First Week

My first week at SAYL (San Antonio Youth Literacy) has been an introductory period; getting to know the individuals I’ll be working with and some of their responsibilities. Thus far, I’ve covered basic operating procedures with the intern manager to include the operation of office equipment and the proper filing protocol for electronic documents. The daily work effort is focused on the recruitment of volunteers for their literacy programs (Reading Buddies and Book Buddies), the identification and organization of fund raising efforts, and importantly, submission of grant applications. They utilize email blasts through Constant Contact and have a website that is very user friendly. Focusing on making the volunteer process quick and efficient is incredibly important to acquiring and maintaining that volunteer force. Each potential volunteer completes a basic application and must pass a background check. The cadre of volunteers includes college students, adults in the workforce, and retirees. Some of the larger employers in San Antonio “adopt” a school and recruit volunteers for SAYL from within their workforce. Managing such an important effort through donations and grants necessitates a minimal number of paid employees and an austere work environment.