5/15/2013
Every month, SAYP features a "Member of the Month"! It is a
great way for our members to learn more about each other and make
connections!
Click here to find out who it is!
Introducing our May 2013 SAYP Member of the Month...
Jessica Martin
Affiliate/Youth Coordinator
Greater Salina Community Foundation
Share with the SAYP members your career
path:
Prior to working at the Foundation, I worked professionally as an
Interior Designer with five years of experience in residential,
commercial and sustainable design in Southern California and Kansas
City. I received my Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from
Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology and went on to
pass my National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
licensing exam, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) exam. What I enjoyed the most about the design
profession was working with people and building relationships,
which ultimately led to making a career change to the nonprofit
sector and Foundation.
What are the requirements and/or duties of your
profession?
My job as the affiliate coordinator is to provide professional
expertise, guidance and administrative support to our 12 regional
affiliates. A majority of the affiliates are all volunteer
driven and do not have a local paid staff member to do this work
for them. I also work with Saline County high school students
in our Youth GrantMaker's Council (YGMC) and teach them about the
grantmaking process. The council members seek grant applications
for youth projects written by youth and then as a group, decide
which projects to award.
Describe your everyday workday (schedule, environment,
interaction with others):
Every day at the Foundation is different, right down to the
location. If I am not at our office in Salina, I am traveling
to affiliate board meetings and workshops as far as Smith Center,
KS to just down to the highway in Lindsborg. No matter where
I am on a particular day, I am fortunate to be able to work with
passionate and generous community members, both in Salina and in
the North Central Kansas region. The people that I interact
with on a daily basis and the difference that they make in their
communities is what makes my job great.
Where have you been/what have you
accomplished?
Prior to working at the Foundation, I had the opportunity to
serve as the LEED Accredited Professional for the Olathe Medical
Center Pavilion, Kansas City's first LEED Gold Certified Healthcare
Facility. Gold is the second highest level that a building
can receive on the LEED rating system and the original goal was to
be only certified, which is the lowest level.
At the Foundation, I feel accomplished every time I get a
phone call from an excited affiliate board member telling me about
a new fund or contribution to his/her Foundation. The
potential for growth in these surrounding rural counties is
enormous and it is rewarding knowing that by establishing community
endowments, it will provide those communities with sustainability
for the future.
Where do you want to go/want do you want to
accomplish?
Professionally, I would like to see our affiliates continue to
grow and foster philanthropy in their communities as well as
successfully complete their GROW II matching grant challenges
issued by Kansas Health Foundation. On a more local level in
Salina, I would like to see the river project developed within the
next 5-10 years and a more vibrant downtown.
What do you like the best about living/working in
Salina?
I like the people in Salina and the volunteer
opportunities. If you want to make a difference in Salina,
you can.
Life outside of profession: Family? Hometown? Hobbies?
Favorites (food, book, movie, TV show)?
I am originally from Andover, KS, and moved here four
years ago with my husband, Aaron, a Salina native. Together,
we have a goldendoodle, Lucy. In my spare time, I make and sell
jewelry through my Etsy shop, Lynn Oliver. When I'm not working on
that, I enjoy traveling, cooking, being outside and spending time
with friends and family.
If you could be a superhero or cartoon character, who
would you be and why?
I'm not sure if she counts as a super hero or not, but I
would love to be able to twitch my nose like Samantha on Bewitched
and be able to transport myself to exotic locations in
seconds. It'd also be pretty awesome to twitch my nose and
have the house cleaned or dinner ready too.
Click here for more details
