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,

SMcKenzie@cns.gov

Tristan Fowler,

Community Relations Support Team Leader,

TFowler.Guest@cns.gov

FIND US ON

FACEBOOK

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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