Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

This past year I participated in a Strengths Quest workshop, which assessed my top five strengths. Two of these five were input and learning. This means I love information, understanding, and collecting details. This tendency to be a ‘strong’ learner and information collector also plays into my MANY interests in MANY areas (just look at my undergraduate course of study-health major…. German minor! ). This quality can be a strength, but can also be a detriment. Because I do really enjoy learning and have a tendency to collect my information I am often able to make conceptual connections across diverse subject areas. However, I have also found that my desire to know more and more can sometimes cause me to convolute the big picture which, I think in-part, happened this week.

As I am continuing with my evaluation and research on the VISTA Summer Associates working with Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors/sites, I have compiled quite a bit of information and data. I have a developed a database, kept everything organized and accessible. Tried looking at the data from different perspectives, but I have not yet been able to determine which sponsors I would like to use as case study sites. Nothing seemed to speak to the differences between the sites; no patterns. I was hoping that once I saw the responses to the sponsor survey I sent out, all would become clear, but alas that wasn’t the case. Thankfully, I am being mentored by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and had a meeting with my mentor yesterday. She was able to help me look at the data critically and discern how the knowledge I have can help determine the most important differences between the SFSP sponsors. After observing that the information from the returned survey also has no apparent pattern we started to think more broadly. Referencing a past USDA  evaluation study on SFSP sponsors, we concluded that the type of organization (government, school based, faith based, etc.) is vital in determining the activities that the Summer Associates perform. As these are mission driven organizations,  all of their programs and activities are derived from such. After my ‘aha’ moment, my mentor explained this further and gave vital direction for the next steps in deciding case study sponsors.

As mentioned, I always strive for more information; more detail. A collection that I can store, sort, reference, and analyze. But I’m finding that it is most important to understand the fundamentals of a situation/organization/issue/person, to therefore understand the nature and the reasoning behind a majority of what that entity does. By first referencing the organizational mission, I will have the foundation that connects all of those other details that I have already collected. This is a valuable lesson and critical thinking skill learned through this experience, which is what this Fellow program is all about!

**As a final note, I want to extend a big ‘thank you’ to Michelle, Mike and Dawn from Cramer & Associates for their information presentation yesterday at our first Columbus Foundation Fellows’ Learning Circle. It was my first in-depth experience learning about non-profit fundraising and it was incredibly insightful and valuable. One key aspect of successful fundraising is researching your potential donor knowing as much as you can about them- something, I think is safe to say, I would have no problem doing :-).

Until next time,

Melissa

Time flies when you’re having fun… I can’t believe this is week 3!

This week, I continued reaching out to community partners. Related to student transportation, I’m in search of general expertise, mapping software, routing software, confirmation of safety requirements, identification of excess capacity in the community, etc, etc. I was able to meet with both MORPC and CRP, and they provided me with several new contacts who might be able to help out as well.

Based on internet research, I’m learning how to become a saavy consumer of student transportation. One option to consider is the use of a private vendor. So I began calling transportation vendors, in search of those who are well qualified to transport children. After these initial phone conversations, I was able to identify only a few strong candidates. So I am working to interview those companies using a consistent and thorough list of questions that cover issues related to vehicles (type, availability, age, technology), drivers (qualifications, experience, training, licensing, compliance), service (on-time performance, professionalism, flexibility), safety (regulations, seat belts, vehicle maintenance/ inspection, accident records, student supervision, and emergency planning), efficiency & cost (optimization of routes, ways to minimize costs), and vendor credentials (company stability, management qualifications, references, etc).

Today, I also attended a learning session at the Columbus Foundation, where I was able to check in with the other summer fellows. Cramer & Associates gave a very lively and engaging presentation on fundraising. They set the bar really high, so I’m definitely looking forward to attending additional learning sessions over the next several weeks!

This week, I am further settling into my position at WARM and discerning all it entails.  I had a meeting with a professor at Otterbein University with whom I will collaborate in the upcoming weeks.  We are creating a measurement tool to evaluate the Kids Lunch Club program and improve upon it in the future.  Through my research courses this past year in OSU’s Masters in Social Work program, I learned of the importance of evidence-based practice rather than the often utilized, yet potentially unconstructive “ooh, ooh, let’s try this” shot-in-the-dark style method.  Though the program currently runs smoothly, we will hopefully discover methods to strengthen the program and its mission.  I am also currently organizing the plethora of KLC volunteers into a database and will use this list to form a focus group of key volunteers from each of the four meal sites.  This group will meet to discuss any issues, concerns, and perceptions of the program, and will help determine volunteer satisfaction. 

 The second week of the backpack weekend meal distribution, which coincided with Governor Kasich’s visit to WARM and the KLC site, was a success.  A large crowd gathered at Ridgewood Park and the Governor spoke of his fondness of social service programs focused on hunger and youth.  I am hopeful this experience will lead to a continuation of the backpack program for the children of Westerville! 

