Well, I know I said that I would do a more complete blog last weekend, but as you may have seen, it did not happen. I told you last time that my laptop died a week ago today. I currently do not have the means to fix it. This past week has been a busy one for me personally. I have found quite a productive spirit in me getting the house a little bit more organized. I set up my desktop computer. I have not been able to set up the internet on it, yet. It does not have wireless and my 50 foot cord was about 20 feet short of reaching our router. Tonight I bought a longer cord and I hope to finish that set up tomorrow. On Tuesday, I met and was hired by a lady who runs her own eBay business as a personal assistant. I had my first day on the job the very next day. She let me borrow one of her extra laptops which I am on now. I am glad to be busy, but it does take away from time to actively, intentionally pursue my mission to bring back PSP.
In my first blog of this series, I said I wanted to share stories of the kids and other aspects of the program. I still can do that, however, my original format of including my pictures to go with the stories will have to wait as they are all on my laptop :( For today's blog I will be focusing mainly on what I have been learning. My textbook of choice currently is "Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits, real-world strategies that work". I have read through chapter 2 at this point. From reading this, it definitely seems the more people you have on your team the better your business can function. I find that to be a rather obvious statement, but it is something the book has been promoting thus far. One thing I did not know a lot about before reading this book was the function of the Board of Directors. Just like the Executive Director, their main job is to fund raise as well. I also learned about different resources for finding volunteers. Apparently, there are organizations made for other organizations to locate just these types of people. The book also talks about ways to keep your volunteers coming back by giving them tasks that connect them to the organization.
Toward the end of chapter 2 was a section that asked "Can you pitch your nonprofit in the space of an elevator ride?" I wanted to include my answers to the questions they suggested a person involved in the program should be able to answer.
-What would you do with $10,000? That money would be used toward supplies for the program for our reading program as well as craft projects. We could also use the money for the field trips that we go on and the t-shirts we give the kids so we can identify them as part of our group when we are out on these field trips. The field trips that we go on each week are something that all of our participants look forward to at the end of each week.
-Tell me about the needs of your constituency (any body of supporters, customers, or clientele). The participants that we serve our mainly low income families. There are several children who come each year that have had their fair share of time in the foster care system. We have even had some families in our program who were homeless. All of the families we work with our doing their best to provide everything they can for their children. I know first hand that it is not easy to get out of the cycle of poverty that many of these families face. These busy, hardworking families sometimes are not able to be home with their children because of the hours they have to put in to provide for their families. I see lots of our families rushing to drop off their children so they can hurry off to work. Sometimes this means they do not have time to give their children breakfast in the morning and they are dropped off hungry. This last year, to help with this problem, we began serving breakfast as the first part of our day.
-Who are the other service providers in your field and what makes you special? There are many other summer programs in the greater Portland area. We are special mainly because of the price of our program. The average price of a summer program is usually around $500. It costs about the same amount for us to put on our program, however, we charge based on a participants school lunch status (free, reduced, or standard). Most of the people who come to our program our on free lunch status. I also think a special part of our program is our focus on the bible. I know this is not entirely unique to us, but it is something not all offer that I find makes that much more of a difference in the lives of these children.
-Tell me about the composition of your board of directors. This is not a statement I can really comment on at this time, as this is all still a dream. The types of people I will be looking for to be a part of our board of directors will most importantly include those who believe in PSP. They will also be active God followers who enjoy connecting with people. Bonus points for those who have experience fundraising or other money skills. As the book stated, the first two our inherit in people, the last part can be taught.
-What made you get into this field? I got into this field by a phone call. I literally received a phone call asking me to come help out this program because the people they were expecting to show up cancelled last minute. I had the time, so I did. I quickly made connections with these children that I will never forget. I was asked to help for one week. I stayed for two, kept coming back the following summers, and have not stopped, yet. I believe in this program. The change that happens in anyone who puts their heart into it. It is amazing.
I probably should work on summarizing some of those answers more, but this was a good start for me as well as a good way for you to begin to see the need for PSP to be a part of children's lives once again.
I also started reading chapter 3. It talks about budgets and the importance of having an idea ahead of time of the things you may spend on and adjusting it at least once a year to reflect actual spending.
For those who have tuned in for through the end of today's blog, I applaud you. I know these topics are not the most exciting things. It mainly is to help keep me accountable. I do appreciate any of you with interest in what I have been doing. I promise there will be more interesting blogs in the future.
Till next time, take care my friends!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Screeching halt
Well, for awhile there I forgot today was Friday. That kind of thing happens sometimes when you are unemployed. When I went to go online this evening, I decided to check my email first. I was just about finished when my laptop completely died. I believe it is a power issue. So instead of blogging I spent some time researching how to fix my new problem. I at least have a handy dandy iPhone that I can update on just before bed. I almost thought about blowing this thing off, but then I told myself it was just sad that I couldn't find time to blog for two consecutive weeks. However, things did come tonight that I needed to address. Hence forth tonights entry will be brief. I will be back next Friday for a complete blog as schedule, plus I will do this weeks complete blog before weekends close.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Fire to my bum
Well now it has been a year and a half since I last blogged. I really am horrible about keeping up with this thing. I think about blogging a lot. It just does not happen. I actually have a reason to blog now. I imagine this will help with consistency, but we will just see what time will tell.
