Energy Efficiency: A Bright Idea

So I've been a little busy lately, in explanation of my extended electronic absence.  Last year, I found myself having to fill my the many hours of my week not filled by my 50 or so hours a week working.  This year, working on a college campus, I'm back on a college schedule with pretty fluid barrier between personal and professional time (I actually had students ask one time if I was planning on turning in some time sitting in a cafe in my AmeriCorps hours and I had to think for a second to decide if I would or not).  This creates new challenges that my time in AmeriCorps last year did not present.  Last year, I felt completely comfortable that in my personal time I was not representing AmeriCorps at all and could engage in non-AmeriCorps supported behavior, like having and voicing opinions on religion and politics.  This year, I find my opportunities significantly more restricted.  With a less solid line between my personal time and my professional time, the line between when I am representing AmeriCorps and when I am not also blurs.  This week, someone called me out by name (someone I don't even know!  how did she remember my name??) to take part in a photo petition on the current tension in Madison over the Budget Repair Bill.  I love photo petitions (see below)!  I love when students stand up for what they believe in!  I was on her side on the issue!  But even if I carefully removed those 5 minutes from my timesheet, anyone (who also happens to know who I am) who saw me in the Student Union would see me making a political statement and know that I was on campus because of an AmeriCorp position, which could complicate the image of my program even if technically I was following the rules.  I am sure I will be able to walk the line to keep the image of Energy Service Corps above board, but it will definitely me something that lives toward the front of my mind for the duration of my term of service.


In other news, my recruitment drive is done, so now I have to get all the students I recruited to do stuff.  I'll keep you posted as that stuff happens.

I did not make this poster