Blair Trexler
Welcome to 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’d love to feature YOU in this series! Don’t be shy – tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro.
Blair Trexler has worked in some aspect of development since 2010. She earned her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Community & Justice Studies prior to completing her MS in Child Protection. She is completing a second graduate degree in Forensic Psychology. Following her “dive” into the development and fundraising world, she has never left and has found her niche working for Nazareth Child & Family Connection, formerly Nazareth Children’s Home, in Rockwell, NC where she serves as the Director of Development. She and her assistant are the only ones who work in Development for the organization so many hats are worn: donor relations, marketing, communications, etc. When not at work, Blair focuses on time with her partner, Eric, their daughter, Erika, three dogs, and a rescue cat who just had three kittens.
And this is her typical day:
Before 8:00 a.m. – I am usually up by 5:20 each morning. My partner leaves for work by 6 am so the responsibility of getting Erika, our daughter, up and ready for school usually falls to me.
Before I wake her up I am letting our three dogs out, packing lunches, and checking emails and social media for our agency. I also scan my calendar for appointments to ensure that I’m prepared what the day has ahead.
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m – I drive about 40 minutes for my commute so part of this time is spent driving after the school drop-off line. I most often listen to audio books during my commute – currently I’m “reading” The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. I am hoping to rejuvenate our agency’s donor appreciation, recognition, and create those “story telling” moments through their ideas (which have been wonderful so far).
Once I arrive in the office I eat breakfast and scan emails. I look to see what social media posts are scheduled and schedule more throughout the day.
Today I have a meeting with our local newspaper for a headline article regarding our service expansion from a children’s home to providing residential and foster care, outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, as well as a day treatment facility. That means it’s time to create SWAG bags!
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – During this time I head to our other office for the meeting with the local paper. I check marketing materials and available brochures to see what needs replenishing prior to our meeting.
Once the local paper arrives I sit in with our outpatient directors and staff to monitor key talking points and make suggestions of others.
Because of our small shop, public relations management falls to me. We had a great session and the local paper’s staff were thrilled about their canvas bag filled with goodies and additional information.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Lunch is usually at my desk. While eating I am working on a updated Fund Development Plan to present to our Board next week to be approved prior to our re-accreditation coming up later this month.
Afterwards I am finalizing our fall newsletter and looking for the perfect donor Christmas gifts. We have recently gathered data on our top 118 donors and are looking forward to surprising them with our first annual holiday ornament as a token of our appreciation this year.
This is usually the time I will attend webinars, too, but I had none scheduled today.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – As I wrap up my afternoon, I clean out my email once again, accomplish all that I can, and make a to do list for the following day.
I am headed for a long weekend out of town so whatever needs to be done this week must be accomplished by tomorrow. This entails scheduled social media posts, donor eNews, and a staff eNews.
Our agency has four offices located in four different cities so communication is key among staff. I typically receive information from other senior staff and directors on what to be included in this week’s staff eNews.
This week we’ll be highlighting a fishing tournament among our residential kids, Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I am currently collecting shirt sizes for holiday gifts for staff.
After 4:00 p.m. – I leave the office between 4 and 5 pm and I’m back to my “book” during my commute. I am an awful meal planner so I am usually running to the grocery store to pick up items before I pick up Erika and head home.
From then on, it’s homework (for both of us), laundry, and cooking. I check my emails prior to heading to bed.
I am fortunate enough to have two separate cellular phones so I charge my work phone in our kitchen so that I’m not tempted to check emails or social media once I lie down.
Once I check emails and social media posts, it’s off to bed to recuperate before tackling our agency’s needs tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing your day, Blair!
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