Prompt 5: Board Assignments

Hello Broad Street Food Pantry,

I am very excited and appreciative for the opportunity to serve on your board and gain insight into the world of nonprofit management. I have a lot of experience volunteering with different organizations similar to Broad Street, however I have never had the chance to work behind the scenes and understand the fundamentals of a non-profit organization. I am particularly interested to see inner workings of an organization that works to help alleviate the struggles of low-income individuals, because this is an area of interest to me.

I am a junior at Ohio State from Lake Forest, IL a suburb of Chicago. My major is social work and my minor is society and inequality. I have taken many classes that discuss the problems and obstacles facing those in poverty. With the current economy and effects of legislation, such as TANF, there is an overall increase in people barely getting by and needing the assistance of community organizations. Most of the time my courses focuses more on either the micro level practices, such as hands-on work with individuals or macro level practices, such as structural and policy problems, there is very little focus on the business aspect of organizations that help individuals we work with. This is one of the main reasons why I am so eager to work with as a part of your board. I am excited to gain a better understanding and new perspective into the business side of non-profits because this is an area I have not thoroughly studied.

As far as future career plans go I am not exactly sure what I want to do but as of now I could see myself working in community organizing or/and non-profit management. Hopefully some of the work I will be doing with your board will relate to my future career. I am truly passionate about the subject matter involving your organization and I hope that will be helpful when working on the board. Also I may be able to give a different perspective as a college student. I am prepared to bring an open mind and good work ethnic to your board. Thank you again for this opportunity and I look forward to meeting you all.

Nikki Carbonari