Project Leader: Jillian Ryan Project Dates: September 7, 2011 to September 5, 2012 Contact Information: 860B Silas Deane Highway Wethersfield, CT 06109 860-372-4405 jryan@thesca.org [1]
Recovered Field Reports from the Ether [2]
Apparently all of my in the field reports were not showing up (the last 7 that were still outstanding) and had disappeared into Salesforce ether. This had happened at the very beginning of the year (funny how everything goes full circle) and everyone was mad because they had to redo their posts. I begged Jill to help me make them public and we finally arrived at the answer. Someone with editing privileges has to log in and search for the post by name in the search field. Once it comes up, scroll to the bottom and click on Groups. You can pick the group you want it to appear in (in this case CTCorps)and they will reappear!
If you don't have editing privileges, just make sure when you are creating a new post that you check off the box that says audience: .
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Let the Grieving Begin.... [5]
It’s 9/14, and the rest of the Corps is gone. Jenna and I are the only Corps members who have stayed on Neighbor to Neighbor and she is working remotely out of Vermont. Jill led a grieving exercise with us a little over a month ago before everyone left to help us transition into the next part of our lives. I think it’s pretty clear I fall under, “Let’s hang on!” Here are the other styles people may express as they cope with loss:
Let’s Get Angry!
This is the person who finds that it is easier to leave a place that I don’t really want to be anyway. By picking a fight or expressing anger, the individual buys time to not deal with all the other emotions she may be dealing with (sadness, regret, frustration, anxiety, fear, etc.). Anger functions well as a cover-up emotion and enables the distancing to occur emotionally even before the physical ‘end’ and distancing comes. (The key here is to try and encourage yourself to get in touch with your feelings and to comment that you notice a change)
Let’s Hang On!
This is the person who basically decides that if she hangs on, she won’t really be leaving. She may talk about coming back after the year of service is over, working at the placement site, visiting, etc. (Staying in touch is OK, but it would be good for you to find a way to really mark the “end” of your service. A clean break makes it easier to transform your relationship).
Hold Back the Clock!
This is the person who basically decides that if she does everything she can possibly before the end of the year, she will feel like she has more time than she actually has. In opposition to the angry person who tries to distance herself, the clock person tries to immerse herself more deeply. She is often driven by a fear of regret (e.g. I didn’t do everything I wanted to do) and uses her higher level of activity to keep her busy enough to assist in not coping with the coming transition. (If this is you, SLOW DOWN! Try and articulate your accomplishments AND ask others to share the impact you have made (e.g., from staff or those you have served).
Let’s Just Sit and Wait!
Others will simply detach themselves completely. If she were an image on the TV screen, she would be the person who simply fades out slowly. She may become less motivated at work (and at home) and just slowly detach, bit-by-bit, piece-by-piece, so that when the “end” comes, there’s so little of her present, there’s not much to take away. (Don’t fade away! Try to think of ways to ‘leave a mark’ on the placement).
Let’s Look Ahead!
This is the grass will get greener person. She copes with the pain and loss of transition by focusing on what she will be gaining in the ‘what’s next’ of her journey. She begins to live in the future to avoid the present. Again, this is the story of early detachment, which may show itself in many different types of behaviors. Encouraging the future person to stay in the present is always helpful. (Try and plan special events/activities to make the present more palpable and enjoyable. Remember, the past is history, the future is mystery, the now is gift, that’s why they call it the present).
What’s the big deal?
This is the person who simply does not see the transition as significant. This person will probably challenge the need for closing dinners, ceremonies, and too much attention to the matter. They see the end as just another day, and another time. Often, these individuals will have a delayed reaction-their goodbye process will not even begin until after they are gone. (Remember, different strokes for different folks! When the process begins for you, you will be able to draw from what you saw in others).
