Get to the Point Issue 3 for Class 18
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Transcript of Get to the Point Issue 3 for Class 18
An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication
Get to the PointGet to the Point March 21, 2012March 21, 2012
Community Relations Office
Sam McKenzie,
Community Relations Specialist,
Tristan Fowler,
Community Relations Support Team Leader,
FIND US ON
FACEBOOK.COM/
NCCCATLANTICREGION
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
I’m an member of the Na-
tional 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
2
Get to the Point
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 OLI-
VER DOUGHERTY DECON-
STRUCTING 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
GET TO THE POINT ATLANTIC REGION, PERRY POINT, MD
VOL. XVIII, ISSUE 3
333 STRIKING BACK AT INVASIVES
by Buffalo 1
4 4 4 MOOSE 2 ATTENDS HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT
4 4 4 DERNARD’S “TOO-DOGGONE-EASY” EXCERCISE TIP
555 MEDICAL POLICY UPDATES by Laura Tuck
ALUNMI SPOTLIGHT
777 A TEAM HELPS THEIR LEARDER by Jeremy Exell
888 NEW DEADLINES FOR PRESS RELEASES
by Tristan Fowler
999 POISON IVY WARNING
QUICKIES
VIDEO & PHOTO
CONTEST 8
NEW CAP
COORDINATOR 8
SHOUT OUTS 9
AMERIMAP 10
3
Get to the Point
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.
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 Ar-
den 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. Alt-
hough 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 three-
weeks, 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 inva-
sive 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 be-
fore they can chant out and do a
“stampede,” because they are Buffalo 1
and are getting things done!
Team spotlight - Buffalo 1
Striking back at invasives
Lydia Boote chops up invasives with
the feared loppers of doom.
Grace Hahm mashes multi-floral rose with her might gloves. Buffalo 1 has already
saved over 300 trees from the deadly invasive species.
4
Get to the Point
DERNARD’S “TOO DOG-GONE EASY” EXERCISE TIP
PROTECT YOUR FEET how to prevent injury when in your boots all day
CALF STRECH
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 se-
conds
then
switch.
TOE SPREAD
This is an excellent stretch to help
to improve balance and range of mo-
tion. 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.
CALF DROPS
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 hous-
ing, 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 mus-
cle. Then on
one foot, drop
your heel
down to be-
low the step.
You should
feel a nice
stretch in
your calf.
Hold for 10
seconds. Re-
peat 10 times.
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 some-
where,” 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 ques-
tions 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 de-
voted 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 dis-
aster 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
From the blog
Anaisa assists with historic announcement
5
Get to the Point
Don’t delay on
tooth decay! Understanding your
dental coverage Seven Corners does
not offer nor provide den-
tal care coverage. There is
no coverage plan for den-
tal cleanings, x-rays or
exams. The provider does
cover “emergency allevia-
tion of pain” in the area
that is affected.
If your dentist has
indicated that additional
teeth may be in need of ex-
traction, this must be coor-
dinated through your own
provider. It does not fall un-
der “emergency alleviation
of pain”
If you decide to pro-
ceed with the dentist’s rec-
ommendation of extra ex-
traction of teeth or any oth-
er dental correction, you
must be prepared to pro-
vide all associated cost to
your dentist through your
medical provider and you
must negotiate treatment
cost when necessary.
NCCC is not respon-
sible for the travel or trans-
portation cost when accom-
modating 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 1-866-699-
4186 to locate an area den-
tist in the event of an emer-
gency dental issue.
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 sec-
ondary health insurance coverage.
All bills associated with any health care coverage can be discussed with the counse-
lor 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
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 sched-
ule. 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 Infor-
mation” form and you must return it to your team leader. Your doctor must place any re-
strictions that you have on this form as well as any recommended follow-up visits needed. Fail-
ure to have this form completed may result in you missing the follow-up appointment. All fol-
low up visits must be coordinated with your team leader who will then inform you of the shut-
tle 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 appoint-
ments. 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.
Health and wellness corner
Must read: important medical policies by Laura Tuck
What’s up doc? How to make a medical appointment
6
Get to the Point
Severe storms and floods hit south-central US OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Storms shuffled through parts of the south-
central 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 Mon-
day 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 con-
tributed 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, includ-
ing Russia, agreed on Wednes-
day 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 unspeci-
fied "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- As-
sad, who is fighting for his survival.
