Get to the Point 1

Volume XVIII Issue 2Volume XVIII Issue 2

Get to the Point: The NCCC NewsGet to the Point: The NCCC News

March 14, 2012March 14, 2012

An NCCC Atlantic Region Publication

Get to the Point 2

Inside this Issue:

Health

and Wellness

Dernard‟s

Vehicle Tips

Raven 1: The National Blog team

Resource Tips

Strengthen communities

and develop leaders through

direct, team-based national

and community service

Shout-Outs

4

Hulk‟s PT

5

5

2

4

5

Congratulations! Raven 1 is the Atlantic Region

National Blog Team We would like to introduce you to the Atlantic Region’s national blog

team. Each member has unique abilities and strengths that they bring to their

team, and they represent this campus and the Corps very well. We wish this

team all the best in the year to come, and look forward to their many stories.

Cassie, Wisconsin, Age: 23

Cassie is a Spanish education and Liberal Arts major from Sparta, Wis.. Her experiences and hobbies include crafting, reading, woodworking, gardening, and DIY home improve-ment. She became involved with AmeriCorps NCCC after spending a week doing Hurricane Katrina relief in 2007. She believes the most important quality in an individual is a will-ingness to learn. She always has a fresh perspective, apositive outlook, and amazing ideas..

Ashley, California, Age: 23

Ashley graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in Sociology. Her professional experience of work-ing/mentoring at risk youth, being a camp counselor, and recreational leader is balanced by her hobbies of playing basketball and other sports, going for hikes, and photography. The most important attribute to her in everyday life is sincerity. Ashley is a strong physical force, balanced with a great sense of humor, and open-ness and patience with all of her Raven 1 team mem-bers.

Emily, Wisconsin, Age: 21

Emily supplies a creative and optimistic view not only in Raven 1, but everything that she does. She takes pride professionally in her organization, strong work ethic, and supreme listening skills. She is especially interested in the environmental aspect of her service year. While attending University of Wisconsin, Fond du Lac for the past year, she studied Environmental Science and her major is Natural Resource Management. Her dedication, compassion, and enthusiasm provides another strong link in the chain of our team dynamic.

Henry, Texas, Age: 22

Henry is an English Major at the University of North Texas. Always on the theatrical side, Henry has been involved in the fine arts and creative hemisphere of his brain through live shows, vocal competitions, and creative writing gatherings. His hobbies involve baking, gardening, read-ing, writing, playing the piano and singing as often, as loud, and as much as he can. He has previous work experience managing a small business; starting, running, and maintaining a slew of school sponsored programs such as aSpirit Squad, Choral Council, and the Poetry club. Within Ra-ven 1 he partners with Romerio to tackle all media-related topics, and provides a source of encouragement and passion to all projects, while building compassionate bonds with everyone he meets. His greatest ac-complishment is climbing Mt. Yale, the third tallest peak in Colorado. He often quotes Aristotle saying “We are what we repeatedly do…Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Cover: The CEO of

the Corporation for

National and Com-

munity Service, Rob-

ert Velasco II, shakes

Tyger Nunez hand.

Cooking Corner 6

Bursting the

AmeriBubble 7

Alumni Spotlight

Jenna Lees 8

Get to the Point 3

Jerramie, Idaho, Age: 19

Jerramie is a corn-fed country boy from Idaho with hobbies including working on cars, playing sports, and joining in outdoor activities. He has professional experience in the fields of mechanics, working with chil-dren, animal husbandry, outdoor cleanup, and leadership. Jerramie joined AmeriCorps NCCC to gain new opportunities, experiences, and a chance to make a difference in other people‟s lives. Jerramie‟s contribu-tion to the Raven 1 team is a massive amount of strength and motivation. He remains a very cohesive and enthusiastic individual who is a dominant force physically.

