Spread the word about AmeriCorps to "The Daily Show"!

See post below from Scott, an alum from Austin, TX, and take action!

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Hey everybody, I've got a true test for the power of the AmeriCorps network... If you believe in the work we all do, and think more people should know about it, PLEASE READ ON!!

Earlier this week, on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart and guest Sebastian Junger were lamenting the fact that there is no "non-military, domestic national service program" that enabled people to work to improve their country at home. WE, of course, know that such a thing DOES exist... AmeriCorps!

A few of us folks have gotten together and decided to try bring this to the attention of the Daily Show, Jon Stewart, and The Corporation for National and Community Service, through tweeting messages with the intention of going viral... AmeriCorps active and alumni members is a huge and tight-knit network, so we think it could work. The ultimate goal would be to get an AmeriCorps rep (probably Wendy Spencer) to be invited as a guest on the Daily Show, spread the word, and talk about the great work we all do! We're trying to use the ‪#‎AmeriCorpsOnTDS (AmeriCorps on the Daily Show) as the tag to go viral...

If you've got a twitter, @mention @TheDailyShow, @AmeriCorps or @WendyCSCS. and PLEASE be sure to share this and encourage any other AmeriCorps folks you know. VISTA's if you have a PSO Training group on FB, that'd be perfect, as would the Austin AmeriCorps Alumni Group.

My twitter handle is @ScottZienty, so feel free to find me and retweet any of the ones I've made, or come up with your own.

We appreciate your help, and let's get #AmeriCorpsOnTDS!!!

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/ibcfv9/sebastian-junger?utm=share_twitter

Leadership Committee Positions

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We are excited to announce that we will be growing our Leadership Committee! Starting this fall, we’ll be adding three new positions: Social Media Chair, Event Coordinator, and Fundraising Chair. If you are interested in taking on a leadership position with AmeriCorps Alums, please submit a resume and message explaining why you are interested to our email: americorpsalumschicago@gmail.com. The deadline to apply is November 1^st!

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS:

Social Media Chair

-       Maintain AmeriCorps Alums Chicago blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account

-       Increase presence across all social media

-       Help respond to chapter emails

-       Build email templates for use across AmeriCorps Alums functions

-       Strong writing skills required

-       Expertise in social media is a plus

Event Coordinator

-       Plan two big events per year based on group decision and input

-       Responsible for coordinating location, food, attendance (if necessary), and all other logistics of events

-       Working with Social Media chair to promote and market events

-       Must perform well against deadlines

-       People skills and timely, effective communication skills are essential

Fundraising Chair

-       Help increase chapter revenue by creating sustainable fundraising opportunities for the chapter

-       Work with Event Coordinator and Social Media Chair to schedule fundraising events, as needed

-       Experience in fundraising is a plus, but not required

Requirements for all Positions

-       1 year commitment to position

-       2-10 hours per week (higher hours during weeks prior to events)

-       Attend approximately 90% of all chapter events, including Leadership Committee meetings, happy hours, and all other events

-       This position is what you make it. Your energy and enthusiasm are appreciated, and your commitment to follow-through is imperative.

-       Our Leadership Committee works as a team, so please respect our established culture and help us work together to make AmeriCorps Alums Chicago great!

The Legacy of Joseph Massenburg

We are deeply saddened by the recent death of Joseph Massenburg, the AmeriCorps member who was killed while serving with his NCCC team in New Orleans. Joseph, a native of the Chicago area, was only eighteen years old and was only weeks in to his term of service.

This tragedy is affecting on so many levels. While the loss of any young life is heartbreaking, the magnitude of this loss extends even further. It impacts not only his family, friends, and team members, but also the AmeriCorps community, and beyond that, it impacts all of us as human beings.

On the surface, the circumstances of Joseph’s death are a sad indication of the extent to which we have allowed violence to blossom in our cities and neighborhoods. By this criterion alone, we should try to reverse the momentum. But even more imperatively, we must consider this young man’s dedication to service. Joseph’s loss is multiplied infinitely in all the lives he would undoubtedly have touched in his future had he been granted one. And that cannot be ignored. 

We must all work to ensure that this tragedy is not in vain. We cannot afford for the impact Joseph would have made to be lost as well.

