November 2008

LACNOLA Retreat

Members headed to the wilds of Utica, MS and the Henry S Jacobs camp for a four day retreat. The focus was slightly different each day but always included teambuilding and fun! Members were trained in listening skills, problem solving, the effects of competition and cooperation on group behavior, 21^st Century Success Principles, service project planning, facilitation, and many other areas. The retreat included a day with the First Steps training program which found members playing nose flutes, jumping rope, dodging cow patties, and swinging from ropes as they climbed the 50 ft Alpine Tower. Members left exhausted but happy having enjoyed getting to know each other and enjoy the fall weather!

October 2008

CPR/First Aid Training

For the first training of the year, Literacy AmeriCorps members became certified in first aid and CRP through the American Red Cross. Members spent the day learning how to do rescue breathing, how to splint an injury in a variety of ways, the signs of heatstroke and other useful information. They also had the opportunity to reflect on their first month of service in the monthly “The Good, the bad and the ugly” session which asks members to share a success and challenge with the Corps each month.

National Institute of Literacy - Reading Training Series

October, December, February, April

AmeriCorps members have the unique opportunity to partake in a four part series of trainings lead by the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL). NIFL has a collaborative of national, regional and local partners working together in the Greater New Orleans area to provide on going training, support and coaching to the Literacy AmeriCorps members working in adult education programs. The Center for Literacy Studies at the University of Tennessee has partnered with the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy at Loyola University and the Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans to provide Literacy AmeriCorps members with four day-long reading trainings facilitated by a trainer from NCFL and a local reading specialist. The AmeriCorps members will also receive on-site observations and ongoing coaching to support assessment and instruction. Hazel Parker is the local literacy coach providing the ongoing technical support. She has worked with children and adults in the field of education for more than 15 years.

Orientation 2008-2009

This year orientation was a great success! Members gathered for three days to begin to create team unity and gain a variety of skills needed not only in their teaching and tutoring positions but also in their lives beyond AmeriCorps. Session topics included: An Introduction to the Literacy Field, Basic Components of Reading, The TABE Test: What is it and How it Works, Living on a Budget, A History of National Service, Committee Planning Meetings, 21st Century Success Skills Training - Workplace Habits for Success, Alumni Panel and Luncheon, and many opportunities for team building. The three days culminated in a Swearing In Pin Ceremony and luncheon where members, site supervisors, and program administrators gathered to usher in the new service year. After the final luncheon, members tested their creativity in a photo scavenger hunt in the New Orleans Botanical Gardens and the Sculpture Garden in City Park. (The photo to the left is of the swearing in ceremony. Members past and present as well as any program staff that were former AmeriCorps members read the pledge and helped swear in our newest class.)