Keiper, Iowa, Age: 24

Keiper hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduating with a BA in Elementary and Middle School Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Her hobbies include giving hugs, yoga, poetry, laughing and enjoying a hot cup of joe. She has previous experience with directing and project coordination with sports camps, coaching, and international teaching in the countries of Germany, Japan, Italy, and Brazil. As the Team Leader of Raven 1, she is the “go-to-gal” to make sure all of a sponsors needs are met and exceed expecta-tion. She maintains a source of compassion, yet neutrality, and is primarily focused on the well-being of her fellow team members. She agrees with Mumford & Sons when they say, “where you invest your love, you invest your life.”

Lydia, Virginia, Age: 18

When not grinding on her skateboard, Lydia also enjoys surfing, video games, and playing sports like foot-ball. She brings her retail experience to her Americorps NCCC service-year to gain more work experience and the opportunity to travel. Raven 1 greatly appreciates her laughter and perspective on life, and is often brings a realistic, and positive outlook with anything she shares. As a mere toddler of four, Lydia proudly donned a tiara and competed in a Beauty Pageant where she placed first. She won a beautiful trophy that towers over her even today.

Maddi, New Jersey, Age: 22

When not out running, Maddi spends most her time reading and eating. After attaining her BS in Public Health Education from James Madison University, she gained experience working at an assisted living com-munity and a meeting planning company. She also traveled to Guam to work with a non-profit specializing in HIV/AIDS education and prevention. Maddi brings a source of honesty, integrity, and comedic relief within the Raven 1 team, while still maintaining high standards, constant perseverance, and a lighthearted whimsy that brightens everyone‟s day. Maddi listens to the words of Mahatma Ghandi when he says “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

Michael, Florida, Age: 20

Michael (Mike) is a Job Corps Alumni from the 2011-2012 year at Schenck campus in North Carolina. His hobbies include sports, reading, and hiking. He has previous experience in the fields of retail, food prep, landscaping, building maintenance, and construction. Mike has experience aiding those with disabilities including his autistic twin sister. Mike brings a calm, peaceful, yet mighty voice to the team. Always willing to lend a helping hand, and gain an in depth understanding of other peoples history, ideals, and beliefs.

Romerio “Andre,” North Carolina, Age: 24

Romerio is an exuberant college student at Western Carolina majoring in Communications. Aside from

excelling at running, drawing, and laughing, Andre is quite skilled at being Awesome . Sometimes, even his

awesome has awesome. His most important qualities to him are that individuals have grace, light, and awe-someness. Within the Raven 1 team he supplies everyone with constant laughter and energy, and reminds everyone to sit back and enjoy life while it‟s here. His awesomeness can be measured in how empty our coffee container is, the more empty, the more awesome.

Skylar, Ohio, Age: 20

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” For Raven 1 that individual is Skylar. When she is not watching

movies, or learning new crafty skills like knitting, she maintains an open heart and open mind to gain expe-

rience in volunteer work and to do something more meaningful in her life. Aside from her EMT-B certifi-

cate, Skylar has experience working at a greenhouse, food prep/service, and warehouse experience. She

also had the opportunity to travel to India and communicate with the people about creating a better life

experience for them, and reaching their spiritual needs.

Get to the Point 4

I would like to thank all Team Leaders with the success of the completion of the Resource Meetings during the week of March 5th. It is important that re-ceipt numbers correlate with the numbers listed on the PAR (Project Ac-counting Record). Any cash withdrawals should be noted in the comment section with a receipt included with your supporting documentation.

A few pointers to get you over some hurdles prior to next transition:

Visit your online Chase banking account weekly to verify that transaction amounts match physical receipts and to avoid some fees (e.g. Point of Sale Decline Fee).

Try to withdraw cash (if needed) while paying for items to avoid costly bank fees. However if your team needs cash withdrawn from the ATM, go for it. Please include ATM fees that are charged by the bank institution you are visiting and Chase bank fees on your PAR. These fees must be recorded in the “Other” column of the PAR and noted ATM fees in “Comment” column.

During Spike, do not forget to present tax exempt letters to all stores and vendors prior to shopping or at cash register.

Please note there is a $0.25 Point of Sale Decline (POSD) fee if you try to purchase or withdraw and the transaction is declined. This expense must be noted in the “Other” column and POSD fee noted in “Comment” column.

