Catching up with our Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member

I am almost halfway through my service as MUCC’s Huron Pines AmeriCorps member. Just recently I had my mid-year evaluation with Shaun (my supervisor) and Sarah Topp (Huron Pines AmeriCorps Coordinator). I have been off to the races since starting my service and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would like to break down my service as a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member and share with you what I have been up to thus far.

Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member

The Huron Pines AmeriCorps program offers educational training to its members. For example, the program provides two or more elective trainings for each member to attend. I have selected to attend the MUCC Chainsaw Safety Training, S130/S190 Wildland Fire Training, Outdoor & Environmental Education training and possibly more.  Along with the trainings, MUCC has provided funding for me to become pesticide certified in three different categories: commercial applicator, aquatic & right-of-way pest management. As members, we then participate in an active learning training provided by Huron Pines. All members met in Alpena, March 8th, to share about our service and learn from two insightful presenters on how to properly give a presentation and how to effectively define a problem before you find a solution.

Just this last week we had our member camp at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha. The purpose of the camp was to connect with our cohorts and have fun in doing so. I climbed the high ropes and rock climbing course, as well as canoed Arbutus Lake and played beach volleyball. While at camp we all participated in a grant writing training, something I desperately needed and wanted to learn. There are a total of 28 members and to be honest I did not know everyone’s name nor where they severed. By the end of the two-day camp, I was able to talk to everyone and connect on some level. We are like-minded individuals when it comes to conserving our natural resources and I think it’s a very special thing that we can all connect under one’s common interests but from many different backgrounds and motivations. Following the camp, all members proceeded to Gaylord MI, to participate in the annual Russ Mawby Signature Service Project. All Huron Pines AmeriCorps members teamed up with several other AmeriCorps programs to clean up multiple sites around the city of Gaylord.

Next week, I will dive into more of my core responsibilities with my service as the engagement specialist at MUCC.