July 27, 2017
Join Impact Design Hub for a night in the company of admirable people working for social and environmental improvements in the Twin Cities.
Each of these people have been addressing local challenges with amazing creativity and fortitude. During the evening you’ll meet some of these folks and probably recognize some friends and partners. Every so often we ought to come together to talk, learn, and enjoy one another’s company. There is much diversity in the work being done to improve the Twin Cities and also many unrealized ideas that need catalytic support.
We will also have two special guests with us:
IDH’s local oracle, Tom Fisher from theMinnesota Design Center, will give a short talk on his view of the Twin Cities: past, present, and future.
And later in the evening we will pause to listen to the creative and bright Eric Sannerud from Mighty Axe Hops as he’s interviewed live for our podcast series by IDH editor, David Dewane.
This event is the culmination of Impact Design Hub’s CITYSeries pilot, featuring the Twin Cities.
Design for social impact work resonates strongly at the community scale so IDH started exploring individual cities to document the stories and ideas happening in this local context. The intent is to focus on systemic issues and see how they are addressed in the city, with an eye towards identifying the core mechanics of each solution and questioning what elements might be applicable elsewhere. The work happening in the Twin Cities is relevant to the critical issues we each face in our communities and as a people.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2tAWLTd
Words by Nichelle Brunner | Photos by Josh Olson
Standing in the large meeting room at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities in St. Paul, one could easily feel lost. The floor to ceiling glass windows and open space creates an environment that is inviting, but also the feeling that you are one among many.
How could a person command attention in this room?
Enters Michael Goar. Walking into the space confident and relaxed, he got the attention of YNPN Leadership Breakfast attendees without saying a word. The conversations around the room ceased as the Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO introduced himself.
Following his introduction, Michael had each young professional introduce themselves. He listened attentively and was extremely perceptive to each attendee’s response. Focusing on his mannerisms, it’s clear to see how the CEO was once a former educator and school superintendent.
Winning Three Lotteries
To start the breakfast off, Michael highlighted his “strange journey” to Big Brothers Big Sisters with a story about winning three lotteries and how early mentors helped prepare him for his current position.
“My journey to getting here is strange for me because this [non-profit industry] is not my world, but there were areas in my life where mentoring made a difference.”
Michael said that the first lottery of his life happened when he was ten years old in South Korea, where he was placed in an orphanage specifically for biracial children. “This guy named Sergeant Singley came into my life. He decided, as an African American G.I., that he would visit our orphanage. Someone who looks like us, made time for us—and that made all the difference for the kids, and that made all the difference for me.”
A few years later, Michael was adopted by a Minneapolis couple. When he entered high school, he won his second lottery.
“I had a coach who encouraged me to do more than I was doing and really pushed me to go to college. His name is George Myer and he became a mentor because he made me believe I was capable of things I thought I wasn’t capable of doing.”
Michael didn’t win his third lottery until graduate school. Though Dr. Carol Johnson was his third mentor, she is the one who has guided him the longest. Michael described her as his “third mother.”
From public schools to the nonprofit world
After graduate school, Michael dove into his career. As Michael began to outline his career path from public schools to his current position, he held up his iPhone. He wove a story of the significance of his iPhone during his public school journey and how that directly correlated to his significance as a human being.
“This piece of technology,” Michael said waving the iPhone, “defined so much of who I was. So when I moved to nonprofits and my phone wasn’t ringing all the time, I felt less important.”
With this anecdote, Michael talked about his experience working within the public school system. He started with Minneapolis Public Schools as a leader in K-12, then left for Memphis, Tennessee to become the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Memphis City Schools. After that, he left for Boston to become the Deputy Superintendent of Boston Public Schools.
Michael remained in that position for nine years, before returning to the Twin Cities to become the founding executive director of Generation Next. Later, he returned to Minneapolis Public Schools to become the CEO.
Then he received a call from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, the largest and oldest mentoring agency in the region.
Bridging the gap
When an attendee asked Michael why he took the job to become CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Michael explained the importance of having mentors who look like him.