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Dale Carnegie Sales Training [8]
Dale Carnegie Sales Training
As we move into Year 3, we are focusing more of our efforts on contractor development and are hosting another Dale Carnegie Sales Training. I was lucky enough to be included in the first training and found it to be some of the most useful 2 days of my life. The presenter, Scott Garvis, was incredibly engaging and started off by asking everyone if they liked salesmen. He said he didn’t like salesmen either because most people in sales are not professionals.
When you meet a professional salesperson, you notice that their emphasis is more on meeting your needs and desires than pushing something onto you that you don’t need. Good sales skills require actively listening to your client to figure out their needs, desires and motivations and then framing your product in a way that they are going to care about. If you care about what they care about, they are going to care about listening to you. It is about building relationships and giving honest advice. If they really don’t need insulation, don’t tell them that they do.
This logic helped me understand why I have success in people’s homes getting them to take next steps on lighting visits even though I have no training in sales; I care more about helping people in their homes than pitching a product. My genuine desire to guide them through the process is apparent and they take to heart what I have to say. This comes naturally to me because this is how I operate in my personal relationships. It’s true that most people would rather have you listen to them than hear what you have to say, and sadly most people don’t take the time to really listen. I hope that the contractors who attend the second training work to implement the best practices Scott has to share.
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Solarize Portland Begins! [10]
On September 4th, Portland had its town kick-off meeting for Solarize Portland. We weren’t sure what to expect for attendance, but over 60 people showed up, 37 of them wanting a solar consultation! Solarize works by selecting a single installer who has been vetted by the Town and running a 4-month long campaign to sign up as many people as possible for residential solar. It uses grass-roots organizing to increase participation and the more people who get involved, the lower the price for everyone becomes.
There are 5 tiers of pricing and the price for solar lowers at each tier once participation thresholds are met. They only need 75 people to sign a contract for solar in order to get to get to the lowest tier and the cheapest solar by December 14th. This model heavily incentivizes residents to get their friends and neighbors involved. With current state rebates and federal incentives, the payback on solar is 5-7 years, which is almost double the rate of return than it was just a few years ago! I am excited for the first person to actually install solar on their home.
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Taco Tuesdays [13]
Taco Tuesdays
When I reviewed my work plan with Jill, I realized that my long-term career goals are to be in a leadership position where I can create an encouraging work environment for employees. One of my favorite activities in our office that I would definitely want to replicate was called Taco Tuesdays. Each week we picked someone that had either had a major accomplishment or was in dire need of encouragement. We made a construction paper taco and each person in our office took a different taco ingredient (lettuce, beans, cheese, tortilla) and wrote words of positive inspiration. Then the taco was left on the recipient’s desk to be found.
The peer recognition made an incredible impact from the earnest appreciation. Each week we rotated who received the taco until it culminated with Jenna’s piñata taco. Taco Tuesdays were her brainchild and in typical Jenna fashion, she thought that when everyone but her had gotten a taco, we would be done. We filled her taco with confetti, candy and kind remarks and had it hanging it on a tree outside our apartment. I conned her into coming to join us by saying I had locked myself out of our apartment and needed her to let me in. She was totally surprised and at the end of the lunch, hugged me. Getting a hug from Jenna might be my greatest accomplishment to date.
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A Year in Reflection [15]
A few weeks ago as we were gearing up for the final stretch of Neighbor to Neighbor, we recounted some of our favorite memories from the last year. Most of them were reflections of our SCA days when we got out of the office. The fond memories included gallivanting through the Corn Maze together and going to the All Corps gathering. We also spoke nostalgically of the camping trip in Macedonia State Park near Kent Falls. Kevin highlighted the successful Glastonbury canvass he led with Clean Water canvass trainer Cassie.
Some of the in-office celebrations included our potlucks, Christmas Pun Day, ½ Christmas, and themed Fridays, especially pajama day where Kayla came into the office in her Hamtaro suit. Though we spent many long hours working in our communities, it was the moments we carved out to enjoy one another that gave us the strength to keep going. It was the sense of camaraderie and the support we gave one another that allowed us to function as a true team. We forged a strong identity together, one that is sure to be remembered for years to come.
