wore a uniform for the first time.
What was the most outrageous thing
that you did?
We probably shouldn’t print that.
What was the most challenging part of
your ten months of service? How did
you overcome these challenges?
There will inevitably be a project you
don’t believe in. For me, it was
removing non-native vegetation.
You remember that you are lucky
to be outside. You find ways to
make the days fun anyway. 80s
rock ballads help.
Why do you think national
service is important?
Because it reminds us that we are
not entitled to anything. And
because teaching, building and
lending a hand is a very
productive use of your precious
time.
How has your NCCC experience
affected your life?
It gave me a vast array of experiences
and exposure to jobs, people, cultures,
places, and more. I learned what I
wanted to do, and also what I didn’t want
to do. And I made some of my best
friends for life.
What are some skills that you took
away from NCCC that you still utilize
today?
Spackling. Parallel parking large
vehicles. Knowing the difference
between a Pulaski and a McLeod. There
are too many to mention, really.
As you may know, our new NCCC
FEMA Corps program just started at
our Iowa and Mississippi campuses.
What are your thoughts on this
exciting, new venture for NCCC?
I found helping people and cities to
clean up and rebuild is very rewarding
work, particularly because it takes such
a coordinated effort – there’s solidarity
in that.
And finally, do you have any advice
for prospective Corps Members?
Do it. Get things done for America.
When it’s over, you won’t regret a single
day that you spent as an AmeriCorps
volunteer and you’ll look back on even
the hardest times fondly.
Erin Vanderberg served as a Corps
Member on Water 6 (aka - The Roots!) in
Class IV at the Southwest Region campus
in Denver. A few years later, Erin
returned as the Team Leader for Green 6
(aka - The Fatdog Kornfield Blues Band)
in Class VII at the Western Region
campus in San Diego (now closed).
Today, Erin is a legislative researcher at
the State of Colorado and the editor for
her neighborhood newspaper. I spoke
with Erin about her time in NCCC and the
experiences that she fondly remembers.
Class IV: The Roots at Red Rocks
Erin (on the right) with her NCCC team in Point Reyes.
LIKE us on Facebook and
connect with currently
serving members and alums.
V OLU ME 3 , IS SU E 7 Page 3
Where Are We Now?
Atlantic Region Perry Point, MD
North Central Region Vinton, IA
Pacific Region Sacramento, CA
Southern Region Vicksburg, MS
Southwest Region Denver, CO
Click these links to visit each
campuses’ Facebook page.
Note: You will have to be
logged in to access each page.
Marion, MA - The Atlantic Region’s Raven 1 is currently working with the Marion Institute. They are assembling volunteer
packets, setting up exhibits, overseeing event registration, engaging youth volunteers, gardening, educating community
about Green Jobs, and urban and rural gardening to support Marion's efforts to create amore eco-Friendly society.
Key West, FL - Delta 10, representing the Southern Region is currently working with Habitat for Humanity of Key West and
the Lower Florida Keys. They are leading volunteers in painting, cleaning yard debris and planting trees.
Milwaukee, WI - The North Central Region’s Oak 7 is currently working with River Revitalization Foundation (RRF). The
team is providing trail maintenance along the Milwaukee corridor watershed and participating in outdoor education activities
with urban youth.
Jackson, MS - The Southern Region’s River 7 is currently working with The Jackson Zoo. The team is removing and replacing
bamboo skirting along perimeter fencing, installing landscaping, removing debris, constructing decks and stages and
assisting with event set-up and implementation.
*************************************************************************************
NOTE: Several AmeriCorps NCCC teams from the Atlantic & Southern Region and FEMA Corps teams from the North
Central and Southern regions are currently on disaster deployments responding to communities affected by
Hurricane Sandy.
Find out how you can help in response to Hurricane Sandy:
http://www.serve.gov/stories_detail.asp?tbl_servestories_id=950
*************************************************************************************
NOTE: No projects are listed for the Pacific or the Southwest Region as members are currently in training. They will
deploy on their first round projects in mid-November.
Want to Serve for a Day? Serve with a current team of NCCC members at a project in your area!
Contact [email protected] for more information.
**Please note, we may be unable to accommodate all “Serve for a Day” requests due to sponsor restrictions.**
V OLU ME 3 , IS SU E 7 Page 4
Getting Things Done: Catching Up With Cedar 6
“For our third round we worked in Henryville, IN. Our task was to
work with Habitat for Humanity of Indiana prepping for a 10-home
blitz build that would take place during the second week in October.
We spent time enclosing a warehouse space so the supplies for the
build would be secured as well as assembling the walls for 2 homes
and all 10 garages. We built numerous shelving units to make the
storing of supplies easy and organized. We lived in New Albany,
Indiana in the basement of the Jacobs Chapel United Methodist
Church. Whether exploring around New Albany or working in
Henryville, the people we met were very warm and inviting. The team
learned many valuable construction skills and came together as a
team - we had a great round.” - Courtney Miskell, Cedar 6
I spoke with Team Leader, Courtney Miskell and Corps Members,
Nick Rossmiller and Jason Flemke about their 3rd round experiences
and more.
