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ENDA

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Recently, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been all the rage.

I wouldn’t normally post about political hot topics, except this piece of legislation is one I have quite the connection to. Not only am I a big fan of workplace equality including gender identity and sexual orientation, but I also played a part in the buzz surrounding this bill.

Working for the Fund for The Public Interest, I represented the Human Rights Campaign educating the public on the approaching legislation of ENDA and fundraising for the organization.

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Similar to some summer jobs, this took place outside. Unlike any jobs I can think of, I asked complete strangers to stop and talk to me about gay civil rights. Within five minutes I was asking for a monthly contribution.

Well that escalated quickly.

This is where the PR mindset comes in, which explains why I was able to excel at this unique skill. For me, it wasn’t five minutes of talking to a stranger.

It was five minutes of creating a relationship. Five minutes to get to know the people who were willing to take a moment out of their busy lives for a contemporary issue.

I’ve often said that I would jump at the chance to learn every single person’s life story. People fascinate me- and meeting 30+ Minneapolis area residents and tourists a day was one of the most meaningful and fulfilling things I have ever done.

Some people avoided me, some were rude, but those genuine connections- authentic enough to lead to a monthly financial commitment and exchange of personal information- made any unfortunate encounters worth it.

The reality is, public relations is all around us. Each conversation I had was basically a live press release for HRC, it was the epitome of community outreach. I knew the organization like the back of my hand, and was always prepared to elaborate on their goals or explain past controversial decisions.

This was not a strategic communications internship of any sort, but I recognized the opportunity to develop public relations experience and make an impact with each interaction. This is what makes resumes three dimensional- unique approaches and mindsets, and the ability to use any opportunity as one for growth.

Downdogs for Diabetes

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downdogs

In honor of November being national Diabetes Awareness month, I’d like to shine light on my sorority’s successful philanthropy event this semester. A community yoga class benefiting the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, the 2nd Annual Downdogs for Diabetes event proved to be a great success.

Last year as the sorority’s philanthropy coordinator, I created this event as our fall semester fundraiser. It brought in over $2000 by selling tickets to the community for $5 ahead of time and $6 at the door. As the instructor and pioneer of the event, there were details that could’ve have gone smoother.

Our philanthropy coordinator this time around, Jess Lieberman, maintained the framework for the event, but made it even better.

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Me with our Philanthropy Coordinator, Jess Lieberman

The remodeling of the U of M Recreation Center came at the perfect time, as we were able to host the event in the gorgeous Beacon Room. This also simplified the process of renting speakers and other audio necessities, seeing as the space in the Rec. was complete with a stereo and microphone system that I am familiar with, as an instructor at the Rec.

The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation funds the research, education and awareness of diabetes, among many programs designed to support sisters and alumni in their personal and professional lives.

This year, through Downdogs for Diabetes, were able to raise over $3000 for the Foundation.

Counteracting the not-so-healthy Pancake feed held every February for the cause, this event displays the value of health while engaging the community. To encourage involvement, a competition was held among the other Greek chapters. Whoever had the most members attend the class would be awarded a private yoga lesson, taught by yours truly. Kappa Alpha Theta was awarded this prize and will be having their private yoga class soon!

All in all, the new location and improved audio system provided for a great event. However the effort Jess, also a strategic communications student, put into the promotion and organization of the event made all the difference. Save the date for another fundraising event, being held on Saturday, December 7th, 11 a.m.-2 p.m!

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Vermont Branch Company

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Some say addicted, some say unhealthy, I just describe my shopping habits as dedicated.

As an avid shopper, you find that when a purchase is made that is of poor quality, everyone and their mother will find out.

A sweater ripped after two wears? Food poisoning from the local deli? Someone in these situations will spread the word to friends, enemies, and the person behind him or her in the grocery line to avoid this company at all costs.

However, praise rarely receives the same press.

For this reason, I would like to thank the VermontBranchCompany for providing me with one of the most positive online shopping experiences of my life. Found on Etsy, this tight-knit family business catered their design to my interests.

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Creating candleholders and other products out of birch, the family often carves initials and hearts as gifts for couples. Interested in the design for a round of sorority recruitment, I asked VermontBranchCompany to carve the Greek letters of Alpha Gamma Delta into the candles instead. Without hesitation, they produced 15 perfect candles.

Furthermore, when the candles arrived, they were accompanied by a handwritten thank you note set in a birch place holder. These candleholders fit with the decor flawlessly and added a personal touch that looked like it had be planned for months. I have loved working with this company and promised our returning business for the next recruitment season.

