Corps Member Training Institute

Due to the government shutdown, Corps Member Training Institute was condensed from a month to two weeks. Fortunately, the staff worked extremely hard to ensure that all necessary trainings were completed in the short amount of time. Unfortunately, the new schedule left very little time for unit outings – hikes, museum visits, teambuilding and PT games. We did, however, get to take our temporary teams out to dinner for the first week, which gave us a chance to get to know them and sample some delicious local cuisine (nothing fancy, but I am a firm believer that the best conversation very often happens around food, so I was happy).

As always, we made the best of it.

AmeriCorps Next Top Model  (Uniform violations edition)

Unit time at Red Rocks Amphitheater

Chief Mountain, CO - elevation 11,709ft

Chief Mountain, CO

Classes, classes, and more classes. From Red Cross First Aid/ CPR certification to diversity training, from driver training to AmeriLympics, the shortened CTI was jam-packed with information as we prepared the corps members for induction and deployment. A week and a half into CTI we finally got our permanent teams, and I could not have gotten luckier. For our first round project, we will be working on disaster recovery in Lyons, Colorado, the hardest hit area in the September flooding.

My fantastic team all geared up for disaster recovery

Before we knew it, Induction Day was upon us. Before I knew it, I was holding one of my corps member's hand and tearing up as we listened to an incredible, inspirational reflection by Sun Unit's very own on challenges, perseverance, and turning obstacles into opportunities. The ceremony came and went, and the corps members of Class 20A were officially sworn in. A big congratulations, and best of luck to all!

Leadership of the Sun Unit on Induction Day

My amazing team on Induction Day!