Ameri-terms

I realized that I've been, and will continue to be, using various terminology and acronyms used in the AmeriCorps NCCC world so here's a glossary of commonly used words that are associated with being involved with AmeriCorps NCCC. *Most definitions taken directly from the AmeriCorps NCCC member handbook.

AmeriCorps: The national service initiative that engages nearly 70,000 individuals in full- and part- time through NCCC, VISTA, and more than 600 state, local, and national nonprofit organizations.

(One of my first few posts already gave a description of AmeriCorps NCCC).

Corps Member Training Institute (CTI): This refers to the first four weeks of training for all AmeriCorps NCCC members. It is a time of preparation and readiness for the months of service ahead.

Individual Service Projects (ISPs): 80 hours of individual service required to successfully complete the program. This can be done individually, or with your team.

Physical Training (PT): A 45 minute work-out, individually or as a team. (We will be having PT a few times each week which consists of but not limited to: baseline (1.5mile run/walk, push-ups, sit-ups), jogging, yoga, any team sport, an exercise video, etc.)

Spikes: Projects that require teams to travel and live away from the campus for the duration of the project - usually 6-8 weeks. (We have 4 spikes during the program).

Team: The primary entity for each member. Every member has been assigned to a team with an assigned team leader. Teams train, travel, and work together. (I'm Sun 3 - team 3 of the sun unit).

Team Leader (TL): The immediate supervisor of members. TLs are responsible for the safety, well-being, productivity, and personal development of each member assigned to their team.

Unit: Five to seven teams compose one unit. At times, units will train for and travel to projects together. Much of the training during CTI will be accomplished within the unit structure. (Sun unit for me).

Unit Leader (UL): The AmeriCorps NCCC staff member responsible for their assigned members, and the activities of the entire unit. The UL is involved in planning most of the details for work and how it is to be accomplished at individual project sites and is also the first-line supervisor of TLs.