ACSTL in DC: Recap of The Corps Network National Conference
In March, ACSTL Program Director Nick Ciaramitaro attended The Corps Network’s National Conference. As a new member of The Corps Network, this was our first time attending this conference in person. Read below for his recap of the experience!
“I was fortunate enough this March to travel to Washington, D.C. as a representative of AmeriCorps St. Louis at The Corps Network’s National Conference. The Corps Network (TCN) supports Corps through advocacy, providing access to funding and project opportunities, and by offering expertise in Corps operations and programming. TCN’s Conference brought staff from Corps programs across the country together for three days of problem-solving, networking, and inspiration. I attended sessions that covered topics on Member Services, engaged with panels of Federal Partners, like the U.S. Forest Service, and brainstormed with other Corps leaders on ways we can collaborate to grow our community’s impact.
The free flow of ideas and valuable lessons energized me, but the Corps Members of the Year presentations left me feeling inspired with their speeches. They each showed excitement about empowering the communities they served. It was clear that every change they made in their community was reflected in themselves, as well. That’s the real power of the service that Corps do, and that AmeriCorps St. Louis accomplishes each day.
At the Conference, AmeriCorps St. Louis was also recognized as one of The Corps Network’s Projects of the Year for the partnership with Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association (GCPA). That accomplishment was made possible by the inspired individuals of our own Corps. We owe a huge amount of gratitude to AmeriCorps St. Louis and AmeriCorps NCCC members who made that happen. Shout out to our team lead Tracy Burton Bravo, ACSTL Year 27-28, and Owen McNamara, NCCC Fire 5 team lead. As well as those that are pushing the needle right now, Alder Forrester, ACSTL Field Specialist, and Emily Matthews, NCCC Sun 1 team lead with her team. Additional shout out to Kenya Reeves, an AmeriCorps St. Louis Member who dedicated time to Greenwood during both NCCC team projects. The project at Greenwood has provided an opportunity for the growth of our leaders and for them to contribute to the restoration of a significant community space. With Raphael Morris, the President of GCPA, now part of our board of directors, we can further improve how AmeriCorps St. Louis impacts our Members and the communities we serve.
Nick (center) with Mary Ellen Sprenkel (left) and Lashauntya Moore (right) from The Corps Network with the Accreditation Award
Another exciting development for us was our recent full accreditation with The Corps Network, which was also presented during the conference. Full accreditation through The Corps Network’s Corps Center of Excellence Accreditation is granted to Corps that demonstrate a high level of accountability to funders and donors, the capacity to provide meaningful programming to Corpsmembers, and quality results to community and project partners. This elevates the great service our Members and staff accomplish to a national audience, allowing us the opportunity to share our accomplishments and project our voice across the corps world.
The conference highlighted that opportunities to positively impact our communities are abundant. One partner shared that, “This is the best we [as a country] have been positioned to make a serious difference in the field of environmental stewardship.” Corps programs drive that change. We are excited that AmeriCorps St. Louis is dedicated to moving those forwarding initiatives forward, backed by each of our donors, partners, and the motivational energy from our Members.”