I continue to work on enhancing the kids’ meal experience by planning activities and special guests, including the Turtle Lady, COSI, and more.  In supervising and managing the sites, I observed several of the Americorp VISTAs taking initiative to enrich their site.  They networked with a local man, who builds “little free libraries,” who agreed to place one within one of our sites.  Here are some of the kiddos enjoying his handiwork and books donated to us! 

From August 2010 until August 2011, I was a Jesuit Volunteer and committed to living out the values of social justice, spirituality, simple living, and community.  Still now, my time in the Jesuit Volunteer Corp remains close to my heart and in my mind, and I realize what a community can achieve when it works together.

Since my post last week about the importance of collaboration, that lesson has continued to present itself even more clearly. The executive director of Local Matters has shared many bits of advice with me so far, but one line that I’ve heard multiple times is “never burn bridges.” In an endeavor such as opening a cooperative grocery store, you never know what challenges you will face or what people you will need to call upon for help. It seems intuitive that a cooperative business is founded on principles of cooperation, but the extent to which success relies upon the help of so many varied people and resources is eye-opening.

Even though this lesson is still coagulating in my mind, it’s demonstrably solidified in other co-op managers. I’ve made several phone calls that I anticipated would be sensitive or awkward – for instance, asking for financial documents or member income levels – but everyone that I’ve spoken with has been more than happy to honor my requests, and on top of sending me the requested documents, they extended offers to help in any way possible. This is even true of several co-op managers in Columbus, who I expected would be hesitant to speak with me since the Near East Side Co-op could be viewed as competition. Instead, these managers answered my requests with a resounding “YES!,” and then mentioned the importance of cooperation among cooperatives in order to further the community-based mission of such businesses.

This work is completely different from any other work I’ve ever done. Instead of approaching projects with the question of “what’s in it for me?,” cooperatives seem to approach projects with the question of “how can I complete this in a way that will best serve my community?” I went to St. Olaf College for my undergraduate degree, and part of their mission statement is to prepare students to live lives of worth and service. I heard that phrase so many times while I was at school there that it started to sound trite; however, delving into cooperative business has re-ignited the meaning of that phrase for me. I’ve set the intention to embody an attitude of service in my everyday life, and I imagine that it will allow me to enrich the lives of others while simultaneously enriching my own.

Sorry for the delayed post–after such a busy first week and working 11 of 12 days, a much needed long weekend was so nice!

There has definitely been a learning curve at work, especially in regards with how to cultivate relationships with clients, come to arrangements that are mutually beneficial, or just “making the ask” and seeing if they are willing to do anything pro bono.  I have found that it is definitely an art and a learned skill set.

For instance, the other day I emailed a company in Columbus that I thought would have great insight to an event ARC Ohio is putting on. However, some of the information on their website was out of date and I ended up essentially asking for the wrong thing and realized it when the company followed up with me via phone.  It was definitely time to pivot, but I realized I didn’t really know enough how to redirect and regroup to make the conversation a beneficial one!  I muddled my way though and followed up with an email apologizing for my lack of preparedness, but it was definitely a painful learning experience.

Luckily, my bosses had some great advice for cold calling or handling situations on the phone like that. 1.  Always smile on the phone when you’re speaking to some one you have to kind of make a pitch to.  This way, you remind yourself to be positive and personable even across the phone line.  2.  Stand up like you’re having a conversation or a presentation.  When you are telling some one your organization’s story or saying why your event is the best, you’re essentially making a presentation. Stand up and you’ll find you sell it better.  3. And the last, if in doubt always say, “Well, why I don’t I tell you a little more about us and then I’d love to hear more about what you do.”  Such an easy way to recover and have the other half of your conversation fill in the gaps of “what do we have in common to work together on?”

Overall, a small blunder become a learning experience and these are definitely tips I will keep in mind!

–Katie

The best thing about doing work for others is that there are always great people around you that are interested in helping and supporting your efforts. I first learned this for my Eagle Scout Project while I was raising over $10,000 for a memorial garden that I designed and planted at our high school for all the students and staff who had passed away during their tenure at my alma mater (shout out to Big Walnut!). So many people in the community were quick to donate money, ideas, and services, and not only did I meet a lot of cool community leaders, but I really had fun doing my project because of it.

On Friday, this realization came to me again when the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) met at Buffalo Wild Wings to continue planning for our annual golf outing fundraiser. DSACO is teaming up with Bdubs, Dr. Kivitko (a local dentist and radio host for Dentally Speaking with Dr. Kivitko) and Ohio State basketball legends to put on a golf outing that will truly be the bee’s knees.

While I drooled over my wings (free, and oh my word do I love wings, so thank you Bdubs) in the presence of Scoonie Penn, I quietly listened in on the conversations across the table of some of my all-time favorite things (wings, golf, and Ohio State basketball). As a kid, I remember watching Scoonie Penn and his shooting prowess along with Michael Redd lead Ohio State to the Final Four. I couldn’t believe I was sitting across the table from him at one of my favorite restaurants for a business meeting!

