WHAT WE LEARNED
Over the past few months, I have researched and interviewed four nonprofit organizations and their members. In doing so, I have learned a great deal about the nonprofit field and the potential careers within it. Nonprofits come in all shapes and sizes, and each organization is unique in its mission and strategies. Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance was the smallest nonprofit that I connected with. Their mission and strategies varied greatly from the larger organizations, such as Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Virginia Career Works, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Let’s review our experiences and what we learned with each nonprofit organization!
Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance
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In September, I had the pleasure of speaking with Russell Love, President and Executive Director of Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance. I was able to very quickly get in contact with him through email, which was exciting and somewhat surprising. After some communication, we scheduled the interview for the morning of the Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival. We were able to talk bright and early that day, and I took the opportunity to volunteer with Russell and other members of the nonprofit for the rest of the day. I had never been to a pride festival and was, honestly, a little nervous. That being said, I was greeted with unwavering kindness and excitement for the day.
Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance is the smallest nonprofit organization that I looked into. Locally organized, it has been active for the last ten years but was recognized as an organization in 2016. The organization has a board that consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and additional members. The board works together to plan and execute two main events each year, as well as sponsored presentations and outreach efforts throughout the year.
The nonprofit’s mission is to promote the “understanding of the LGBTQ community through outreach and education.” As president and executive director, Russell creates strategic plans and timelines for the organization. In organizing with vendors, sponsors, and other organizations, Russell utilizes his communication skills and attention to detail. His career history consists of several nonprofit roles, the first he took on while in high school.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
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My excitement for Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB), began in my Nonprofit Communications class. After learning about the organization, touring the Verona location, and speaking to several members, I was deeply inspired and impressed by its mission and success. With a mission “to improve food security through equitable access to good nutrition and the resources that support health and well-being,” BRAFB assists communities in hunger relief all over central and western Virginia.
While I had this connection with BRAFB already established, I was able to connect with the organization through Professor Ben Erickson. As a communication and marketing intern under Professor Erickson, I assisted with the development of marketing materials for the Bridgewater Food Drive. In partnership with the Office of Community Engagement, the Student Athlete Advisory Board, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, we raised over 3,000 donations on campus.
With Professor Erickson’s contact information, I was able to connect with Cara Hopson, the Managing Director of Development. One of Cara’s main responsibilities within her role is maintaining connections with donors. BRAFB’s donors, as well as their volunteers and workers, are integral to the success of their organization. Her active listening skills ensure that each conversation she has is effective. She strategically shows every donor where their money goes and how the community benefits from their donations.
Before her work with BRAFB, Cara worked at another nonprofit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters. She emphasized the importance of developing a variety of skills in the beginning of your career and said that Big Brothers Big Sisters allowed her to “wear many hats” in her role.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
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Similarly to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, I was able to learn about and speak with members of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) during my Nonprofit Communications class. With my love of art and my interest in nonprofits, the opportunity to interview another member of the VMFA for this blog was extremely exciting.
Again, through Professor Erickson, I was able to get in contact with the communications department at the VMFA. After a few emails, I scheduled an interview with the Deputy Director for Communications and Marketing and Chief Communications Officer, Jan Hatchette.
“Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts” and “benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.” However, the VMFA positively impacts more than just the Commonwealth and is known as one of the largest art museums in North America.
In her role, Jan creates and implements strategic marketing and communications plans for the VMFA. With each plan, Jan strengthens brand identity and reputation, broadens awareness of the museum and its exhibits, and spreads information on public programs. Strong internal communication within the departments is essential to providing the public with effective and up-to-date information.
Before her role at the VMFA, Jan began her career as a public relations officer at Central Fidelity Bank (now Wells Fargo) before moving on to a marketing coordinator position at the University of Richmond. Jan worked at the University of Richmond for 17 years, continually growing and being promoted. By the time she moved on to the VMFA, Jan had become the Senior Director of Marketing Strategy and Services and had received her master’s of liberal arts degree with a concentration on African American studies from the University of Richmond.
When working in communications, marketing, and public relations, Jan emphasized the importance of listening skills and clarity. The ability to understand what people are looking for or interested in and convey information concisely and compellingly is essential in this field.
Virginia Career Works
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My connection to Virginia Career Works (VCW) was truly a matter of fate. I met Paula Woods, the Job Seeker and Provider Coordinator for VCW, at the Kyoto Steakhouse in Harrisonburg. We sat together waiting for our checks and began talking about our backgrounds.
Paula went to Bridgewater College, met her husband, and graduated with a degree in psychology. Before VCW, Paula worked in a residential group home for men with disabilities, the Community Service Board, and public schools. Through these jobs, she gained experience in case management, communication, documentation, and problem-solving.
Virginia Career Works is a nonprofit organization that connects job seekers to employers. The nonprofit helps a variety of people such as those with disabilities, the elderly, the youth, and those with additional barriers. While working for VCW, Paula has had six roles over the past four years, transitioning from grant to grant. Paula currently works case by case, meeting with individuals, and providing necessary resources like job training and valuable information before connecting them with employers.
Paula’s position is not a traditional communication role, yet she highlighted how communication, strategic planning, listening, and having attention to detail allow her to be successful each day.
In the End
Speaking with each individual and learning about the nonprofit organization was a privilege and immensely rewarding. I was able to hear their stories of growth and transitions, as well as their advice for going into nonprofits or the communication field. These conversations strengthened my communication and interview skills, and my ability to plan and prepare. These blogs have been a wonderful medium to summarize and reflect on each person’s experience.
The most important lesson I have learned is that everyone’s career path or journey is different and individual. Taking advantage of opportunities is essential in learning and having a better understanding of yourself and your potential career. Communication is a necessary part of every job and practicing these skills will benefit you in every aspect of life. Never stop listening and never stop learning!