The purpose of this blog is now to follow the progress of the reestablishment of the PumpWorks Summer Program (PSP). I am not a very passionate person, however, after a short time being in the presence of this place back in 2008, captured my heart and my passion was found. Mid November of this past year (2012) the PumpWorks non-profit decided that under the model they were following they would not be able to make PSP, their main event, happen, thus they decided to close their doors at the end of the Calendar year. I was completely heartbroken. I was in shock. I knew I needed to take action, but I had no idea how. What made it even more difficult was that I had temporarily moved to California to help my sister out as she finished her undergrad degree. All the usual what ifs ran through my head, the biggest 'if I had only been there'.
Since the announcement of the closure of the non-profit, I have had time to brainstorm all sorts of possible ideas. I was blessed to receive a trip up to Portland for Christmas. Ever since the announcement I have just wanted to be with PumpWorks people. I feel more sure of what I am doing as well as have a better understanding of where things have been left off now that I have accomplished that. I had a chance to visit the former office of PumpWorks. There is not much there now. I also was able to talk with the two founders personally, which was one of my top priorities of my trip.
To help keep my self accountable as well as inform others about the happenings, I plan to blog every Friday on my progress. Here is the start of that:
Hello PSP compassionates,
At the end of last summer, I had heard finances were tight and that we might not be able to have camp this coming summer. I did not understand that this meant the extreme measure of shutting the doors of PumpWorks would be the result of that. While I was up in Portland I was reassured by one of the founders and decision makers of the PumpWorks Summer Program that they have hope that the Program will return again.
The doors were shut because of the lack of two main areas: Volunteers and Finances. I would like to write to you in an open and honest form. I feel that it is important to let you know as much as you need to know about the program, as well as the business. My hope in this is that you will be able to really understand the importance of what we do. We have found that it is difficult to afford an Executive Director as well as the cost of the program. At the same time, it is equally as hard of a task to find enough volunteers to preform even close to the same level to get the tasks done necessary to put together the program each year.
When I return to Portland during the summer of 2014, this will solve the volunteer problem. Until that time we have the ever present financial problem. In the year and a half plus till I return, I will be learning all I can about what it takes to be in this role, plus what is necessary to know in order to maintain a non-profit program and all that entails. In addition to that, I plan on collecting pledges of donations, as well as donations themselves. Another thing I learned during my visit up to Portland was that even though the business has closed we are able to still accept donations at least through the 2013 year. Hence, if you feel inclined, please continue to donate. I believe pay pal will be your best way to do this, but I imagine alternative methods are possible. If you would like to know more on this topic it self, please do not hesitate to contact me. My goal is to have at least $60,000 pledged by August 1, 2014.
I would like you to reflect on your own personal situation. I want you to think about your own connection to PumpWorks; It may be seeing your child go through the program, you have seen a family member attend the program, you have sent your child as an intern, you have interned, you know somebody who has volunteered in the program, you attend a church where your youth group has served, whatever has brought you to this blog today is your connection. Please reflect on what that connection means. Remember the effects PumpWorks Summer Program has had on all of those lives thus far, and most importantly to those children. I have been blessed to work with these kids the past 5 summers. It grieves me to think that I will miss out on their lives in these next couple of years, minus a miracle.
There will be kids who will graduate out of the program before I will be able to see them again. Who knows where they will go. Many of these children have rough home or social lives. Not all of them, and that is always a blessing to see the children helping each other out. We are called to be there for each of these children no matter what their story is. There definitely is a number of children in our program that do have difficult lives. They have gone through some things in their short amount of years that we will never experience, that we can never fully understand because nothing we will ever go through will compare to what they have lived. A good portion of our participants are in the foster care system or have been adopted.
I plan on being the program director for 2015, that means we will be going two summers with no program put on by us. The idea has been brought up to have a miniature version (week long camp) of the program this summer and/or next, but the details of this have not been discussed much further. My plan is to have a relaunch party Saturday, August 9, 2014 to announce plans for camp the following summer 2015. I hope to have former participants of all sorts in attendance: interns, volunteers, youth groups, students, and their families.
I am not very experienced in this role, but I have the passion for it. I know the program completely. I know the heart of what we are about. I feel this program is 100% vital to these children's lives. This is what saddens me the most about the lack of an affordable, Christian, Summer camp in the Portland area. I have talked with some of our PSP kids since or their families, and to hear their disappoint just breaks my heart a little more each time.
