Get to the Point 1

February 2011 Volume XVII Issue 1

Get to the Point: The NCCC News

Atlantic Region
Perry Point,
Maryland
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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 strengthen 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

Inside this Issue:

Meet the Staff 3

An Idea of What to Expect by LaQuine Roberson 6

Health Reminder by Laura Tuck 7

Resource Manager’s Message 7

From the Desk of the Member Support Specialist 7

What is NCCC? The Member Statement 8

Getting Things Done– Learn the AmeriCorps Pledge 8

Alumni Spotlight—Starbuck Ballner 9

Unit Chants– Buffalo—Moose—Raven 11

Trainer’s Two Cents by Carlyn Payton 11

Rod’s Ruminations by Rod Swain 12

In the Corner with the Hulk—Physical Training 12

Green Team Outtakes 13

From the Cover, Class 17 Green Team, first row left to right: Katrina Hill, Bradley Lehman, Julian Cesner,
Amelia Hansen, Allen Hunt, Hunter Griendling, Megan Riley, Katie Veys, Laura Mack, Marlee Cea, Danielle Arroyo, Lia
Daniels, Jamie Inarda, Chris Quirk, Constantino Rago, Heather Waters, John Serbell, Rod Swain, Caleb Kulfan, Melissa
Jabat, Leeann Sudol, Griff Ryan-Roberts, Ambrosia Barnette, Rachel Duffin, Mat Slavics, Kevin Jones, JJ Beggs,

For more information about this publication, contact Laura Mack,

Community Relations Support Team Leader, LMack@cns.gov
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Meet the Atlantic Region Campus Staff

LaQuine Roberson is the region director and has served more than 17 years with the
NCCC. She hails from Summerville, South Carolina and is a retired Army officer.
She is also an avid reader of thriller and drama novels. She continues to provide ser-
vice to her community through her sorority and other activities.

Deputy Region Director for Operations Dave Beach, a retired U.S. Army Officer,
has been with the NCCC for the past 10 years. An avid outdoorsman, Dave spends
much of his free time hunting and fishing and enjoys a yearly hunting trip to Colo-
rado. He is also willing to take on all challengers in a friendly round of golf.

The Deputy Director for Programming for the Atlantic Region is Robin Nixon.
Robin is originally from New Hampshire, and has two daughters, including one
NCCC alum (Sacramento Class XV). She has been with NCCC for two and a half
years, and looks forward to working with Class XVII to Get Things Done!

Thea Becton is the Program Associate for the Perry Point Campus. She has served in
this position since July 2010. Thea comes to the Atlantic Region after having served
as the Manager of Disaster Initiatives for the national office of Point of Light Foun-
dation- a long time partner of the Corporation for National & Community Ser-
vice. Thea is a native of Dover, Delaware and currently resides in Bel Air, Maryland
with her daughter Ryan.

After an amazing year as an AmeriCorps member Class VII in Charleston SC,

Moose Unit Leader, Jason Cangelosi went back to school to earn a degree in Envi-
ronmental Education from a small college in Vermont. Since graduating he has had
the opportunity to work at several environmental centers as an outdoor educator and
team building facilitator. He has lived in Portland Maine for the past 3 years and is
excited to return to his home state of Maryland. In his off time he enjoys being out-
doors, hiking, biking, and rock climbing. He looks forward to the opportunity to lead
the first ever class of the Moose Unit!

Continued on pg. 4
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Jen Horan is in her 4th year as the proud leader of the Raven Unit. However, Class 17 marks her
11th year working for the Atlantic Region. After serving two years (Corps Member & Team
Leader) in NCCC at the Charleston campus she made the hop to Maryland and has held positions
as a Service Learning Coordinator and Assistant Projects Director for Training. Jen grew up outside
of Philadelphia and frequents the city of brotherly love often to watch her beloved Phillies, grab a
cheese steak, climb the Art Museum steps like Rocky and occasionally, boo Santa Claus Outside of
work Jen enjoys reading, frequenting cafes and traveling, especially road trips!

Probably best known for her love of all things Disney, Amanda McCarty is an Assistant Program
Director at the Atlantic Region campus. She has more than nine years of Corps experience. When
she’s not working, however, her favorite place to be is the happiest place on earth…you guessed it…
Disneyworld!