I also had the great fortune on Monday to attend a Kiwanis International meeting at the immaculate Athletic Club of Columbus, where I met successful businessmen and ladies and gentlemen who have made real positive impacts on the Columbus community.

I have truly been blessed this summer by The Columbus Foundation and DSACO for being giving the privilege and honor of working with some of my former role models (like Scoonie), some of my new role models (the Down syndrome kids), and many people who I’ve been able to learn from and have fun with. We’re doing big things at DSACO, and I’m living the good life.

A few days ago, Kathy and I went to visit Mid-Ohio Foodbank to take a tour of their facilities. Mainly our goal was to learn about the environmental features of their new building, which is Leed Gold Certified (a great achievement!). I have to say, I think we are making great progress at Broad Street Food Pantry. In the last two weeks, we have created and implemented volunteer and client surveys, met with a Rumpke representative for a waste audit, completed an environmental assessment, and have done a lot of research on both the environmental and transportation aspects of my project. We also have a lot on our plate for this week: an energy audit with American Electric Power, a staff meeting to discuss a new recycling plan, compiling the volunteer and client surveys, and researching options for composting, among other great things! 

In light of how busy I was with all of these ideas floating around, I really wasn’t prepared for the awesomeness of Mid-Ohio. It really is a step (or four) above the rest in terms of environmental friendliness: computer controlled air conditioning, sky lights, automatically adjusting lighting, door-blowers that retain cold air without closing doors, big plastic baling machines…the list goes on! While I am so happy for the vast improvements Mid-Ohio has made with their new facility, I couldn’t help but think: how could I ever compete with that? I am sure every small food pantry worker or volunteer could tell you of their immense struggles to feed more people with less money on a daily basis. When a place like Mid-Ohio has so much to work with, and we have so little in comparison, the idea can be, and is, daunting. 

On the ride home, as I was considering all of the obstacles small food pantries face, a memory came to me that really turned my thinking around. It was a short segment from the movie “Dirt” (which is wonderful, by the way, and you all should watch it!!). Her name is Wangari Maathai, and she tells the story of the hummingbird who tries to put out a forest fire. I won’t do the story justice, so here it is: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-btl654R_pY&feature=fvst

To me, Maathai’s story is beautiful. We are in a world where the rich are becoming richer, and the poor are becoming poorer. We are in a recession and the end seems not to be in sight. Those who give help, such as the food pantries, are in need of their own help as well just to get the funding they need to support the community. How do we fix this, such a large problem? How do we fix it when it seems like we don’t have enough? 

By doing the best we can! 

This is the last time I will think, “There is so much to be done, how could we ever be as great as the other?” I, WE, will give our best at the Food Pantry, on our other projects, in everything we do in our lives. Maathai reminds us that no matter the barrier, we cannot stand idly by, scared or unwilling, to take on the challenge in front of us. It is just not acceptable. Whatever our best may be, we have to give it, in everything we do. What else are we here for?

My second week here at the Homeless Families Foundation was filled with new learning. Related to the transportation feasibility study, I was researching online mapping tools, safety requirements (related to child transportation), and ever-changing vehicle regulations (primarily related to 15 passenger vans). I was also reaching out to community resources/ potential partners… hopefully I’ll have more luck with follow-up calls this week!

But in addition to this, I was able to learn a lot more about HFF clients. I sat in on an intake meeting at the YWCA, which is the single point of entry for homeless families to begin to receive assistance. The family that I met looked just like any family you might meet around town… at a shopping mall, etc. They were very nice people, and I would never have guessed that they did not have a place to sleep at night. It was in this meeting that I learned more about some of the barriers that people can face while searching for housing as well as some of the factors that contribute to homelessness.

I also gained a great appreciation for our caseworkers. I was able to attend a weekly case review meeting, where challenges are discussed and services are coordinated. The caseworkers were describing some pretty dire situations… And I have so much respect and admiration for them and the important work that they do!

I also happened to be here at the office when a few different homeless families knocked on the door in search of assistance. I’m told that doesn’t happen very often, as there is no sign on the outside of our building. And the single point of entry is the YWCA. However, this was a very sad reminder of the challenges that people are facing right here in our community. A pregnant woman without shoes… A single man living on the street… A large family with no where to live due to bed bug infestation. Sadly, these are very real problems that are being faced by our neighbors here in Central Ohio.

In response to these community issues, I learned more about the good work that HFF is currently doing. I attended a meeting with area landlords, where landlords are encouraged to speak with local agencies and voice concerns on housing homeless families. And I attended an HFF board meeting.

But to finish the week, I decided to familiarize myself with the Franklinton area, since many of the children who attend the Dowd Education Center currently live nearby. Using a free online routing tool that I found, I drove a route that could potentially be used during the school year.

At several different times throughout the week, I was reminded just how vulnerable children are… And just how important the Dowd Education Center is to the children of our community.