What were your team’s thoughts as
you arrived at your spike location for
your 3rd round project?
Courtney Miskell: One of the things
that I love about my team is their
consistent positive attitude. Everyone
was thrilled to be helping with a blitz
build and ready to show Habitat what we
were made of. There was a little bit of
uncertainty going into the round. Not
many of us had seen a town completely
devastated by a tornado, but once we
arrived, we were inspired to start
working that much more.
Nick Rossmiller: The team was anxious
upon arriving in Henryville, IN primarily
because the project was our first
experience with a disaster and relief
efforts. We were motivated to help the
ongoing relief with Habitat for
Humanity, to assist with the construction
of homes, to aid of the families displaced
by the tornado and as a team, we
believed the project was going to
benefit the Henryville community and
recoup the damages of the tornado.
Jason Flemke: As we arrived to
Henryville, Indiana the team was in awe.
We were amazed at all the damage
there was from the tornadoes that
devastated the town earlier that year.
We saw that most of the town was
affected from the tornadoes. Homes
were damaged, a gas station was
leveled and worst of all, the school was
destroyed.
What has been the most surprising
moment of your project thus far?
CM: The dedication of our site
supervisors, France and Bill Moriarty
and Bill Oates, really amazed me. They
have given their life to serving with
Habitat and do so much for communities
affected by disaster. They travel around
the country in their RVs and set up blitz
build after blitz build. They were
extremely knowledgeable and shared
all they knew with the team.
NR: The most surprising moment
involved the daily interactions with the
townspeople of Henryville, who were
thankful for the continuous
support from volunteers and
expressed their gratitude
through hosting meals and
events that made the team feel
welcomed to a part of the
country we had never imagined
we would have the chance to
visit.
JF: What surprised me most
about the project was the
kindness of everyone that we
met. Everyone was always
giving. After what had happened in the
community, it was amazing to see how
willing they were to lend a hand to
others who needed help. Every day we
went to the Volunteer Recovery Center
for lunch. Everyone was always happy
and in good spirits.
What has been the most trying
moment?
CM: The heat definitely was the biggest
struggle of the round. Fifteen minutes
after arriving at work, our shirts were
soaked through with sweat. We had to
start work earlier so we could avoid the
hottest parts of the day.
NR: The most trying moment came
when the team was battling hundred
degree temperatures at a volunteer
building event assisting with the
construction of wall frames. The success
of the event proved that the chaos of
hundreds of volunteers with hammers
and the extreme summer heat couldn’t
produce a more memorable, if daunting
experience.
JF: The hardest moment of 3rd round
was working in the heat. Almost every
day of the round, we were working in
90-degree heat. There was one week in
August when almost every day the
temperatures reached over 100
degrees. It was exhausting working in
the hot conditions doing physical labor
every day, but we got through it.
Continued on Page 5
V OLU ME 3 , IS SU E 7 Page 5
What was the most rewarding or
memorable moment?
CM: Even though we weren’t in Indiana
for the build we knew that all the hard
work we put in would benefit 10 families
who were displaced from their homes
by the tornado. Walking away from the
warehouse on the last day was
extremely rewarding; we had left our
mark in Henryville.
NR: The most rewarding experience
included: seeing the completion of our
construction goals and preparations for
the Building Blitz that took part after our
departure. Knowing that the team
persevered and contributed to the
rebuilding of the resilient Henryville
community meant the project was a
success and that the team was able to
take away from the experience the value
of positivity in the face of adversity
made the project an invaluable
experience.
JF: My most memorable moment of 3rd
round was having a celebration get
together with a community member we
met at the Volunteer Recovery Center.
We had the chance to go to her house
and swim in a pool and eat good food. It
was interesting talking with her about
her experiences the day the tornado
outbreak took place.
Your favorite project of the year?
Why?
CM: We had a wonderful first round
project in Madison, Wisconsin working
with the UW Arboretum. Our
supervisors were great and they knew
how to work with 18 to 24 year olds. For
team leaders, first round is pretty
difficult because you are still getting to
know your team and explaining all the
rules to them. The Arboretum was a
great environment for us to get to know
each other better as well as what is
expected on spike.
NR: The project working for the North
Country Trail in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan building boardwalk and trail
stands out as the best service project of
the year. Our opportunity to do
environmental work establishing trails
that will last generations while working
outdoors in such a beautiful part of the
country has made the project and
service with the NCT the most
memorable.
JF: My favorite project of the year was
our first round project. Our first round
project was at the University of
Wisconsin Madison Arboretum. I
enjoyed that project the most because
we mainly worked outside. There was
also a variety of tasks so the
work never got mundane, and
luckily the weather cooperated
most of the time. Another great
thing about first round was how
nice the sponsor and our work
supervisors were. When we
first arrived they had a potluck
for us, and when we left they
had another gathering.
And finally, what is one piece
of advice you would give to
prospective Corps Members?
