Month 8 Update

As a part of AmeriCorps Week, Mayor Riley recognized the VISTA members in our project at the City Council meeting.

Eight months ago today I first set foot into this office and into my role as a VISTA Leader here in Charleston.

Crazy!

So I guess the million dollar question is—what have I been doing?

My desk!

At work, my co-leader and I have been making sure the needs of our 24 members are being met. Whether it’s site issues, providing them with resources, or planning meeting or training opportunities, we stay pretty busy. We also work with other AmeriCorps projects and do outreach. We coordinated with the other National Service organizations in the area for the Mayor’s Day Recognition of National Service at the City Council Meeting last night. There are over 130 individuals in Charleston serving with AmeriCorps, RSVP, and SeniorCorps. We are very fortunate to have a city and mayor that is so supportive and advocates for National Service.

Recently, we did informational meetings for organizations interested in being VISTA sites for the 2013-2014 term. Those applications have been turned in and passed along to our Grant Review Team. Once their recommendations are made, sites will be selected, and VISTA member recruitment will begin in May. What a whirlwind process!

In addition to our VISTA project duties, I am also a part of an Action Learning Team sponsored by AmeriCorps. I applied back in November and found out in January that I was a part of the team! Seven other VISTA Leaders from around the country and me, with the help of a facilitator, are working to create a guide for VISTA Leaders to use in supporting their members. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with great people I’ve never met and to meet some pretty important people with the Corporation for National and Community Service. Our resource should be completed by the end of April and ready for presentation in May.

Personally, the last few weeks have been insane. A college student from my bible study moved into our house and some of my friends from college came for a visit. I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by not only awesome folks, but awesome folks that love the Lord. I have been both challenged and encouraged by my interactions and look forward to more in the coming months.