I am very disappointed to inform all my readers that the job interview for a full time position at OASHF did not go very well and I did not get the position. They said I interviewed well but they decided to go another direction with this project. So no relocating to Columbus Ohio which might be a blessing in disguise. It was going to be very difficult for me to up and leave part of my family and my kids for a position in Columbus but I was willing to do it.
I still have another 3 months of AmeriCorps VISTA service to finish and that will get me through the holidays and I am very thankful for that. I was very lucky that I got the extension because usually 3 years is the most anybody can serve in AmeriCorps VISTA. So for that little income to continue throughout the holiday season I am simply ecstatic. I truly love serving in AmeriCorps and this has been the best experience I have had since I had my children. No the income is not so great but the feeling of accomplishing something or being a part of something that changes so many people lives is truly incredible.
So now my role as a VISTA Leader is changing a bit and I'm focusing on other things and not so much member oriented. No more scanning in 20 or so time sheets every Monday and compiling them into one big document and sending them to Columbus. OASHF went to the OnCorps system they all are online and I don't have to worry about them anymore. And no more reading all those monthly reports from all the members and then compiling them into a big report and sending it in to Columbus. That is online now too. I must admit I miss reading those reports. I liked hearing all the stories that the members would tell about their service. So basically what I do now is get this information from them on our monthly conference calls. It is still great to hear all about what they are doing but it was nice to read the reports too. I always tried to be very hands on kind of Leader and tried to always let my members know that I was there for them and that I have went through a lot of what they are currently going through themselves. I was not their superior but their equal and partner and mentor. Someone they could talk to or bounce ideas off of when they got stuck on something. I am still doing that for them but I just feel that I don't have the communication with them as I did before.
I now am focusing on the Ohio Benefit Bank and AmeriCorps outreach. Tax season is here and we are down to one Community Trainer for all of SW Ohio which is why I have been asked to stay on. I can go back to my Community Trainer role to help out with all of the trainings and tax clinics that are being scheduled now. I must admit it is great to be able to do this again but I sort of feel like a fish out of water. Things have changed on how they do things from when I was a trainer. Things are always changing with the OBB and OASHF this is a good thing but sometimes it is confusing if you are used to doing things one way and they up and change things on you. I'm a smart cookie I'll figure it out.
My AmerCorps outreach includes contacting all the local colleges and high schools in southwest Ohio and setting up days where I can come and set up a table and give out literature or give a presentation about AmeriCorps. This has become harder than I had thought it would be. The first obstacle I have had is trying to get somebody to give me a list of all the public and private high schools and colleges in SW Ohio. So basically I have been calling schools and leaving voice mails for people who are supposed to be able to help me with my questions. So far nobody has bothered to return my calls. Maybe after Thanksgiving I might get some answers. I think a lot of people are out of town on vacation right now going home for the holiday I assume. Anyway this gives me time to get my thoughts in order as to the presentation. I've given this several times at various career fairs so it isn't much different the only difference is that I am not currently recruiting for any positions.
I decided to take on this task because I was shocked on how many people just did not know what AmeriCorps was and I think this is an awesome program so of course I want to shout it from the mountain tops and let as many people know about it as possible. AmeriCorps has truly changed my life and I know it can for so many other people. It is a great opportunity for kids coming out of high school and really do not know what they want to do or what field they want to go into in college. This allows them to help the community earn a little income and get money for college at the same time. In other words a win win deal in my eyes. I only wish someone told me about this when I was in high school. I think things would of been different for me if they had. So this is my mission to go out to the high schools target the senior classes and let them know about all the different programs that AmeriCorps has to offer. I would like to at least get information to all of the high school counselors (at least the ones in SW Ohio) about the program before my service ends.
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