“Nonprofits are not my world, but having kids who look like me, who have a mentor is important. Kids are in school for five to six hours of the day, with instruction from teachers. The nonprofit world takes up for the other nineteen hours. Being in this position, I am able to be a champion who guides not only mentors, but also kids, and make a difference.”
Breakfast of Champions: Michael Goar Photo Gallery
The Marketing Intern will work directly with the Director of Marketing to perform outreach about Pinky Swear programs, campaigns, and summer/fall activities, with a focus on building buzz, recruiting participants, and driving fundraising for a kids triathlon and family 5K & Fun Run event series and ongoing events through December 2017.
The Marketing Intern will have the opportunity to learn how to create and implement digital marketing and email engagement campaigns to drive successful fundraising events. This will include learning about new strategies, tactics and tools in the process of working with a fast-moving, cross-functional, and highly dedicated team of Pinky Swear Foundation staff.
Note: Telecommuting is an available option for this internship.
Responsibilities
- Help to maintain Pinky Swear Foundation presence on online social networking sites (primarily Facebook and Twitter) by posting original content, starting conversations online and nurturing involvement in Pinky Swear events.
- Help develop, test and publish email marketing campaigns to drive awareness, registration and fundraising for a series of six summer events in the Twin Cities, Des Moines, Quad Cities, Omaha and Kansas City.
- Assist with other marketing duties including copywriting, website, PR, advertising and partnership marketing as necessary.
Skills and Abilities
- Completion of at least two years of undergraduate studies desired.
- Must have a passion for service and children with cancer.
- Must be an outgoing, personable and a self-starter.
- Must be comfortable with writing, proof reading, and a high level of attention to detail.
- Must be web savvy and enjoy keeping up with new content-sharing technologies online.
- Avid users of social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
- Experience on previous online outreach desirable.
- Experience using programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Google Analytics and MyEmma desirable.
Position Details
- 30-40 hours per week from June – September 2017; can be adjusted according to school. Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and Saturday, August 5 and Saturday, August 19 (negotiable).
- 10-15 hours September 2017-December 2017; can be adjusted according to school.
- A stipend of $10/hr. will be offered.
Required Qualifications
- Social media or marketing experience: 1 year
To Apply
Please submit the following to Jenny Peters, Director of Marketing, by email at [email protected].
- A cover letter addressing how you fulfill the desired qualifications for the position, how you use social media and how this position will support your academic and professional aspirations
- Resume
We are seeking an Operations Associate to join our team in Minneapolis (Downtown), creating an incredible work experience for our members. This position will be part-time (16 hours per week, mornings preferred). We’re looking for someone who’s proactive, creative, personable, and reliable with relevant experience, flexibility, and enthusiasm about joining a growing startup.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the Community Manager in providing excellent customer service: assist members in a friendly & professional manner, man the front desk, greet visitors, and receive deliveries
- Uphold hospitality standards to ensure seamless day-to-day operations: brew coffee; set-up breakfast; stock the cafe, conference room, and restroom amenities; distribute mail; maintain clean & tidy common areas; run & empty dishwasher
- Order & restock a high-volume of supplies: order groceries and office supplies in a timely manner; maintain clean and organized supply closets
- Oversee accounts payable: process weekly vendor invoices; follow up on payment inquiries
- Onboard new members: activate and distribute keys and welcome bags; answer new member questions
- Manage rotating community art program: find and recruit new artists; schedule installation & de-installation; assist with installation as necessary
- Assist Community manager with planning professional, social, and educational events for members
- Contribute to local marketing efforts to drive applications, including flyering, outreach to influencers, planning for external events, and development of email campaigns
- Document and escalate maintenance and facilities issues
- Manage the office independently if Community Manager is out of office
- Complete other errands and tasks around the office as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Lead walk-in tours for prospective members; coordinate with Community Manager on strategies to complete office sales
- Participate in national projects to improve Industrious processes around operations and hospitality
Click the link below to apply.
