Birchway Niagara (formerly Women’s Place) provides shelter services for women and children experiencing abuse, and prevention and awareness programs for our community members. My role with this organization has evolved over the years. While originally my work focused primarily on public education, volunteer programming and fundraising/event support, I now lead the agency's public relations and communications efforts while continuing to coordinate a large volunteer team. The recent change to my title reflects the evolution of this position. As many of these roles are a continuation of my work as Community Engagement Manager, please read the description below.

-Create, execute and evaluate communication plans-Update and create content for agency website and social media channels-Design and write content for public relations materials (e.g., annual gratitude report, brochures, event visuals, e-blasts)-Write and coordinate the delivery of two donor-centred direct mail campaigns annually-Engage with local media to develop awareness of agency activities and domestic violence (e.g., create/distribute press releases and media kits, participate in media interviews)-Contribute content to staff intranet-Build relationships with community partners (e.g. engaging local politicians in awareness campaigns)-Respond to email, social media and phone inquiries regarding events, donations and services -Use client management system to manage donor and volunteer information / produce reports-Recruit, train and coordinate the schedules of a large volunteer team-Track volunteer shifts and ensure that milestones are recognized-Assist with the planning and execution of two annual fundraising events and additional fundraising activities such as raffles-Participate in planning of Annual General Meeting and make presentation at this event-Oversee program budget (e.g., submitting cheque requisitions / projecting expenses)-Participate in development of strategic and fundraising plansThis role previously included public education aspects as follows:-Developed the agency’s “Stop the Cycle” education program for middle school and high school students-Made presentations to student and adult groups about how to recognize abusive and healthy relationships and agency services-Attended community information and volunteer fairs-Entering donations into client management system and mailing tax receipts / thank-you letters

-taught students in kindergarten - grade 8 (French Immersion and English language)

I organized all aspects of the Legislative Page Program for grade seven and eight students from across the province serving as messengers at Ontario’s legislature.-Oversaw student recruitment, orientation and training-Worked with partisan and non-partisan staff, as well as on-site catering and facilities staff, to plan meetings and activities for Pages (e.g., with Premier, Speaker of the House)-Supervised Pages on the floor of the legislature-Developed and taught Pages legislative process and arts curricula as well as providing math and English tutoring-Coordinated field trips to various cultural sites in Toronto (e.g., AGO, ROM)-Acted as the program’s primary spokesperson, interacting with external and internal stakeholders including the media-Wrote content for and designed publications (e.g., training documents, promotional materials, web page content, press releases)-Supported legislative conferences (e.g. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association) and internal events (e.g., Speech from the Throne / Budget)-Maintained applicant database-Supervised program's administrative assistant

-Developed and conducted public education programs about the legislative process and the heritage of Queen’s Park-Responded to inquiries in person, over the phone and by email about government and legislative services-Designed the information architecture of and maintained the Interparliamentary and Public Relations web pages-Designed and wrote content for a wide variety of publications (e.g. teacher resources, newsletters, brochures, exhibit panels)-Coordinated an exhibit program in the halls of the Ontario legislature that highlighted the province’s museums and heritage-Provided support for parliamentary delegations, conferences and events -Booked tours using an Access-based booking program and developed a daily tour schedule

-Provided costumed educational programs at this historic one-room school house, primarily to students in junior grades

-Provided costumed tours and talks about the history of Fort George, the War of 1812 and general Canadian history-Served as a member of the management team in my final two seasons, overseeing the site's period kitchen and garden program-Coordinated summer staff training (e.g., booked speakers)-Created staff resource manuals that continue to be used by interpreters