Moral of the story, it’s all in the ask. Hope you check them out as well!

St. Thomas Up ’til Dawn

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Last night, I had the opportunity to take part in the St. Thomas Up ’til Dawn event. Throughout the fall, each regional St. Jude office holds Up ’til dawn events at local college campuses.

For region 6, St. Thomas marked a halfway point in the UTD season. Last week College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University raised $22,587 for the patient families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Winona State, Drake and Iowa State are on the horizon.

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Up ’til Dawn calls for students to create teams and fundraise prior to the event. Teams arrived at UTD around 11 p.m., settling in and enjoying food from Subway, Chipotle and Kind.

At midnight, the event began and a St. Thomas student, Chase Baumgartner told the moving and uplifting story of losing his best friend, Dylan Witschen, a past St. Jude patient. The tellings of the friendship that developed through playing football together, reminded all participants how vital it is they help children “stay up for good.” The Dylan Witschen Foundation thrives in the teenager’s memory.

Throughout the night, participants were entertained by team challenges and minute-to-win-it style games.

One inspiring student, Brittni Sundby, encouraged people to donate by promising to shave her head if she reached her personal goal of $1000. Reaching her goal 9 days before the event, anticipation built. Updating peers and family on Facebook, Brittni confirmed that she would indeed be shaving her head to show support for the children who have no choice but to be bald.

Nearing dawn, Brittni donated her long auburn locks, stating “those kids need hair more than I do” and is now rocking a bald head. Brittni served as the co-director of the St. Thomas UTD executive board and on team St. Jude Rockin Eboard, whose fitting tagline was Bald is Beautiful. The teams and St. Thomas community raised $23,170 for St. Jude, reminding everyone on the St. Jude team of the value of events like these.

Marty Bergquist

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We live in an age of paralyzing pressure.

Constant worries of how exactly we measure up.

Regardless of majors, we all minor in competition.

And a “minor mistake” is an oxymoron.

Why do we let questions start with “sorry” yet never apologize for not trusting ourselves?

Soon we won’t be the only ones putting ourselves on the benches.

Marty wasn’t about that bench life. His drive, his vision, and his passion allowed the results of his endeavors to drip in success. As with any brilliant young soul, we have a lot to learn from Marty.

I don’t see a lack of drive in myself or in the students surrounding me. No, in the all-nighters, the impressive resumes and the stellar grades, the drive is there. Obsessively so. What we are missing, especially women, is the fearless confidence that must accompany drive.

It’s so easy to find the strengths and talents of the person next to you, yet impossible to remember that they are listing things off about you as well.

Marty was someone who had the heart to dream amazing things for the world, and the brains to make them happen. We need more Martys. We need more long terms goals that aren’t presented with “If I could” or followed by “but…”

We need to act from a place of passion, from true dedication. Not moving just to go through the motions.

What in your current life would you still do, even if you couldn’t put it on your resume? Only when we eliminate half-hearted endeavors can we experience the pride of every accomplished entrepreneur, every successful philanthropist, every happy soul.

What if we got more out of our current internships, classes, relationships, instead of adding more?

We need to “love all, trust a few and do wrong to none.” We need to channel our inner Marty, because with a loss like this, the world needs us.

Midterm Madness

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After hearing continuous complaints about “hell weeks” I’ve realized the term “week” is a bit vague.

Oddly enough, these back to back weeks of back to back midterms, are corresponding with other campuses’ fall breaks. I don’t have first hand experience with this fall break concept, but it sounds like a glorious life.

A serene scene far from the U of M

It’s this absence of a fall break that makes midterms worse than finals, in my opinion. During finals week, all other classes are cancelled, allowing students time to study. With midterms, classes continue on, making homework and projects just as much of a priority as upcoming exams. Additionally, with midterms there is no end reward of a vacation. Look alive U of M.

However, it has recently been brought to my attention (and then again and again) that I will be busier after college than I am now. I have attempted to argue that there aren’t enough hours in a day for that to be possible, but these graduates are persistent. Most recently, a young professional explained that it’s just a different, more structured and consistent type of busy.

So it made me wonder, is expecting no classes during midterms, or a fall break unrealistic? Would having these things be a bittersweet luxury?

In the real world, I doubt all other work halts when one project takes priority or nears a deadline. I doubt a few days of working overtime are always followed by a few days off.

Would our energy be better spent finding the dedication and organization to make these hell weeks manageable, over trying to convince the University to change its policies?

