· What is a typical workday like?
· I usually turn on my computer and check my email in the morning. I make sure there are no urgent emails that I need to respond to. I try to make a to do list for the day. I prioritize the things that I need to do during the day. Email takes up more of my time than I would like. Sometime I feel like I can’t think clearly until my inbox is clean. Most of my tasks involve computer work. Emailing with people, typing documents, updating our website and email newsletter, emailing interns, scheduling meetings. Running errands for the organization. When we have events, organizing outreach materials, going to the event, and coordination volunteers for the event. For the board meeting I had to prepare the agenda. Also, raise money for the organization. I am responsible for keeping the organization on a work plan. I need to monitor current events and current issues to make sure that we are working on the things we need to work on. I read the online newspaper everyday. I am responsible for deciding what ally organizations and campaigns we support.
· How is this organization structured?
· There is a governing body called the board of directors. It is made up of 8 members. They approve of the budget and work plan. They also approve the strategic plan. They do mostly longer term planning. They also over see the finances, make sure that we are on budget. They are responsible for hiring and firing staff. They also give ongoing guidance for revisions that need to be made for the plan because of political changes. They are also responsible for fundraising.
· What is the purpose of this organization?
· Our mission is to promote progressive values and empower communities to make San Diego a more just, equable and sustainable place to live.
· How long have you worked here?
· Since April of 2009, before that I was a board member
· What skills and training are necessary for your position?
· The skills that are necessary include ability to prioritize, excellent communication skills of writing and speaking, speaking at public events, writing emails to people. I have to send emails to people asking people to do things. Writing in a way that is going to engage people. I have to be able to be a mentor to younger people. One important skill that I have learned is when working with young people it is important to engage people in the way that they are thinking. It’s about helping you find the answer instead of telling you the answer. To value your ideas. We work with a lot of other organizations and these do not always agree with each other. Diplomacy between people in the organization, and with the community. A good eye for design is a good thing for this job; make sure things are appealing to the eye. To get the necessary information across clearly. I need to have a professional demeanor. I am the public face of this organization. I can’t be shy; I need to be confident in my abilities. I need to be able to make decision with out a lot of guidance. I make a lot of the decisions for the organization. Understanding of databases and efficient ways to use various software. I did g through a fundraiser course. I think that the informal training I went through with mentors.
· How did you acquire these skills? Through school? On the job?
· Most of the skills were acquired through volunteer work in college, not in the classroom. My degree in women’s studies has helped me t=do political analysis, and oppression analysis. Political candidate campaigns. That where I have gotten most of the training.
· Do you consider a career in this area satisfying? In what ways?
· Yes, because I feel that I am helping people. And because I do enjoy being able to be in charge. I really value the ability I have to make decisions and I highly value the trust my board of directors has put in to me to do the job.
· What advice do you have about working here and what advice do you have for me?
