“But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord Our God, to live by His word and obey Him at this time.” 1 Kings 8:64

A commitment is like gluing two individual pieces of paper together back to back and allowing it to sit awhile. A binding of chemicals ties together which once was two portions. There is a joint unity in commitment. There is a pervasive knowledge that what happens to me affects you. There is an abiding joy that you are not walking this path alone. Someone, different from you, yet necessary for your progress, is with you all the time, in everything. 

When a commitment is severed it is like pulling apart those now joined pieces of paper. You cannot separate without tearing, marring and destroying something in return. There is no such thing as a failed commitment that only hurts you. To choose to break commitment is to do irreparable harm to another. What has been severed can never be totally joined back the way it once was. This is why keeping your commitments no matter what the price or what your emotions attempt to convince you of otherwise is the most powerful force in your life. 

God has made an unconditional commitment to love you despite every setback; hold you close even in every rejection and to stand with you through every discouragement. Once in God, you have the ability to make and keep the same level of commitments that He does. You cannot do so in your power. Commitment comes from living in the character of the Lord as your first choice. If you truly desire to be pleasing to God; you will act toward others like God acts for you even in the worst moments of another’s failure, misfortune and pain.

Wars are won because someone is committed to a cause bigger than them. Every relational battle is survived only by keeping the commitment you once made as real today as when it was first affirmed. Success in life is the result of someone being more committed to not giving up than those who drop out or fade away because it becomes uncomfortably miserable. Your success in relationships arrives and is maintained in the same manner. You refuse to give up on what you once promised another. This is the power of a commitment.

Some try to live by partial commitment: this is sticking it out only until they find a rationalization that gives them an excuse to walk away. Others live with conditional commitment: staying with a promise made only as long as they are getting what they expect. A few even make a commitment with the fullest intent of keeping it; yet when the promise of greater pleasure is enticingly offered they soon abandon all resolution to stand firm with the excuse that “I deserve this.”

It is only those who fully commit like Jesus did who will earn lasting greatness both now and for eternity. Jesus gave His all. He held nothing back. He stuck with His Father’s plan even when nearly everyone walked away from Him. He knew pain beyond comprehension awaited Him. He knew His commitment involved a cruel death on a lonely cross. Yet when He was laid in full view of everyone, His dying words saying, “Father, I finished what you asked of me.” And because Jesus never wavered from His commitment, God has given Him the highest honor and the greatest position of heaven. That is the power of a commitment which does not fail.   

Today, the test of whether a person is genuinely committed is that God’s call on their life is never seen as having an escape clause.

Pastor Ron   http://www.raw-reality.com

Leadership Lifter-5-21-13- What leaders create

There are three types of leaders in Kingdom work:

§  There are leaders who rarely or never dream of doing big things for God. They work, but without aim. They tend to get focused on the small stuff and miss the big picture of what God is doing in their midst. They get by and are usually satisfied to do so. They accomplish just enough to feel good. Risk is avoided. They wind up never doing much significant advancement of God’s Kingdom, but neither do they tend to lose much. They live in a “foggy” environment.

§  There are leaders who dream of doing great things, but seldom ever see they happen. They talk, plan, discuss and promise, but do not deliver. They know what can happen. They also know acutely what is not taking place. They live “frustrated.”

§  There are leaders who both dream of doing something significant and are seeing them occur. They are dedicated to the sole purpose of living up to God’s will, ways and work as their top priority and purpose in life. They know what is on earth is temporary. They live for what is coming rather than what is. They experience the joy of success and also endure the times of famine. They cannot quit. They refuse to stop doing what they have been called to perform. They are “fulfilled.”

Leaders in category one tend to live by “excuses.” They can tell you with great precision why they are unable to complete the work God has entrusted to them. They envy those who are succeeding. They want what other leaders have, but are unwilling to pay the price success demands.  They are “whiners.”

Leaders in category two live by “exhaustion.” They are mentally worn out. They know what to do, but do not take the steps required to finish what they started. They live with a sense that God is not fair. They desire the blessing without the burden of leadership that precedes a blessing. They are “watchers.”

