Week 5:Board Assignments

To: Kaleidoscope Youth Center

My name is Andrew Wharton, and I have been selected as one of your board members for the upcoming school year. Let me just start by saying how humbled and truly excited I am to be given this opportunity. I am currently in my third year at The Ohio State University majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering and minoring in Entrepreneurship. I am the oldest of three boys and live in Tipp City, OH (Dayton) where I have spent my entire childhood. I enjoy running, cycling, racquetball, reading, having fun with friends and family, and finding ways to use my newly acquired scuba diving certification. On campus, I am involved in the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Society of Business and Engineering, and TEXNIKOI Engineering Honorary, the later of which performs service in the community.

From a young age, my mother has instilled a sense of service into my brothers and I during our volunteering at our local food kitchen. Taking these experiences with me into college I have volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity and Community Commitment days, and a multitude of smaller ones through an Engineering Scholars Program that I used to be apart of. Unfortunately, it was a two-year program, and my main source of service to the community was gone at the start of this school year. When I heard of the Board Immersion Program I thought it was an excellent opportunity that served a two-fold purpose of exposing me to more community service while also incorporating the business aspect of sitting on a board. Even though my major deals with engineering, it incorporates a business mindset with analytical skills. I couldn’t help but think that it is the perfect opportunity to exercise both of these interests and my desire to serve.

Through the Board Immersion Program, I have learned a lot about non-profits, boards, and what it means to be involved with both. As part of the class I am currently reading Forces for Good, and The Nonprofit Board Answer Book. I have found both to be highly informative and mercifully easy at grabbing my attention. One of the topics that are widely discussed is what type of perspectives/strengths members can bring to their boards. As for myself, I believe I can offer the board a business/analytical mindset, a hardworking attitude, a fresh perspective, and an incredible willingness to learn. I am very interested in both your mission and the cliental you serve. Growing up in a small town, I must admit I never had broad exposure to LGBTQ youth in my community but I believe that this experience will broaden both my awareness and advocacy of this largely overlooked segment of the population.

Again, I thank you for the opportunity to be apart of your board and hope that I can lend my time and talents towards helping achieve your goals while transforming myself and others in the process. I assume we will be in touch and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,

Andrew Wharton