It will be helpful and less stressful if team leaders completed their PAR weekly. A few minutes a week with your PAR will reduce hours spent at the end of the Spike trying to balance the finances.

If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at (410) 642-642-2411 ext. 6868 or via email cjohnson@cns.gov.

RESOURCE CORNER

Cash Tips for the Team Leaders by Charese Johnson, Resource Manager

MOOSE 1: MOOOOOOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUFFALO 2: “To all fellow Corps Members, keep your head up and GET THINGS

DONE! Much B2 love from Raccoon Creek State Park, PA”

BUFFALO 3: “B3 wishes luck to our fire fighters! Come back soon! And good luck

and safe journeys to Thomas on P1! And shout out to Mama Buffalo for the choco-

late! B3 STAMPEDE!!!”

BUFFALO 4: We are so proud of our sawyers; Ashley Coleman and Daniel McEachin.

We want to wish our fire fighters, Evan, Derek, Rufus and Jessica the best during

training!! We miss you!

RAVEN 1: There is a mutual excitement between our Corps members/ TL and staff/

sponsors at Winterthur to be working with and alongside one another. We are all

looking forward to our first week of training and service.

RAVEN 2: Raven 2 has had the pleasure of a new team member, Edgar the Ra-

ven. Edgar has been having a blast and was super excited to begin his service year

with us. His travels are being well documented, pictures to come!

Can someone, please, give me a Shout Out?

Get to the Point 5

In the Corner with The Hulk: Physical Training The HULK move of the week: Buzz Tag: A Fun Warm- Up Activity for PT

Divide the team in half. Set up team boundary lines. Players from each team will try to

cross the other team‟s boundary line. Once across the line they have to make a BUZZ

sound the whole time on one breath. They try to tag as many players without getting

tagged or out of breath. The players that are tagged are out of the game. If another player grabs the buzzing

player from behind and holds him or her until they run out of breath all those that were tagged are free and

that player is out of the game. You can also play that the first tag is only a sting and the player is frozen for

10 seconds and can be tagged once more before they are out.

Radiator debris should be cleaned with a soft brush. Whereas detergent solution can be used to clean the exterior of radiator.

Dernard’s Doggone Too Easy Vehicle Tips: Clean the Radiator

Each member should keep in mind to set aside $5 from your bi-weekly stipend to use as a copayment just in case of doctor visits. Now, if you have two insurance cards, you should not have to pay the five dollar co-payment. Also bring both insurance cards with you to the doctor‟s office, and always present both. Seven corners will be the secondary insurance which means that the doctor or health care provider will send the bill to the primary first. During your visit, be sure your doctor fills out the “Request for Infor-mation” form, and your “Health Care” form. You‟ll need this so that Seven Corners will reimburse the primary insurance. Return these two forms to your Team Leader, who will then give them to me. And I know there‟s been some confusion with getting prescriptions from Walgreen‟s. The bottom line is that you can get your prescrip-tions from there. We were running into some issues with individual pharmacists who were confusing our in-surance with another one. If you have any issues while at this, or any pharmacy, please give me a call. Lastly, when you have two insurances and are filling a prescription, use your seven corners card. You will not be charged charge for generic medicines. If you can‟t get the generic brand, you‟ll only be charged $3. The theme for March is “social work Matters.” If you would like to learn more about the life of a social worker, please visit, www.socialworkers.org. I‟m very proud to be a licensed clinical social worker for over 25 years! For health and insurance questions you can call or email me, Laura Tuck at (443) 995-7809 or ltuck@cns.gov Thank you all so very much. Be sure to get your rest. Where sunscreen. And stay healthy!

Health and Wellness Corner

Tackling those confusing insurance issues by Laura Tuck

Get to the Point 6

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes and beans in a large non-stick skillet. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Add spinach to the sauce; cook for 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring constantly. Serve sauce over pasta, and sprinkle with feta.

