Internship: The Foundation for OKCPS

This years Coffeehouse Event!

2010-08-25T09:39:00.001-07:00

Watch live streaming video from coffeehousedesserts at livestream.com

The Next Chapter

2010-05-13T12:04:00.001-07:00

There are a few words I can think of when I look back on this semester at the foundation, all good. Challenging, exciting, eye-opening, moving, fulfilling. I can't believe it's been a year spent in the office with Melissa and the rest of the gang. Seeing their passion for what they do, the heart they have invested in it- it's inspiring and I hope I have the same heart, passion and drive they have for the mission of advocating for kids who don't have the ability to speak up for themselves.

I'm excited to keep hangin around the office. I'm the self appointed 'social media expert' and rumor has it, that's the next place for this token male. Seriously, I found myself official with not one, but two name tags on my desk yesterday afternoon. Take a look for yourself.

Even though I'm taking the summer off I'm excited about the next chapter. I'll be working along with Melissa on a new social media plan- all in the name of telling the story and continuing the conversation about the school district and the steps that are being taken to give everyone an opportunity.

Of course I have a 'real' name tag too.

Yesterday I gave a social media presentation showing what I thought would be the best way to share our story and engage our publics. I spent time with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the blogosphere to come up with a reccomendation. Facebook, YouTube and a blog will be in the working, and hopefully will be up and running by the start of the next semester.

It's been a good run and a great time. Learned a lot, saw a lot and I am even leaning to say that my heart for placing my work overseas is slowly shifting to a heart planted right here. Lord willing, who knows where I'll be. For the meantime I can confidently say the last semester plays a part in that vision.

Thanks.

This weeks totals
4 hours

-Posted on the road from my Iphone

Pre-Enrollment Hours

2010-05-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Before I was enrolled for internship credit and started the blog I had already been interning for the foundation this semester. I started work one week before school started on the 11th of January. I averaged 8-10 hours a week in the office.

So before my first post I had 5 weeks of hours a week giving me 54 hours before the blog started.

Social Media Report

2010-05-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last week I was asked to create an evaluation research report on a Social Media Plan for the Foundation. I will be showing several types of social media and will be evaluating whether or not they meet the goals of the Foundation. I have a presentation set for Wednesday and the entire office is invited.

Included in the report will be facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogs, and YouTube. Based on my recommendations, these different outputs will be implemented within the next few months.

My research is leading me to different sites showing demographics, tips and tricks and recommendations for non-profit organizations by various sources. I will be showing the success rate of each of these medias and will show what other organizations are using them successfully.

I will be asking questions of the legitimacy of implementing each media for the foundation, recognizing that bandwagon is not a reason to have a Twitter, but is instead a waste of time.

Wednesday, as my last day of the semester I will be recommending several new additions to better give the message of the foundation.

This week most of my time has been spent out of the office on my own time.

This weeks totals: 23 hours
- 8 hours in the office
-15 hours out of the office working on the presentation

Published!

2010-05-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

This week was the release for the Stars of Education Magazine.

Monday I continued work on dvd making- allowing the Stars of Education to have their commemorative photo dvds.

Wednesday was the big release. Holding the magazine in my hands and looking at the ads made me realize how cool the project really was. The articles were great, the photos were amazing and the whole piece really came together nicely. I received a lot of compliments on my page and the advertisements I worked on. Melissa decided she should wait a couple days before finding any "mistakes" in the publication. I think it's a great magazine that should serve its purpose nicely.

I spent most of the day Friday delivering the magazines to south side schools. I've never spent much time around SE OKC but its an area i could see myself in more often. Going to schools is always an eye opening experience. Some look like prisons, others look brand new. It just depends on where I went. I took note of how I was treated by each of the school secretaries. I am having a meeting on Monday to discuss the experience and to give feedback on my visits.

The teacher of the year banquet was this week. Thursday night at the Chesapeake Blue Room the teacher of the year was announced. She is an incredible roll model for the students she teaches and is eager to give up her family, money and time for her students success. The more I meet and talk to these people, the more I want to be a teacher.

In the next two weeks I will spend many hours creating a social media plan. Starting this week I have been researching articles that will tie in nicely with this plan. I've googled non-profit social media and come up with some great articles talking the pros and cons of each social media.

As of right now I will be recommending the ability to give stories by giving blogs and video as an addition to the normal website and facebook. I believe in the "story telling" of an organization and how they can maintain normalcy.

This should give me some extra hours to finish the JMC internship course.

This weeks totals: 26 Hours.

Just the General Stuff

2010-04-24T23:48:00.000-07:00

This week was spent setting up the Mac. Monday I spent a good portion of the day working with setting up the foundation server. Checking each printer and finding the files I needed took up most of the day. The new mac is wonderful. It's great to have consistency with the Journalism College in programs like InDesign. I can now take what I'm learning in PR Pubs and combine it with foundation work.

On Wednesday I worked on making dvds for each of the people featured in the Stars of Education Magazine. Every picture taken of each person was put on disk so they could be given as a commemorative portrait. Most of the photos taken were good quality allowing the individual to print as many copies as they want.

