Projects- Free Write 4

I finally completed two big projects I have been working on since the beginning of September. The first one was Special Event Sponsorship Funding. Every year the City of Chandler gives out grant money to nonprofits around the valley to help them deffer some of the cost to host a special event. This year we had 14 nonprofits submit applications, and my job was to review all of them to make sure the information was correct and then enter them into a database. I then had to compile all of the information and send it out to the 6 board members who would decide which organization got what. I then organized the panel meeting and invited all of the groups to send a representative to speak on their behalf. After all the funds had been allocated I then had to re-enter that data and notify all of the organizations of how much money they would be receiving that year. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it took over a month and a half from start to finish!
The second project was a research project on the various fees that the Parks and Recreation Department and the Special Event department charges as well as the policies they had in place for certain programs. We wanted to compare what we were currently doing with what other city's were doing. This also took quite some time as I had to track down the information from 7 different cities, and any information that was not provided I had to them call the various departments within the city to hopefully find the answer. Finally after making several calls and sending several emails I was finished with all the information I needed to gather and presented it to the Recreation Manager. She will then take the information I collected and present it to the City Council to make a ruling on what policies, procedures, and fees we need to update for the coming year. It was a little daunting at first making sure I completed this project by it's deadline, and also that all the information was correct. It is really cool, though, to think that my hard work will actually be going into effect and into changing policy that will effect the City of Chandler residents. In a way I left my mark on their history!

Snedigar Park- Free Write 3

For weeks I have been listening to those I work with talk about the various parks and recreation centers, often referring to them by an acronym or a nickname. I felt so left out! Last week I finally got to take a trip out to the famous Snedigar Park. I was impressed with how big it was. It's sort of a combined sports complex/park with a recreation center. Towards the back of the park is a huge warehouse that the Recreation Department keeps a majority of the props and equipment they use for special events. Recently one of my projects was to find and order a cart that could hold the 30 "A" frame carts they use to post signs, information, directions, etc. They had arrived on one of the mornings I was in the office so we took a trip out to see if the frames would fit. To say I was nervous was an understatement! When we finally set everything up the frames just baaaarely fit. I was more relieved than proud of myself that I could read measure dimensions correctly.
 I was wish I had gotten a picture of the warehouse and carts, but right after we were done we had to head back to hang up signs around the city for upcoming events. It gave me a chance to talk to my boss for a bit; both to get to know her better and for her to get to know me better. She was concerned that I wouldn't like working all day at an event and that it would be a lot for me to take in all at once. I assured her that I was not intimidated by working hard outside all day; in fact I prefer it! I am so excited for the events we have coming up in October.
On an unrelated note I know it was officially the start of Fall a few days ago, but being outside in Chandler all day begged to differ. Although it was hot it was nice to get out of the office for a day and be outside working. I was so sweaty after and immediately came home and jumped in my pool. I also slept soundly for the first time in what felt like forever. Now I know I belong in the outdoors!

Being the "New" Gal- Free Write 2

I am loving my internship so far. All the people I am meeting and the different opportunities I am having. However I am struggling with being the "new" kid right now. It has been so long since I started a new endeavor; I have been in my current paid job for about a year and a half now and feel very confident there. It is strange to be getting to know the layout of the office, how different technologies work, and how things need to be done. I feel like I am getting down on myself when I don't do something right the first time, even though I know there was no way I could have known before being taught, After all that is what interning is all about right? Learning?
I guess I just put so much pressure on myself to be the best. To get everything right the first time and exceed expectations. If anything this internship is not only teaching me the specifics about working in a city government setting, but also about how to be realistic about my capabilities. I will always put 110% into everything I do, but it is ok on occasion to fail and learn from that. I am not perfect and will never be, but that will not stop me from being successful. I think if I were to approach my future government job with the mindset that I can always succeed or know the right answer it will prevent me from growing or coming up with the best solution.

I am reminded of the quote that Thomas Edison is said to have said about his many failed attempts at creating the first light bulb:

"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work"

I have not failed, I've just found 10 ways not to use the copier.

A Not So Typical Day

It's cliche, but there really is no "typical" day for me in this internship. You never know what could happen, and I think that makes it exciting! There are days when I know I have specific projects to work on and I balance my time throughout the work day to accomplish them, and then there are other times when I think I am coming in to work on a project, but something has just recently come up that morning that needs my attention. Take for example the other day. I had been working on a research project the previous day for the city's annual tree lighting event. In Chandler, during the month of December, they have a huge Christmas tree made entirely out of tumbleweeds (yes actual tumbleweeds) that is strung with up with lights. It is a tradition going back a few years and this year they found a sponsor who was willing to pay for professional signs and lights to be put in front of the tree depicting its history. I had been working on finding a sample of signs to present to the sponsors. Naturally when I arrived I went to my desk expecting to be working on the research project. However I was told by the other coordinator I share office space with that the flyers for our upcoming event, Day of Play, had just arrived and we needed to sort them into piles of 25 and package them up to send to the Chandler Unified School District office by that Friday. No problem!

A sample of one of the flyers

25,000 flyers and 3 paper cuts later the job was finally finished. I had not expected to be working on this project for 2 days, but when duty calls you answer! I was glad I was there to help get the flyers out to the Chandler schools in time. I am really excited for Day of Play and seeing all the fun the kids will have, and I am also excited to help run my first event!

The entire table was covered when we were finished

Must Love Dogs- Free Write 1

I have found that thinking of something to free write about has been much harder than having a prompt to respond to. I think I've been in school too long! I suppose I could discuss the one thing I love more than being outdoors, and that would be my two dogs. I have two Shetland Sheepdogs named Marty and Wally. Wally, or Wallace, was rescued from a pound about 3 years ago. He is about 7 (we think) and has slowed down a bit; he is mostly content to take a quick stroll around my neighborhood and hang out at home. We noticed he seemed a little down when we would all leave for the day and thought that maybe a new friend to keep him company would help. Along came Marty who was named after Marty McFly from the Back to the Future series. A local rescue had broken down a puppy mill/hoarder type situation and he was among the dogs rescued.

Wally on the left out to eat with his friend Kenize on the right

Marty when he was about 4 months old

He is 7 months old this month and it has been very rewarding rescuing him and watching him grow. I take him everywhere I possibly can and have recently started to train him with some basic commands.
He loves going on hikes with me, running his agility course I have set up in the backyard, and playing tug of war. His presence has even made Wally liven up a bit and play like he was a puppy again.

Dogs have always been a big part of my life. Before the two current ones we have I raised two service dogs. The bond you can have with an animal through positive reinforcement training is incredible.

What would you say.. you do here?

The organization I am interning at is the City of Chandler Parks and Recreation Department. To get more specific the department is actually comprised of two divisions; the Parks Division and the Recreation Division. I am interning for the Recreation Division in the area of Special Events. I work directly under the Special Events coordinator and in conjunction with her Coordinator Assistant. It's only a two person department that puts on all the special events for the City of Chandler! These two ladies do so much, and of course they have the help of other city departments, but for the past month I have been hands on in helping coordinate the events.

In terms of what I will be doing for them it varies. Overall I will be assisting in helping coordinate the Fall events. They include Chandler Mayor's Day of Play, Halloween Spooktacular, Woofstock, and the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting. In between all that is various other projects for the department that include things like researching other city's policies and procedures in regards to special events and public space, working with other community programs and nonprofits to help them with their own special events on public property, and so on. I love the variety so far, and I look forward to all the unique challenges I will face!