Got Things Done - Final Reflection

One year ago I was sitting at my desk, looking forward to the next presentation I'd give to students and their families. As an admission counselor, the highlight of my day was heading to the visitor center and speaking directly with the students. It was the part of the job that reminded me each day why I was there and who I was there for.

My National Civilian Community Corps experience came to an end Friday, after a week of events and close-out that made up the final transition...

Well, this was a bit different of a transition. We aren't eagerly awaiting news of our next project, we aren't planning what to pack, and there's no gearing up for a 2-day travel we would typically expect at the end of the week. We're closing out our year of service, and transitioning into life after AmeriCorps.

So now I look back on a year of service, and I sit here not knowing where to begin and what to blog about. I’ve had what seems like a lifetime of experience in leadership, firefighting, teaching, construction, environmental conservation, volunteer management, among so many other things.

Furthermore, I’ve experienced all of this with the same 8 people for the past year. They’ve been there for every moment, so they’ve seen me at both a personal and professional level. Knowing that it has come to an end is something far beyond bittersweet, if there was even a term for it. The satisfaction of having gotten things done for communities around the country and seeing the difference that was made in others’ lives made it worth every challenge we faced this year.

We were all able to celebrate the difference we’ve made this year at our Awards Ceremony, the day before leaving. It was a great event, and something quite atypical for all of us in the Corps, as many took the opportunity to dress up as we ate a served dinner that included dessert. Badger 6 claimed our own table and we enjoyed the night’s awards and recognitions, which ended with a slideshow of the year…

Watching that video, and especially thinking about it now as I look over pictures of the year, made the departure the following day harder, because I was reminded that I wouldn’t be piling into a van with my team to delve right back into one of those projects in another community that could use our help. You get one of the best feelings by getting involved in direct service. Through it, I’ve got to meet those I’m serving and see the impact, ranging from the smile on someone’s face to the goal number of rebuilt homes reached. It’s a feeling similar to that I had one year ago, when meeting those students at presentations each day. It is the moment when everything is put into perspective.

I’ve had these moments all year, and fortunately, I’ve got another year beginning in January as I continue my journey as a Team Leader. Clearly, because of this perspective, I couldn’t be more excited. But most importantly, I know that when my term of service ends next November, whatever it is I do after my National Civilian Community Corps experience, I’ll look forward to next impact I can make, on any level. Because even if it’s not direct service, I know that there are so many others who should have the opportunity experience it, and I know how to give it to them.