Velma Gentzsch
To email me, please visit Gentzsch.net
 
~ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ~

Executive Assistant {March 2006 – present}
Save-the-Redwoods League, San Francisco, CA
• 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.

Associate Director of Development {May 2003 – May 2005}
Committee for Green Foothills, Palo Alto, CA
• 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.
 
Office Manager {April 2001 – May 2003}
Committee for Green Foothills, Palo Alto, CA		
• 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.  
 
Information Specialist {April 2001 – May 2002}
Acterra: Action for a Sustainable Earth, Palo Alto, CA		
• 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.

Field Manager {August 2000 – January 2001}
California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), Santa Cruz, CA	
• 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.  

Library Assistant {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.
 
~ VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE  ~

Development Consultant {September 2003 – June 2004}
MAGIC, Palo Alto, CA
• Provided basic training for fundraising.
• Assisted in developing the first fundraising plan and annual campaign.

Development Committee {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. 

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

~ COMPUTER SKILLS ~
Microsoft Office, Filemaker Pro, QuickBooks, Windows 2000, Mac OS X.

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