5 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes 2-1/2 (19 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1-1/2 pounds fresh spinach, washed and chopped 1-1/4 pounds penne pasta 1-1/4 cups crumbled feta cheese

AmeriGourmet: The Cooking Corner

Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and White Beans

Despite the many new and wonderful experiences during CTI, there is one that happens more often than oth-ers, is more stressful than others, and also more fun than others: cooking dinner. In particular, I found the first dinner I cooked for my pod to be a highly stressful moment. I feel that the only person to whom I may possibly relate is Martha Stewart, who, at the age of three, burned her first batch of failed chocolate chip cook-ies. What an absolutely stressful experience cooking for 10 plus people is. Here are the facts: each member of your team is allotted around five bucks a day that is put into a pool, which the team uses to go shopping for everyone. You have a tiny one-butt kitchen, which two teams have to share. You can never leave any dishes in the sink; you don‟t have a dishwasher; and lack the utensils with which you normally would normally cook for yourself at home. Let the madness commence.

The first decision is deciding what you can make for such a large crowd. Keep in mind allergies, personal pref-erences, dietary needs, etc. For my purposes, I chose chicken alfredo. Simple enough I thought, but reality proved differently. Between the cooking of the chicken, the boiling of the pasta, and the sautéing of the veg-gies, I spread myself thin. Lucky for me I had Quinlin Bane, Vampire Hunter, to assist in my first cooking ad-venture. She truly was a lifesaver. She perfected the veggies, and prepped everything to precision. Had she not been there to assist, I would have burnt the very first meal of the year, ruining dinner for 11 people, making a horrible first cooking impression, and disappointing myself. As time goes by I‟m sure I will master this trick-ery. Aside from the stress and challenging level of skill required, it is an extremely positive experience. Every-one in the kitchen is extremely nice, and it‟s a great time to have a conversation with whoever is helping you and get to know them better. Feel free to send me some suggestions on what to cook next, as that is probably the hardest step.

Till the flour hits the batter, keep it classy AmeriCorps fans,

C. Henry Bausman IV

Cooking Corner

The first impressions of a Pod meal By C. Henry Bausman IV

Get to the Point 7

This hardware store employee saved dozens from a violent tornado The first tale of heroism amid the chaos in the tornado-ravaged South has emerged, and it's a timeless one of a

normal guy, forced into an abnormal situation, who went far above and beyond what was expected of him.

Dozens of people who might not have been are alive in Sanford, North Carolina, thanks to Mike Hollowell, a

Lowe's hardware store manager who ushered about 100 Lowe's customers to safety when a tornado ripped the

store apart on April 17. President Obama called Hollowell personally to thank him for his "swift action," but

Hollowell says the praise for him is misplaced. "One person didn‟t save all those lives," he told CNN. "It was a

team effort."

Discovery Terminates Relationship With 'Man vs. Wild' Star Bear Grylls

Discovery Channel has terminated its relationship with Bear Grylls, the British television personality and star

of the network‟sMan vs. Wild. “Due to a continuing contractual dispute with Bear Grylls, Discovery has termi-

nated all current productions with him,” a network spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Bear's goal

has always been to make life-empowering shows for his many fans around the globe, and he has taken great

risks to bring Discovery such award-winning programming over seven seasons," said Heather Krug in a state-

ment to THR. "Unfortunately, Bear and Discovery have not been able to come to mutual agreement on new

programming, and he disagrees with Discovery's decision to terminate current productions. Bear has loved

the Man vs. Wild journey and looks forward to producing further cutting-edge content again soon for his loyal

audience." -The Hollywood Reporter

Strong earthquake hits Japan, no major damage A 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Sur-

vey. The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a brief tsunami advisory, warning of a half-meter wave. The

tsunami advisory was called off a short time after the agency issued it. The quake was centered about 270 kilo-

meters (170 miles) off the east coast. There were no immediate reports of damage, police said. This temblor

comes three days after the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands in Ja-

pan, and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis in a quarter century. –CNN Wire Staff

'We did it again': Santorum wins Alabama, Mississippi Rick Santorum marches forward to the next GOP primary battle with wins in Alabama and Mississippi,

throwing cold water on rival Mitt Romney's prediction that his campaign was reaching a "desperate end." In

