I’m doing a blog. Ok, but what does that mean? Talk about a day in your life. Alright, take a deep breathe and here we go.

It starts with coffee-strong coffee-and a big smile. The coffee kicks me into gear physically and the smile kicks me into gear mentally.

My days normally have a quick pace which I enjoy. Moving rapidly from subject to subject; person to person; issue to issue.

Recently, the day started with several building maintenance items to resolve with Jim Dickens, our Director of Maintenance, which went smoothly. Then I spent time with Miss Gabby, one of our program directors, on Summer Youth (we have 67 this summer) projects and, always a high point for me, saying good morning to several dozen sleepy-eyed teens reporting for work. I truly enjoy engaging their partially awake brains and re-discovering a different perspective on life. Make phone calls.

Now we are rolling. I attend a United Way of the Tonawandas quarterly meeting which provides an update on issues and allows for each funded agency to talk about their programs, etc.  More calls.

I have luck contacting a local grammar school Principal to arrange a meeting concerning a grant partnership; discuss NYS Alliance topics with another WNY Boys & Girls Club CPO; answer questions from a Board member; respond to staff questions on an upcoming event; finalize the budgeting for a room renovation at the Town Club; invite a local politician to a Camp Spirit picnic; contact a Club friend about a future event sponsorship; etc.

Running a little late, I join 12 of our Summer Youth and staff in front of the GM Powertrain building on River Road. We have committed to provide and plant over 1,200 red, white and blue flowers in the front of their building as a congratulations for their huge turn-a-round. I spend time with the kids; talk with Steve Finch (Plant Manager) and UAW 774 officials and conduct press interviews.

Now it is time for lunch.

The purpose of this slice of life is not to say that I’m busy (something I enjoy) but to show the breadth of things that this organization is involved in on a regular basis. A lot of people are doing a lot of things here every single day.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Phil Penichter, Chief Professional Officer

This morning, as I left for work, I gathered my son and his toys (we have to bring toys everywhere we go); loaded up everything in the car for the day and headed to my sister’s house.  She gets to stay home from work on Fridays (lucky girl) with her daughter so she’s watching my son as I head off to work for the day.  They were going to bake cookies, make paintings and play outside if the sun stayed out.  It’s still sad every morning when I have to leave.  I jumped back in my car after a big hug and started to prepare myself for a successful day of fundraising.   

Get to the desk and, man, there is lot to do!  I’m working on our new Planned Giving initiative, writing letters, formulating reports and lists.  I have calls to make to some of our corporate friends to follow-up on our Bids for Kids fundraiser and ask for some meetings to talk to some possible new friends.  Talking about lists and calls, I keep forgetting I have to refresh our Wall of Honor in the Town and Franklin Clubs.  We have to change that over each year to make sure each fiscal year is properly represented and our new Heroes go up on the wall!  I love the concept of that wall – letting the kids see all those donors’ names whom they don’t know but can see that they care about them.  I have to get to that this week!  I have some writing to do - always.  Writing is what I call the necessary evil of my job.  I’m not the biggest fan of writing but between the direct mail, individual correspondence, press releases, annual reports, News from the Northtowns, and scripts for our videos I feel like I’m constantly writing.  However, it is necessary because how else would we get the word out about the amazing things our staff members are doing with our wonderful Club members?

This blog is my newest idea – I hope you love it – created to replace our Clubhouse Newsletter.  That newsletter was difficult for the staff to pull together so I’m hoping this new way of communicating to our friends and supporters will be interesting to all of you.  We’re going to start off with one new passage a month and see how it goes.  If there’s a reason and a way to do it more often, then we’ll try to.  What you’ll see throughout the year is a passage from someone within our organization; it could be a Club Director, teenage member, second grader, volunteer, staff administrator, or member of our Board of Directors.  The facts remain that there are a ton of people involved in making extraordinary things happen here every day: over 4,000 Club members, 20 Board members, over 100 staff members and dozens of volunteers.  My hope is to bring to you a piece of all of it; you’ll get their stories in their own words.      

There are a lot of different opinions about my chosen profession out there.  My thought process about going back to work after my baby was born was that it would have to be for something important because I had to have good reason for bringing my son to someone else each and every day.  Now, 3 ½ years later, I know I made a good choice.  To me, my job is rewarding, fulfilling and I’m proud to do it.  

Written by:  Sara Brockvescio, Director of Development