2009 National Chinese Language Conference

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Introductions

• This session is all about you• & how you fit the National Language Service

Corps • … but a little bit about us, too• & how we got involved

Please ask questions at any time!

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What is the National Language Service Corps?

• The NLSC is a public civilian organization made up of on-call volunteers willing to offer their diverse language skills across local, state and federal agencies.

• The NLSC is on-call to provide service including emergency relief as well as in support of domestic and international crises—wherever language skills are needed.

• The NLSC is an organization that strives to connect service-minded individuals who embrace the power of communication and ultimately, envision helping the greater human good.

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What makes the NLSC different?

• Americans volunteering their time & language skills

• To assist government agencies

• NLSC languages• Chinese, Hausa, Hindi,

Indonesian, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Swahili, Thai, Vietnamese

• NLSC Members

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What do Charter Members do?

• Are on-call.• When called upon, go on assignments where they utilize their

language skills to facilitate communication between a language community and a government agency.

• Members work in several areas including health services, logistics and engineering.

• NLSC anticipates Members fulfilling assignments in everyday setting.

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What kind of experiences can NLSC Charter Members expect while on assignment?

• Centers for Disease Control Russian Marshallese Mandarin Chinese

• Garuda Shield Joint Peacekeeping &

Humanitarian Training Exercise in Indonesia

• DIA

“I never anticipated going on an assignment and couldn’t believe I was asked to volunteer ...after (only) three months of service with the NLSC ... I joined the National Language Service Corps to become a part of something larger.”

Charter Member Tanya Clark (center front), Russian Speaker on assignment at CDC Exercise

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Benefits of being a NLSC Member

• Unique opportunities for its Members to get involved and help communities facing language barriers.

• Personal satisfaction from their role in improving cross-cultural communications.

• Resume enhancement for staying active and involved during a time of career change or maintaining out of work skills.

• Access to mission readiness training, certification and skill enhancement via our 24/7 Communications Center

• Access to become a part of a service-oriented network. • Compensation for their service certified expertise in languages

determined to be important to the security and welfare of the nation.

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Membership Activities

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Our Charter Member Comments

“This has been a wonderful experience. I’ve never done

anything like this before … I was grateful they (the CDC) cared

about my opinion.”

John Wu, CDC ExerciseMandarin Speaker

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More from our Charter Members

I welcome any opportunity to use

Marshallese, especially when it helps the people

I love so much.

Carol CurtisCDC ExerciseMarshallese Speaker

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What are the requirements to become a Charter Member?

• Be motivated to help their fellow citizens throughout the nation and world.

• Be U. S. Citizens • Be 18 years of age or older• Possess expertise in one of the NLSC languages:

Chinese, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Swahili, Thai, Vietnamese

Accepting expressions of interest from speakers of other languages

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• Visit our website at nlsc.org/outreach • Call our toll free # 1-888-729-6572• Sign up today with NLSC staff!

How Can I Join the NLSC?

You Can Help. Join Us!

Apply online at: NLSCORPS.ORG/OUTREACH

Call us: 1-888-729-6572