Alabama, Santorum won 35% of the vote. Gingrich and Romney both had 29% -- although Gingrich was about

2,000 votes ahead with 99% of the vote counted -- and Ron Paul had 5%. With 99% of the vote counted in

Mississippi, Santorum had 33%. Gingrich was at 31%, Romney at 30% and Paul at 4%.In another of Tuesday's

races, Romney claimed victory in the caucuses of American Samoa, picking up the U.S. territory's nine dele-

gates, according to local party officials. CNN also projects he will win the Hawaiian caucuses. –CNN

Get to the Point 8

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Jenna Lees

Jenna Lees was a Corps member at Perry Point for Class XVII

and served on Moose 4. We caught up with Jenna to learn

more about her experiences, and what she is doing now.

How did you hear about AmeriCorps NCCC?

I heard about NCCC while I was in the process of applying to the Peace

Corps. Unfortunately, you need a degree to do the Peace Corps, and I had

not yet gotten one. Then, I saw the little link box for AmeriCorps NCCC,

and decided to click it. I was looking for something to do with my time

because I was not yet ready to go to school and I didn't really have a job. I

read about the program and fell in love with the concept. The reviews I

read had nothing but amazing things to say about it. I love to volunteer

my time to those who need it, so I applied!!!

What is your most memorable service moment?

My most memorable service moment...THERE ARE TOO MANY TO COUNT!!! I was blessed with a first time

team-leader and she did an amazing job. We joked with her about being our mom, and she didn't like that so

much :) While I was serving, I got the opportunity to go to New Orleans and work with United Saints Recovery

Project helping with the restoration of homes of people who could not otherwise do so themselves. While I

was there, I bonded with my team and got the real experience of why i was doing this. I got Thank You„s from

people walking down the street of our project site. While we were in Scotland, Md. for Round 3 at the Boys

and Girls Club of Greater Washington, Camp Brown, I had the amazing chance to be a camp counselor for

young girls. I loved being there and working with those energetic little campers. I would have to say that was

my favorite project. Also, working with All Hands in Upstate New York was pretty rewarding. I loved working

with past Alumni. To be honest I don't have just one single memorable moment, I have so many. I would just

have to say, that once people saw the “A,” they were

filled with joy and thanked us for all the help we

were doing. I loved every moment of my service

term. I made a friend on my team that I will never

forget. We bonded more than anyone on the team.

We were inseparable and I will never forget her.

What are you doing now?

As of what I am doing now, I am currently going to

school to get my degree in Elementary Education,

so I can be the change in someone else's life. I am

also working at a dealership as a receptionist. It's a

bit of a slowdown from my last experience, but it's

only temporary till I apply to NCCC again. I do plan

to come back as a Team Leader and give someone

else the amazing experience that I gained. I wish

you all the best in your endeavors. I hope your ex-

perience is as great as mine.

Moose 4 puts on a show for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater

Washington at Camp Brown. Jenna worked as a camp counselor.

Get to the Point 9

Bu

ffal

o 1

Taf

t— E

dg

emo

or,

DE

Bu

ffal

o 2

To

mo

yo—

Ho

ok

sto

wn

, PA

Bu

ffal

o 3

To

ny—

W S

pri

ng

fiel

d, M

A

Bu

ffal

o 4

Taf

t —

Ore

fiel

d, P

A

Mo

ose

1 P

atri

ck—

Ben

ton

, PA

Mo

ose

2 M

egan—

Bal

tim

ore

, MD

Mo

ose

3 J

ami—

Bal

tim

ore

, MD

Mo

ose

4 C

asey—

New

ark

, DE

Mo

ose

5 T

ob

y—

Wil

min

gto

n, D

E

Rav

en 1

Kei

per—

Wil

min

gto

n, D

E

Rav

en 2

Dav

ey—

Bat

h, M

E

Rav

en 3

A.T

.— M

on

tag

ue,

NJ

Rav

en 4

Mil

len

a— W

ilm

ing

ton

, DE

Rav

en 5

Dan—

No

rth

east

, MD

Ph

oen

ix 1

Ev

an—

Su

ffo

lk, V

A