Kellie Scholma
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 Need More Days! Tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro.
I am the Communications Coordinator for the Disaster Response Services (DRS) program of World Renew, a faith-based international community development and disaster response organization. I have been with World Renew for almost seven years now. My program, DRS, focuses on North American disasters–from helping with clean up, to capacity building for recovery organizations, assessments, rebuilding homes, and more. In my spare time I attend Zumba classes (which I used to instruct), and spend time with my husband and two kids (with #3 on the way).
Here is a typical day:
Before 8:00 am: Get myself ready and then get the kids ready to go to the babysitter. Scarf down two scrambled eggs–coffee will have to wait until I get to work. Hopefully leave the house at 7:25.
8:00 am – 10:00 am: I usually plan my tasks first thing in the morning and I like to work on a big project for an hour before even opening email–often editing or writing an article. I find this practice to be very productive as my mind isn’t filled with a dozen to-do’s that wait for me in my inbox. I usually schedule my social media posts in the morning.
My favorite piece of office furniture is my stand-up desk. I stand at least half of the day (my desk goes up and down so I have the option of sitting) and I find myself more productive when I can stand and it helps my posture. I just can NOT sit for a whole day.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: We have a staff meeting at 10:30, so I prep for that and we meet as a full staff for snack and round-table planning and discussion. These can last for an hour to two+ hours.
I make it a point to ALWAYS take a lunch break away from work, at whatever time is convenient for me. It helps my brain take a break and balance my sanity. If it’s nice out, I go to a park up the road and walk around the lake there for 30 minutes.
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Work on promotional pieces for upcoming workshops we are planning–develop content for the brochure, set up online registration, draft announcements, touch base with our website team, figure out when, where, and who to advertise to.
I end up taking a walk around our building at this time to stretch my legs and get away from my computer for two minutes.
I do research for an article I am working on and email volunteers or staff to get accurate information and a well rounded point of view.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: I have a donor proposal to review, am updating to our volunteer handbook, and work on updating the website. I catalog photos that come in from our volunteer teams and go through the pile that has been accumulating in my mail box.
After 4:00 pm: I wrap up loose ends around 4:30 and send some end of day emails, etc. I shut down my computer at 5 and head home to get my kids.
Want to be featured in this series? Tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro.
