Hi, I’m
MELINDA GARCIA METZ
Delaware,Ohio
I dwell in possibility.
Emily Dickinson
Summary
High-performing professional with solid experience in networking, fundraising and program management. Adept in creating and implementing effective communication strategies. Collaborative and committed to nurturing relationships with stakeholders, decision makers, and our community.
Overview
10
years of professional experience
5
Certification
Work History
SourcePoint of Delaware County Delaware
Community Relations Coordinator
01.2016 - Current
Job overview
- As part of the marketing and development team, responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of a county-wide community relations effort focused on raising the visibility and awareness of SourcePoint and its services
- Developed and implemented a strategy marketing SourcePoint services to the medical community serving central Ohio yielding a 300% increase in health care referrals
- Increased referrals for in-home care by over 30%, and enrichment center membership by 25% in less than 18 months
- Tied outreach efforts to maps and data—a first for the agency.
- Built, leveraged and shared positive relationships and partnerships with various external and internal stakeholders.
- Marketed offerings and services to community.
- Developed and executed quarterly rolling calendar of events.
- Delegated tasks to administrative support staff to organize and improve office efficiency.
- Utilized Donor Perfect to maintain donor database and prospect for new donor sources.
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues.
- Gathered opinions and support from grass-roots supporters to solidify group position.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Planned and organized special events and solicited corporate sponsorships to reach financial targets.
- Developed and implemented marketing campaigns targeting donors.
- Raised over $60,000 in corporate sponsorship funds for nonprofits events.
- Supported volunteers by providing training, mentoring, developing and delivering resources and identifying and cultivating partnerships to support volunteers.
- Recruited and trained new volunteers on volunteer program goals and objectives.
- Attended community functions to promote awareness of organization and goals,recruit volunteers and expand network of donors and volunteers.
HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties Delaware
Senior Leadership Coordinator
01.2014 - 01.2016
Job overview
- Act as community liaison to recruit volunteers and promote volunteer opportunities with local non-profit organizations
- Specialize in developing relationships within the senior (55+) population to increase participation by this group in volunteer activities
- Manage the Senior Pen Pal Program in partnership with SourcePoint and Delaware City Schools
- Coordinate annual days of service including the Make a Difference Day events
- Responsible for writing articles for The Communicator, press releases, a regular senior newsletter, web site content, social media, and marketing materials
- Recruited and trained new volunteers on volunteer program goals and objectives.
- Screened volunteers applying for service, interviewing, reviewing application documents and running background checks on prospective volunteers.
- Performed skills assessments to link volunteers to roles matching individual skills and competencies.
- Championed volunteer achievements and drove performance through incentives.
- Secured sponsors for various events and projects
- Wrote the winning submission for the $10,000 USA Today National Make a Difference Day award
- Increased participation in the annual Make a Difference Day event by 40% and coordinated projects at 18 non-profit organizations and 46 senior homes—also a record for the agency
- Marketed to new audiences, outreach groups and non-profit partners increasing the ability of the agency to best serve as the volunteer center for Delaware County.
- Developed partnerships with businesses and organizations to build awareness, increase support and share resources.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Public Relations Manager, Executive Assistant
01.2013 - 07.2013
Job overview
- Attend senior staff meetings to design follow up and track initiatives for the Sheriff
- Directly supervise front office staff and a digital media coordinator positions
- Work with external media outlets and social media to promote the good work of the Office and improve communication with constituents
- Developed the first Community Relations Charitable Fund for the Office establishing a method of receiving tax-deductible donations to benefit the functions of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Community Relations Unit
- Re-designed Internal Office Correspondence (IOC) official chain utilizing the newly created position of Administrative Chief and create more expedient response time for official correspondence
- Managed media relations and the development of the first-ever monthly newsletter for the Office and reintroduction of social media use.
- Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
- Managed internal, external and crisis communications.
Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Director of Internal and External Correspondence
01.2009 - 01.2011
Job overview
- Conceptualize and craft internal and external communications to relay the attorney general’s vision to stakeholder groups via talking points, op-ed articles, bulk correspondence and more
- Work in tandem with the National Association of Attorneys General to coordinate media relations efforts
- Serve as a ‘go-to’ resource for AG Office staff for constituent communications initiatives by managing workflow of an administrative assistant to optimize results
- Wrote a weekly all-staff newsletter to consistently communicate the Ohio Attorney General’s ‘voice’ along with his mission and vision, department goals, and key successes to be shared with the entire organization
- Revived the Veterans Affairs Council, fueling action from month to month by engaging team members, executing successful fundraisers, and improving communication with military families through a new dedicated website.
- Secured strong participation and fundraising results through efforts building the Developmental Disability Outreach Committee, creating an energetic and dedicated team of committee members to promote awareness and offer support.
- Taught in-house employees strategies for successful internal and external communications.
City of Columbus
Mayor’s Policy Advisor
04.2004 - 08.2006
Job overview
- As the youngest policy advisor in the city’s history, provided strategic consultation to members of the administration, monitoring and troubleshooting priorities, policies, and programs to drive achievement of desired outcomes.
- Liaised with local, state, and national stakeholder groups while representing the mayor and mayor’s office in community forums, boards, and meetings.