In the spirit of lightheartedness, Jill had asked Kate to bring her hoola hoops so we could have a hoola hooping contest. This idea came to fruition based on Jill’s assumption that none of us could hoola hoop any better than she can (which is not very extensively). Kevin volunteered to go first and hoola hooped for 3 minutes straight! Since Jill relieves stress through physical exertion, we thought an LED, collapsible hoola hoop would be the perfect parting gift for our end of year 2 celebration. Her face lit up just as much as the hoola hoop when she opened it and it brought us all joy to see such joy radiate from her face. I’m sure this too will be added to our warm recollections of our time as the Clean Energy Corps.
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Year 2 Celebration, Goodbye Clean Energy Corps [18]
Most of our Clean Energy Corps members are moving on from Neighbor to Neighbor, so we wrote this three-person speech to say thank you and goodbye to all of those who have supported us on this journey.
(Chamae, Jeff and Kayla wander on stage, looking slightly lost, similar to their first day at N2N. They are all wearing SCA shirts, hardhats, and hiking boots and awkwardly wave hello to one another)
Chamae: Hey, uh…are you here for that Clean Energy Corps program?
Kayla: Yeah, the Student Conservation Association, right?
Jeff: Yep! I’m excited to work somewhere where I can wear my carhardts. I hear SCA is known for trail-building and invasive species removal.
Chamae: That’s what my friends in college told me. The park seems right and the solar panels make sense, but who are all these people? (indicates to the crowd).
Kayla: I remember them saying something about working with a bunch of partner organizations in the job description. And that Connecticut is a small northeast state with areas ranging from urban centers, to oceanfront, to rural farms and communities.
Jeff: Farms!?!? Farms in Conecticut? I don’t know about all that. When I think of the SCA though, I think of escaping from civilization for a while and living in the backcountry. Don’t get me wrong, I like people, as long as I don’t have to go knocking on their doors.
Kayla: Don’t worry, they told me in my interview we definitely won’t be doing any of that.
Jill (runs on stage): Hi guys! Welcome to the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge! Now this Corps is a little unique from the rest, you won’t be building trails or removing invasive species. Instead you’ll be engaging residents in 14 communities to help them reduce energy waste in their homes by 20 percent. We’ll do this by running a free lighting program, giving presentations to community groups, hosting workshops, and….going door-to-door! (brief pause, everyone groans and makes exasperated face) You go where the people are! Here are your shirts (throws collared button-down N2N shirts at us), get going! (runs off stage).
Kayla: Wait, what!?! What do we say to them??? Are we supposed to do anything with what we find out? I feel so unprepared!!
Chamae: I don’t know, let’s just go say hi and see what happens. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.
(go into crowd and start talking to attendees about Neighbor to Neighbor- 20 sec).
Jeff (from crowd): When we started in October 2010, none of us knew quite what to expect coming onto a pilot program. Most of us came to Neighbor to Neighbor on pure faith, knowing that we wanted to make a difference reducing energy use in Connecticut. I was definitely worth the leap, because we have learned a lot and met many amazing people.
Chamae: We have received amazing trainings on the inner workings of Salesforce, active listening, coordinating volunteers, public presentations, and community outreach. We were able to shadow our HES vendors and know first hand the value of what they do in 4 hours.
Jeff: We’ve not only learned outreach skills, but we are now lighting experts! We have the certificates to prove it (Chamae pulls her lighting certificate out of her back pocket, upside down and nods enthusiastically), and have learned first hand why CFLs don’t go into dimmer switches.
Kayla: We’ve learned how buildings work and can tell you the signs of energy waste including ice dams, mold and comfort issues. We’ve even learned how to run an effective office!
Chamae (next to Lou): We also learned about people. Why they care about energy efficiency and how to form real relationships. And how brownies and breakfast can go a long way to making friends (smiles at Lou)
Jeff (next to Bryan): And we’ve met a lot of incredible people! We’ve shook hands with Commissioner Esty, the Governor and are on a first name basis with the president of the CEFIA. (put hand on shoulder and smile)
Kayla (next to Kerry): Did you guys know that Kerry, the program manager of Neighbor to Neighbor created her own job at Lord and Taylor right out of school?