At least 8,000 people have died in the revolt, accord-
ing 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.
PRES. OBAMA USES SIGN LANGUAGE DUR-
ING IMPROMPTU GREETING WITH STUDENT
President Obama was shaking hands with support-
ers after an energy policy event on March 15 with Mary-
land Governor Martin O'Malley when he had an im-
promptu sign language exchange with a deaf man .
The exchange was captured on video by a 26-year-
old 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 Lan-
guage 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 contin-
uing down the line.
"When I
shook his
hand it did
not feel like
he was supe-
rior to me,"
Stephon said.
"He was just
a humble
man.”
7
Get to the Point
Jeremy Exell, was a Corps mem-
ber 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 Ameri-
Corps NCCC?
I heard about AmeriCorps
NCCC from two sources. First my
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 vol-
unteer 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 tell-
ing me how much that meant to him and how my team restored his faith in our generation through their selfless-
ness. 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
Jeremy, center, works with his team in Louisiana. While there he made many friends
with other Corps members from around the country.
Alumni spotlight
At times, a team needs to help their leader
8
Get to the Point
CAP Regional
Coordinator is
ready for action
The CAP Regional Co-
ordinator position has been
filled, and we are excited to
announce that Chelsea Pen-
nucci from Raven 5 will be
taking the
lead this
round!
Her role is
to assist the
Community
Relations
Office in
coordinat-
ing and set-
ting up large CAP events
with our recruitment part-
ners in the northeast Mary-
land, Delaware, and Phila-
delphia 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 the-
se areas. Before you contact
them, contact her.
Sam McKenzie and
Tristan Fowler are excited
to give Chelsea the chance to
build and show her leader-
ship. You may her contact at
americorpsnccc.raven5
@gmail.com
Your teams hometown press re-
lease must be sent to your teammates’
hometown media outlets by Friday,
March 23. Your teams project press re-
lease must be sent out to your communi-
ty 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.
Cap and Media corner
New deadlines for press releases by Tristan Fowler, CRSTL
Competition
AmeriCorps video contest Looking for a chance to show off your photo
skills? Wanna impress the nation with you amaz-
ing 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 pro-
vides an overarching framework to communicate
AmeriCorps triple bottom line return on invest-
ment -- 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.
The judges are looking for bold, creative, and exciting videos and pictures to help ed-
ucate the public about AmeriCorps and inspire them to join!
The winners will be announced on Sept. 14. First place prize for the video contest is
$4,000 and $1,000 for second place. First place prize for the photo contest is $2,000 and
$500 for second place. For a complete listing of rules and guidelines visit,
americorpsvideo.challenge.gov/ or americorpsphoto.challenge.gov/
9
Get to the Point
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 PHOE-
NIX 1 WHAT A MEMBER OF B2 CAN DO!
BUFFALO 4 - BEST WISHES TO ALL THE
TEAMS, B4 MISSES YOU!!
MOOSE 1: MISS U GREEN TEAM!
MOOSE 3: BEST WISHES TO JARED KARP
AND THE REST OF THE FIREFIGHTERS!
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
RAVEN 4 - TIP FOR TEAMS: RAVEN 4 START-
ED 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 NEGA-
TIVES. 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 OP-
PORTUNITY TO SHARE!
RAVEN 2 - THIS WEEK EDGAR LEARNED
HOW TO AIR SEAL AN ATTIC SPACE, CAL-
CULATE R VALUES, MEASURE STORM
WINDOWS AND ENJOYED FRESH BAKED
GOODS WITH HOMEOWNERS. HE IS LOV-
ING 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.
SCRATCH OUT POISON IVY
There are various reports coming
in that Poison Ivy (the plant, not the
evil Batman villain) has been attacking
our Corps members. Don’t let it hap-
pen to you!
When working outdoors wear
long-sleeve shirts and pants. Remem-
ber the old saying, “Leaves of three, let
it be.” And finally, check out these
helpful links from Laura Tuck:
cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/
wikihow.com/Prevent-Getting-
Poison-Ivy-or-Poison-Oak
10
Get to the Point
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