August Planning Meeting

Whoaboy!
I kind of got behind on this and for that I apologize.
I want to remind folks that today is our Monthly AmeriCorps Alums planning meeting to be held at Barley's at 7:30pm tonight.  We will be inviting the 40 person CAC Corps that started on Monday of this week and will thus be offering several free Pizzas and Apps.  Hope to see you there.

Agenda is HERE.

Aaaand.. Congratulations to the new class of CAC AmeriCorps Members for completing your first week and getting through orientation.  You are starting on a journey that will extend far beyond this year of service and I congratulate you on taking your first step.

Go Goat Or Go Home!

As my old NCCC team, Fire II, used to say. "Go Goat or Go Home!" which is comparable to "Getting things done" or "Get 'er Dun" or "Go Big or Go Home!" or.. well, you get the idea and on July 14th, 2012 that is exactly what 10 dedicated AmeriCorps Alums did kicking off the Knoxville Chapter's first ever service event.  20+ hours of service later and over 200lbs of waste removed from Goose Creek, AmeriCorps Alums dove into service in a big way and we are looking forward to building on this momentum.

Rain or Shine, Mary Vestal Cleanup Is On Like Donkey Kong!

Tomorrow there is a 50% chance of rain particularly moving into the afternoon.  Because of the recent rain surge, it is possible that traversing the stream may not be possible for safety reasons.  That said, it is our intent to hold the event tomorrow and do a cleanup in the aquatic buffer, and throughout Mary Vestal park in the case that the stream is not navigable.  I encourage ya'll to come out rain or shine at least for a little bit.  Make sure to bring your rain gear and lets get things done. =)   Go Goat or Go Home as my old NCCC team used to say. 

We will be doing cleanup work in and/or around the stream and possibly throughout the park depending on ambition with a trash inventory.
AND
Conducting a stream walk/visual assessment of the stream.

Gloves, waders, vests, grabbers, water, etc. will be provided.  Everyone who attends will get a super awesome surprise  ^_^ 

Thank you everyone,
Sara and I Hope to see you there!

Congrats CAC AmeriCorps Graduates 2012!

Congratulations to this year's graduating group of CAC AmeriCorps Service Members who now join the AmeriCorps Alums family.  Whatever you man now do, and wherever you may now go, you are forever part of something bigger than yourselves.   You gave a year of your life to service and to east Tennessee and in return you have become the embodiment of the principles that originally inspired you to serve.  Through action comes realization and on behalf of the Knoxville Chapter of AmeriCorps Alums, I wish you the best and hope that your service is rewarded with a sense of fulfillment and personal and professional opportunity.

Aaaand if you happen to be sticking around the Knoxville Area, know that you are always welcome to AmeriCorps Alums gatherings, events and opportunities.

-Jason Scott, President, AmeriCorps Alums Knoxville

Photo credit: Joshua Cunningham

First Ever AmeriCorps Alums, Knoxville Chapter Service Event!

Where: Mary Vestal Park in South Knoxville
What Time: 9am - 11am
What Day: July 14th, 2012
What are we doing: Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup! AmeriCorps Alums Knoxville has adopted a section of Goose Creek that runs through Mary Vestal Park and we are going to clean it up and have a good 'ol time doing it.  There will be opportunities to also do a pipe inventory and a visual assessment for those with the interest.

Water Quality Forum Sponsorship

Thank you to the Water Quality Forum for awarding the Knoxville Chapter of AmeriCorps Alums a $500 grant to purchase visibility / outreach based materials.  The Water Quality Forum has supported local AmeriCorps efforts through the AmeriCorps Water Quality Team for over 10 years and support of the AmeriCorps Alums group here in Knoxville shows a commitment to Service Members beyond their year of service.  Thank you to the Water Quality Forum.  Thus far we have secured the following:

1 domain name, AmeriCorpsAlumsKnoxville.Org for 2 years.
1 tabletop display w/ case for outreach opportunities.
200 2"x6" AmeriCorps Alums Knoxville stickers for distribution.
1 High Intensity Reflective Aluminum Sign, 12" x 18"
1,000 Business Cards

Look, a centralized location for all things AmeriCorps Alums Knoxville to live for the convenience of our membership.  More coming soon, please hang in there.