Jeff: (next to Roger). And that Roger Smith, leader in Connecticut’s environmental movement, is heading to Japan this fall to make a documentary about how residents are recovering from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Chamae: Every day I get to work with amazing community leaders who work tirelessly to make their town a better place to live. Their dedication and passion are an inspiration. When Lou Pear, Portland clean energy task force member, isn’t championing clean energy, he volunteers with the Special Olympics.
(all head back to the front)
Kayla: So we want to thank all of you, those who attended and those who couldn’t.
Chamae: Thank you for your mentorship, your patience and your kindness.
Jeff: Thank you for sharing your knowledge about residential construction and energy efficiency.
Kayla: Thank you for all of the hours you have tabled alongside us and for putting on workshops and open houses.
Chamae: In just two short years, the Clean Energy Corps have installed over 8,500 lightbulbs. We have knocked on hundreds of doors and held over 50 community workshops.
Kayla: We have over 120 community partners and over 6000 participants.
Jeff: With your help, we have saved over $1 million annually in the Energy Challenge.
Chamae: This has been an incredible journey and we are so proud to be part of such a reckoning force in Connecticut.
Jeff: Together we have left a significant impact that will be felt for years to come. Heck the DPUC is looking to us for guidance on how to make energy efficiency work in Connecticut!
Kayla: Though some days have been long and hard, it was all worth it. We greatly appreciate the amazing opportunity provided by this program. Thank you all who have been a part of the experience. We wish you the best of luck in continuing success through the end of Neighbor to Neighbor and beyond!
All: Thank you!
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I Fail At From the Field Updates! (July update) [21]
Last week, I was informed by our leader, Jill, that I am missing 3 field updates! So now you will see several from me right in a row.
In July, we went on an amazing service trip to the Hudson Valley where we worked alongside other SCA members on various tasks. I did invasive weed pulling, although my back was injured so I did some weed pulling and switched to picture-taking once my back began to get sore. It was incredibly hot both days of our service project, and everyone was thankful for our lunches on the shady spot of a trail.
The rolling farmland made me pretty homesick, but it was great to meet other members from our area that work on more hands-on conservation work. It was a great set-up for the July All-Corps!
--Erin.
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Kate's August Post [24]
I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of my two years of service on the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge. I am sad to be leaving behind good friends and a program that has meant so much for me, but I am excited about the future
This past month has been busy. As a corps we volunteered with Stamford's Sca crew doing invasive removal and we got to celebrate the end to this year by attending a rope's course.
I can not believe how much I have learned over this last two years. I can now save that I am an expert on tabling, canvassing, and changing out people's light bulbs. And the management and campaign planning skills I acquired just begin to touch the service with everything that I have learned.
