Finding Your Niche: Managing a Neighborhood Networks Center

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Description:

A Neighborhood Networks center director wears many different hats, usually all at once. Duties range from recruiting volunteers, overseeing staff, creating a budget, planning events, communicating with the media, developing partners, pleasing a property manager, connecting with the community, repairing computers, engaging residents, and finding appropriate programming for people of all backgrounds and ages, not to mention securing funding to keep the center afloat. Because of this, mastering the art of multitasking is essential to running an efficient and successful center. During this session, fellow Neighborhood Networks center staff will share proven time management and organizational development strategies that will help participants organize their daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks.

Presenters:

Sheba Asberom
Technical Assistance Coordinator
Neighborhood Networks
Phone: (301) 495-4347

Olga Barrera
Regional Services Coordinator
Housing and Community Services, Inc.
Phone: (361) 225-2144

Marisa Connaughton-Espino
Senior Technical Assistance Project Coordinator
Neighborhood Networks
Phone: (301) 495-4344

Sheba Asberom has more than seven years of community outreach experience and has worked with numerous community organizations and initiatives. For the past two years, Ms. Asberom has provided technical assistance in the development of Neighborhood Networks centers nationwide, both remotely and through onsite visits. Through technical assistance, she has worked to increase the sustainability of Neighborhood Networks centers. Ms. Asberom provides developmental skills and techniques to Neighborhood Networks center staff in the areas of: partnership development and maintenance, workforce development program design and implementation, tracking and evaluation of performance, marketing and outreach, START business plan development, and funding development. Prior to joining the Neighborhood Networks Initiative, Ms. Asberom served as a project manager on a peer review and logistics contract for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). She supervised and trained contract staff, ensuring compliance with government guidelines and reporting requirements, as well as managed post-conference invoices and billing records. As a freelance mediator, Ms. Asberom has dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to the Virginia District Court and several nonprofit organizations. Ms. Asberom earned a master's degree in conflict resolution from George Mason University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Calvin College.

Olga Barrera is the regional services coordinator for Housing and Community Services, Inc., an affordable housing provider based in San Antonio, Texas. In this position, Ms. Barrera oversees the quality assurance program for the Southern Region of Texas and provides technical support and conducts organizational training. Ms. Barrera joined Housing and Community Services, Inc., more than four years ago as a services manager. Her first two years were spent trying to overcome the stigmas associated with the property, including the development of educational programs for displaced workers. The third year brought with it a promotion to services supervisor for the Corpus Christi area, and the opportunity to open a new learning center and hire additional staff.

Marisa K. Connaughton-Espino currently serves as a senior technical assistance coordinator for the Neighborhood Networks Initiative. In this position, Ms. Connaughton-Espino provides specialized and professional technical assistance to Neighborhood Networks centers, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff members, property owners and managers, and the general public in support of the development and enhancement of Neighborhood Networks centers and the programs and services they offer. Ms. Connaughton-Espino provides assistance in the areas of partnership development, workforce development, outreach to residents and stakeholders, tracking and evaluation, business plan development, and grantwriting. Prior to joining the Neighborhood Networks team, Ms. Connaughton-Espino served as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) specialist for the U.S. Forest Service. In this position, she ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and polices to maintain a discrimination-free environment while promoting diversity in the workplace. Ms. Connaughton-Espino earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the George Washington University.

	Presentation
	Goals, Activities, and Outcomes
	Just to Get You Started
	Plan of Action
	Prioritized To Do List
	SWOT Questionnaire
	Task Log (Blank Task Log)
	Time Management Tips