Welcome Mike! You worked at a place called the Volunteer Center for your first VISTA year? Where was it and what did you do? Did you know about the DASCorps last year?

Hey Bill-

Last year I worked at The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (or TVC, in abbreviation-speak)as a VISTA. As you may have guessed, TVC is a non-profit located in Chicago's northwest suburbs, with a service area that encompasses some 53 communities in the region. My job as a VISTA and "Communications and Outreach Coordinator" (a title I invented myself) was to help develop TVC's marketing and communications activities. As a small non-profit, they had no marketing to speak of, so I spent my time doing everything from developing their social media and redesigning their website to leading the production of a print insert in the local newspaper and press releases. Let's just say I was a little bit busy last year.

I found out about DASCorps through one of my late-night job searches through Google. Google really is the go-to for all the best things in life. I was really impressed to learn about DASCorps, especially since I'd been thinking of starting a similar organization myself. When I saw the position here at CAN TV, right in my backyard, I couldn't resist.

Cool - it sounds like you were doing some DASCorps-like projects last year as well. Well, I'm excited to hear how your year develops - and I'll try to connect you with other DASCorps members that might be working on the same type of projects as you.

Hi Michael, I hope your first month with the Digital Arts Service Corps was better than your first month without us :-) I hope we're able to share our knowledge and community with you and better support you in your second year of service. Also, if you're interested in nerding out, I have some friends who run a community computer recycling program and they are always looking for volunteers: http://freegeekchicago.org

Great idea Denise! We should be leaving our breadcrumb trails of wisdom for the incoming CTC VISTAs wherever possible. FYI, my Tweets are coming from the account I run for my VISTA project, since I don't have a personal Twitter. I'm @CincyYouthTV.

Find a doctor!! Seriously folks, I can't stress it enough. If you relocated for your project like I did, or even if not and you don't have a GP or a family doctor, find one you can go to should the need arise. http://americorps.sevencorners.com has a search tool (Provider Network link on the left navigation menu) that makes the process relatively simple, provided there are providers in your area. Always, ALWAYS call to double check any information listed...as I have found out - the hard way - is not always correct. Had I found a doctor when I got to San Diego, I wouldn't have spent 4 hours in a hospital for an ear infection, gone on a wild goose chase in search of an urgent care center that would accept our benefits (resulting in my going to said hospital), wasted precious gas, and saved myself tremendous amounts of frustration. (You can read about it here or here if you're interested in details.) But really, remember to eat, sleep, and take care of yourself so you don't have to see a doctor at all!