Menucha Saitowitz
Here’s the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words.
We want more stories! Don’t be shy – tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro.
Menucha Saitowitz earned her degree in psychology and religion from Dartmouth University in 2010. Since moving to Israel in 2011, She has worked in the nonprofit sector in resource development, relationship building, and community engagement. Menucha’s passion for Israel inspires her to work hard to better the country as well as promote its achievements to the international community.
And this is her typical day:
Before 8:00 a.m. – My 1-year-old typically wakes me up around 6am, and I nurse her while checking my email and/or facebook.
Her 3-year-old brother soon wakes up and we make breakfast and get dressed.
I drop them off at a mishpachton (home day care center) and am at work by 8:00.
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m – I’m usually the first one in the office, so I turn on all the lights, heat up hot water for coffee, make a coffee, and bring it to my desk.
I finish checking emails, review the most important tasks for the day, and get to work.
I do resource development in addition to community engagement and do my best writing in the morning. If there are any upcoming grant deadlines, I do them now.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – I try to have a sit-down with my boss, for at least a few minutes to discuss the latest things we are both working on.
Tor HaMidbar is a dynamic NGO that works with communities and social entrepreneurs throughout Israel, so there’s a lot going on.
I check in with the various managers in the field, to hear about what they’re up to today and if anything might be interesting enough for a newsletter or facebook.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – I always bring lunch from home, though more often than not it’s leftovers from last night’s dinner or a salad I throw together on the spot. I try not to eat at my desk, but that’s easier said than done.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Inevitably, something urgent comes up that needs my attention. A letter to translate, a forgotten about memo that needs revisiting.
I try to leave my afternoons less structured so I can handle these “unexpected” events, or finish my writing from the morning.
After 4:00 p.m. – I leave the office promptly at 4:00pm, and though I religiously check my email, I make a point not to respond unless it’s something truly urgent.
Thanks for sharing your day, Menucha!
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