Leaders in category three live by “eagerness.” They know what can happen and live expecting it to arrive. They read everything they can. They think through actions needed to be placed into motion. They recruit teams who can work with them to carry out the mission. They evaluate with great care what is happening and what did happen. They celebrate each victory. They give credit to their team and take responsibility for what went less than right. They do not blame others. They risk failure. They engage without delay. They are “winners.”

Today, you choose what your leadership creates! 

Ron Larson

Martinsburg, WV - A local company is looking to make a splash in the bottled water industry.  More importantly, the company is looking to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families.

Freedom Water, a naturally alkaline bottled water product, is being sold throughout the area including at the local 7-Eleven convenience stores.  Robert Walker, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, created the product to promote a powerful message and give access to a safer water choice.

“Freedom Water was created to foremost remind people of the sacrifices that our service men and women have made and continue to make every day.  It is easy to forget, in the midst of our comforts and our safety, that a war is still being fought,” says Walker.  “We are also passionate about creating a safer water choice.”

Freedom Water’s alkalinity differs from other bottled water products that are more acidic.  Creating an alkaline environment in the body helps to detoxify the body’s systems and mitigates the risk for various diseases including cancer.  More and more consumers are making the switch to bottled water, not only for convenience, but for health.  Recent studies have underscored high levels of toxicity in many municipal water supplies. 

In addition to the health benefits Freedom Water offers and the message of recognition that it brings to veterans, the company demonstrates a true commitment to its cause.  Proceeds from every sale go to benefit American veterans and their families.

Freedom Water is manufactured locally in Berkeley Springs, WV, an area world-renowned for its natural springs and purported healing waters.  Distributed by American Veterans Wholesale and Distribution Company, Freedom Water is available at your local convenience and grocery stores.  If you do not see the product available at your store of choice, you may request it.

Registration is now open for Lacrosse Camp!  This camp is offered to boys and girls ages 5-17 (children will be kept in appropriate age groups)  the camp will be held at Poor House Farm Park.  Players stick is required (a limited number of loaner sticks will be available)  This camp will educate players on lacrosse fundamentals.  Focus will be made on catching, throwing, cradling, shooting, and learning the rules of the game.  Camp directors are coaches of the Panhandle Pride lacrosse teams.  Campers will receive a camp t-shirt.

The camp runs July 9-12, 2013 from 6:00 - 7:30pm at Poor House Farm Park and is $50 per child.

You may download a form or register online by visiting our website: http://www.mbcparks-rec.org

Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation
273 Woodbury Ave.
Martinsburg, WV
25404

Photo Credit: Lacrosse Campus - Nazareth College, Rochester, NY - http://www.flickr.com/photos/nazareth_college/4703550241/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Philadelphia, PA—The 2013 Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS) report reflects across-the-board gains for youth a year after being in a one-to-one mentoring relationship, as well as compared to their peers who do not have mentors—with middle-school aged mentees outperforming their unmatched counterparts in every area measured.

The largest differences for the mentees when compared to unmatched youth were in the areas of social acceptance; which research ties to grade retention, school engagement, and perceived scholastic competence; a measure linked to grades and test scores. When compared to their own wellbeing before they were matched with mentors, a large majority of “Littles” demonstrated improvement or maintenance across six of the seven outcomes areas surveyed. In addition to social acceptance and scholastic competence, the areas surveyed included: having a special non-parental adult relationship, educational expectations, academic performance, attitudes towards risky behaviors, and parental trust.

“This new research shows that by engaging communities, schools and families, Big Brothers Big Sisters helps youth achieve positive outcomes in a broad range of areas that experts say really matter,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Charles Pierson. “While programs that focus on education, behavior and socio-emotional growth exclusively are extremely important, this report supports our focus on developing the whole child. We are heartened by the results we are seeing for youth during their middle school years, a time when attitudes towards risk and school can shape their future.”

The YOS assesses youth before they enroll in Big Brothers Big Sisters and a year later. Like the first YOS data issued last year, research that finds youth enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters improve in school and in relationships with their peers and parents.

“This report is a rich example of the ways in which youth-serving organizations and their stakeholders can benefit when a serious investment is made in the careful collection, analysis and reporting of evaluation data,” said David DuBois, PhD., leading youth mentoring researcher and member of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ National Research Advisory Council. “It would be great to see efforts like this become routine for all programs that seek to enrich the lives of young people through their services.”