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Team bonding at 40ft in the air! [28]
This Tuesday the CT Corps traveled to Bristol, CT to participate in a ropes course as a last team bonding activity. The weather was a beautiful 75 degrees and there was plenty of shade in the forest. Our instructor for the day was Johan, a young bearded SCA look-alike. At the ropes course the team was challenged to work together, become flying squirrels and conquer many a fear of heights. Together the team helped each other over a giant wall, completed obstacles without ever breaking contact, propelled each other to fly up through the trees, and tightroped 40ft off the ground. Below are some highlights from the corps:
“Besides having a fear of heights, and having to scale a 10 foot wall the ropes course was a relaxing and fun afternoon. I was surprised how well the whole group completed the wire traverse (although many of us have been working with each other for two years). And the Ethiopian food was the perfect way to end the day!” -Kate
“While I couldn't participate in many of the activities, it was still really great to see my teammates working so well together. Everybody was working so hard and being supportive of each other, I was happy to see how we've grown over the past year. I can't believe it's almost over already!” -Erin
"Our last SCA day was my favorite 1-day excursion. I enjoyed all of our challenges at the ropes course - even the wall! I was so impressed at the strength of our vertically-inept team as we launched individuals over the 10 foot wall. I giggled hysterically just as a flying squirrel should and used all of my tiny back muscles for balance as I traversed the 40 foot high multi-vine. I maybe sore today, but I would do it all again tomorrow!” -Kayla
“We started our team-building experience by introducing ourselves to our excellent instructors and sharing our goals for the day. My goal was to cry, and since Stacy almost immediately shoved me on the ground during a highly competitive game of "Elf, Giant, Wizard", I probably should have been more specific. I was remembering walking between activities at the ropes course last year as a group and thinking, "Oh man, look at these guys! We've spent so much time together this year! And some of us are probably never going to see each other again!" and tearing up for what was to be the first event in a pretty consistent cry-fest until the non-returners said their final goodbyes. I was hoping for a repeat of this kind of sentimental episode, and although we all got pretty roughed-up and faced death a few times, I managed to hold it together until the very end. Our fearless leader Johan shared his thoughts about spending an extended time with any group of people and...okay, I'll be honest, I didn't really listen to what he was saying. I was just looking for any excuse to cry, and I got my wish! Success.
Thanks guys, and thanks Johan, for a great last SCA day. I've spent almost two years with some of you, and one of you I met only once for four hours, but you've all had an extreme, lasting, and equally important impact on my life.**
**Don't take this personally, I'm still disoriented from swinging from ropes 40+ ft in the air.” -Jenna
“The ropes course is definitely a highlight of this year. We got to climb trees, walk on wires, and pretend to be a squirrel flying through the air. Sadly, it is one of the last things we will do as a Corps. We are finishing our year of service next week and will be saying goodbye soon. I don't want to get all mushy, but I can't wait to see all the amazing things our Corps members do in the future!” -Bijal
“It was a really great experience bonding with my teammates over conquering a challenging rope-course. It was a really fun experience that I got to share with my teammates. The most challenging part of the day, definitely had to be the team traverse where we all had to cooperate together. It definitely showed our strength as a team and we accomplished it together brilliantly.” -Kevin
-Jeff, Stacy, Kate, Erin, Kayla, Jenna, Bijal, Kevin and Chamae
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Wizard Hands [37]
Yesterday we had our corps end of the year dinner, there's still a week left of the program but since Neighbor to Neighbor is more than just SCA's project, the corps wanted a day of just SCA fun. There will be more on fun day later, but the important part is we were all presented with Wizard body parts on strings to wear as necklaces. I know this sounds weird, and it is. Electronic light-up wizards have been a fixture in the office since year 1 (they have been around longer than me) and seem to come in and out of view, popping up when the corps needs some comic relief.
In CT we are lucky enough to have a great project coordinator, and one that hates electronic wizards. Jill dismantled one of these guys, strung their body parts on orange yarn (some were pretty graphic, one was just the eyes), and handed them out to wear as jewelry. There were really nice meanings behind all of these body parts, symbolizing what we as individuals brought to the team. I'll save you the mushy details but it was one of our better moments as a team. It was a pretty ridiculous scene, and one I will remember for a while, plus I am happy to say I received the hand that holds the crystal ball and it looks pretty darn awesome! Now when I think about the CT Corps I think of us all as crazy wizard parts and the great things each bring to the group, and when you put all these parts together it makes something pretty magical.
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Neighbor to Neighbor Lighting! Final Program Numbers- Jeff's August Update [42]
For the past two years the Clean Energy Corps has been administering a program called Neighbor to Neighbor Lighting. This program lasted for 19 months and helped move towards an energy reduction goal of 20%. The Clean Energy Corps went to 539 homes changing out 8,830 light bulbs. This led to an overall reduction of 441,365 watts and nearly 380,000 kwh. They helped people save nearly $68,000 and helped them reduce their carbon foot print by 306,204lbs of CO2. This free program helped those homeowners save on average $127 per year.
