recruiting so far- 145 applications

We have started our interview process. I will not interview every person that applies, because some of the applications are poorly written, do not have enough information to warrant an interview, or their reference forms are not completed.

By May 1st, I will receive well over 400 applications for 40 positions. I will only conduct about 110 interviews.

Each application will be reviewed for spelling and grammar. If you have typos, grammar/spelling issues, or incorrect capitalization on your application, I count these mistakes as a failure to complete the application correctly. In other words, be very careful and check your application for errors. Some applicants don't capitalize proper nouns (like a person's name) - this is a red flag for me. Those applications with gross errors are never interviewed.

We conduct two (phone or personal) interviews and request a writing sample. If offered a position, we conduct an FBI background check, drug screen and physical. If you do not pass the FBI/TBI background check and drug screen then you are not eligible for our corps.

MLK Day of Service

CAC AmeriCorps was host of two service sites for the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. At Ijams Nature Center members cleared invasive species, repaired trails, and prepared heirloom seed packets for low-income individuals. We were joined by AmeriCorps members and VISTAs from Appalachia CARES, Appalachian Habitat for Humanity, Emerald Youth Foundation, and AIM (Achievement. Independence. Motivation.) Center.

Some highlights from Ijams:

At Morningside Community Center, AmeriCorps members were engaged in painting the inside of the building as one of the first steps in restoring what was once a community staple. CAC AmeriCorps's partner, S.E.E.E.D. (Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development), will be moving their offices and programming to this building in the near future.

Highlights from Morningside Community Center:

More about the Morningside restoration:

http://www.wate.com/story/16528605/knoxville-non-profit-honors-mlk-with-day-of-service-at-community-center

http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/SEEED_inspires_kids_in_new_building_137424253.html

Recruiting blog update

We have received over 20 applications over the last few days. Thanks for your interest in our program.

We are working on the service descriptions they should be up shortly.