Researching New Americorp Positions for UMD, reviewing coal permits, greeting two new UMD volunteer interns

Today I spent time reviewing the latest coal permits by looking through the Lafollette Newspaper and direct mailings sent from the Office of Surface Mining. I made note of upcoming comment periods, a public hearing, and a mine site visit which I will attend with other UMD volunteers. I also communicated with a UMD volunteer about attending the mine site visit and about starting a Mountain Justice chapter at his school in Maryville, TN. I also spent time speaking with the Volunteer Tennessee Americorp Manager,Jamie S. Dent, in Nashville who informed me that I should contact the AmeriCorps Program Director in East Tennessee. I learned that this program, Knoxville/Knox County Community Action Coalition (KCAC), essentially operates as a intermediary between Volunteer Tennessee and organizations that need members. Since they require all new programs in Tennessee to apply for at least 7 members, this option may be the best route. So, the Program Director there is John Harris. He is an alum and leads one of the most successful programs in Tennessee. They also have an environmental focus. His contact info is john.harris@knoxcac.org or 865-546-3500. This seems like a good lead for possible Americorp positions and funding for positions here for United Mountain Defense. I also spent time greeting and helping two new UMD interns settle in to the volunteer house. One of the new interns will be working on a music anthropolgy project dealing with Appalachian music as it relates to coal mining. The other intern will be helping work in the gardens at the UMD volunteer house with tasks such as weeding, planting, creation of a new garden beds, and helping to set up the new 275 gallon rainwater cistern. I will provide them with some training tomorrow so that they can complete their projects over the next 2-3 weeks.