A Farewell to RM

“I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.” These words, the last line of the AmeriCorps pledge, echo like a heartbeat throughout NOLS RM. The pledge was only meant to be performed once at the beginning of the internship, however, we felt as if the message was so profound, so moving, that it was as essential as an early morning cup of coffee. Director Gary Cukjati has been known to show up as early as 7:58:45 just to hear the pledge spoken.

At the RM, the intern desks are located in a precarious spot. Ten feet behind us, three portals act like viewing windows at a zoo for our bosses. But this ain’t Sea World and we decided the best way to judge how we’ve been doing is to ask. Here is what Asst. Director Kevin Bergstrom, RM Director Gary Cukjati , and our boss, Special Projects Manager Lara McCluskey, had to say.

In your mind, what is our greatest accomplishment?
Kevin: The productivity meter.
Gary: Uhm… Well… (long pause) you’ve been remarkably quiet.
Lara: You two worked well together… almost too well.

If the interns were to run the RM, would you invest in the RM’s future?
Kevin: Oh yes. Invest in it like a short seller.
Gary: Well, what does it mean to run the RM? Do I? You sat outside my office for ten weeks. Do I run it? Let’s be serious. Yeah sure, I’d invest. Of course.
Lara: Next question.

Describe what you think when you look out your doorway?
Kevin: What a fine group of gentleman. Gives me faith in the youth of America.
Gary: Proud, from the eight o’clock pledge to the closing minute. Flashes of the Fourth of July, fireworks, and the maestro Lee Greenwood all come to mind.
Lara: I really like working with those guys.

The Spring 2009 RM Internship has been a truly worthwhile experience! Thanks to everyone and we will miss all our friends at the Rocky Mountain.