Out of the 539 homes that participated 346 signed up for a home energy assessments. Customers readily saw savings of up to $300 from those visits. From there customers were encouraged to get more upgrades such as HVAC or insulation where they saw savings of up to 25% combined with the home energy assessment. It's great to see N2N residents taking action to make their homes more energy efficient!
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August! [44]
It's hard to believe it's already August. The Corps have 5 weeks left here at Neighbor to Neighbor and we are making these last few weeks count!
In the past month, the Corps have been delivering contest rewards to our partners, meeting with old and new coalition partners, and attending fun summer events. And as Kate mentioned below, we ended the lighting program!
Last Thursday, Kevin and I went on the last lighting visit of the program. Yes, it was devastating. We will never again pack the car with bulbs, carry the ladder up a doorstep, and be surrounded by random, cute pets. We changed around 30 light bulbs and had a great time. I will miss spending quality time with my fellow Corps members on lighting visits!
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the All Corps get together and Outdoor Nation service day because I was on vacation. Now I'm back and NOT looking forward to saying good-bye to all of my wonderful coworkers and Corps members.
- Bijal
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The End is Near... [48]
Time sure does fly at the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge. The corps only has 5 more weeks and my two years of service is coming to a close. Our lighting program, which is a vital step in the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge wrapped up with the last lighting visits taking place in July. Erin and I had the pleasure of going on our 500th lighting visit earlier in July, which was an important and impressive milestone Overall, we have replaced 8,212 light bulbs in over 500 homes, saving 356,174 kilowatt-hours per year of energy and $63,630. Not bad for a year and ½ of work with a team of only eight corps members.
I can definitely say that I am excited to have a break from scheduling, data entry, and other obstacles that running the lighting program brings, but I will miss meeting residents who patch to energy efficiency we helped launch!
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Outdoor Nation: Historical Boston islands extravaganza! [52]
One of the best things about this year with the CT Clean Energy Corps has been how many people we have had the opportunity to meet in SCA, and how many groups we've been lucky enough to work with. We had that chance again at the SCA volunteer day in Boston as a part of Outdoor Nation. We were teamed up with SCA staff, community members and leaders, interns, local volunteers, and even a few people we met from all-corps. We spent the day doing some historic restoration on Boston's Peddock Island, sweeping, uncovering sidewalks, and dome some invasive removal. It was a great opportunity to meet so many people in SCA, learn about a new area, do some good work, and to top it all off we got awesome shirts! Check below for some highlights from the corps:
“On the ferry to Peddocks Island, we were given a combination local history/geography lesson by Mark, one of the Park Service employees familiar with the area. The natural landscape obviously influences the course of history and vice versa, but sometimes, especially in a place like Boston that's almost synonymous with the events that took place and the people who passed through there, it's easy to forget there was a time before human history when the only thing passing through was glaciers. Being reminded of that gave me a new perspective on the city. From now on I won't think of Beacon Hill without thinking, " Beacon Drumlin," instead.” -Jenna
“Through our team's hard work sweeping and shoveling buried pavement, we finished our project early - so I went rogue and explored Peddocks Island. I found a secret courtyard, some rusty artifacts, and ran away from an animal shuffling through the underbrush. I also identified some invasive plants. Then I couldn't see anyone, got nervous, and ran through the historic island back to the visitors center. What a day.” -Kayla
“The Boston Harbor service experience was a memorable one. After an educational lecture on the ferry ride out to the islands, we got to work pulling invasives, removing debris, and trying our best to avoid poison ivy. It was nice to speak with other crews and here there diverse experiences with SCA.” -Jeff
-Stacy, Jenna, Kayla & Jeff
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Outdoor Nation: Historical Boston islands extravaganza! [58]