On a large scale, Joseph’s loss underscores the burgeoning need for AmeriCorps to continue not only to exist, but to thrive. For the work it accomplishes, the opportunity it fosters for its members, and most importantly, for the spirit of giving it facilitates: we need AmeriCorps. We need it not only for the sake of those directly impacted, but also for the invaluable contribution of these intangibles in creating a better world for all of us. 

On a smaller scale, we should all strive to nurture Joseph’s spirit of giving in our own lives and the lives of those around us. I am personally moved to find more opportunities to serve, but I think even small acts of selflessness are valuable.

It is my sincerest belief that our energies combined can make a meaningful impact. I only hope that it is worthy of Joseph’s legacy.  

(Post by Caitlin Closser, AmeriCorps Alums Chicago Leadership Committee)

NCCC FEMA Corps team needs housing in Chicago

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Details: A team of 10-11 NCCC FEMA Corps members are coming to Chicago for a downtown project and need assistance finding housing. Can you help???

When: March 26th-May 30th

If you have a space that would be conducive to house a team or for further information, please contact JJ Trotta, Assistant Program Director, NCCC-North Central Region at jtrotta@cns.gov or P:319.472-9664. Thank you!

Basic Requirements for housing:

• Sleeping space for 10-12 people including a Team Leader with an option for a divider or spacer to separate male/female members
 
• Orientation to the lodging to include rules and regulations.
 
• A plan for cooking and meal preparation nearby if not onsite.
 
• A plan for bathrooms and showers nearby if not onsite.

AmeriCorps Week Event With Chicago Health Corps!

Check out this event celebrating AmeriCorps during AmeriCorps week!  

Visit http://www.phimc.org/ to purchase tickets!

Chicago Health Corps AmeriCorps Program Seeking Organizations

Does your health-related organization need an extra hand?  Hosting an AmeriCorps member is a fantastic option.  Members are trained and supported by their program staff, so your organization gets to reap the benefits.  See below for more details and for how your organization can apply!

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Chicago Health Corps AmeriCorps Members

PHIMC is seeking applications from organizations interested in partnering with our AmeriCorps program—Chicago Health Corps (CHC).  CHC AmeriCorps members serve a minimum of 1700 hours of service over the program year and provide direct services to improve access to health care

Benefits of Hosting CHC AmeriCorps Members

·         Sites receive a full-time member for the service term (46 weeks), increasing organizational capacity to address critical needs

·         Your CHC AmeriCorps member will receive training from the program and on-going support throughout the year

·         Orientation and quarterly meetings for Host Site Organization Supervisors

·         Ongoing support for host sites through PHIMC AmeriCorps program staff

To apply, you’ll need the Request for Applications and application materials.  A complete application has two parts:

1.       An application with requested signatures

2.       A service position description for each member an agency requests

Applications are due COB Wednesday, March 6^th via email to chicagohealthcorps@phimc.org.  Please refer to the RFA for information about consultation support provided by PHIMC AmeriCorps program staff. 

You can also read about current members and their service with CHC on our member blog and more about CHC on our website. 

To request a copy of these materials, please contact Karen Berg, Director of Chicago Health Corps AmeriCorps Programs at karen.berg@phimc.org 

Thank you!

The Chicago Area Peace Corps Association is hosting their inaguaral Global Trivia Night at 

Black Rock Pub (3614 N. Damen, Chicago) this Wednesday night.

Doors open at 6 p.m. TRIVIA STARTS AT 7 p.m.

COST: $20 per person. ($10 for RPCVs ret

urned in last six months)

Pay at the door. Includes free CAPCA t-shirt or PC poster.

Play as a team (6 people max) or individually. (If you don't have a team, come anyway and find a team!)

GRAND PRIZE: $100 Visa gift card, RPCV calendar and adoration by the RPCV community

RAFFLE prizes includes 2 tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
yoga classes and other items.

*** RSVP BY OCT. 22 by filling out this form ----->
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGlhcS03QU5TcS0yWWxpSDFNYnFYUnc6MQ

Proceeds go toward funding Peace Corps Partnership Projects led by Chicago area PCVs working abroad.