Trial By Fire

These past two weeks have been very busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. There's definitely a sense of excitement and anticipation among all of us second years. During the past two weeks I've been learning on the job my new role as recruiter. My predecessor (and soon to be supervisor) has been out of town these last two weeks so all of the day-to-day tasks she normally does, have become mine. We're also in the process of filling our last few slots for this fall, so I've been busy conducting interviews, calling references and looking through applications. In just two weeks, I've been able to see more of what my job will entail especially once January rolls around.

Despite how busy it's been, I'm having fun being the point person for all the new members. I've got a chance to meet some of them and sit down to talk with them more about our program. This also includes probably the best part of the job, calling them up to let them know they've been accepted. It's fun to hear how excited people are to join our program, and it only makes me more excited for the upcoming year.

It's weird to think that a year ago I was on the other side of things, and now I'm the one in the position to answer their questions, inform them of nice areas to stay, and reassure them that money may be tight, but it's worth the sacrafice. For all those times I've complained about not having the opportunity to gain professional experience, I'm making up for it quickly, and in a great atmosphere.

That's how things are going here, I hope all is well for everyone else.

Refreshed and Ready to Go

It's been quite almost a month since my last post, but as with most people my summer has been moving fast and blogging has hardly been on my list of necessary things to do. Also there hasn't been a whole lot new to report since my last blog.

Tomorrow, I will officially start my second term of service with AmeriCorps St. Louis, and will begin taking on my role as a recruiter and member of the Outreach team. After spending this past week at home, relaxing (mainly playing PS2) I'm stoked for this new position and for the new members to get here in September. Besides having an opportunity to tell other people about our program, I'm looking at this year as a chance to be a leader for the Corps. I have held leadership roles in the past, but I think a leadership role with our Corps is slightly different than my past experiences, because most of the members are what I would consider cream of the crop people who generally would be leaders anywhere else. This presents me with different challenges than I've previously faced, and I think it's in this area more than any other that I will see growth in myself. Of course, that's just one of the areas where I'll continue to grow as a person, which is part of the reason I joined AmeriCorps last year and decided to return for a 2nd year.

For those of you who I saw while I was home, it was nice seeing you. I'm sorry I didn't see everybody or have a chance to catch up, but now that I have a car there's a chance I'll be able to get home once before Thanksgiving. If I do, I'll let people know so I can catch up with everyone else I missed.