11/29-12/4

11/29
You guessed it, I worked on Care Paths again.  Yes, it is really quite an exciting life.  But that is not all I have done today.
I entered in some new variables for a Care Path database.  No, it is not difficult to do, but it is an odd sensation trying to recollect how to do such a thing when you have not done so in quite awhile.
I decided to send Matt to the Cultural Competency event put on by ArabDetroit, as Joe will only pay for one ticket.
I e-mailed Lisa Horvath again about my LST, YAR, and ART certificates.  These certificates are an important means to show not only that I am trained to facilitate groups in these areas but that I am qualified to do such a thing.
I even had the time to e-mail Jordan O'Neil based out of the Grand Rapids Red Cross, to setup a Disaster Preparedness training in January.  As January is coming up, I knew it was time to contact him.  We were originally supposed to go earlier this term, but were unable, and if I do say so, I have been looking forward to it myself.  I received a response within a short period of time from Jordan saying I would need to speak with his supervisor, so I will e-mail his boss soon.


11/30
I entered data again today from more Care Paths and AmeriCorps Teen Surveys.
I e-mailed Joe about an alumni list for our program, so as to contact them to fill out our Alumni Surveys.  His response was to put it up on Facebook first and see what responses we can muster there.
The importance of typing accurately:
 If a form is not filled out correctly, I have to contact a supervisor for clarification.  This was the case for one of the Care Paths I came into contact with today.  I received a Closure Form stating the client was "deceased or to sick to continue services."  Now bear with me, as this is not a critique, merely an example of what writing the wrong thing can cause.
Because the form said the client successfully completed the program, I was curious how the client could be deceased and do so.  This brings me to my earlier point; because of this I had to contact a supervisor in JJ to get clarification.  His response was that the client is very much alive.  My postulation is that it is a template response, as certain case workers have such.
We also had CFE's first building meeting while I have been there.  It was not a real exciting meeting, but a very basic one with introductions, discussion of our holiday party, and of procedures to guard against the entrance of people who should not be in CFE.
I placed another Office Depot order, too.


12/1
Today was a great day for an hour of training.  I started off my day with Care Path data entry.
I created my goals for the term which I need to give to Joe.  These goals are long in number, but I will write them here:

Goals for Supervision

1          I plan on creating a peer mediation group.  This will be based around the 40 point assessment used in the School-Based Department, along with taking into mind the protective and risk factors for youth.  The plan would be to get a Teen Coalition to want to train, train them, and then set the program up at their individual school. 

            If it works, the thought we then be to introduce it to other schools we have teen coalitions.

 2          I want to create and then pitch the idea of a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to TGC.  I will first create a BCP for CFE to present to Pam Cinpak and show the importance of it.

3          I need to continue my schooling.  There is no way around it, so I need to get moving.

            A         I need to look into graduate studies schools. 

            B         Decide on a degree or 2

            C         Apply to the degree program or 2

4          I would like to shadow other programs once a month.  Specifically, I want to shadow a JJ casework like Monique or Phil.  I need to contact them still, but with your permission I will contact them and let you, along with Heidi, know what days this will be.

            I would also like to do the same with United Way 211, if at all possible.  I have talked with Luke Brown about this possibility, and he seems to be okay with it, if you and Heidi are okay with it.

5          I would like to help facilitate a School-Based or JJ group.  I would like to try facilitating an Integrated (LST and ART) or LST group.

 6          I would like to learn more about SPSS and the other programs we use in CFE.

I mentioned earlier that I had a great training today and that is quite true.

Through Kaboom! I participated in "Online to Offline."  This training was about utilizing Social Media to get participation in your area of service.  It is ideal for those seeking to enhance their volunteer or mentoring programs.  Within it's bounds it teaches one the basics of utilizing social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr for the betterment of your service.

It talked about ways to generate strength in causes such as through:

Petition writing by using Care2 or Change.org; the generating of Volunteers through VolunteerSpot; and by Fundraising using CrowdRise or Facebook Causes.

Because of this training, I ended up emailing TGC's PR person to ask if TGC Tweets.  The answer is "no, but who knows, maybe some day."

12/2

I created a new series of variables and database for, what else, Care Paths.

I also redrafted my time sheets and an MNR, while also placing them on OnCorps.

12/3

After our Team Meeting at AQ, we had an hour drive to Operation Good Cheer in Waterford, MI.  At this service event, were not the only ones present.  There were quite a few volunteers at this annual event.  If you were unaware, Operation Good Cheer is designed to distribute toys to underprivileged children throughout MI.  With this in mind, we unloaded multiple trucks, not only emptying them, but also separating them into where they were headed.

At the end of the day, we were all quite tired, but it was a great feeling knowing we helped to make a child's holiday better.
Joe also gave Matt and I permission to attend CFE's Holiday Party which is on 12/17 in the middle of that event.  

12/4

I attempted to join the AmeriCorps Alumni Detroit Chapter, as I have completed a summer term. 
I did this through the website and also managed to view the first session of training on how to become an Alum Chapter Leader.

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuHQUjijzY0

http://www.slideshare.net/AmeriCorpsAlums/ameri-corps-alums-overview
http://www.slideshare.net/AmeriCorpsAlums/ameri-corps-alums-resume-and-interview
http://www.slideshare.net/AmeriCorpsAlums/education-award
http://encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/whatsnext/index.shtml
http://edaward.org/
I also was able to get a copy of the Conflict Resolution materials AmeriCorps uses, so on Monday I will print them off and review them to try and incorporate them into the foundation of the curriculum I plan to write for a peer mediation group.