Melissa Baffa Email & Phone Number

Ventura, California, United States

The mission of Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations.

Focusing (no pun intended) mostly on events, live music photography and portraits on the business side of it, but my real passion lies in landscape and nature photography. Not much time these days to develop my skills (that pun WAS intentional), but I do carry a camera with me everywhere I go.

Santa Barbara, California Area

MissionThe Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Ventura County, California

As a member of Cohort 17, I served as the cohort representative for our group. After graduation, I was asked to stay on as a member of the steering committee, where I proudly help to advance the mission of VCLA. With VCLA striking out on its own, I have now joined its first board of directors.I have served as a member of the Executive Committee (as Secretary) since 2014, and chaired the Outreach and Recruitment Committee from July 2014-September 2015.The Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) is an initiative of United Way of Ventura County. The purpose of VCLA is to create opportunities to develop leaders who will enhance the quality of life in Ventura County. Specific objectives of the Ventura County Leadership Academy include: 1.To create a leadership development program incorporating business, social services, education, community, government, and cultural issues throughout Ventura County; 2.To promote the inclusion of diverse groups of individuals; and 3.To broaden the awareness, understanding and appreciation of a variety of issues through contacts with community leaders, participation in workshops, field studies, and related programs, and exposure to critical issues affecting life in Ventura County. History of the VCLA The Ventura County Leadership Academy was founded in 1994 and has the purpose of developing a diverse group of leaders whose actions enhance the quality of life throughout Ventura County. Through a curriculum that exposes participants to critical issues in our region, the experience provides opportunities to enrich one’s leadership capabilities that will ultimately enhance his/her participation in the community. The curriculum includes focus sessions on regional issues related to education, public safety, economic development, health care, agriculture, the environment, transportation, as well as state and local government. Participants also undergo a leadership development curriculum that is integrated into each session.

Ventura County

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University Channel Islands brings the excitement and stimulation of college learning to area adults (50 or better!) who wish to extend their learning experiences in a university atmosphere.OLLI members take university-quality courses offered by faculty and professional experts in their field of study without the distraction of grading, preparing for a career, or meeting degree requirements. No more testing - just learning for pure enjoyment!I teach a course about exploring tidepools and another about exploring the deep sea aboard the E/V Nautilus.

Ventura County

The Ventura County Women’s Economic Roundtable (WER) is comprised of a committee of ten advisors who are tasked with making recommendations to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors regarding the status of women and how best to improve the quality of life for women in Ventura County.

Eastern Pacific Ocean

The Ocean Exploration Trust’s Science Communication Fellowship (SCF) Program immerses formal and informal educators in the Nautilus Corps of Exploration and empowers them to bring ocean exploration - specifically in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) - to a global audience via the Nautilus Live website. Fellows share accounts of ocean science, expedition operations and daily life with audiences through live audio commentary and question-and-answer sessions from aboard the ship. Through participation in live interactions with student groups and public audiences, Fellows also engage people of all ages in real-time exploration. Science Communication Fellows then bring their expedition experience back to their own classrooms, organizations and communities in the form of engaging lesson plans and activities centered around their time at sea aboard Nautilus and other vessels.2018 update: Will be returning to sea aboard the E/V Nautilus, exploring near Davidson Seamount, part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. I will be sailing from October 20-November 1 (dates may change slightly). Please join me on www.nautiluslive.org !• While aboard E/V Nautilus, I am responsible for daily communications with worldwide audience via live interactions (televised and through livestreaming feed on NautilusLive.org)• Delivery of STEM programs at Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast related to fellowship (2015, 2016)• Wrote six-part series featured in Ventura County Star detailing the trip (2015, 2016)• Wrote regular blog postings to GSCCC blog before and during expedition (2015, 2016)• Managed media relations, including social media, surrounding fellowship• Wrote article in December 2015 issue of California Lutheran University magazine• Booking, developing, and delivering public lectures and presentations at a variety of venues throughout California in connection with experience

Ventura County, Ca

The Ventura County Women’s Political Council (VCWPC) is a multi-partisan organization whose objective is to achieve equality for all women. We encourage, recruit, train and support diverse women candidates who support the goals of VCWPC and will bring a woman’s perspective to every issue, foremost including reproductive health; the environment and social, educational and economic justice.http://vcwpc.org/

Ventura, Ca

Vice President of Program and Volunteer Services• Responsible for program department serving nearly 11,000 girls and 5,500 volunteers across six counties• Development and oversight of two department budgets• Responsible for development, implementation, and oversight of volunteer training throughout council• Marketing and communications for program and volunteer services departments• Part of council-wide Strategic Planning team• Oversight of programming at council camp property (Arnaz Program Center)• Leading council efforts to attain ACA Accreditation for the Arnaz Program Center• Continuing responsibilities related to Ocean Exploration Trust Science Communication Fellowship• Collaboration across departments within GSCCC to ensure accomplishment of organizational goals• Ensuring adherence to GSUSA policies regarding safety, branding, training, curriculum, and more • Establishing and building new relationships throughout the community on behalf of GSCCC

