Meeting Planner Intern at National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP)
I had an incredible opportunity to intern with CGP from July 2016 to November 2016, working mainly with the National Conference on Philanthropic Planning. Here is an overview of my responsibilities:
Assisted CGP staff in coordinating logistics, programming, and marketing for the National Conference on Philanthropic Planning in Dallas, Texas
Assisted with logistics and communication with various event suppliers
Maintained registration process for 750+ attendees
Assisted with maintenance of conference website and mobile app
Being a part of such a huge conference was a phenomenal learning opportunity and time of much professional growth for me. I learned how to stay organized and balance large tasks such as communicating with onsite vendors, speakers, and participants. I was also able to design many different types of conference materials ranging from speaker papers to meal tickets to sponsor signs. I also learned how to create and maintain a website and mobile app, constantly ensuring the correct information was available to our participants. Onsite at the conference, I was able to oversee all functions including food and beverage, breakout sessions, and the exhibit floor. Working onsite with this large amount of people also allowed me to enhance my communication and problem solving skills when questions or unforeseen situations arose. Planning and implementing this conference was a fantastic experience and allowed me to continue growing by taking what I had been learning in the classroom and applying it to the day-to-day aspects of a nonprofit organization. Below are some pictures from the conference, as well as some materials I designed for the conference.
Leadership Initiatives Intern at United Way of Central Indiana
After finishing my internship with CGP, I immediately began another internship with United Way of Central Indiana in November 2016, and I will finish in May 2017. I work mainly with our Leadership United program, as well as our poverty simulations. Here is an overview of my responsibilities:
Coordinate activities associated with the creation, coordination and implementation of poverty simulations and Leadership United events
Ensure development and implementation of all logistical requirements for each event
Maintain entry of all participant information in StratusLIVE database
Assist in gathering information for board placement opportunities
My time working with theses two programs has furthered my professional development by enhancing vital skills. I have been able to step up as the main contact and organizer of both programs over the past five months as we go through staffing transitions. This has given me great responsibility, as I oversee both programs that currently do not have a dedicated staff member. I am responsible for coordinating all the logistics associated with both programs including site visits and selection, speakers, and agenda. I also am responsible for communicating all information to participants, speakers, and volunteers that I have recruited. On site at the various programs I ensure all logistical needs are met and lead the sessions when appropriate. I have had an incredible time working with all 56 of our Leadership United participants and speakers, and hundreds of poverty simulation participants and volunteers. This internship has been a realistic view of what it's like to run and organize programs within a nonprofit organization, and the experience and skills I have gained are invaluable moving forward into my career.