Intern at "The Party of the Summer!!"

If you're a college student looking for an internship this semester--or you know someone fitting that description--have we got an offer for you! Check it out, and take some time this weekend to send in your resume!

American Red Cross, Serving Erie and Niagara Counties
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:           Development Internship

DEPARTMENT:   Development

DATE:                    January 2013

REPORTS TO:      Emily Shafer, Development Associate

MAIN FUNCTION:  The Development Intern will work with the Development Team to organize and execute various special events.  The intern will participate in all aspects of said special events including, but not limited to: silent and ticket auctions; gift processing; data entry; donor recognition; and event logistics.

                                                          

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is past BASH intern Eliza on the right. Can you think
of another internship that looks like this much fun?
Neither can we!

1.       Work with Development Staff on gift                             procurement and processing

a.   Assist with solicitation process, including written and verbal requests

b.   Assist with auction item processing through Excel and Raiser’s Edge

c.   Assist in the implementation and execution of gift gathering parties and cultivation events

2.       Assist with event logistics

a.    Participate in logistics-based meetings with Red Cross personnel, representatives from In Any Event WNY and leadership volunteers

b.   Wrapping, packaging, organizing and labeling BASH auction items

c.    Event set-up and break down

3.        Other duties as assigned

a.    Able to work additional and non-traditional hours as needed

b.    Assist in organizing and coordinating auction pick-ups

c.    Adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights, Gift Acceptance Policy and uphold the highest ethics and confidentiality of donors and their relation to the Red Cross

                                           

QUALIFICATIONS:  A sophomore or junior college student with course work focused on: Communication Studies, Public Relations, Business Management, Marketing, Hospitality or other related fields.  Proficient in Word and Excel.  Strong written and verbal communication skills.  Good organizational ability and inter-personal skills. Must possess ability to manage projects in an efficient manner, with a focus on detail oriented work.  Must wear professional attire as identified by the American Red Cross dress code policy.  Reliable transportation required and the ability to stay on until June 14, 2013.

LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT:  February 2013 – June 2013

TIME COMMITMENT:  Minimum of thirteen (13) hours per week.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  Develop fundraising, cultivation, stewardship and event-planning skills.  Learn to participate as a member of a revenue-generating team.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to emily.shafer@redcross.org with the subject line of Development Internship. 

"It's like the North Pole out here!"

Photo courtesy www.ims.uaf.edu

That's a quote from my son as we walked to school today. Lake effect snow joined the frigid temperatures in Buffalo and the northtowns this morning, something the southtowns and southern tier have already been dealing with. This made for a slow morning commute, with several reports of accidents.

The dangers of this cold and snow are not limited to the roadways, however. Our Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to two separate fires yesterday, one of which was directly attributable to this winter weather. Thanks to your support, our volunteers were able to provide a homeowner with vouchers for temporary housing, food, clothing and shoes when his North Transit Road home in Lockport was destroyed by fire after, he told officials, he attempted to thaw frozen water lines with a propane torch.

We're glad this gentleman is alright, and while our volunteers are always ready and willing to help, I'm sure they would prefer to not have to stand outside in the freezing temperatures any more than necessary. So here's some tips to SAFELY thaw those frozen pipes:

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Of course the best way to deal with frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place. We have some hints on how to do just that, as well as other winter storm safety tips, on our website. Stay safe and warm, Buffalo. Santa Claus may not really live in WNY, but he'd probably feel pretty comfortable here this week!