by Tina LaRoche, AmeriCorps Leader U.S.D.A. Interfaith Hunger Coalition AmeriCorps

SEPTEMBER 1996 - (archived information - please note the date of publication)

Webster's, watch out! The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 created a whole new vocabulary ("Servicespeak") with original words and phrases sprouting up in the service field almost daily. In order to keep up with the demands of this new language, and before we are overtaken by the "esprit de corps" and "champion identification" we have created, here's an introduction to one more term:

AmeriCorps Leader - v., n., adv., adj. - one of 50 individuals accepted into an innovative leadership program that provides participants with advanced leadership and facilitation skills so that they may serve as national service ambassadors and lend support to programs throughout the country.

Reflections of an AmeriCorps Leader
As we come to the close of our service year, and as the Class of 1996 AmeriCorps Leaders prepares to pass the proverbial baton to the Class of 1997, it seems an appropriate time for reflection. Although we have come together several times this year to continue our training, the experience of each individual AmeriCorps Leader is quite unique. AmeriCorps Leaders are matched to a specific program site according to the needs of the program and the skills and experience the Leader has to offer.

In the spirit of "flexibility," my year began with a cross-country move from Bridgeport, CT, where I completed my first year of AmeriCorps, to Los Angeles, CA, when I was placed with the U.S.D.A. Interfaith Hunger Coalition AmeriCorps team. In addition to having to adapt to the year-round sunshine (a hardship, believe me), I also had to acquaint myself with an entirely new community, learn the local politics, and develop new contacts ‚ not to mention trying to remember that the Corporation staff in Washington, D.C. were three hours ahead of me, and wouldn't be answering phones at 9 o'clock at night! So fully did I immerse myself in my new locale, that I am staying within the Los Angeles service community!

My primary responsibility has been to serve as Education Coordinator, creating and implementing a life skills curriculum while developing a service-learning model for my Corps. In addition to service with my individual program, I served as a national service ambassador ‚ helping to plan service projects for MLK Jr. Day and National Volunteer Week, getting involved with the L.A. Regional AmeriCorps network, organizing peer exchanges, sharing training opportunities, and generally making myself available as a resource to area Corporation-funded programs.

It has been a tremendously challenging and exciting year, from working with the service community in Southern California, to collaborating with the other truly exceptional AmeriCorps Leaders throughout the country. While my program served the community through nutrition presentations, community gardens, providing disaster relief, supporting micro-enterprise and assisting the homeless community, I was able to connect to area programs doing similar work, and access national resources that supported our service.

Serving as an AmeriCorps Leader has been an excellent example of "experiential learning!" National service encompasses far more than AmeriCorps, with the Senior Service Corps, Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*NCCC all included in the partnership. The sustainability of national service relies on the strength of our collaborative efforts. This year has taught me how difficult it is sometimes to build those collaborations, yet how fruitful those efforts can be! A source of strength for many programs lies in the creation of member councils and regional networks that allow for grassroots leadership, collaboration and empowerment.

I encourage all local programs, State Commission and Corporation staff to find out if AmeriCorps Leaders have been placed in your community for next year. Not only can they serve as a link to area programs, but they have a connection to the national perspective on service, have many resources and skills to offer, and can serve as a bridge between membership and staff. At the very least, they'll be familiar with "Servicespeak," and you can converse freely about the "service ethic" and "national T/TA providers ..."