Arnaz Program Center, Ventura

Responsible for working with council staff and volunteers to develop, implement and deliver programs that meet the needs of girls, troops and service units. This position works collaboratively with membership, program and volunteer services staff to develop a comprehensive plan for program enrichment and delivery, membership growth and retention, and volunteer engagement and development. Develop and coordinate other program related projects including but not limited to; Outdoor skills and S.T.E.M. Program, Adult Outdoor Training, Volunteer Led Day Camp, Kaleidoscope, Girl Scouts on the Go Mobile Program and special projects as assigned.• Developed and delivered new outdoors- and STEM-based programming. All programs have been revenue-positive and have received consistently strong evaluations.• Staff liaison for Kaleidoscope 2015• Part of council-wide Strategic Learning team• Leading council efforts to attain ACA Accreditation for the Arnaz Program Center• Oversaw reservations and program use of the Arnaz Program Center • Temporary oversight of property management of the Arnaz Program Center• Responsible for review and revisions of Arnaz Program Center Rental Policies booklet, camp contracts, check-in and evaluation sheets, and other camp-related documents• Maintaining Arnaz Program Center Facebook page• Chaperoned six Girl Scouts to annual Convention and Girl Scout Leadership Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah• Applied for and was awarded Science Communication Fellowship, to further increase STEM programming possibilities• Management of interns from a variety of colleges• Formed new collaborations with California State Parks, US Fish and Wildlife, Mountains Restoration Trust, Museum of Ventura County, ReelAnglers Fishing, and Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, with more collaborations in the works

Mission StatementTo provide mutual support and networking among the Cooperating Associations linked to the California State Parks System by: Arranging workshops, conferences and providing a free resource library for members Being an advocate for California State Parks Recognizing excellence within the family of Cooperating Associations Transmitting information between California State Parks, Cooperating Associations and other related Park Organizations Furthering the common interests of Parks Associations and membershttp://calparksleague.org/

Ventura And Santa Barbara Counties

Since 1984, the Friends of the Channel Coast State Parks has supported the interpretive and educational programs of Channel Coast State Parks. Friends of Channel Coast State Parks supports projects and educational programs that connect people with the rich natural resources and cultural heritage of the California State Parks in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Friends is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that provides the funding to make sure the State Parks can staff and create engaging programs that enhance the benefit of the parks’ resources to the local community.• Guided development of strategic plan • Developed cohesive communications platform, including website design and maintenance, organization newsletter, press and media relations, and social media• Responsible for media output, including all content on website, press releases, op/ed pieces, and print / radio / television campaigns and interviews• Developed new marketing materials, including brochures, rack cards, banners, and signage• Launched new volunteer and membership programs• Developed new merchandise lines, set up online sales platform• Introduced new “fee for service” programs: kayak, photography• Secured significant grant funding from new sources• Successfully managed successful events: fundraising, volunteer service events, and networking events• Garnered media coverage of organization across a variety of platforms• Developed and delivered new educational programs• Management of interns from a variety of colleges• Political advocacy on behalf of Channel Coast State Parks district and California State Parks overall• Formed new partnerships with area schools, community organizations, businesses, and elected leaders

Oxnard, Ca

Gull Wings is Ventura County's only children's museum. Serving over 200,000 people annually through our museum and its outreach and educational programs, we offer hands-on exhibits and programs for children ages 1-12.

Downtown Oxnard, Ca

As a member of the downtown Oxnard community, I was proud to sit, albeit briefly, on the ODMD board of directors. This is a tremendous group of people working diligently to improve downtown Oxnard and reveal the great history and vibrancy that already exists here. When I departed Gull Wings, I had to relinquish my seat on this board, as I was no longer a representative of a downtown business.The Oxnard Downtown Management District (ODMD) is a PBID (property-based improvement district) that utilizes assessments paid by its members to make downtown Oxnard more safe, clean, and attractive to both business and visitors. The ODMD creates and manages a number of different programs and projects in order to meet those goals. On a daily basis, we clean the streets, sidewalks, gutters, alleys and parking lots of Downtown Oxnard with our “Clean Team” personnel. Benefits include street sweeping, sidewalk pressure washing, graffiti removal, and other cleaning initiatives. We jointly operate with the Oxnard Police Department the District Safety Program providing a security presence and hospitality to the District. The Oxnard Downtown Management District advocates and seeks favorable publicity and partnerships for programs designed to benefit the District.

Middle school science teacher, yearbook advisor, club advisor, coach

California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Ca

Designed and taught a marine biology course for high school students. Two different courses were delivered: a six week long summer program and a monthly Saturday class. Courses were very hands-on and lab-intensive.

DNA Sequencing Department (first pass and follow-up)

B.S., Biology

Activities and Societies: Intercollegiate volleyball, Research assistant, Teacher's assistantMagna cum laude

Teaching Credential, Secondary Credential, Science