In this blog I would like to include what I am learning each week, progress of pledges, and share stories of the program. I want to give you a snap shot of what we do and who these kids are for those who have not had a chance to experience this place first hand. I hope you tune in each week. Thanks for reading.
Take Care,
Cassi
The purpose of this blog is now to follow the progress of the reestablishment of the PumpWorks Summer Program (PSP). I am not a very passionate person, however, after a short time being in the presence of this place back in 2008, captured my heart and my passion was found. Mid November of this past year (2012) the PumpWorks non-profit decided that under the model they were following they would not be able to make PSP, their main event, happen, thus they decided to close their doors at the end of the Calendar year. I was completely heartbroken. I was in shock. I knew I needed to take action, but I had no idea how. What made it even more difficult was that I had temporarily moved to California to help my sister out as she finished her undergrad degree. All the usual what ifs ran through my head, the biggest 'if I had only been there'.
Since the announcement of the closure of the non-profit, I have had time to brainstorm all sorts of possible ideas. I was blessed to receive a trip up to Portland for Christmas. Ever since the announcement I have just wanted to be with PumpWorks people. I feel more sure of what I am doing as well as have a better understanding of where things have been left off now that I have accomplished that. I had a chance to visit the former office of PumpWorks. There is not much there now. I also was able to talk with the two founders personally, which was one of my top priorities of my trip.
To help keep my self accountable as well as inform others about the happenings, I plan to blog every Friday on my progress. Here is the start of that:
Hello PSP compassionates,
At the end of last summer, I had heard finances were tight and that we might not be able to have camp this coming summer. I did not understand that this meant the extreme measure of shutting the doors of PumpWorks would be the result of that. While I was up in Portland I was reassured by one of the founders and decision makers of the PumpWorks Summer Program that they have hope that the Program will return again.
The doors were shut because of the lack of two main areas: Volunteers and Finances. I would like to write to you in an open and honest form. I feel that it is important to let you know as much as you need to know about the program, as well as the business. My hope in this is that you will be able to really understand the importance of what we do. We have found that it is difficult to afford an Executive Director as well as the cost of the program. At the same time, it is equally as hard of a task to find enough volunteers to preform even close to the same level to get the tasks done necessary to put together the program each year.
When I return to Portland during the summer of 2014, this will solve the volunteer problem. Until that time we have the ever present financial problem. In the year and a half plus till I return, I will be learning all I can about what it takes to be in this role, plus what is necessary to know in order to maintain a non-profit program and all that entails. In addition to that, I plan on collecting pledges of donations, as well as donations themselves. Another thing I learned during my visit up to Portland was that even though the business has closed we are able to still accept donations at least through the 2013 year. Hence, if you feel inclined, please continue to donate. I believe pay pal will be your best way to do this, but I imagine alternative methods are possible. If you would like to know more on this topic it self, please do not hesitate to contact me. My goal is to have at least $60,000 pledged by August 1, 2014.
I would like you to reflect on your own personal situation. I want you to think about your own connection to PumpWorks; It may be seeing your child go through the program, you have seen a family member attend the program, you have sent your child as an intern, you have interned, you know somebody who has volunteered in the program, you attend a church where your youth group has served, whatever has brought you to this blog today is your connection. Please reflect on what that connection means. Remember the effects PumpWorks Summer Program has had on all of those lives thus far, and most importantly to those children. I have been blessed to work with these kids the past 5 summers. It grieves me to think that I will miss out on their lives in these next couple of years, minus a miracle.
There will be kids who will graduate out of the program before I will be able to see them again. Who knows where they will go. Many of these children have rough home or social lives. Not all of them, and that is always a blessing to see the children helping each other out. We are called to be there for each of these children no matter what their story is. There definitely is a number of children in our program that do have difficult lives. They have gone through some things in their short amount of years that we will never experience, that we can never fully understand because nothing we will ever go through will compare to what they have lived. A good portion of our participants are in the foster care system or have been adopted.
I plan on being the program director for 2015, that means we will be going two summers with no program put on by us. The idea has been brought up to have a miniature version (week long camp) of the program this summer and/or next, but the details of this have not been discussed much further. My plan is to have a relaunch party Saturday, August 9, 2014 to announce plans for camp the following summer 2015. I hope to have former participants of all sorts in attendance: interns, volunteers, youth groups, students, and their families.
I am not very experienced in this role, but I have the passion for it. I know the program completely. I know the heart of what we are about. I feel this program is 100% vital to these children's lives. This is what saddens me the most about the lack of an affordable, Christian, Summer camp in the Portland area. I have talked with some of our PSP kids since or their families, and to hear their disappoint just breaks my heart a little more each time.
In this blog I would like to include what I am learning each week, progress of pledges, and share stories of the program. I want to give you a snap shot of what we do and who these kids are for those who have not had a chance to experience this place first hand. I hope you tune in each week. Thanks for reading.
Take Care,
Cassi
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