Staying focused

Another College Fest down! University of Indianapolis was so accommodating and friendly on Sunday and there seemed to be at least SOME enthusiasm from Scholars, parents and mentors. When I arrived at 3:15pm I was shocked to see a handful of people waiting in the lobby area, the event wasn't going to start until 4:00. I set up our signs and directed traffic with a coworker until a little after 4. We had two separate workshops planned. Scholars had the opportunity to hear from a panel of UIndy students and parents and mentors attended a ParentShop about homework help and staying informed by Scholars' teachers. After an hour or so, we got to eat in the Student Center's dining hall with UIndy students. It was nice to see some of our Scholars interacting with the college students of their own free will.

There's a slight chaotic feel in the office. With the renovation of the upstairs almost finished and the new heating and AC system being put in this Friday and next Monday, it's a rush to pack up our offices and get ready for the first of two moves. As a VISTA, I'll first be moving to the new common space upstairs (not sure how the phone situation will work out). After the front part of the office is finished, I'll be moving into a REAL office with Sheniece! We'll have REAL desks with DRAWERS!! And bookcases and storage space! Having to move twice is certainly worth the end product!

On the agenda for this week; Gala planning, March College Fest final plans, packing my little office space, February VISTA luncheon, and then working from home on Friday (we're closed while they put in our new heating system).

On a non-VISTA note: My birthday was FUN! The whole weekend was just a good time. So, thanks to everyone that had fun with me!

Getting things done

The rough waves have seemed to settle here at Starfish... at least on the event planning front. My daily "to-do" lists are getting finished and I feel much more organized. I'm getting VISTA stuff done too, making sure I accomplish the things that are on my work plan. For the time being, it seems that my conversations with some of the staff here have helped, we'll see if it lasts.

This weekend is going to be very eventful. First of all, my birthday is Friday!! Woohoo!! I'm excited! I've taken the day off (although I have to go into work for an hour or so in the middle of the day to get ready for the weekend)and Shaina, my friend from high school, is coming to visit. Saturday is Starfish's Key Club Induction. While I'm not attending, I am doing some of the planning. I got 6 dozen cookies donated for the event and I have to pick them and some other supplies up. Sunday is another College Fest. This one will be at the University of Indianapolis and I'm POSITIVE that it will go over well. And then on Monday I'm getting to work bright and early to try and secure some free tickets to West Side Story for our Scholars. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I have my event planning plate full at the moment. Finishing up this month's College Fest, working on next month's, sponsorships for the Fundraising Breakfast, location search for a September leadership retreat for Scholars, June's Aloha Party, and now I'm starting our initial planning for a black tie gala Starfish is going to have in March 2010. Phew... there's probably some other little things in there that I can't remember right now, but I'm sure my "to-do" lists will keep me on track.

Back to work! Birthday countdown = 2 days!!!!!!!

Frustration!

It's just been one of those days. Over the last week and a half I've been trying to figure out exactly what Starfish wants out of the 3 VISTAs in their office. I read and reread my work plan and talked to my 2 fellow VISTAs about concerns and frustrations we're all having at the moment. I think we all agree that we're in this 2 month slump. We're teetering on this fence where one side is no one in the office trusting our work and the other is Starfish staff knowing us and just letting us do our jobs. We've been here long enough to understand how the office is run and to know the personalities of the other staff members, but we're still new enough to not really have a say in how things go.

Being a VISTA is a strange position. You're not employed by the non-profit you're working for, but you have to feel like a staff member. You're not an employee, but you're not an intern. It's hard sometimes to find EXACTLY where you're suppose to fit in. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my decision to become a VISTA or the decision to work for Starfish. I DO like it here and love what they're doing in the community. I love the experience I'm getting and am happy that I'm finally doing something I love.

Anyway, there is no training in the world that AmeriCorps could put us through that would make this part of being a VISTA any easier. I think it's something that's going to have to be discussed on a regular basis (with our supervisor and other staff members) and just waited out until a switch eventually flips on that lets us do our job without so much red tape and frustration.

Save the date!!

It's OFFICIAL!! Joyce signed the contract and I sent the fax!! We have a venue for our fundraising breakfast!! I'm excited! (If you couldn't tell...) The Starfish Initiative Annual Fundraising Breakfast will be held at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 7:30am. Phew... I've been working on the breakfast venue since I started here. :) Bethany and I went on a few site visits and really enjoyed this one the best for this event. I'm happy it worked out and I'm sure she is too.

In other news, on January 25th we had our first College Fest at Butler. Considering the chaos that came from planning the event, I think it went pretty well. Now it's on to this month's at UIndy and March's at Marian College. These will be much easier. :)

Now that we have the breakfast venue it's time to dive head first into sponsorships. I feel like this will be a big part of my VISTA life for awhile, at least until Bethany and I get it off the ground. We met today and started making lists and organizing things. Wish me luck with my first big venture into the world of fundraising!


Birthday countdown: 18 days!