DEEP Service Magazine Spring/Summer 2014 | Page 18

POSTGRADUATENEWS

A New Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA
Fellows Team Joined ACE in November
Our service term began the day we were
sworn in as AmeriCorps*VISTA members
at our Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) on
November 22, 2013. The swearing in
ceremony was the culminating event that
included appearances from congressmen, CNCS
(Corporation of National and Community Service)
representatives, and other local government officials. On
that day, we took an oath to protect and serve the interests
of America while combating poverty. Leading up to that
moment, we participated in a 4-day orientation that
prepared us for a year of service. We attended a variety of
trainings that included topics such as fundraising for your
organization, crafting the perfect elevator speech, and
having difficult conversations with volunteers. These
trainings were led by previous VISTA coordinators,
members of the CNCS, and officials from the regional
AmeriCorps office. PSO was also a time for us to connect
with other VISTA members serving in the Northeast region;
I met one of my roommates for the first time at PSO.  
Our OSOT (which stands for On-Site Orientation and
Training) was local, taking place mostly at Siena, and
included tours of a few of the agencies where Siena VISTA
Fellows were going to serve. During our OSOT, we had
training modules that consisted of professionalism in the
workplace, utilizing web tools, and understanding the
different hats we must wear as VISTAs. That was the time
that I really got to know my cohort. There are sixteen of us
in total. While many are from the area, there are a few of us
whose hometowns span most of the country. Take my
roommate, Rhonda Daniel, for example. She’s from
Jackson, Mississippi and is a veteran AmeriCorps member;
she served in NCCC (National Civilian Community
Corps) twice before coming to Albany. I also got a chance
to connect with Shawn Duhaney, originally from
Poughkeepsie, NY. Shawn and I are now great friends.

DEEP Service Magazine | Page 18

While the cohort model did aid in connecting and making
friends, the beginning of our term was still challenging.
Besides, the general feelings one may have when starting a
new job, I felt a bit behind. Everyone at my site was busy
getting ready for the holidays, and I was just trying to settle
in. Although I cannot speak for the entire group, I can say