- Worked cooperatively with representatives from diverse agencies and organizations, in addition to community members and leaders, to determine needs, solutions, and best plans for implementation.
- Authored winning grant applications and reports for internal and external audiences.
- Increased accountability and captured cost savings, both end results of creating and implementing a performance-based budgeting system, tying city dollars to key initiatives and quantified performance expectations.
- Created a first-time safety education program—Neighborhood Safety Academies—leveraging existing resources to pool talent around the city to provide community-based education on safety-related topics. Applied for and received a grant from the United Way, and secured Lowe’s as a sponsor, both entities playing a key role in program delivery.
- Managed key program development around the city including the Home Again program, Neighborhood Safety Working Group, Model Zone, anti-poverty, Get Green Columbus, and Green Team initiatives.
- Contacted corporate representatives, government officials or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes and raise funds.
Office of Education
Deputy Director and Public Affairs Manager
01.2000 - 01.2004
Job overview
- Delivered strategic messages and program-based communications to external audiences through press events, speeches, marketing materials, newsletters, annual reports, presentations, and digital media
- Liaised with city departments and community organizations to ensure consistent messaging and to generate support for key initiatives
- Secured over $25 million in funding from foundations, private donors, and government to fund programs and initiatives, launching the first Office of Education in tandem with the office’s director
- Played a key role in developing educational programs including Capital Kids and the Summer Youth Employment initiative
- Acted on behalf of the mayor’s office while representing the city of Columbus on the Mayor’s Education Roundtable and The U.S
- Conference of Mayors: Education initiative
- As the only full-time employee of the office, developed the Capital Kids program with the director to provide a safe place to learn and play after school
- By incorporating trained staff with technology and performance standards, the program improves academic achievement by design.
- Fostered positive relationships with key business journalists in national and trade publications.
- Authored fresh and engaging press releases and prepared complete press kits.
- Wrote engaging and successful press releases to control information and public opinion.
Mayor
Deputy Finance Director
01.1999 - 01.2000
Job overview
- Contributed to surpassing all fundraising goals—exceeding $2.5 million—and setting record for mayor’s race in the city of Columbus
- Planned and implemented fundraising strategies, cultivated relationships, and managed staff.
- Attended events to develop professional network of potential donors.
- Researched and identified potential donors.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
Ohio Attorney General Campaign
Assistant Finance Director
01.1998 - 11.1998
Job overview
- Delivered persuasive communications to leaders throughout the state, coordinating fundraising efforts to yield over-quota performance; managed and assigned projects to staff and volunteers.
- Planned and organized special events, solicited corporate sponsorships to reach financial targets.
- Part of dynamic team who raised over $1 million for a candidate who was polled at 40 points behind in his best poll.
Education
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Arts from Social & Behavioral Sciences
Skills
- Donor Relationships Management
- Strategic Planning
- Donation Solicitation
- Outreach Strategies
- Grant Applications
- Media Contact
- Donor Development
- Group Presentations
- Press Kits
- Marketing Collateral Development
- Media Outreach
- Writing
Affiliations
American Marketing Association
Columbus Chapter
Board Member | Vice President of Special Events 2019-2022
Lions Club International
Olentangy Noon Lions Club Member 2014-Present
ColumbUS 2016
Planning Committee for 2016 National Political Convention
Drafted Talking Points and Fundraising Landscape
Girl Scouts Of Ohio’s Heartland
Helen Crane Service Unit
Leader 2011-Present | Elected Treasurer and Public Relations Chair 2013
Franklin County Coordinated Campaign Manager
General Election 2012
Ohio Community Financial Education Board
Appointed Member, 2007 | Elected Treasurer, 2007-2009
Delaware Cooperative Preschool
Elected Business Chair, 2008
Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission Air Quality Committee and Emissions Control Committee
Appointed Member, 2003-2006
Mentoring Center of Central Ohio
Marketing Committee Chair, 2001-2003 | Executive Board Member, 2001-2003
Head Start Policy Council
Member of the Child Development Council, 2000-2004
Columbus Reads Program
Mentor, 2000
Certification
Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Various National Incident Management Certifications (NIMS)
Adobe InDesign CC
Donor Perfect
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Microsoft Office Suite
WordPress
Digital Media
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Community Relations Coordinator
SourcePoint of Delaware County Delaware
01.2016 - Current
Senior Leadership Coordinator
HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties Delaware
01.2014 - 01.2016
Public Relations Manager, Executive Assistant
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
01.2013 - 07.2013
Director of Internal and External Correspondence
Ohio Attorney General’s Office
01.2009 - 01.2011
Mayor’s Policy Advisor
City of Columbus
04.2004 - 08.2006
Deputy Director and Public Affairs Manager
Office of Education
01.2000 - 01.2004
Deputy Finance Director
Mayor
01.1999 - 01.2000
Assistant Finance Director
Ohio Attorney General Campaign
01.1998 - 11.1998
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Arts from Social & Behavioral Sciences
Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Various National Incident Management Certifications (NIMS)
Adobe InDesign CC
Donor Perfect
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Microsoft Office Suite
WordPress
Digital Media
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