One of the best things about this year with the CT Clean Energy Corps has been how many people we have had the opportunity to meet in SCA, and how many groups we've been lucky enough to work with. We had that chance again at the SCA volunteer day in Boston as a part of Outdoor Nation. We were teamed up with SCA staff, community members and leaders, interns, local volunteers, and even a few people we met from all-corps. We spent the day doing some historic restoration on Boston's Peddock Island, sweeping, uncovering sidewalks, and dome some invasive removal. It was a great opportunity to meet so many people in SCA, learn about a new area, do some good work, and to top it all off we got awesome shirts! Check below for some highlights from the corps:
“On the ferry to Peddocks Island, we were given a combination local history/geography lesson by Mark, one of the Park Service employees familiar with the area. The natural landscape obviously influences the course of history and vice versa, but sometimes, especially in a place like Boston that's almost synonymous with the events that took place and the people who passed through there, it's easy to forget there was a time before human history when the only thing passing through was glaciers. Being reminded of that gave me a new perspective on the city. From now on I won't think of Beacon Hill without thinking, " Beacon Drumlin," instead.” -Jenna
“Through our team's hard work sweeping and shoveling buried pavement, we finished our project early - so I went rogue and explored Peddocks Island. I found a secret courtyard, some rusty artifacts, and ran away from an animal shuffling through the underbrush. I also identified some invasive plants. Then I couldn't see anyone, got nervous, and ran through the historic island back to the visitors center. What a day.” -Kayla
“The Boston Harbor service experience was a memorable one. After an educational lecture on the ferry ride out to the islands, we got to work pulling invasives, removing debris, and trying our best to avoid poison ivy. It was nice to speak with other crews and here there diverse experiences with SCA.” -Jeff
-Stacy, Jenna, Kayla & Jeff
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All-Corps: The happiest we've ever been to win 2nd place! [64]
Two weeks ago the CT Corps attend the all-corps extravaganza hosted by Massachusetts Corps, and it was awesome! We enjoyed three days of swimming, hiking, contra dancing, music, new friends, and some healthy competition. It was a great experience to be reminded of the community we are all a part of though SCA, and to see so many of your peers (and SCA staff) doing such great work for the environment with such enthusiasm for it. It made us all feel very lucky to be a part of this unique community and to be reminded that we are all here for a reason, and together, we can make some great strides in conservation. Despite such inspiration, we still came in second in the all-corps competition and were so excited about it! We were teamed up with the awesome Mass. Corps, had quite a performance in hammering nails, killed it on silent cheering, and didn't come in last! Thank you to everyone that was a part of making this such a great experience for all of us! Below are some highlights from the corps:
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet up and spend time with other people doing conservation work in the region. We're all doing very different things but we have a common mission and even share some of the same day-to-day struggles, although some days I'd much rather clean up invasives than Salesforce. We were reminded to expand our focus and not get too caught up on the details of our individual projects, and I think that's especially important to remember as our program draws to a close in September.” -Jenna
“My favorite part of All Corps was when Chamae, Erin, and I got to play in a fast moving, shallow, rocky river. It was so cool and refreshing after the heat and warm lakes. Chamae got swept down river because of her daring, and we got to see a posse of wood ducks (identification yet to be confirmed). There was a mom and 7 babies! They frolicked, dove, and did this weird running thing across the water's surface. I also pretended to luge, while trying not to get swept downriver myself. Oh, the fun we had!” -Kayla
“Once again All-Corps brought about the best and the brightest of SCA. The dynamic duo of the Clean Energy and Massachusetts Corps came in second in the overall challenge. Although we didn't possess the superior strength to overcome in the tug-o-war challenge we sure as hell got the brain part down.” -Jeff
“It was great to learn more about what a traditional corps looks like and how it functions. It was nice to see all of the corps members we had met during our Scenic Hudson service day and have the chance to get to know them a bit better during the contra dance and day trips. All in all it was pretty excellent, despite having our butts handed to us during the more physical corps challenges. There's no taking 2nd place away from the CT Corps!” -Erin
-Stacy, Jenna, Kayla, Jeff & Erin
