My packet came today, and answered a lot of questions that I have been wondering, as well as what others have been asking me. So here are some answers to some questions I am frequently being asked.
When are you leaving?
October 7. Apparently we travel and arrive on October 7. I will give a more official update once I get the plane/bus ticket.
What will you be doing? Will you have a specific role?
I still do not know exactly what I will be doing until I get there and receive the calendar. However, all our projects will fall in one or more of the following categories:
- Rural and Urban Development
- Energy Conservation
- Infrastructure Improvement
- Disasters
- Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
Previous projects include helping the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Sacramento, volunteering with FEMA for the initial response to Hurricane Ike and Gustav, working with the Sacramento Unified School District, conserving Santa Catalina Island, working with the Utah Food Bank, volunteering at the Oregon Garden, organizing a holiday event for the Children Youth and Family Collaborative, and working at the YMCA of Sheridan, Wyoming.
Contrary to what I previously thought, all the team members will be assigned at least one focused role for the team. These roles include:
- Corps Ambassador Program Representative
- Media Representative
- Peer Helper
- Photo Journalist
- PT Coordinator
- Project Outreach Liaison
- Service Learning Initiator
- Vehicle, Safety and Tools Coordinator
We will determine our roles as a team once we get there, but we are supposed to come with an idea of what we would prefer. I think my preferences would be 1) Media Representative 2)Photo Journalist or 3)Peer Helper.
Will there be any free time?
Our schedules are always dependent on the projects that we are assigned, however “there is often free time after work and on weekends.” So our day starts at 7ish, we end at 5ish, and then the rest of the time is ours. Unless something comes up.
Is there some sort of training or orientation?
Yes. The training is four weeks long, and sounds very similar to boot camp. Please pray I survive 🙂
In addition, there are training events and sessions throughout the year, and help us develop professional skills as well, such as developing and refining our resume.
What is a SPIKE?
A SPIKE is when we live off-campus because the project is further than an hour away. We may stay in community centers, churches, military facilities, youth hostels, etc. We are told to be prepared for any sort of arrangement.
Where is the AmeriCorps campus?
McClellan Park hosts the AmeriCorps campus, among over 150 organizations and businesses. This business district used to be the McClellan Air Force Base, but what converted to be used for civilian use in 2000. AmeriCorps Pacific Region Campus moved from San Diego to McClellan Business Park in August 2001.
Any other questions? Feel free to post them below, and I will continue to update this post.