There are a LOT of terms specific to City Year. For your reference, is a running list of them with short descriptions. I will try to update this list as terms come up. If you think I have neglected to define a CY term I use in any entry, please let me know so I can add it!
Morning circle: the first strong circle of the day. Unlike other strong circles, morning circle begins with a readiness check.
Strong circle: the entire team (at Tilden: 8 City Year (CY) corps members (CM’s), 1 senior corps member/team leader) stands in a circle in a wide stance, the edge of our boots touching those of the person next to us. Strong circles are the team’s chance to make sure that everyone is on the same page about what’s coming up for the day/week. The order of ‘events’ in a strong circle are: 1) readiness check 2) sharing of joys/ripples (good or challenging but rewarding things that have happened to us since the last circle), 3) announcements from the person leading the circle, 4) announcements from anyone in the circle, 5) break from the circle.
Readiness check: performed every day at the very beginning of morning circle. Lead by one member of the team, with the other team responding to each piece. For example:
Shoes or boots?
You know I’ve got it!
White or black socks?
You know I’ve got it!
Pants pressed?
You know I’ve got it!
Belt?
You know I’ve got it!
Shirt tucked in?
You know I’ve got it!
Name tag?
You know I’ve got it!
Open heart?
You know I’ve got it!
Open mind?
You know I’ve got it!
Spirit?
You know I’ve got it!
Soul?
You know I’ve got it!
Can do (attitude)?
You know I’ve got it!
Break (from circle): to conclude any strong circle, meeting, or workshop, every person puts a hand into a pile at the center of the circle. If some people can’t reach the center, it’s okay to just have your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you. The person whose hand is on top in the center picks a word or short phrase to “break” on. The entire group bounces their hands up and down on each syllable while saying, “C-Y-G-P” and then the word. For example, “C-Y-G-P-Spirit!” On the word, everyone raises their hands above their heads and the “break” is complete.
Corps member (CM): an AmeriCorps volunteer in his or her first year of service with City Year
Senior corps member (SCM): a second-year CY corps member, still officially an AmeriCorps volunteer. Usually works as a team leader for CM’s, but some hold office-based positions working under CY administrative staff.
Team leader (TL): a Whole School Whole Child team role. Usually, but not always, the team leader is a SCM. The team leader works with CM’s, Project Managers (PM’s) and the school’s staff, especially the school staff member designated to be the CY liaison.
Project Manager (PM): a CY staff member who oversees the teams of CM’s and SCM’s, as well as taking care of administrative needs.
Whole School Whole Child (WSWC): CY’s focal program, designed to holistically support the schools and students we serve. I should probably dedicate an entire entry to describing this program, as it is the program within which I serve.
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