CDesignC

Section I: Organization Information

Agency Mission: To provide pro bono pre-development design services to nonprofit organizations, offer unique volunteer opportunities for design professionals, and raise awareness about the importance of design in community revitalization.

Name/Title of Contact: Linda Dottor, Program Manager

Address: 1216 Arch Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Phone Number: 215-587-9290

Website: http://www.cdesignc.org/

Email: linda@cdesignc.org

Total number of agency staff members: 6

Agency Budget: $1 million ($500,000 operating/$500,000 in-kind)

Section II: Community Need

Please state in measurable and quantifiable terms the specific community need that the Philly Fellow will address, including the number of people in the community directly affected by the problem.

As conversations about how to address the economy, sustainability, and social equity are pushed to the fore of the public agenda, it is important that all communities have access to expertise and resources that will enable them to be part of these conversations and have a say in the future of their communities. Nonprofit organizations play a major role in revitalizing older urban communities and improving the lives of low- and moderate-income people. Each year, the Community Design Collaborative supports nonprofits by providing them access to pro bono pre-development design services. The Community Design Collaborative initiates over 20 pre-development design services grants with nonprofit organizations; advises hundreds of additional nonprofit and community leaders through individual consultations, programs, and events; and recruits 150 design professionals to donate their services each year.

Describe how your agency addresses this need, and how the new capacity created by this fellow will help alleviate the problem.

The Community design Collaborative must continualy foster the connection between nonprofits, communities, and design professionals. Using a mix of communications tools, the Philly Fellow will help us communicate the value of pre-development design services to nonprofit organizations, encourage qualified nonprofits to apply for services, and engage design professionals to donate their time.

Describe the level of community involvement in the fellow’s project.

The Philly Fellow will primarily work with the Collaborative's pool of 700 volunteer design professionals. In addition, the Philly Fellow will assist with outreach to our diverse group of stakeholders from the fields of community development; public administration and policy; private, public, and foundation funding; and nonprofit leadership.

Section III: Job Description

Please outline in list form the fellow's duties and responsibilities.

Design Matters, Volunteer Support (40%)
• Update and create new content for the Collaborative’s website
• Develop and write regular postings for Collaborative’s blog and facebook
• Produce Collaborative volunteer profiles to feature on the Collaborative’s website, blog, and other electronic media, including AIA Philadelphia’s e-news (8)
• Compile and distribute the Collaborative’s Design Matters Digest, a monthly email calendar of events and programs (12)
• Compose and distribute email notices to publicize Collaborative events, resource development campaigns, and volunteer opportunities (60-80)
• Prepare and submit firm profiles for The 1% Solution, a website promoting and documenting the pro bono work of architecture firms nationally (6)
• Produce video and audio to highlight selected Collaborative speakers and volunteers
• Represent the Collaborative and its programs to selected audiences
• Coordinate volunteer events (2)

Service Grants, Case Studies (40%)
• Prepare project summaries for posting on the Collaborative’s website, blog, and other communications
• Research and profile projects in support of case studies that highlight specific themes (for example: sustainability, open space, urban infill) (4)
• Prepare slides and presentations of Collaborative service grants and initiatives
• Produce video and audio to highlight selected Collaborative service grants and initiatives
• Track and document project outcomes to support program evaluation

Organizational, Administration (20%)
• Maintain and update volunteer database to support communications and outreach
• Update, copyedit, and maintain communications materials to support volunteer management and integrate new graphic identity
• Process continuing education credit for Collaborative events and programs
• Provide support for events as needed, including preparation of event materials
• Assist with preparation of Collaborative mailings and information packets
• Participate in events and staff, committee, board meetings as needed

Please outline in list form the skills/qualifications a fellow should have to succeed in the position.

• Demonstrated interest in design, civic engagement, and community development
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communications skills—verbal, written, presentation
• Strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access); Adobe (InDesign, Photoshop); SalesForce; Vertical Response; Constant Contact; Contribute
• Graphic design skills and photography skills a plus

Please describe your agency's plan to orient and train the fellow.

The Philly Fellow will be oriented by Executive Director Beth Miller over the first week, after which they work with Program Manager Linda Dottor on independent and team assignments. In addition, the fellow will be encouraged to participate in Philly Fellow programs and selected programs, trainings, and events sponsored by the Collaborative and its intermediary partners.

Section IV: Project Plan

Please describe the proposed project goal(s) you expect the fellow to achieve. These should relate to your community need and reflect the long-term impact of the fellow’s project.

The Communications Associate will help the Collaborative document its work and tell its story—about the people and communities it connects—demonstrating to a broader audience that design matters in every community. To that end, the Communications Associate will support Design Matters, a civic engagement initiative that fosters productive partnerships between architects and nonprofits and encourages emerging deign professionals to become lifelong leaders in community design.

Section V: The Nitty Gritty

Will fellow be working at the same address listed above?

Yes

Please describe the fellow's work environment.

Fellow will have a shared office.
Fellow will have their own desk.
Fellow will have their own computer.

Please list the name and title of the fellow's immediate supervisor.

Linda Dottor, Program Manager

Please approximate the percentage of time fellow will work:

Independently: 50%
As a team member in a group setting: 40%
As a team leader in a group setting: 10%

Travel:

Will the fellow be expected to travel as part of the position?

Yes

If so, how often and where?

Within Philadelphia, approximately 2-4 times per month.

Will the fellow need the following to carry out the position?

A driver’s license: No
Their own car: No

Section VI: Supervision/Resources

Please briefly describe plans for supervision of fellow:

The fellow will work under the supervision of Program Manager Linda Dottor. Much of the fellow’s work will be completed independently, with regular reviews and progress reports to his or her supervisor and participation in staff meetings. The Fellow will also have opportunities to participate in other meetings related to the Collaborative’s operations, such as project reviews, site visits, and board meetings.

What methods, information, or data will you use to evaluate the fellow’s success in their position and your agency’s success in meeting your community need?

• Weekly supervisory meetings
• Participation in staff meetings
• Quarterly reviews
• Regular editorial review and a tally of products such as volunteer profiles, firm profiles, and news postings
• Social metrics tracking distribution and readership of Collaborative’s website, blog, facebook page, and email notices
• Feedback from staff, volunteers, clients, and board members