Velma Gentzsch

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Save the Redwoods League, San Francisco, CA
March 2006 – March 2011

Assisted in strategic planning process, including data gathering, data processing, retreat planning, and ongoing plan evaluation.
Directed creation and execution of two-day conferences for 100+ people in remote locations across the state.
Managed preparation for quarterly Board of Directors meetings.
Managed the organization's Nominating Committee and nominations process.
Maintained all records for Board of Directors and large advisory board.
Provided reliable and effective support and counsel to the Executive Director.
Managed the organization records and archives.
Served as interim IT manager.
Produced quarterly newsletters for the Board of Directors and advisory board.
Created an office manual, neighborhood guide and guide to travel on the Redwood Highway.

Committee for Green Foothills, Palo Alto, CA
May 2003 – May 2005

Recruited and led a volunteer Development Committee.
Managed creation and execution of the organization's first comprehensive annual development plan.
Oversaw the cultivation and retention of donors, including the implementation of renewal solicitations, the mid-year and year-end appeals, Foothills Millennium Fund major donor campaign and events, and the annual members' meeting. Raised average gift by 14% over the previous year.
Directed creation and execution of a juried art exhibition fundraising event, including budget and project management, event committee coordination, sponsorship solicitation, materials production, selection of and communication with artists, solicitation of in-kind donations, and post-event evaluation. Brought revenue and expenses to within 1% of projected.
Researched individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.
Instituted system for analyzing donor giving history and generated reports.
Established organization's planned giving program, including donor recognition, marketing and outreach plans.

Committee for Green Foothills, Palo Alto, CA
April 2001 – May 2003

Assisted Executive Director and Board Members with major donor solicitation, including production of all reports and preparation of mailings.
Managed donor database and generated membership reports and acknowledgement letters.
Managed AP/AR, chart of accounts conversion, reconciliations, and monthly financial reports.
Coordinate logistics for special fundraising and educational events, including registration, volunteers, materials, and planning and implementation of silent and live auctions.
Recruited, developed and managed volunteers for office, fundraising, and advocacy.
Developed content for newsletter and website.

Participated in the Acterra Strategic Planning Committee, a task force convened to determine strategic direction for newly merged organization.
Provided a critical analysis of the Acterra Library's programs and services, and proposed alternative future paths.
Managed volunteers in the Environmental Library.
Documented library procedures.
Developed library website content.
Compiled, wrote, and sent email Community Calendar to over 2,000 people weekly.
Responded to patron inquiries.

Raised over $1,500 a week canvassing nightly in Silicon Valley on major environmental campaigns.
Trained and managed canvassers to succeed in a diverse range of neighborhoods by implementing strategies/trainings tailored to each town.

Summer 1998
Pollution Prevention Library, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Jefferson City, MO

Evaluated, restructured, and recatalogued Pollution Prevention Technical Resource Library.
Trained staff on use of library.

June 2014 – January 2015
Mothership Hackermoms, Berkeley, CA

Served as second Executive Director, and first director elected by members.
Collected, organized, improved and documented files, materials and systems, electronically and physically.
Led Steering Committee directors through strategic planning process.

September 2003 – June 2004
MAGIC, Palo Alto, CA

September 2002 – May 2003
Acterra: Action for a Sustainable Earth, Palo Alto, CA

Created and implemented silent auction logistics.
Established systems and infrastructure, including fundraising support materials, for major donor campaign that resulted in 200% increase in donations over previous year.

St. Louis, MO
Magna Cum Laude, May 2000
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Microeconomics, College of Arts and Sciences

Microsoft Office, Filemaker Pro, QuickBooks, Windows, Mac, Google Admin, Wordpress, SurveyMonkey, Dropbox.

Enjoying the great outdoors, dancing, knitting, quilting, cooking, photography, cycling.