In the meantime, find productive study spaces and effective stress releasors. While we are creatures of habit, studying somewhere new may be the thing that allows you to focus on the material, rather than feeling overly comfortable. If every time you study you go to Purple Onion, that cafe will remind you of every assignment you’ve done there. No thank you.

If watching a few episodes of New Girl calms your energy and makes you laugh, recognize that power. However, mixing up your routine, especially for something physical, will have a much greater impact. A run may clear your head, but climbing the new rock wall at the Rec will do the same, while exciting and rejuvenating the brain.

Namaste.

St. Jude Fall Festival of Hope

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Fall Festival of Hope at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis
Fall Festival of Hope at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis

As a special events intern for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, I had the lucky opportunity to recently attend the annual Fall Festival of Hope. Wednesday, September 18, over 500 St. Jude supporters gathered at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis.

Throughout this extravagant gala, guests enjoyed the silent auction, music from The Blenders, and an amazing live auction. Over 20 of the top Minneapolis restaurants catered the event, providing small plates of their most popular dishes. Queen of Cakes supplied centerpieces that tasted even better than they looked.

While the live auction of extravagant vacations and prizes was entertaining, the most memorable part of the event came from Jen O’Hara. The mother of a previous St. Jude patient, O’Hara inspired the audience with her honesty and courage. Stories of her late daughter, Shannon, and her never ending positive outlook filled the room with emotion. O’Hara shares this amazing story in her new book Determined to Matter.

Through the successful events like Fall Festival of Hope, St. Jude is able to ensure that patient families pay nothing for treatment. This also covers traveling costs, food and housing while at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

This event stimulated my interest in the nonprofit sector, as I saw and took part in preparing small details that come together to create a successful gala. Fall Festival of Hope took place the second day of my internship.  Jumping right in to one of the biggest events of the year has set the tone for an amazing semester.

Right away, I experienced the dynamics of the Region 6 team and was welcomed without hesitation. We spent the entire day dropping tables, preparing 600 gift bags, coordinating the auctions and much more. At each moment I knew this was a fantastic fit. The people, the internship, the nonprofit sector, special events,  it all fit.

Sorority Recruitment

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Me and My Assistant, Aly Dahmen, Before Open House Round
As the Vice President of Recruitment of my sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, this fall was the craziest and best time of my life. The planning for the five days of formal recruitment began in February, allowing my anticipation to grow with each day.
I remember comparing the process to skydiving. I’ve never been, but I’m assuming sorority recruitment is pretty similar. All of Spring semester, I was the skydiving instructor, and the Alpha Gams  were in the registration process- watching the safety videos and covering the logistics.
For me, this meant planning all decorations, outfits, refreshments and entertainment.
One sister asked me, “You don’t do anything this semester though, right? That’s nice it’s just the end of summer.”
Interesting. Not quite.
However, I believe what makes a great leader and an even better event planner, is the ability to absorb stress, without any others feeling the wake. Blame it on the yoga, but this aspect of events and strategic communications has always appealed to me.
Dropped tables for Open House Round
Dropped tables for Open House Round

Towards the end of August, we were all on the plane. Anticipation was building for all and a five day workshop, Polish Week, consumed our last days of Summer. As I facilitated Polish Week, I realized what it meant to be in the plane. There’s no going back, how you handle complications is the only thing that will change the outcome. Not everything will be perfect or go exactly as planned, but recruitment will happen either way- so find a new perfect.

As recruitment came, it was time to dive. I expected this time to be full of anxiety, but it was far from it. Already out of the plane, there’s nothing to do but enjoy the process.

Sharing highlights of conversations and positive aspects of each round, telling jokes during down time and updating our inspiration board kept spirits high. Ultimately, the endless support and love I felt throughout the whole process, made it the best fall I’ve ever taken.

With relaxed attitudes and the AGD brand making up our parachute, after the final day of recruitment, we landed on our feet. Even better, we found ourselves surrounded by an amazing pledge class of 45 new members.

Dropped tables and decor for Preference Round
Dropped tables and decor for Preference Round

My experience in strategic communications allowed for a strong recruitment experience as well. Coordinating members, facilitating values based conversations and [insert sorority jargon] was done keeping our brand in mind at all times.

The women going through recruitment must make impressions and decisions about our chapter from the conversations they have with a few members. Focusing efforts on our brand being present in each of these instances allowed these interactions to be genuine and valuable.

Who knew there was so much PR in skydiving?