• Article Photo. Master of Ceremonies Kaitie Corley welcomes NCCC members to the induction.
    Master of Ceremonies Kaitie Corley welcomes NCCC members to the induction.
  • Article Photo. The AmeriChoir sings The National Anthem.
    The AmeriChoir sings The National Anthem.
  • Article Photo. Andrew Kuka shares an opening reading during the AmeriCorps induction Friday at the VSHS auditorium.
    Andrew Kuka shares an opening reading during the AmeriCorps induction Friday at the VSHS auditorium.
  • Article Photo.
    "I will get things done!" AmeriCorps team leaders and members recite the Pledge.
  • Article Photo. NCCC members recite the pledge.
    NCCC members recite the pledge.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Julia Sanders shares a closing reading.
    Julia Sanders shares a closing reading.
  • Article Photo. Members of Cedar 2 recite their team motto.
    Members of Cedar 2 recite their team motto.
  • Article Photo. Fritz Noren speaks to his unit.
    Fritz Noren speaks to his unit.
  • Article Photo. MC Kaitie Corley quoted Dr. Seuss in her closing comments.
    MC Kaitie Corley quoted Dr. Seuss in her closing comments.
  • Article Photo. Teams posed for photos after the ceremony.
    Teams posed for photos after the ceremony.

 

For the seventh time since 2008, Americans from dozens of states stood together in the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Auditorium and vowed to “get things done” for their country.

The AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 members – all 240 of them – are now scattered throughout several states on their first large projects. They arrived last month to begin their training, and officially became AmeriCorps members in the traditional induction ceremony Friday evening.

Just five years ago, Jody Burns, who is now the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Deputy Region Director for Programming, introduced herself and AmeriCorps to the Vinton City Council, and discussed the changes the city would soon see at the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School (IBSSS) campus.

Before Friday’s induction, Burns said the past five years have been full of excitement and changes. There are now approximately 400 members based at the North Central Region campus, where 160 work with the FEMA Corps program.

“Welcome aboard, and get ready for an adventure,” said Fritz Noren, a long-time Vinton resident who is in his second year as a Unit Leader. There are three AmeriCorps units: Maple, Oak and Cedar, each with six or seven teams of 10-12 members each.

Campus Director Dan Milnes recited a list of things the NCCC members have already done since arriving in Vinton. Among other things, they helped clear nature areas, cook and serve pancakes, clean hundreds of skates, and organize 6,184 Legos. The day after the induction, several NCCC members helped with the State Speech Contest, which took place at VSHS and the Middle School.

After praising the members for what they have already accomplished, Milnes went on to describe their impact on the areas they will soon go to serve.

“You will bring communities together,” said Milnes.

The 20 teams have now left Vinton, where they are working with housing projects, YMCA services, conservation groups, wildlife refuges and disaster recovery efforts.

While most of the teams are traveling outside of Iowa, one group will be helping the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo relocate to a new location, while another will travel to northern Buchanan County to do some projects at the Nature Center near Hazleton.

Corps member Katie Corley served as Master of Ceremonies. Andrew Kuka and Julia Sanders also shared their thoughts in opening and closing readings, respectively.

The highlight of the induction is the reciting of the AmeriCorps Pledge:

I will get things done for America- to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.

I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.

Faced with apathy, I will take action.

Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.

Faced with adversity, I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done!