ask me anything

[marathoner452]

Stolen from ratkrycek

How many times has someone on your friends list posted about something and you were really confused, but you didn't want to ask because you knew you should know? How many times have you felt 'guilty' asking a close LJ friend a question that should be 'obvious'?

Well, here's your chance.

If you've missed a few things, missed an entry and are confused, ask me anything. Even something extremely basic. I'm not allowed to get even slightly irritated at any of the questions -- we've all missed things before.

~Bethany

Comments

[batemanenroute.livejournal.com]

What's "americorp"?

:)

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

First of all, you're spelling it wrong. AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps*VISTA, complete with the little * at the top.

Do you really want the whole history? I'm getting really good at telling it. NCCC was probably part of FDR's alphabet soup of New Deal programs. VISTA was started under President Johnson in 1965 as part of his "War on Poverty" and stands for "volunteers in service to America." The goal is to help people help themselves out of poverty, give them tools and resources and opportunities but not a handout. Clinton started AmeriCorps in 1992 (I think) and put it all under one umbrella along with the state and national programs.

And why am I a VISTA with the Red Cross? By default. Civic Works (an urban gardening project) and the MD/DE Red Cross were two of the very few programs that required a very short application. I didn't have time to write lots of essays and finish my senior thesis at the same time. Civic Works wanted me to start work before I had enough money saved up for a car, and besides the commute stunk-lots of city driving and rush-hour traffic gridlock.

So I work for the Red Cross out in Frederick. :-)

~Bethany

[batemanenroute.livejournal.com]

(I was joking about the americorp thing...)

Thanks for the answer though :) It's always nice to hear why others have signed up for VISTA with the Red Cross.

By the way, are you familiar with the Red Cross VISTA listserv?

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I figured I didn't need to tell you what AmeriCorps is, but I always get a kick out of going through the history. I got lots of practice with that down in Louisiana. :-)

I didn't know about the listserv. Do you have a link for it?

~Bethany

[batemanenroute.livejournal.com]

I also get a kick out of telling the story. But, then, I've been transformed into an AmeriNerd, so that explains that.

I've written my former boss about getting the information-- I'm not even sure it's still being used. It's something that a co-VISTA and I started up during our term of service. We were so sick of not having anyone to brainstorm ideas with during PSO and CDT (or is it EST now?) that we wanted to have a way to get in touch with other Red Cross VISTAs. As soon as she gets back to me, I'll let you know. Can I send her your email address to add you if that's what it takes?

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

AmeriNerd. I like that. That and "disaster junkie."

Sure, you can send her my email address. Thanks.

~Bethany