AmeriCorps/Nonprofit Blog
We've been having computer/ internet issues at work lately, so I'm pretty excited that I've managed to update the blog and some of the links (well, we'll see, I guess.).
Tonight I get to meet Representative Jim McGovern at my PAL session. Wahoo. Of course, I won't be in my role as an "official" AmeriCorps--since as an AmeriCorps volunteer I'm not allowed to have opinions (thank goodness no one read's this!). Still it will be fun--and there should be three PALs to monitor to the kids. Last week was crazy!
I have moved again! And hopefully it is the last move for the rest of my stay in Worcester. The only thing lacking is furniture... I've been eating meals standing up at the counter. It's certainly not as great as the last place, although the heat should be much better. :-)
What else? Mom sent me a package of useful things like silverwear! Hooray! I was getting tired of eating with my fingers. Just kidding. I was really enjoying it actually.
I'm in the middle of reading Serina's paper for her. It's a pretty rough draft, and I think she's already revised it, but hopefully I make a useful suggestion or two (otherwise I'll have wasted my precious and obviously limited amount of free time).
So I met our chosen Executive Administrator. He lasted for not even a day. I'm not kidding! As we (Tim, Joshua the VP, and me) were discussing the specifics of his position, he flat out refused about half of his responsibilities. It was a little unnerving. I'm getting so tired of the Habitat rollercoaster! Things are good. Things are bad. Things...are...slowly...getting WORSE! And then better. Up and down. And up up up up and then woosh, over the edge and down at break-neck speeds.
Very exhausting!
But, yes, I'm adjusting to my new home, and we're going to try out yet another candidate for the position.
I'll try and keep you posted.
Good news! Finally. Southbridge voted yes! That means that the Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity is getting a plot of land and $50,000 (there's not enough emphasis I can place on that number) to build a house. Things like this don't happen to this Habitat. Usually we're being screwed: by contractors, the City of Worcester (slogan: Keeping Worcester Down for More than 50 Years), lawyers, etc.
Thank you, God!
Another good piece of news: I think we finally found an Executive Administrator. His name is Doug, and he seems very competent and hard working and very calm. I like calm. I'm excitable and energetic enough for the entire office. We need a "go-getter," but we also need stability. He seems able to be both. :-)
I'm still trying to locate more possible funders to whom I can submit proposals. Slow going, of course. That's the price we pay of not being Boston. ::sigh::
But such happy news really is cheering. My moral was sinking very, very, very low indeed.
The snarl in my day: I need to cancel the volunteer group and I can't get a hold of the contact. Her voicemail is "currently unavailable." And the, instead of offering an alternate contact, it just tells me "Please hang up now." WHAT? What kind of phone ettiqute is that. Stupid post office. No wonder I haven't been getting mail.
However, I refuse to let that get me down!
$50,000! I could swoon with happiness.
Update: 2:27pm
What is it with people? I just fielded a call from someone interested in the AmeriCorps Construction Assistant position--but this person said flat out that she had no construction experience! I don't understand! What are they thinking?
However this has been countered by another person calling with interest about the position. But this person was an AmeriCorps NCCC, and part of that NCCC experience was with Habitat doing construction. And his from Wisconsin. The only drawback is that he might not have adequate transportation available. But at least he qualifies for the position!
The weather is beautiful today, and I have very little motivation to be in the office. I wish there was site work to do. I would love to be outside building something right now.
I would even settle for writing a grant proposal if I could find anyone willing to consider a proposal.
But all in all, this has been a good day, and that is such a relief, as it was hard to convinence myself that it was worth the trouble of getting out of bed.