For youth enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ community-based, one-to-one mentoring program:

• 94 percent maintained or improved in their attitudes towards risky behaviors
• 88 percent maintained or improved in parental trust
• 85 percent maintained or improved in their educational expectation
• 83 percent maintained or improved in scholastic competence and
• 83 percent maintained or improved in social acceptance.

With community-based mentees, 64 percent maintained or improved in six of seven of the outcomes areas after 12 months of mentoring.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey Report reinforces the mentoring program’s evidence base of positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 100-year history. Locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves approximately 150 children each year.  “With funding from United Way, fundraisers, grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations, we strive each year to impact more children’s lives, we are proud of the fact that our mentors are changing the way children grow up in the Eastern Panhandle,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle Interim Executive Director, Ashley Kilmer. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters or to donate, please visit http://www.bbbswv.org or call 304-263-5522.

Hagerstown, MD—“Remembering the Gettysburg Campaign,” are the words you’ll find on the cover of the new 2013 South Mountain Recreation Area Adventure Guide now available for visitors to the Area’s parks.

The newly updated full-color 24-page guide includes information on each of the South Mountain Recreation Area’s five state parks, gorgeous photography, illustrated maps and lots of fun tips for getting the most out of your adventure.

Dan Spedden, South Mountain Recreation Area Park Manager, said, “The Adventure Guide is the park’s most useful promotional tool. It gets people excited about their upcoming visit; it provides trail maps, hunting maps, safety advice, hiking tips and valuable history lessons. I can’t imagine meeting the needs of over a half-million visitors annually without the convenience and efficiency of the Adventure Guide.” New information includes information on South Mountain’s role during the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, and new museums now officially open.

RidgeRunner Publishing - the publishers of Hagerstown Magazine - provided the guide at no cost to the South Mountain Recreation Area, working with park staff to develop feature stories, maps, and details about camping, swimming, mountain biking and more. A feature on the successful Park Quest program shows families a great opportunity for exploring the state’s wonderful parks.

“This project holds a lot of meaning for us. We wanted to heighten visitors’ awareness of each of the parks and gently remind them of their environmental impact. Leave No Trace is an important Maryland initiative and key to preserving the beauty of these treasures,” said Kate Rader, Owner & Publisher of RidgeRunner Publishing.

According to the President and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau Tom Riford, “This is a terrific guide produced by RidgeRunner Publishing. The guide has been made into a ‘flip-book’ by the CVB and placed on our website, and is a printed piece available at park entrances, Visitor Welcome Centers, and other tourism outlets throughout the area.” Riford said that the new “flip-book” is formatted with wide-compatibility in mind, and the guide is automatically redirected to either a desktop, mobile or tablet version depending on the device being used.

The South Mountain Recreation Area is comprised of five state park units (four parks and a state battlefield park), and a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Greenbrier State Park features 162 campsites, a 42-acre man-made lake and beach, and receives over 290,000 of the Area’s 600,000 visitors each year. Washington Monument State Park is named for the first completed monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington and Gathland State Park is home to the only memorial to War Correspondents. The park is headquartered in Washington County.

Also, the Battle of South Mountain happened on September 14, 1862 and caused over 6,000 casualties. The guide gives an overview and maps of the battlefield.

The Adventure Guide is free and available at all state parks in the South Mountain Recreation Area, or you can view an interactive “flip book” version sponsored by and hosted on the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website at: http://www.marylandmemories.com. For more information on the Guide or any of the parks, please contact State Park Manager Dan Spedden at 301-791-4656.

To view the book directly, see: http://media.dhweb.com/cvb/smra13/. Hagerstown-based DH WEB, Inc. created the “flip book” from the design created by RidgeRunner Publishing. Local web sites are encouraged to link to it.

RidgeRunner Publishing, DH WEB, Inc, and the Maryland State Parks in the South Mountain Recreation Area are members of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information about events happening in Washington County, and to view an on-line version of the Calendar of Events, see: http://www.marylandmemories.com.

