Stepping Up Civic Leadership Program

Through this program, I served as a non-voting board member of the United Way of Mid and South Jefferson County.

The First Board Meeting

Going into this experience, I have many goals for what I hope to gain. But, more than anything, I hope to gain background knowledge of the interior workings of a nonprofit organization. I've always been interested in nonprofit work and advocacy, and hope to one day own a nonprofit of my own. So, I hope I can see how an organization is run in order to be successful. After meeting with the board for the first time, my first impression was that they are very welcoming to different perspectives and people, both as a board and nonprofit.

Mid-Year Report

At the United Way, we do not meet as often as some of the other organizations might. However, we had been meeting in order to discuss the ALICE grants program, which has helped me to see also what other organizations do from the lens of the United Way. While I've seen many of these programs happen with other organizations, I was able to see as the board weighed options of funding. Alongside the ALICE grants, I was able to see the board revise rules to meet expectations and hear about what our board does outside of the meetings that helps them to network with the community. While I thought I would feel awkward being there but unable to vote as they discussed such things, it actually gave me such good insight and helped me to become a better observer. I tend to feel the need to always take the reins, so it helped me to put myself in a position that I could only watch but still gain experience. I have met with the board 3 times during my first semester, and I am currently working with them to find a way to keep me involved as my class schedule is posing some difficulties with board meetings.

Final Board Meeting

Throughout my time in the Stepping Up Civic Leadership program, I have learned extensively about the inner workings of the nonprofit sphere. Unfortunately, my class schedule did not allow for me to attend board meetings during my second semester, but the United Way board was amazing when it came to continuing to keep me in the loop. I continued to receive meeting minutes and was kept up-to-date with any updates. I was able to continue sharing social media posts to raise awareness for fundraisers that were happening during the course of the semester. During my last few board meetings, we were able to go through bylaws and paperwork necessary to run a nonprofit, and the board split into groups to revise the papers and came back with all of our findings. This project was so beneficial, and even though I did not get to finish that activity out due to class, the time we spent on it and the insight I received from those on the board was so helpful.

My leadership skills have grown tremendously during my time on the board. Even if I was a non-voting member, I was still constantly looped into the conversations regarding certain topics, and that has helped me to grow confident enough to use my voice even in rooms that I might not always feel qualified to be in. With everybody being in their professional careers and lives, they taught me so much about professionalism and organization both in and out of the organization.

The board makes the most impact through the grants it gives out, which was another amazing thing to watch as they selected the recipients for their grants. However, I would like to see some more clarity possibly given to the organizations about why they were not selected, just so that they know if there are things to work on. Other than that, it was truly an amazing experience.

Lastly, the best advice I have for incoming Stepping Up participants is to make the most of the experience. I'm a firm believer that life is what you make it, and that message continues into this program. You can choose to sit back and just watch, or you can choose to make the most of the experience and learn amazing things.

Press Club of Southeast Texas

Alongside my experience with the United Way, I also currently serve as a voting member on the Press Club of Southeast Texas board. I have loved experiencing both, but they are definitely very different just due to the content each organization deals with and the difference in being a voting vs. a non-voting member.