This morning I had coffee with an acquaintance involved in a non-profit for which I volunteer. I have been passionate about this agency’s mission since discovering and joining them September 2004. I support them with my dollars as well as hours. I’ve admired her work style and enjoyed a growing friendship with her. It had been a few months since we’d visited. I called her Monday evening to set up a date, explaining that I was at a crossroads in my life and I wanted to get some inspiration and information from her. So today we tossed ideas around regarding my career, my dreams, and how I could gain experience if I wanted to learn about non-profit administration. Out of this a possibility arose.

The agency has some AmeriCorps positions they will be filling soon. She hadn’t thought I’d be interested because the stipend is low. But I am! I told her that I’d love to learn and gain more experience in project development, and that I’ve been curious about non-profit operations. So we chatted more about the job and details (time involvement, scope of duties). The job is 40 hours a week, and she said she wouldn’t want anyone working more than that, that the job can be done, and done well, within that schedule. The position also designates a certain percent of time for personal development, which means I would be sent to different trainings paid for by the agency. The scope of duties is broad, allowing us to tailor the position to my interests as they coincide with agency needs. Of the five positions, the one that most intrigues me would involve developing community projects in the south and east bay territories. This means I would make contacts with other non-profit agencies and community organizations, develop relationships with them and with volunteers, and learn other skills (such has how to write a grant). It’s all very juicy! And in addition to the stipend, there is a monetary reward at the end of service (which requires a minimum nine month commitment, which is quite reasonable). A nice chunk of money will be “forgiven” from my student loan balance.

They are interviewing in early December and the job would start in January. So there is keen mutual interest! I came home and bounced the prospect off my husband, who agrees that it sounds like a good opportunity. It’s not a certainty, of course. But it’s a viable, intriguing option that has enthused me!

Wow. Just, wow. I’m so glad I reached out to arrange a simple coffee date.