My motivation for the work i do aligns with the PSU University Goals which are: Communication, Critical Thinking, Ethics, Agency & Communication, Diversity, Equity & Social Justice.
I love to help others and bring a sense of organization to a chaotic world. Changing the world is something we can all partake, one at a time, in our own little way. For me personally, this calling came via minority voters’ rights and education. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law, permanently barring any barriers to political participation by racial/ethnic minorities, prohibiting any election practice that denies the right to vote on account of race, and requiring jurisdictions with a history of discrimination in voting to get federal approval for changes in their election laws before they can take effect. Though this law was passed in 1965, we still face many issues today due to a lack of representation on all levels in local state, senate and beyond. |
I found OLMV (Oregon League of Minority Voters) via a friend who currently serves on the Oregon board of directors. I fell in love with the opportunity to serve my local Oregon chapter and applied to become a board member. After completing a letter of interest, providing my resume/qualifications, I was interview by the founder. After a few weeks I was informed I was accepted and was asked to serve on the secretary committee, which actually didn't happen due to an outstanding need discovered after the first few board meetings.
I was told there was plenty of work to do and the sky was the limit in regard to my contributions.
I was told there was plenty of work to do and the sky was the limit in regard to my contributions.
THE HISTORY OF OLMVThe League of Minority Voters was founded in 2007 by a multi-racial group of Oregonians who believe that what affects one community affects all of us, and that the challenges that impact minority voters must be met with consistent advocacy from all people. LMV is nonpartisan.
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OLMV MISSIONFight for the advancement of minority voters’ rights within the electoral process through education, empowerment, and bringing a voice to the issues that uniquely impact communities of color.
OLMV CORE VALUES
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OLMV VISION
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OLMV PROGRAMS
GET OUT THE VOTE
League of Minority Voters participates in the Get Out The Vote education campaigns.
League of Minority Voters participates in the Get Out The Vote education campaigns.
COOL SCIENCE / STEMS ON WHEELS
This program seeks to promote employment and interest in science and technology though STEMs and arts in the minority communities.
This program seeks to promote employment and interest in science and technology though STEMs and arts in the minority communities.
SPEECH & DEBATE TEAMS
Since 2009, LMV has provided students with the opportunity to pursue civic leadership by developing speech and debate skills
Since 2009, LMV has provided students with the opportunity to pursue civic leadership by developing speech and debate skills
REGIONAL EQUITY INITIATIVE
This program creates an inclusive rally point for equity & diversity conversations happening in local communities.
This program creates an inclusive rally point for equity & diversity conversations happening in local communities.
LEGAL & EDUCATION FUND
Committed to ending voters’ suppression and systemic disenfranchisement based upon race or financial status.
Committed to ending voters’ suppression and systemic disenfranchisement based upon race or financial status.
MY CONTRIBUTIONS & FUTURE OPPORTUNITY
13TH ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY
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I HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH BUSINESS OWNERS & CONSULTANTS, SENATORS, POLITICIANS, DIGITAL PRODUCERS, INTERNS, CONTENT CREATORS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF OTHER NONPROFITS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS & LEADERS, MAYORS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, MARKETING PROFESSIONALS, GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, SOCIAL MEDIA PROFESSIONALS, NONPROFIT FOUNDERS AND ACTIVIST.
THE TASK NEEDED TO EXECUTE THIS TASK WERE LEAD BY MYSELF WITH 3 OTHER SUPPORTING BOARD MEMBERS. WE WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR MONTHS TO COMPLETE THIS TASK. 30 HOURS OF EFFORT WAS EASY TO COME BY AS I WAS LAID OFF WHEN COVID-19 STARTED AND HAD SEARCHED FOR ANOTHER WAY TO FILL MY TIME.
THE COMMITTEE MET 3 TIMES A WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENTS AND ON 10/10/2020 WE SPENT OVER 10 HOURS AT REALLY BIG VIDEO TO EXECUTE THE AWARD CEREMONY.
THE TASK NEEDED TO EXECUTE THIS TASK WERE LEAD BY MYSELF WITH 3 OTHER SUPPORTING BOARD MEMBERS. WE WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR MONTHS TO COMPLETE THIS TASK. 30 HOURS OF EFFORT WAS EASY TO COME BY AS I WAS LAID OFF WHEN COVID-19 STARTED AND HAD SEARCHED FOR ANOTHER WAY TO FILL MY TIME.
THE COMMITTEE MET 3 TIMES A WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENTS AND ON 10/10/2020 WE SPENT OVER 10 HOURS AT REALLY BIG VIDEO TO EXECUTE THE AWARD CEREMONY.