Community Relations Specialist Sam McKenzie will fire you up to recruit NCCC members and to
share your NCCC story with others. He comes to NCCC from the nonprofit volunteerism world. He is
originally from Maryland but has traveled to seven countries. He maintains a vegan diet and con-
sumes other unusual foods/drinks. He loves all things Google.

Carlyn Payton, a native Washingtonian, is the Assistant Program Director for Training. She
is an alumnae of AmeriCorps NCCC serving during Class 11 and 12 in Denver, CO. She has a
masters degree in Organizational Communalizations, minor in Human Resources Development
and her Bachelors degree in Psychology. Her long term goal is to design a swimming pool that
could thrive on being filled with apple cider vinegar instead of water.

Member Support Specialist Vivian Newstate is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio whose interests include the
performing arts, “courageous conversations,” and daring to dream. Besides her current role, within
NCCC she has held the positions of Field Team Leader and Support Team Leader.

Trey Pettigen: Logistics Manager “Have you ever dreamed of fighting for your country in a time of
need?” Trey Pettigen fulfilled that dream. On December 30, 2007, he deployed to Afghanistan, where
he left all his friends and family behind to serve his country. Trey was born on October 4, 1985, in Bal-
timore, Maryland, but he grew up in Aberdeen. Trey is married and has two children.

Glen Stubbolo, is an Assistant Program Director with several years of AmeriCorps and NCCC
program experience. He is well known for his inspiration and positive outlook. He describes himself
as a service person and believes in civil service. He has 6 children and was recently the Chief of
Volunteer & Community Services at Delaware State Parks.
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Michelle Royall, the Resource Manager for the Atlantic Region, she recently relocated from South
Carolina and is originally from Winston-Salem, NC. Michelle has over 15 years of AmeriCorps
NCCC experience. She loves to travel, play tennis and explore new areas. Also, she is a certified
Scuba Diver and recently learned how to sail. She also enjoys college basketball: “Go Tarheels!”

This is the second Corps year for Counselor Laura Tuck who hails from Roanoke, VA. Laura is
inspired by her work at NCCC everyday because she is old enough to remember when this was
simply a vision as she always says “the future looks so bright because our young people are in
it!”

Dernard Williams: California native married going on 28 years to his wife Renee with five
children and five grand children. Dernard served in the U.S Army for over 23 years retiring in
2006. While serving in the military he has held numerous leadership positions from Inspector,
Squad Leader, Advanced Individual Training Instructor, Senior Drill Sergeant, Detachment
Noncommissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC), and First Sergeant. Dernard Williams now
serves as the Support Services Specialist at the Atlantic Region. In that capacity, he is responsi-
ble for the smooth operations of the campus. If you have a problem with your house or your
vehicle, Dernard is your man.

Welcome Class 17, from the Atlantic Region Staff!

Atlantic Region Staff, Dec 2010 at Staff Retreat, left to right: Jen Horan, Sam McKenzie, Vivian Newstate, Thea Becton,
Robin Nixon, Michelle Royall, LaQuine Roberson, Trey Pettigen, Dave Beach, Amanda McCarty, Laura Tuck, Carlyn
Payton. Not Pictured: Jason Cangelosi, Glen Stubbolo and Dernard Williams.
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An Idea of What to Expect: From the Region Director

LaQuine Roberson: Region Director

Congratulations! In a few weeks, you will be arriving to Perry

Point, Maryland to begin your adventure in AmeriCorps NCCC. The
Atlantic Region NCCC campus is located in Perry Point, Maryland –
which is known as “The Point.” The campus is placed right on the
water where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay,
located about 45 minutes north of Baltimore. You will never have a
lack of things to do.

When you get here, you will receive all the proper items required to “get things done” including a federal
identification card, a full wardrobe, your suitcase/backpack for the year (known as the red travel bag) and
steel-toed work boots.

Once you are well equipped you will be assigned to your housing. On our VA Base there are two sorts of
living accommodations: “The Village” or “9H”. Both are set up with housemates or roommates to prepare
for your team lifestyle. No matter where you end up you will still be surrounded by the NCCC
community. Together you’ll grocery shop and cook your own meals, as well live side by side.