Washington County has five national parks, eight state parks, over 30 museums, a renowned professional symphony orchestra, a professional minor league baseball team, and the county has been ranked first in the State of Maryland in the Retail Opportunity Index. The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help attract visitors to Hagerstown and Washington County. The CVB helps to create vibrant growth for the local economy by promoting, developing, and expanding the local visitor industry. The CVB is a sponsor of Park Quest 2013, which includes South Mountain State Park, Woodmont NRMA, Fort Frederick State Park and more!. For more information, see: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/parkquest/index.asp.

Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (http://www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: http://www.quadstate81.com.

Hagerstown, MD—Eight historic houses will be featured in this year’s House and Garden Tour,  beginning with the Women’s Club Headquarters at 31 South Prospect Street.

Three of the houses are located on South Prospect, within walking distance of the Women’s Club, including a Victorian Gothic cottage, a carefully renovated, prize-winning Queen Ann style home, and a third house, painstakingly renovated to incorporate original details and furnishings appropriate to its 1893 construction.

Still in Hagerstown, two houses on Oak Hill Avenue known as “sister houses,” were built in 1914 for sisters.  Similar in style, the interiors replicate the style of the period, and the taste of the owners who currently live in them.  Here, too, family heirlooms and furniture and textiles create warm and comfortable homes for their owners.

Charm envelops the visitor a tiny cottage on Sharpsburg’s Main Street, and in addition to the art-filled house, the owner has built a world-class terraced garden on the rock that abuts his house.

The country life is beautifully illustrated on Hopscotch Lane in Hagerstown, in a house built in 1769 and surrounded on three sides by the Antietam Creek.  A creek-side pavilion adds outdoor entertaining space.  Greeting the visitor are wonderfully shaggy - and friendly - Scottish Highland Cows.

The tour will be held on Saturday, June 1, from 10 am to 4 pm.  Tickets can be purchased at the Women’s Club, and at each of the houses on the tour.  Tickets for the entire tour of eight houses are $20, and individual tickets can be purchased at the house for $5.

The Women’s Club will provide lunch at the Club’s building at 31 South Main Street for a cost of $7.  For more information call the Woman’s Club at 301-739-0870.

For more information about the Women’s Club of Hagerstown, see: http://www.womensclubhagerstown.org.

The Women’s Club of Hagerstown is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: http://www.marylandmemories.com.

Photo: A Gothic Revival style cottage in one of the South Prospect Houses on the Women’s Club of Hagerstown Tour

“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33

You are perplexed. Something unexpected happened. It was not deserved. It did not occur because of your failures or faults. But there it is-in your life, affecting every part of you adversely. Why? There is no explanation given. No reason has been provided for what you are going through. What is really going on?

This is not an attack of the devil. It is not a rebuke from the Lord. It is simply “life” in a fallen world. There is no one to blame. There is nothing to excuse. You live in an environment that although created perfect has been mired in the mess of everyone’s contribution to the sin pool ever since the first humans walked on earth. Things will never be completely “right.” This is not necessarily bad for it reminds you that you were made for someone and somewhere else.

Suffering causes your heart to yearn for the things of heaven. Pain reminds you that your core self will one day shed this fragile body for one of eternal design. Disappointment is the poor tasting medicine that helps you stay aware that this life is not all there is. In fact, little should be made of pouring your best into what will not last. This is the reason for what has taken place recently: it is a stabbing of your consciousness that only the things of God truly matter both now and forever.

You work hard, but for whom are you working? You spend money often barely making it from paycheck to paycheck, but what are you investing in? You chase after pleasure from people who wind up hurting you in the false belief that in them you can find the satisfaction you have been so long seeking. But none of these are God’s plans for your present or His will for your future.

So a wake-up call has been sent. It seems more severe than necessary. Yet God knows what is needed to capture your attention. He permits life to take its course in a sinful, polluted atmosphere so that you are constantly aware that this life is but a rehearsal for your best life to come. You have to live, but the key is “who are you truly living for?” 

Today, whoever has your heart directs the results of what happens in your journey to heaven.

