Thursday, September 07, 2006
sinking (in)
Yesterday, Yours Truly was responsible for leading a training for most of the VISTA's in Rhode Island. We had a group of about 35, plus the Emergency Manager for Pawtucket. I led them through a Volunteer Reception Center training (essentially training staff to run a reception center for the spontaneous volunteers that show up in the aftermath of a large-scale disaster).
It was my first time, and I'm being hard on myself in the critiques although the concensus is that I did a good job, which is nice. I did have some issues with the Power Point (a last minute addition safety crutch) but I do believe the point was made, the group was educated, and so that is the true measure of success.
Some of the VISTA's I knew and are on their last few months of service; many of them were new to their assignments and some even to Rhode Island. Like I guess most VISTA groups there is a fair amount of diversity in age ane ethnicity and background. At the training I picked up a nice, new glossy brochure book that AmeriCorps had put out (rather than, say devoting any extra $ to increasing our stipend!) explaining the history of VISTA's and illustrating some of the impact VISTA's have had through the years. Reading it this afternoon at work actually sort of put into perspective some of what I have accomplished this year. Living in Providence it has been a little different than, say, rural Montata. And I have been doing a lot of sitting in an office wrking behind the scenes towards education, but even in seven months progress really has been made, maybe even an impact or two has been made. Maybe. Even if not, recognizing the progress is a pretty neat feeling. (Yes, I said it: Neat.)
Still working on trying and figure out what's next for me. I still think I need some time before starting back to school, so that's out of the question for now. Another year of service seems to be building in possibility. Maybe even here in Rhode Island, who knows? Unfortunately one of the largest detractors is the money factor. I hate that, so much. That it takes more money to survive, and especially don't really like the fact that I want more money. But $770/month is getting kind of old really fast. That amount does not go too far in this 'big Eastern city.'
So I don't know, man. I certainly already have a few possibilities up here, including another year as a VISTA working at the State. But maybe I can swing a gig as a VISTA leader. A couple extra hundred a month sure would be a nice incentive for another year of service. Does that sound bad? ¶ 9/07/2006 04:34:00 PM
It was my first time, and I'm being hard on myself in the critiques although the concensus is that I did a good job, which is nice. I did have some issues with the Power Point (a last minute addition safety crutch) but I do believe the point was made, the group was educated, and so that is the true measure of success.
Some of the VISTA's I knew and are on their last few months of service; many of them were new to their assignments and some even to Rhode Island. Like I guess most VISTA groups there is a fair amount of diversity in age ane ethnicity and background. At the training I picked up a nice, new glossy brochure book that AmeriCorps had put out (rather than, say devoting any extra $ to increasing our stipend!) explaining the history of VISTA's and illustrating some of the impact VISTA's have had through the years. Reading it this afternoon at work actually sort of put into perspective some of what I have accomplished this year. Living in Providence it has been a little different than, say, rural Montata. And I have been doing a lot of sitting in an office wrking behind the scenes towards education, but even in seven months progress really has been made, maybe even an impact or two has been made. Maybe. Even if not, recognizing the progress is a pretty neat feeling. (Yes, I said it: Neat.)
Still working on trying and figure out what's next for me. I still think I need some time before starting back to school, so that's out of the question for now. Another year of service seems to be building in possibility. Maybe even here in Rhode Island, who knows? Unfortunately one of the largest detractors is the money factor. I hate that, so much. That it takes more money to survive, and especially don't really like the fact that I want more money. But $770/month is getting kind of old really fast. That amount does not go too far in this 'big Eastern city.'
So I don't know, man. I certainly already have a few possibilities up here, including another year as a VISTA working at the State. But maybe I can swing a gig as a VISTA leader. A couple extra hundred a month sure would be a nice incentive for another year of service. Does that sound bad? ¶ 9/07/2006 04:34:00 PM
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We'll have a lot to discuss on Thursday. I probably have a 3-day pass btw. I'll know for sure monday or tuesday.
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