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CT Corps meets Hudson Valley [67]
ast week the Clean Energy Corps was lucky enough to be attend the Hudson Valley Corps service project. We spent a great two days camping out and removing invasive Buckthorn, Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet, and Multiflora rose as well as doing some trail work to connect two trails in the area. We got to expand our tool use horizons, learn a lot about invasives, watch fireflies, sit around the campfire, and make some great friends from Hudson Valley. Everyone really enjoyed getting out of the office (and Connecticut) to do some hands-on conservation work in such a beautiful setting. Thank you Hudson Valley Corps and Scenic Hudson for letting us join in on the fun, it was great to meet you all and we can't wait to see everyone again at the all corp roundup! Here's some highlights from the Corps:
“Doing a service project with Scenic Hudson was a great experience. We camped on Harrier Hill (which had a beautiful view of the Hudson River) and worked with the Hudson Valley Corps. We lopped and pulled many a buckthorn, barberry, and oriental bittersweet. It was awesome.” -Bijal
"Working with the Hudson Valley Corps was a very rewarding experience. To witness such camaraderie among a team of young people was truly an amazing site. It's good to see everyone pulling their own weight while working towards a common goal." -Jeff
“It was with a heavy heart, that I was unable to attend the service project that took place last week. Although I heard that everyone had a rewarding and fun experience. Trail work is always a great way to bond with like minded people while keep our country's trails healthy and safe. Next time I hope to be able to join.” -Kate
“I really enjoyed getting out of the office for a few days, and the setting was beautiful. I'm glad I got the opportunity to help keep it that way!” -Jenna
"The Service trip we participated in the Hudson Valley was a rewarding and joyous experience. Being outside of the office and doing trail maintenance and restoration was an altogether interesting and different experience than one I am usually used to. It was really fun and exciting and I would do it again in a heartbeat." -Kevin
"The brutal heat and sun did not put a damper on our enthusiasm for the invasive species removal service project. I think it may have even fueled a fiery passion (along with the constant fear of stinging insects and lurking poison ivy) to remove as much of that dreaded buckthorn as possible. It was impressively gratifying to actually see the impact that we were making: now you see the invasives.... NOW YOU DON'T! Since then I have been on the constant look-out for invasive plants. I find them everywhere and I want to remove them all!" -Kayla
-Stacy, Bijal, Jeff, Kate, Jenna, Kayla and Kevin
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First there were Fireflies (cm) [77]
Muscles pull taut
Cheek to hamstring
Cheek to cheek
Pearly whites gleam in the summer day's sun
My body embraces exertion
Slowly stretching out from a slumbering winter.
Clippers chop with renewed vigor
Thorny adversaries fall in force
Scythed strips of shade an acceptable casualty.
We're defending the fragile, the vulnerable, the threatened
Meandering meadows
Refuge for harrier hawks, spicebush swallowtail:
But buckthorn, bittersweet and barbeary
Barricade in the grasslands on all fronts
An encroaching endangerment we work to keep at bay.
Daylight demurely recedes,
The sun skirts behind the silo
The Catskills bask in their glory.
Fireflies flirt with the draw of dusk
Dancing among the dogwoods
Blissfully innocent in their ignorance.
Lives too short to think of sustainability.
We must think for them, of them
To ensure our posterity
Are ever-entertained by their evening glow.
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Boombox Parade in Willimantic CT (Jeff's June Update) [80]
Next week, members of the CT Clean Energy corps will participate in the 26th annual Willimantic Boombox parade. The Boombox parade is the largest of it's kind in the world and really is a unique sight. In 1986, a marching band could not be found for Windham's Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, the "Boom Box Parade" concept was born. Thousands of residents marched and turned to WILI AM on their radios and loudly played iconic marching band tunes.
The 2010 WILI "Boom Box Parade" brought some of the most creative entries to Main Street and was the longest ever (117 minutes).
Anyone can march or enter a float in "Connecticut's Unique People's Parade." The only requirements are to wear red, white, and blue, and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM). American flags are optional, but encouraged. There is no "official" theme for the parade.
The Clean Energy Corps and Windham Energy Commission will drive a Chevy Electric Volt and march with a banner in the parade.
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