The first four weeks of your AmeriCorps Term will be the region’s Corps Training Institute (CTI), where
the Staff and Team Leaders will prepare you as a Corps Member (CM) to go out on your service projects.
Through your training you will have the chance to develop the skills necessary for the work ahead of you.
Such valuable skills as first-aid, CPR, van driving (if you choose to be a driver), and many others
including proper physical training.

At some point during CTI, you will be assigned to your unit and team. The units for Class XVII are as
follows: Buffalo, Moose and the Ravens. Each unit has 7 teams, giving the Atlantic Region a total of 21
teams that can range anywhere from 10 to 12 members.

We can promise you that CTI will be a lot of fun, but it is definitely a whirl wind so be prepared. In
addition to training, you will have plenty of time to meet new friends, explore the surrounding areas and
make lots of memories. Get excited, get ready, and remember…be flexible. During this year, you and
your team will learn to “roll with the punches.” We have a motto this year at the Atlantic Region which is
‘Region Up!’ It’s a call for us all to support each other and take what we do to the next level.

Don’t worry; this is going to be an amazing year of excitement, learning, development and most of all,
service. Prepare to meet new people, travel the country and do and see things you would have never
imagined possible. So bring your camera and prepare to get dirty. You are about to begin the most
amazing year of your life!

WELCOME TO AMERILIFE!
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Health Reminder: Laura Tuck, Counselor

Please be advised that upon arrival, every Corps Members will have a physical examination
to include an observed drug screen, pregnancy testing (if female), Tuberculosis testing and
Tetanus shots if needed. Members who have not had a Tetanus shot Booster within the past
five years will need to be immunized. Thus, don't forget to bring your immunization record
to verify your most recent shots. Although you may have had a Tuberculosis test in 2010, if
your test was given before July 1, 2010, you will be required to have another TB test. All
schools require annual TB testing, and if you work in a school as part of a NCCC
project, you must follow this requirement. Consequently, undergoing a TB test in
February 2011 will fulfill this requirement throughout your service year.

Resource Manager’s Message: Michelle Royall

AmeriCorps NCCC uses debit cards to reimburse travel expenses and/or pay relocation expenses.
Please do not expect to have these funds available to you immediately upon your arrival at the Perry
Point Campus. Our debit card company (JP Chase) has securities in place that allow only you to
activate your account and establish your PIN before funds are available. This, of course, will take
some time. Michelle Royall, our Resource Manager, will give you complete instructions on activat-
ing your account when you arrive. We do recommend, however, that you have enough money to get you through
your first two weeks on Campus while your debit card is being activated.

From the Desk of the Member Support Specialist

In order to make your in-processing as easy as possible, you need to bring the following
paperwork:
• Document proving citizenship (passport, birth certificate)

• Copy of driving record (if you plan on being a van driver)

• Valid photo ID

• Copy of High School Diploma or College Degree, if applicable

• Social Security Number

• Documentation of tetanus shot, if you had one

• Immunization Records

• Direct Deposit information

• Student loan information for loan forbearance, if applicable.

You can begin forwarding your mail beginning February 5. The addresses for letters and packages are listed to the
left.
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Member Statement– all Members must know how to answer the question what’s NCCC?

I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an

AmeriCorps program. N-triple-C members are 18 to 24 years
old and spend 10 months getting things done for America
while developing their own leadership skills. We serve on
teams to help communities prepare for and respond to
disasters, build homes, and help the environment.

AmeriCorps Pledge– Get Things Done for America!

I will get things done for America,

To make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.

I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.

Faced with apathy, I will take action.

Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps Member, and I will GET THINGS DONE!
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Alumni Spotlight: Class XVI’s Starbuck Ballner

Starbuck Ballner of Croton, New York, served as a Corps
Member in Class 16 at the Atlantic Region- Recently, we
caught up with Starbuck Ballner, one of the superstars of Class
16 to find out his impressions on his service year and what he
is doing currently. Starbuck served as a Corps Member on the
Badger 7 team in Class XVI.

