Here is the latest submission for our Day in the Life of a Nonprofit Communicator – Quarantine Edition. We have amended the previous Quarantine Edition to now include those who have returned to work so be sure to share your day now matter where you are. See the form below.
Sofia Dupi is still working from home. Let’s see how she is adapting.
Sofia’s Bio:
My name is Sofia Dupi, and I am the associate director of digital services implementation, marketing and analytics for a community service organization. After studying art history for a number of years, I turned to community journalism and pivoted to work in nonprofit communications and marketing in healthcare, international conservation and higher education. My approach and passion for my work is rooted in the belief that digital media and communications offer an incredible opportunity to empower communities, advance justice and equity, and advocate for what is under-resourced and vulnerable in our world.
I’ve spent quarantine/shelter-in-place time here in upstate NY reacting to technology needs as they arise and implementing solutions. I am a writer at heart, and also enjoy gardening, sewing, knitting, cooking and reading. I am a published poet and have been experimenting with canning jam when the weather and my un-air-conditioned kitchen are in harmony, while also occasionally enjoying my spouse’s home bartending hobby.
Before 8:00 a.m. Do you immediately grab your phone when you wake up? Are you taking the dog out? Breakfast with the family? Do you get dressed right away if you’re working from home?
My spouse and I have both been home with our two kids (in grades 3 and 1) since March 16. I absolutely get up and get dressed before 8 am. It helps keep a vague sense of normalcy, and for me, it’s a mental health thing to *not* be in pajamas all day.
Before 8 am, I try to get either a workout in (not happening as often as I would like), make my kids breakfast (usually chocolate chip pancakes), or get out in garden for a bit of fresh air. The daily changes and seasonality of my garden spaces are meditative and soothing to me.
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m When do you normally start your workday? Are you on the computer now or getting the kids set up with their school work? Do you create a to-do list or just react to what comes your way?
I try to get my kids fed so I can log-in at 9 am with hot coffee/cold brew in hand. We’ve moved our all-staff check-in meetings on Teams to every other week since June. I’m usually answering emails, making website updates and managing our email marketing.
10:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. What systems are you using to stay organized? If working at home, is someone else in your house also working from home? How are you getting along? Do you eat at your desk for lunch?
Much of my work can be done online, and I was working from home once a week, so this entire shelter-in-place time has been like one long Wednesday for me.
With my whole family home. I’m generally ready at any time to collaborate internally and with statewide colleagues via Teams and Zoom. It’s been challenging to give my kids attention during the day, to help with schoolwork and review their work.
Since his job involves far fewer meetings, my spouse has taken on the lion share of the school distance learning, though I managed the kids’ Zoom meetings with their teachers. We have continued doing reading, writing, and math practice this summer to keep our kids engaged and ready for the new school year, whatever that will look like.
12:00 p.m – 2:00 p.m. Are you still on schedule for the day? How are you communicating with your co-workers?
Days either stretch on for an eternity, or go by in a flash. Since I work through “lunch,” if a day is a little lighter, sometimes I will take a snack break with my kids.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Any later afternoon planning sessions? Power naps or coffee breaks? How do you wrap up your day?
I wish my kids still took naps! The cats definitely fill the nap quotas for this house.
After 4:00 p.m. Did you finish everything you needed to do? When does your workday actually stop? How do you prepare for tomorrow?
I find myself often working to 5:30 or 6 pm, though I am trying to set better boundaries and end my workday by 5:15.
It was really tough in the beginning, because our work was directly helping families negatively affected by COVID and related-shutdowns. I try to stay on top of what I can, and remind myself I am one person.
At the end of the day, the work will be there tomorrow, and we’re all in the same boat, maybe with different struggles, but all moving forward together.
Thanks for sharing, Sofia!
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