It's pretty easy work this week.

Totals: 10 hours

'Mac'ified!

2010-04-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Monday afternoon I got out of class early and came in an hour early. I got right in and started with a press release. After the magazine is published, each of the articles are going to be turned into press release format and posted on the website. This took most of my day Monday, but I spent the last hour reading through the magazine draft looking for post edit errors.

Wednesday was a very unusual day. I came in and an apologetic Melissa told me in the process of giving me a new desk, they broke my computer. In response to this tragedy I questioned the intentions of each party involved, but LeeAnn had little sympathy. Melissa mocked my state of tragedy, told me to shape up and sent me to Lori's office.

Lori explained that the Foundation strives for excellence everyday we work for the kids in the school district. "The latest Technology plays a vital role in the productivity and success of our communication programs"

That being said, she handed me the visa and a name of a business manager and sent me to the Apple Store.

Buying the mac was planned before my computer was ravaged by Melissa and LeeAnne (just kidding). The money saved from the changing the Stars of Education programs was budgeted for a new Mac.

I'm not complaining.

So the day was spent going to Penn Square Mall.

I walked in and asked for the business manager. He knew what I needed and brought it out to me. In the meantime I played with the Ipads, a great idea if only you could fold them up. I checked out and was on my way back to the office. I sat it by the desk but decided to let Brad, the technology guru set it up.

I am going to be set up on Melissa's "old" (6 months) computer and she will be using the upgraded, bigger screen better graphics.

The Foundation also purchased Final Cut Express, which I'm excited to use. We haven't done much with video in the past, but the time is coming! My computer should be set up next week.

I'm excited about the Mac and the upgraded Adobe software. It will make design projects much easier and will link with the software at Gaylord College. I can bring to The Foundation what I learn in my PR Pubs class.

I've officially been Macified!

Totals This Week:
Monday 12-4
Wednesday 1-4
7 Hours

The Finishing Touches

2010-04-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

This week I finished up a couple small details on the Super Support staff page. Some of my photos had to be processed to look a little bit more natural. It was a lengthy process but had good results in the end.

Melissa showed me how to turn each of the photographs into CMYK format for printing. Each picture in the magazine needed to be in that format. After finishing up the details on the super support staff page, one of the sponsors lists needed to be double checked. I spent some time typing each name into the system, checking not only the spelling of their name, but also the name of their organization.

On Wednesday I was asked to rearrange an article that went through several pages of the magazine. Magazines can be tricky in design format and navigating the pages takes some time to get used to. Working with picture placement, tracking and headlines, I rearranged the article and got it to fit into the space provided over the three or four pages it spread.

The magazine is looking excellent, and I'm excited for it to be complete.

Totals this week:
Monday: 1-4
Wednesday: 1-4
6 Hours

When Do I Run Out of Ideas?

2010-04-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

This week I received word that an advertisement was approved and will be used in the magazine. I was asked to designed two more advertisements, both of which have also been approved.

This process of designing acceptable ads has been in correlation with starting my Public Relations Publications Class. I've learned quickly and have gained a lot of time on the software. My entire day Wednesday was spent learning in design in class, then moving to the foundation to use the things I learned.

Friday I finished the layout for the super support staff page. So far I've taken the pictures, written the articles and have now placed them into the magazine. I spent a decent amount of time at Melissa's desk for this work. The mac and CS4 came in useful when putting the page onto the magazine template.

Melissa did tell me this week that I can be expecting a Mac to show up on my desk in the next couple weeks, CS4 included.

I found this on someone's desk. "no way!"

This is a design I was asked to make for The Foundation. It wasn't chosen, but I still really like it.

So far on the Magazine Credits I am in the categories of Editing, photography, and design.

Hours this week:

This weeks totals: 6.5 hours
Wednesday: 1-4:30
Friday: 10-1

Stars Magazine: Continuation

2010-03-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Spring Break is over and the work on the Stars of Education Magazine is stating to come together. This week I finished writing the articles for the Super Support Staff Page. After uploading the pictures to the server, I spent some time choosing which pictures would look best on the page. I worked through each one, and processed the images I shot in RAW format at each of the photo shoots.

This week I was assigned several advertisements for sponsors supporting SOE. I started work on a Sodexo advertisement. I feel a little bit lost when designing. I have to take inspiration from other advertisements, but somehow come up with a design. Each of my ads will be sent to the companies to be "approved."

On Friday I was asked to go to the Cox Center for a Robotics Competition to photograph the team from Capitol Hill High School. The pictures of the team may be featured SOE magazine and the foundation website. They were very nice and even gave me a pin to wear on my shirt.

Totals: 7
Monday: 1-4
Wednesday: 1-4
Friday: 9:00-10:00am

Stars of Education: Week 2

2010-03-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

This week I visited two more schools to take pictures for another page of the magazine. The three individuals I photographed were scholarship award winners. The Foundation has multiple scholarships for graduating seniors of the OKCPS.