CM: My advice is to try
everything. You might be scared of
using power tools if you haven’t before,
but that’s one of the best parts of the
program. You get to learn so many new
and exciting skills. Enjoy every minute
of it because it goes by quickly. I know
that I will miss NCCC dearly when it’s
over.
NR: Future Corps Members would be
advised to prepare for the challenge of
a lifetime. One that is filled with
enjoyment and accomplishment as it is
the most trying days of physical and
emotional toll that will become the most
memorable at the culmination of
the service year.
JF: A piece of advice I have is to
always enjoy what you are
doing. Try to have fun no matter
what the conditions are. If you
live in the moment, take it one
day at a time, and not worry
about anything else, you’ll have
a fantastic time!
JOIN US!!!
What: AmeriCorps NCCC North
Central Region Class 18 Graduation
When: Wednesday, November 14 at
6:30 pm; meet and greet from 5:15-
6:15 pm and a reception following the
ceremony
Where: Vinton-Shellsburg High
School auditorium located at 210 West
21st Street, Vinton, Iowa 52349
Contact: RSVP by November 9 to
Krista Eichhorst at 202-409-4928 or
Where Are They Now?
Cedar 6 is currently working
with Hiawatha Shore to Shore in
Rudyard, Michigan. The team is
providing support to staff in
expanding recreational trails
which include, restoration and
rerouting.
V OLU ME 3 , IS SU E 7 Page 6
Leave Your Mark: A FEMA Corps Member Spotlight
My name is Maya Jordan of Hickory Seven. I am 23
years old from Hampton, VA. I am a 2011 Public
Relations graduate from Virginia Commonwealth
University. As an NCCC FEMA Corps member, I
serve two roles. First, I am a media representative,
building awareness of the journey my team and I are
currently experiencing. Secondly, my FEMA role is
as an Individual Assistance Applicant Services
Program Specialist Trainee where it is my duty to
ensure needs and wants are met for qualified
disaster survivors. In my spare time I enjoy reading,
writing poetry and jet-setting across the world.
How did you first learn about AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA
Corps?
I first learned about the inaugural AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA
Corps program while on the AmeriCorps.gov website, last
fall while applying for the traditional program. I then decided
that the FEMA Corps would best fit me because it was new,
exciting and would help me develop leadership skills
personally and professionally.
Why did you choose to apply?
After a short stint in corporate America, I realized that I
wanted to not have wallet size dreams, but be apart of a
bigger picture other than myself. Overall, I wanted to simply
pay it forward to the world.
What has been one of your favorite memories thus far?
My favorite memory was when my team, Hickory 7 headed to
Montour, IA for our 9/11 Remembrance & Community service
project. My team and I laid 3,000 pounds of mulch for Pilgrim
Heights Camp & Retreat Center.
Tell us about something that you’ve done for the first time
since starting.
While on our 9/11 Remembrance & Community service
project, at Pilgrim Heights I had the privilege of canoeing for
the first time with my team as a part of PT.
What has been the most challenging part of your term of
service thus far? How have you worked to overcome that
challenge?
The most challenging part of my term thus far has been
accepting the unknown. As a member of an inaugural
program, there are many changes being made every
second of every minute, every minute of every hour,
day in and day out. Each day truly gets better, and I
have learned to embrace change, because it is one of
the only things that is constant in life.
Your term of service just started a few weeks ago. What
are some of your goals as you progress through the year?
Some of my goals as I progress throughout the year include:
-To continue to keep a positive “can-do” attitude
-Make someone smile
-To keep a smile on my face no matter how frustrated I may
be
-Stay open to change
-Successfully complete any task given to me
- To continue to believe not in just my knowledge, skills and
abilities but also in my teammates
-Travel to states I’ve never been to
And lastly, please share any advice that you might have
for prospective Corps Members who are interested in
FEMA Corps.
-Be positive
-Keep an open-mind
-Be confident
-Challenge yourself
-Have fun
-Don’t be afraid of the unknown
Woodrow Wilson said it best, “You are not here merely to
make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live
more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and
achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you
impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.”
Maya (center) helping two of her teammates carry a fallen tree limb.
Maya (upper left) with her team,
Hickory 7.
1201 New York Ave
Washington, DC 20525
Phone: 800-942-2677
E-mail: [email protected]
Follow NCCC Online:
We’re on the Web
www.americorps.gov/nccc
What does my NCCC status mean?
You’ve heard about the amazing things that AmeriCorps
NCCC members do and now you’re ready to be a part of this
great program. You apply but then you ask, “What does
Assessment Complete mean”? Well, we’re going to break
down those statuses right here.
How does placement work in
NCCC?
NCCC employs a “rolling
admissions” process, similar to many
colleges. We have a few rounds of
placements during the application
period and additional rounds of
placements once our application
period closes. We continue to offer
positions as they become available,
including up to the day before a
campus opens.
All selections and placements are
random. We have far more
qualified applicants than positions
available, and unfortunately cannot
guarantee a position to all qualified
applicants.
Using your smartphone,
scan this code for more
information about
NCCC.