The AmeriCorps Experience: Advice for Incoming Members
Posted on: August 19, 2014Florida
With the service term starting in 14 days, it is common to be excited about your upcoming AmeriCorps experience. While it is difficult to prepare you for everything, here is advice from last years members on service, committees, the Corps and trainings.
Service
"Each host site is different and runs differently and each member is different – so there is a large part of it that falls on you and what you put into this program. This year will be a challenge and a hurdle in life - and you'll have things thrown at you beyond service. Overcome and learn from it and that in and of itself will be worth it for the experience alone."
- Leah Allmer
"The commitment that touched me the most was my commitment to my clients. When all else seems trivial remember your clients. Think of the mother you educated on safe sleep practice who
will not put her child to sleep on her stomach. Think of the child that you reminded to look both ways who will not step into oncoming traffic. Think of the teenager that you educated on the risks of contracting STI’s who will think twice about having unprotected sex. You will never know the extent of the people you have reached. A favorite Healthy Start saying is, “We are all planting seeds.” Please try to really take this to heart. The impact you make is greater than any “thank you” or instant gratification that you could get. The notion may take some time to become comfortable with and may take an adjustment of your expectations. Please do, however, cherish thank yous or the stories of appreciation and moments of recognition because they may not come as often as you wish." - Valerie Eldridge
"It is hard to believe my year of service is drawing to a close, I can honestly remember the excitement of moving to Jacksonville along with the feelings of nervousness and uncertainty that accompanies any major transition. You're about to embark on a year that will be both challenging and rewarding. I hope these few words can make you feel a little at ease and give you some advice to make the next year as enjoyable and fruitful as possible."
- Michael Romanelli
"My advice to you as you embark on this commitment is to learn all that you can from each component of the program. Give your best at your host site: step out of your comfort zone, be creative and innovative, and be a go getter." - Winnie Brutus
The Corps
"I wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy your commitment with the NFHC. Hopefully, you can reach out to your corps members because quite frankly no one else really understands the experience you’re going through. They don’t get how much of yourself you invest into this and how grating that can be. How much of a struggle it is living on food stamps and budgeting so tightly. How you’ve moved down here thinking you’d be at the beach every weekend, but oh wait, gas is really freaking expensive and that doesn’t happen." - Leah Allmer
"You have made a serious commitment to many people for the next 10.5 months of your life. First, you have made a commitment to the rest of your Corps, to be there to support them in their individual journey through the service term and to be a reliable member of your committee—carrying out your duties and fair share of the work, participating fully and appropriately leading and following." - Valerie Eldridge
"Take the time to get to know your fellow NFHC members. There's such a wide range of talent, backgrounds, interests, skills, and personalitites in this group, and you'll get to know most of them well over the course of this year. Regardless of whether you already know people in Jacksonville, this is the group who will fully understand your struggles and your joys with NFHC because they're going through it, too. You will be each other's source of encouragement and moral support, and you'll make some really great friends. Also Keep in mind, though, that some members will probably challenge you personally and professionally in ways you don't expect. But it's important to treat each Corps member with respect, celebrate each member's accomplishments, and be accepting of each person's personality, strengths, and weaknesses. In the end, you are a team. you will start and end this term together, and it's important to have each other's backs along the way." -Lizzie White
Committees
"You will also be interacting with other members on our committee quite a bit. This can be incredibly rewarding and fun, but it can also be very frustrating. I recommend including food in your meetings somehow, as this tends to create a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere. You may get along beautifully with the other members of your committee, or you may not. Just remember that everyone’s ideas and views are important, that everyone has different strengths, that communication is key, and to take some deep breaths if you get stressed."- Maddy Sphar
"Your committee can be a great place to develop and sharpen your leadership skills. It helped me to become more confident in my skills as a leader, separating personal relationships with committee business is an invaluable skill and one that my committee learned throughout the term." - Valerie
Trainings
"Take advantage of trainings that are offered. This is your time to soak up all the information you can! You will have lots of opportunities to attend/view all sorts of trainings. You’ll hear that most members won’t run out of training hours. I did, and it was worth it! You learn SO MUCH at these trainings, and most often, you get free food too (you will learn to appreciate free food. Haha!)!" - Kim Derby