2026 Fellowship Orientation Day 4

On the last day of our orientation retreat, the new cohort of Civic Bridgers Fellows gathered in the classroom for our last session of the week. We sat in a circle after breakfast and chatted amiably, increasingly at ease with one another after spending just three short days together. When Jill took her place at the front of the room, we turned to listen, curious and ready to absorb the final comments with which we would be released to our hosts the following week.

The objects of our sendoff metaphor were thirty paper airplanes. Each Fellow made two. We created the first planes by following an instructive list of folds to be completed in a strict order, and we tossed them across the room to varying degrees of success. Jill then invited us to craft a second plane: one she encouraged us to make however we pleased. We threw these, too, and then settled back into our seats to receive the lesson.

Some of our hosts, Jill said, would guide us in our service. We would fly within a framework, so to speak. Others would fly as “free planes.” There was no right answer between the two, Jill told us, and no better way to learn, because we can only truly learn by doing. We looked to our Senior Fellows as contrasting examples. George’s host, Great Minnesota Schools, provided him with structure and support. Angelina’s host, Engage Winona, gave her freedom to be creative. Both Fellows ended the year celebrating great respective successes, and both chose to come back for a second year of tenure!

Many of us tangibly buzzed with anticipation, eager and anxious to jump into our placements and discover what our year of service would look like. However, Jill urged us to be patient. Lead with consistency, rather than intensity, she encouraged. We had to sit back and wait, especially at the beginning, because when you put good in, you get good out. We would spend the year completing active, exciting work, but to do so we must adopt patience and constructive habits. We prepared ourselves to enter our service years with a tempered, sustainable enthusiasm.

The session concluded with an informative Q&A regarding what to know and expect of the AmeriCorps rules and regulations. It was a welcome opportunity to review what we had read in the VISTA handbook, and Jill highlighted the most important sections that would guide our service. Afterwards, we shared one last retreat meal together and carpooled back into the city.

August 13, 2026