Right here is one other submission for our Day in the Life of a Nonprofit Communicator – Quarantine Version. Let’s see how everybody else is doing on the market adapting.
Punita’s Bio:
My identify is Punita Khanna and I’m Director of Neighborhood Relations for Dr. Susan Love Basis for Breast Most cancers Analysis. On this capability, I construct relationships that “Inform, Encourage, Contain” people on behalf of the Basis. This private contact outcomes in elevated donations, sponsorships, occasion attendance, potential board members, all centered on the aim of eradicating breast most cancers.
I got here to this place from a background in healthcare administration, consulting and operations. After my breast most cancers prognosis, I obtained a Fundraising Certificates and shifted my skilled duties to assist analysis. As a survivor, these deeper discussions with our supporters have introduced extra which means to my life. It’s a privilege to work alongside Dr. Love and our crew as we advance breast most cancers analysis.
And that is her typical work day whereas quarantined:
Earlier than 8:00 a.m. Do you instantly seize your cellphone if you get up? Are you taking the canine out? Breakfast with the household? Do you dress straight away?
Alexa wakes me up day by day at 6:45am. I clean up and shortly head out to our balcony, pull out the comforters, and settle myself in a chair and dial-in to my TM group. Meditating is a stunning approach to begin my day. After the meditation, I spend a jiffy mentally outlining my day.
I shortly verify emails and reply instantly to something pressing. I then do some type of train: yoga, weights or a fast stroll in the neighborhood. I discover that some motion early in the morning units me on a good tempo for the day. I take into account this my former “commute” time to the workplace.
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m Are you on the laptop now or getting the youngsters arrange with their faculty work? Dressed but? Zoom conferences with colleagues?
My alone time on the balcony provides my husband his house to prepare. My teenage son can also be up round this time. We’re on our personal breakfast and lunch schedules however on the calendar in the kitchen, I write solutions for a selection of meal selections.
My main remorse about working at house is that the costume code is informal. If I’ve Zoom conferences, I costume for work with make-up, lipstick and jewellery. I get pleasure from listening to the occasional, “Wow, you look good” or “that’s a fairly costume” from my husband and son.
By now, the three of us are in our do-not-disturb mode, safely ensconced in our respective corners. Obligatory communication is by textual content to respect one another’s work commitments.
10:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. Are you continue to on schedule for the day? What methods are you utilizing to remain organized? Is another person in your own home additionally working from house? How are you getting alongside? Dressed but?
There are a dozen folks working at the Basis and now we have workers or one-on-one conferences a number of instances a week. My day varies between Zoom conferences, cellphone calls, engaged on tasks, replying to emails, composing letters, taking part in webinars, sustaining our database, and so forth.
Resulting from the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, we lately transformed our annual in-person fundraising stroll to our first Digital Stroll With Love. The occasion was very profitable however required a utterly new strategic plan which our crew created in real-time by means of ongoing coordination between all of the departments.
What time is it even? Are you hungry or simply bored? Why is sixth grade math so completely different now? Did your vital different actually simply say “let’s circle again” on that decision? Are you dressed but?
The three of us are fairly organized and keep on activity. My son often has 10-20 minute breaks between his courses so if attainable, I’ll take a fast break at the moment. I liken this to a water-cooler break at the workplace (I needed to clarify to him what that meant!).
Typically, we’ll put together lunch collectively and now that the climate is hotter, we sit exterior on the patio. One of the advantages of the pandemic is the quantity of time we get to spend with one another, which I actually get pleasure from. Fortunately, he’s at an age the place I don’t have to show or entertain him.
Nap Time. What else is there to do? For those who obtained dressed, do you get undressed in your nap?
My days are fairly busy. Amid the COVID-19 disaster, my Neighborhood Relations actions pivoted to adapt to the present atmosphere. Our group transitioned seamlessly to working remotely.
With everybody at house, my cellphone calls are routinely picked up and folks have extra time to speak. This has enabled me to share information about all the nice work the Basis is doing. In flip, supporters share how they have been launched to Dr. Love. Many first grew to become conscious of her after their very own breast most cancers prognosis, when looking for out data they found her e-book. When others they knew have been identified, they inform them, that is the e-book, that is individual, Dr. Susan Love, it’s essential to learn.
Now, it’s actually time to work. Did you end every little thing you wanted to do?
I’ve about six locations all through the house the place I sit relying on my work wants: appropriate background for Zoom conferences, personal house for speaking on the cellphone, exterior on the patio for replying to emails, studying, engaged on laptop computer. This motion is much like assembly in different places of work and convention rooms all through the day.
I like the change of surroundings and discover that sitting in a selection of locations provides me a completely different perspective of our house. My husband envisions some redecorating as soon as regular life resumes.
Wine O’Clock. White or pink? Guess you don’t should dress…
I’m grateful for the pause. The previous couple of years have been nonstop after my most cancers therapy and transitioning to working at the Basis. My days are packed however rewarding.
My transition to night actions could embody a stroll with mates in the neighborhood or make amends for the day’s information as I’m getting ready dinner. After dinner, we learn Shakespeare aloud or play a sport: Monopoly, Scrabble, chess or playing cards. With the further time, we get pleasure from this glorious household pastime with our son.
And at last, I finish my day, identical to I began it: practising self-care. Proper earlier than mattress, I do a sequence of stretch workouts whereas watching reruns of The Carol Burnett Present. I’m shocked that I bear in mind some segments of the present and the stars of yesteryear. It’s entertaining and I am going to mattress in a blissful temper.
Thanks for sharing, Punita!
If you need to share your day, simply fill out the type beneath:
Can’t see the type? Do that.