Pastor Ron   http://www.raw-reality.com

CHARLES TOWN, West Virginia (May 14, 2013) Are you a local Jefferson County, West Virginia business, government or non-profit that has an event, mission or retail outlet that a tourist would be interested in?  Jefferson Journeys is currently seeking participants for their new tourism passport Visitor Inquisitor and the application deadline is right around the corner—May 31st.

Visitor Inquisitor takes tourists on an adventure to discover Jefferson County’s local businesses, events and culture while collecting stamps and memories.  The passport will contain twelve categories:  lodging, retail, relaxation, history, restaurants, visitor centers, nature, festivals & events, agritourism, theatre & arts, 21 & over and mystery clues.  It is designed as an annual incentive program that seeks to introduce tourists to more of the county’s unique offerings while giving them an authentic vacation experience.  As a bonus, “Agents” (passport holders) that collect 25 or more unique stamps will be entered into a drawing for a getaway to Jefferson County valued at $1000. 

The program is a unique marketing plan has been modeled after other tourism passports and geotrails which are popular throughout the United States and Canada.  Jefferson Journey’s founder and creative director, Charity Beth Long says, “Most passports are for a singular industry, such as wineries, museums or parks.  The Nebraska Passport paved the way for a multi-sector passport which contains ten categories.  Our Mystery Clue part of the adventure is most similar to the Gold Country GeoTrail and will lead visitors on a trail to find Jefferson County’s heritage, natural landscapes and monuments through a scavenger hunt activity called letterboxing”. 

The combination of letterboxing and passport is only the start.  Jefferson Journeys has designed the program as a cooperative effort that will unite tourism stakeholders by making them ambassadors for the Jefferson County tourism brand…along with their help and the online tourism magazine, Visitor Inquisitor will engage tourists from the moment they plan their trip online until the time they leave—to go home and tell their friends about their awesome experience in Jefferson County, West Virginia. 
“We hope to put Jefferson County back on the map!” says Long.  “In recent years our competitors have done a great job using their unique assets to attract tourists, creating trails, marketing their Civil War sites and even Washington family history to their advantage.  Tourism can have a very positive impact on the local economy.  It’s time we market our culture, and this geotourism program is just the thing to showcase our community as an authentic destination”. 

Interested parties should contact Jefferson Journeys at info@visitorinquisitor.com or 304-885-9796.  Applications and more information can also be found on the Visitor Inquisitor website at http://www.visitorinquisitor.com/passport-details/passport-application. 

About Jefferson Journeys
Jefferson Journeys is a new tourism and events management company formed in the fall of 2012 which aims to foster geotourism assets within Jefferson County, West Virginia by creating brand awareness through innovative marketing, professional event planning and developing new tourism products.  Our mission is to turn Jefferson County into a premier tourism destination for travelers worldwide by offering authentic experiences to visitors that highlight the heritage, beauty and excitement of the region.

Contact:
Charity Beth Long, Founder & Creative Director
Jefferson Journeys, LLC.
Charity@jeffersonjourneys.com
304-885-9796

Sharpsburg, MD – Here is a unique opportunity to become a National Park Service volunteer! Volunteers are being sought to staff the historic Newcomer House on the Antietam National Battlefield during the 2013 season.

While no specific knowledge or skills are required, a willingness to deal with the public in a cordial manner is a must! Also, interest in Civil War history is a definite plus. Volunteers will receive mentor training on-site during regular visitor hours. A volunteer’s primary duty is to greet visitors as they enter the Newcomer House Exhibit and Visitors Center, and help orient them to the immediate area and opportunities in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA). The job description is available below.

The Newcomer House, 18422 Shepherdstown Pike, Sharpsburg, MD, is one of only two historic homes on the battlefield open to the public. The other is Pry House Field Hospital Museum. The Newcomer House was built in the late 1780s as part of a thriving mill complex and farm astride the Boonsboro Pike where the Middle Bridge spans Antietam Creek. The house gets its present day name from Joshua Newcomer who owned the property during the 1862 Battle of Antietam. This is the period to which the appearance of the house has been restored.

A cooperative agreement between the Antietam National Battlefield and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau allows for programming, management and maintenance of the Newcomer House. It is the official Visitors Center for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, which encompasses portions of Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties. Three exhibit rooms explore the major themes of the heritage area: In the Heat of Battle, On the Home Front, and Beyond the Battlefield.