What was the best part of your year? I had two especially
favorite and memorable parts of my year. The first was the
disaster mission I was assigned to in middle Tennessee. My
team worked in a suburban county just outside of Nashville
"mucking and gutting" homes of affected residents, some of
whom had their homes submerged under toxic flood waters or
forcefully lifted off the ground and carried away. It was a truly
devastating time for the communities but the way the relief
efforts were organized at a grass roots level was astounding.
For example, a group of churches got together and opened a
donation center in an abandoned supermarket and every day
we went in there the tables were always full of cleaning
supplies, non perishable food, clothes and personal hygiene
products; the place was run entirely on donations and
volunteer efforts.
We were so lucky to be living and working in a community
that took such pride in lending a hand to their neighbors in a
time of confusion, grief and heart ache. In just 4 weeks my
team contributed to the clean up of over 28 homes and locally
owned businesses, removed over 200,000 pounds of debris
and supported 3 different local disaster relief centers. We
worked alongside homeowners who, in some cases, had lost
almost everything they owned and helped them begin the
rebuilding process. It was exactly the kind of project I
envisioned I would be contributing to in NCCC when I
applied; a team of hard working, enthusiastic young people, a
neighborhood in a time of immediate need and rewarding
physical work.
My other favorite part of the year was my round of wild land
fire fighting in Maryland and Virginia. Our team was
extremely tight knit and we loved being outside all day in the
woods learning new skills like how to use and repair
chainsaws. We worked on clearing trails and widening
emergency vehicle lanes at a state park in Maryland battling
poison ivy, stinging insects and a fear of heights when we ate
lunch on top of the fire lookout tower! Our other project was
building a boardwalk at the Great Dismal National Wildlife
Refuge in Virginia that would lead to an interpretive
educational facility and enable school field trips and historical
tourists to learn about the Swamp's key role as part of the
Starbuck Ballner, firefighter, NCCC Class 16, 2010
Underground Railroad. The team chemistry was so vibrant and
our common drive to work hard and laugh hard both on and
off the work site made us an unstoppable force. This was truly
the best year of my life.
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Continued from page 7, Class 16 Alumni, Starbuck Ballner

I had wonderful teammates who made me laugh so hard I cried and teammates who helped me
realize who I want to be, contribute to projects that mattered in communities around the country,
got to rock out at Jazz Fest in New Orleans and feel blessed each day I woke up and eager to get to
work. I've never felt more excited to be alive.
What are your current plans? In January 2011 I will be a part of the AmeriCorps State/National
program in Houston, Texas with College Forward, an organization that provides college access and
college persistence services to motivated, economically disadvantaged students, in order to
facilitate their transition to college and make the process exciting and rewarding. Prior to my
NCCC year, I knew that I had a passion for service but was unsure which field I wanted to focus
my energy. During my NCCC experience, I had participated in many projects tutoring and mentoring youth in
partnership with local community organizations. I realized that education and youth development, the opportunity to
enrich the life of a young person, meant the most to me.

What was going through your mind as you won so many awards this year at the end of the year Awards
Banquet?

In those brief moments there were so many flashes of the experiences that led me to join NCCC, the people I worked
with and alongside this year and how I hope to continue working for the improvement in quality of life for people all
over the world. I thought about how I was introduced to NCCC by a team at my YMCA summer camp over 10 years
ago, the residents of New Orleans and Cheatham County, Tennessee where I worked on community revitalization and
disaster relief projects, the Perryville Police Department Outreach Program which was the first project I worked on this
year, my AmeriCorps Team Leader who challenged me to be a better person, my parents who encouraged me to be more
aware of the world around me and to do the right thing especially when no one is watching, the music and books that
have opened my eyes to social issues and the realization that anything is possible when you believe in it.

Starbuck Ballner, with his team at a project with Habitat for Humanity in Portland, ME
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Unit Chants: Show a Little Pride and Yell It Out!

STAMPEDE!