BOARD MEETING OPERATIONS
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“WE'RE KIND OF FLYING THE PLANE WHILE WE'RE BUILDING IT.” ~ ADAM LASHINSKY
FUTURE OPPORTUNITY:
UNMET NEEDS (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED & WELCOMED)
- CREATE A SCHEDULE AND FREE ONLINE TIME CLOCK TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL VOLUNTEER/INTERN HOURS
- WORK WITH THE FOUNDER AND BOARD TO CREATE JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR ALL BOARD/VOLUNTEER AND INTERN POSITIONS
- LOCAL OFFICE SUPPLY COMPANIES AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS CALL TO ACTION TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATION, AND REDESIGN OF THE OFFICE SPACE FOR EASE OF USE
- IDENTIFY BOARD, VOLUNTEER AND INTERN STRENGTH AND AREA FOR GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT
- DOCUMENT ALL OLMV PAST EVENTS (BUDGET, LOCATION PAST COMPANIES, PARTIES INVOLVED...ETC)- IN PROGRESS
- CREATE A HANDSHAKE PROFILE FOR OLMV AND POST INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL COLLEGE STUDENTS
- POST VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ON LOCAL BOARDS AND NETWORK SITES TO INCREA OLMV EXPOSURE
THE FUTURE OPPORTUNITY LISTED ABOVE WILL BE ADMINISTERED VIA BOARD AND FOUNDER DIRECTION, MAKING THE FIRST DELIVERABLE DOCUMENTATION OF ALL PAST EVENTS. I AM BUILDING A DOCUMENT THAT WILL SHOWCASE PAST EVENTS, BUDGETS AND KEY PARTNERS, WHILE CREATING A ELECTRONIC DATABASE FOR FUTURE EVENTS. NONPROFITS RELY ON DETAILED DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ONCE THE DOCUMENT IS COMPLETE I WILL PASS TO THE FOUNDER AND BOARD FOR REVIEW, EDITS AND REVISIONS. THIS MAY BE MY TASK BUT IT CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL WITH INPUT FROM THE TEAM.
THE REMAINING TASK CAN BE COMPLETED BY MYSELF, TEAMMATES OR WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEER STAFF OR INTERNS, EITHER WAY I PLAN ON HELPING SECURE THE TALENT NEEDED TO EXECUTE THE TASK.
THE REMAINING TASK CAN BE COMPLETED BY MYSELF, TEAMMATES OR WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEER STAFF OR INTERNS, EITHER WAY I PLAN ON HELPING SECURE THE TALENT NEEDED TO EXECUTE THE TASK.
REFLECTION
THERE ARE SO MANY FIRST EXPERIENCED DURING THIS TIME OF SERVICE. THIS WAS MY 1ST TIME ON A BOARD, 1ST TIME TRANSITIONING AN EVENT FROM A PHYSICAL TO DIGITAL SPACE, AND MY FIRST TIME WORKING FOR A NONPROFIT AS A VOLUNTEER. I LEARNED MANY VALUABLE LESSONS FROM MY TEAM, ZOOM, THE FOUNDER AND EVEN DISCOVERED HIDDEN ABILITY AND PERSONAL AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT. OVERALL I HAD AN INTERESTING TIME AND THOUGH I WISH WE HAD MORE VOLUNTEERS I GAINED VALUABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS FROM THE CHANGE I WAS ABLE TO CREATE (& STILL CREATING) AT OMLV.
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THIS PROJECT WAS THE REWARD OF SEEING SO MANY SMILING FACES ON OUR FIRST ZOOM MEETING, AND HEARING THE FOUNDER AND CO-CHAIR SAY "WE NEEDED THE CHANGES AND ROSE TO THE OCCASION".
IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THIS PORTION OF MY PROJECT (TO BE CONTINUED), I WOULD HAVE CHANGE THE ORGANIZATION AND VOLUNTEER RESOURCES FOR OLMV. HAVING ALL PAPERWORK, STRUCTURE AND WORK BACK CALENDARS WOULD BE HELPFUL. THE ABILITY TO TRACK WHO IS WORKING OR WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT ON ANY GIVEN DAY WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL.
NEXT STEPS: STARTING JANUARY 2021, ONCE THE BOARD HAS ITS ANNUAL MEETING WE CAN ORGANIZE OUR THOUGHTS AROUND WHICH TASK TO ATTACK NEXT AND WHAT OTHER IDEAS FROM THE TEAM MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OUTSTANDING ITEMS WE HAVE SUCH AS GRANT WRITING TRAINING. PREPARATION FOR THE SUMMER 2021 INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER STAFF WILL ALSO BE A PRIORITY IN ADDITION TO PLANNING THE 14TH ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY.
MY PERSONAL GOALS INCLUDE GETTING BACK TO WORK FULL TIME IN A ROLE THAT SUPPORTS MY FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE, JOINING ANOTHER BOARD WITH A FOCUS ON FOSTER CARE, AS I FOSTERED FROM 2008-2013 AND WOULD LOVE TO GIVE BACK TO FOSTER YOUTH.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021.
TDD.
“CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT MAKE A MAN, THEY REVEAL HIM.” ~ WAYNE DYER