Those interested in volunteering should contact either Newcomer House coordinator Rachel Nichols: 240-308-1740, Rachel@marylandmemories.com, or ranger Christie Stanczak: 301-482-5124, Christie_Stanczak@nps.gov.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help attract visitors to Hagerstown and Washington County. The CVB helps to create vibrant growth for the local economy by promoting, developing, and expanding the local visitor industry. For more information about Hagerstown-Washington County, see http://www.marylandmemories.com. 

The Antietam National Battlefield is a member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. In November of 2012, the State of Maryland recognized the unique partnership of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Antietam National Battlefield, and the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area with the Governor’s Cultural Heritage Tourism Award for the Newcomer House project. The Cultural Heritage Tourism Award is presented for outstanding investments and contributions in stewardship and development of Maryland’s cultural heritage product and engagement in regional and statewide tourism initiatives.

Washington County has five national parks, eight state parks, over 30 museums, a renowned professional symphony orchestra, a professional minor league baseball team, and the county has been ranked first in the State of Maryland in the Retail Opportunity Index. The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help attract visitors to Hagerstown and Washington County. The CVB helps to create vibrant growth for the local economy by promoting, developing, and expanding the local visitor industry. Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (http://www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: http://www.quadstate81.com.

Antietam National Battlefield tells the story of America’s bloodiest day in our nation’s fight for freedom. On September 17, 1862 over 23,000 Americans were killed or wounded in the Battle of Antietam. As the sun set over the bloody fields of Sharpsburg, the Civil War became a different struggle. Five days after the battle, armed with pen and paper, Abraham Lincoln changed the war and our nation when he issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation declared freedom for the enslaved in the rebelling states, beginning the important journey of freedom and equality for all Americans. Antietam National Battlefield preserves these stories of tragedy and of hope on America’s journey from Civil War to Civil Rights. For further information, visit http://www.nps.gov/anti/.

Newcomer House Volunteer Job Description

Necessary Skills:

No specific knowledge or skills are required, but a willingness to interact with the public in a cordial manner is important.

Working Conditions:

The volunteer’s work will occur at the Newcomer House Visitor Information Center. Volunteers will be expected to work independently with little supervision. The Newcomer House is a small visitor center on Maryland Rte. 34, with visitation that increases during the busy summer months.

Duties:

A volunteer’s primary duty is to greet visitors as they enter the Newcomer House information center and orient them to the area. This area encompasses the local community, the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, South Mountain State Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield, and the Pry House Field Hospital Museum. The volunteer will hand out informational literature, tell visitors about the area, and assist them in meeting their needs.

Over the course of time, the volunteer is expected to become familiar with the resources available at the Newcomer House, such as park handouts and maps of the area. Volunteers will also help with a variety of office duties, such as making copies and answering the phones.

Training:

The volunteer will be provided with adequate training and orientation to enable them to perform their job in a satisfactory manner. The volunteer coordinator will be available to answer questions from the volunteer about the position. Volunteers may be assigned a mentor; either a park ranger, experienced volunteer, or partner organization staff member for on the job training.
Uniform:

The volunteer must wear the prescribed uniform. The park will provide the volunteer with a shirt, shoulder patch, hat, and nameplate. The uniform also includes dark brown or khaki trousers/skirt. If the volunteer needs to buy trousers, the park will reimburse the volunteer. Uniforms should be clean and neatly pressed.

Time Commitment:

The Newcomer House will be open seasonally: Hours are 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday April, May, October and November; Daily June-October. The volunteer is expected to work a minimum of six hours per month during the summer season. If the volunteer is unable to show up for work as regularly scheduled, he or she should notify a supervisor as soon as possible.

Evaluation:

The volunteer coordinator will evaluate the volunteer’s performance after 90 days to determine if the volunteer is meeting the park’s expectations and if the job is meeting the volunteer’s expectations. Subsequent evaluations will occur annually.

The most important factors in evaluating a volunteer’s performance are:

1) Polite and pleasant interactions with the visiting public.

2) Reliable attendance and punctuality.

3) The accuracy of information provided to the public.