My horns up high, my hooves down low

Now this is how you buff-a-lo

Buff-A-Lo, Buff Buff-A-Lo

Buff-A-Lo, Buff Buff-A-Lo

Now flap your wings

Get up and soar

Our Raven chant

My head stays up Is “Nevermore”

My back stays straight Like Edgar Allen always says “Caw caw, caw caw”

My team stays down Like Edgar Allen always says “Caw caw, caw caw”

But my antlers ain’t

Get em up-Got em up While Atlantic Region is in the process of finding a Unit Leader
for the Buffalo Unit, Raven Unit Leader Jen Horan will be acting
Get em up-Got em up as the Unit Leader for Buffalo 1 – 4 , while 5-7 will be managed
Jason Cangelosi. Our Deputy Region Director for Operations
Ohhhhhhhh Moose! Dave Beach will be providing support and leadership during this
time as well.

The Trainer’s Two Cents

Carlyn Payton: Assistant Program Director for Training.

Welcome Class XVII! We are thrilled about your arrival on February 7th. As a member of
NCCC, you will have the opportunity to gain new skills, enhance the abilities you already
obtain, and meet some really awesome people. My name is Carlyn Payton; I am the Assis-
tant Program Director for Training. I play a vital role in member development. I manage
your training, transition schedules, the GED Assistance Program, and all awards and college credits available to
you, just to name a few.
Just around the corner is the Corps Training Institute (CTI). CTI is the time that we dedicate to ensuring that you
receive the core training necessary for a successful year. When you arrive, we will begin your in-processing and
then transition right into training. I look forward to meeting all of you. Again, Congratulations!
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Rod’s Ruminations
Welcome Achievers!
Hello and welcome to The Ruminations. For some reason, the “powers that be” last year
permitted me to have a small portion of Get To The Point to amuse you…oops, I mean…
present you with a valuable perspective on the happenings around the Atlantic Region
from one of your Unit STLs. Mercifully, these same powers have allowed me to continue
this tradition into Class XVII. So, welcome to AmeriCorps NCCC and prepare for an
exciting year! I’ll be here to share the lighter side with you.
A Carnivore’s Manifesto
By this point it is no secret, I am not a salad person. If I had to pick a last meal, it would probably consist of steak
and potatoes, with a side of steak. So, one of my biggest shocks in AmeriCorps so far has been the startling number
of people who abstain completely from eating meat. Don’t get me wrong, I respect vegetarians to no end. I under-
stand that it’s potentially healthier and lord knows I do not have the will power to subsist solely on plants. So, vege-
tarians, I tip my cap to you. But the question I keep asking is: if animals weren’t meant to be eaten, then why were
they made to be so delicious?
I have also noticed that the age old debate between meat eaters and veggies definitely heats up amongst our teams. I
can remember several spirited discussions between my teammates when I was a Corps Member, particularly around
grocery day. Since then, I have been ruminating about a solution to this problem.
Once I moved past all of the legitimate solutions, I eventually moved on to one of my more crack pot (a.k.a. genius)
ideas: form teams that consist of all vegetarians or all meat eaters, or better yet, entire units. There could be a Tofu
Unit and a T-Bone Unit. Everyone would be free to eat what they want, liberated of arguments and unhappy stom-
achs! And there would be none of this “flexitarian” or “pescetarian” nonsense. I’m tired of your flip-flopping. Make
up your minds already! I know what you’re thinking…this solution would present a lack of diversity. But are eating
habits really a form of diversity? This is a question for someone above my pay grade. Talk to Deputy Region Direc-
tor Dave Beach about it, but I think you’ll find that he is on my side here.

In the Corner with The Hulk: Physical Training

What is PT? Physical Training—AmeriCorps NCCC campus and myself, The HULK subscribe to
the principle of physical fitness for all members and team leaders. ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR
ALL THINGS FITNESS!

Members and Team Leaders will participate in team conditioning at least three times weekly. This
conditioning will be team based, except during the time spent on the campuses. During those times
physical conditioning will be conducted by units or the entire corps. This conditioning program is
important because AmeriCorps NCCC undertakes hard, physical work and members need to be strong and limber
enough to engage in it safely.

The HULK move of the week:

The Side-Straddle Hop (known as the Jumping Jack) is a physical jumping exercise performed by jumping
to a position with the legs spread wide and the hands touching overhead and then returning to a position with the feet
together and the arms at the sides.
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