Making Your Time Work for You: 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:

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

Cheryl Dixon
Technical Assistance Coordinator
Neighborhood Networks
Phone: (301) 495-4355

Shonna Irving
Resident Services Coordinator
Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
Phone: (619) 677-2285

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.

Cheryl Dixon has 25 years of professional work experience in the legal and public relations fields, and in special events planning, fundraising, and consulting. For the past year, Ms. Dixon has applied her writing, creative, and analytical skills to her work as a technical assistance coordinator developing 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. Dixon provides development skills and techniques to Neighborhood Networks center staff in the areas of: partnership development and maintenance, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt application, workforce development program design and implementation, tracking and evaluation of performance, health resources, outreach to residents and stakeholders, START business plan development, and grantwriting. Prior to joining the Neighborhood Networks Initiative, Ms. Dixon served in research positions in Fair Housing for DB Consulting Group; held administrative, research, and managerial positions with law firms; and held various marketing positions. Ms. Dixon earned her MBA from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and economics from Harvard University.

Shonna Irving has 17 years of experience working with youth, families, and seniors. As a resident services coordinator for Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, she manages programs at more than 25 affordable housing communities and designs programs and activities that reflect the educational, cultural, and social needs of each of the properties. Ms. Irving’s broad experience in education and community development helps generate and strengthen partnerships that bring resources to the residents, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Educational Development (GED) preparation, computer training, job-skills development classes, health literacy, and onsite medical support services. Her focus is to support residents as they become self sufficient in school, home and work environments.

• Presentation
• Goals, Activities, and Outcomes
• Just to Get You STARTed
• To Do List
• SWOT Questionnaire
• Task Log (blank Task Log)
• Time Management Tips