Wednesday I spent time working on the Super Support Staff page of the magazine. Reading bios and recommendation letters and writing captions for the pictures I took for last week.

The staff let me sit in on a meeting talking about the sponsors that would be listed in the Stars of Education Magazine. They were deciding on what ranges would be listed and the time frame of each category of donor. It was a necessary conversation, and a necessary detail to giving the credit that is owed to each donor.

Friday was a great day at the office. They bought me a great lunch, a Chicken Foccacia sandwich. I sat in on the discussions over lunch. Lori, the executive director shared some inspiring quotes from Henry David Thoreau. Very enlightening. Here is a picture of office lunchtime. Thank you Shartel Cafe.

The highlight of my day, possibly my week, was the gift basket Melissa gave me for my drive to Destin. I mentioned that my friends and I would be heading down to Florida for Spring Break and would be driving through the night. I came in on Friday and was surprised to find this on my chair in front of my desk.

I finished out the day by writing the last two articles for the Super Support Staff Page. I'm enjoying working on the magazine and am excited to see the finished result.

totals for the week:
1-4 Wednesday
9-1 Friday
7 hours

The New Project: Stars of Education

2010-03-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

March 11, 2010

In the last few weeks, talk in the office has been focused on one of the newest projects coming out of The Foundation. The stars of Education Magazine is being introduced as part of new Stars of Education Campaign.The Stars of Education is a program that gives credit to the outstanding individuals in the OKCPS. Students, teachers, and support staff of the district are being recognized. This is an advertisement I was asked to make advertising the new program including a Teacher of the Year Reception, Awards Presentations, Site-Based Awards Presentation, and a Souvenir Magazine.

This week I worked on the Super Support Staff Page. Four individuals are being recognized for their service, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond. I had the pleasure of going to each of the schools to meet and photoshoot each of these people. I was impressed with their attitude, the way they treated students, and how excited they were to be nominated as Super Support Staff. My pictures along with bios I wrote from recommendation letters will be published in the magazine.

Here are some pictures I took of a few of the school buildings I visited.

1-4 Wednesday
9-1 Friday
7 hours

Last week: The Press Conference

2010-03-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

The Foundation has been providing an unlimited amount of amazing opportunities lately.

The Foundation had the privilege of presenting the Maps For Kids Assessment. A ten year evaluation of the OKCPS and how the Maps funding improved and failed the school district.

Monday was the a preliminary gathering of the school board, the maps assessment task force, and the trustees of the Foundation. We met in the Oklahoma Tower, looking out over the new construction of the Devon Building:

Over cookies and tea, the report was delievered. I had the chance to speak with several professionals from Oklahoma City. One man even invited me to his "prayer gathering" he and some other men have every Tuesday morning. I will take him up on his offer someday, but I will have to figure out a way to wake up early enough to drive to the city.

Wednesday was the official press conference of the Maps for Kids Assessment. Held at the Downtown Library, I was invited to stand in with the rest of the Foundation staff. Lori Dickinson and Dave Lopez, Executive Director and Chairman of the board presented to an audience of the Maps Task force, Foundation Donors and every news crew in Oklahoma City.

The day was a success. I talked public relations with a professional from Oklahoma City. She encouraged me to join Oklahoma's PRSSA type organization, which I plan on looking into in the near future.

My favorite part of the day was hearing the conference, hearing the live interviews in person, then hearing the feedback from The Foundation staff. I also enjoyed taking my knowledge and their perspective and comparing that to what was said in the news media.

It was a great experience that I wont forget (plus I heard I was on the news in the background, chattin it up with some people. Second time in the last two weeks). If i find the clip and can get a hold of it, I'll have to post it.

Last Weeks Totals:
Monday: 1-4
Wednesday: 9:00-2
9 hours

The Foundation for OKCPS

2010-02-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

This week has been really intense in Norman Oklahoma. Wednesday to Wednesday of sickness and three tests starting Monday.

I called my boss Melissa Monday morning and told her I wanted to come in on Friday. I used the extra day to study for my Freedom in Rome and sleep a little bit.

Wednesday at work was great! Lori, the director of The Foundation brought the office Sonic. Melissa calls Sonic "crack" because everyone at the office is addicted to it. I finished an e-mail made entirely of HTML code. Melissa taught me the basics last week and said i picked it up pretty quickly. I don't think I could make a job out of writing e-mails in code.

As Melissa always says, "even still, I don't think I go a day without learning something new." On Wednesday I taught her to select using the "shift" key.

Lisa, one of the Development directors sent me an e-mail showing me her new favorite networking resource. I have to admit it was pretty cool. I searched myself, but had no results. I plan on filling out names of people I know. That way when all my friends are rich, I can use it to hit them up for support.

www.muckety.com

I'm excited about some of the assignments to come in the next few weeks. The new Souvenir Magazine will be highlighting all the awards given out by the Oklahoma City Public Schools. I've been working on the "Super Support Staff" page. I get to write some tidbits about them and take their picture for a feature spot on the nomination page. I'm liking the magazine thing.

This weeks totals: 7 Hours
1-4 Wednesday
9-12 Friday