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.:Resource Guides:Interviews-Jenny Shegos.
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Interviews
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Jenny Shegos
Fairhaven College/ Western WA University 2002
American Cultural Studies
Los Angeles ACORN
Community Organizer
Los Angeles, CA |
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A Day in the Life
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What are three things you love and three things you find challenging or frustrating about your work? |
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| Love: |
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Working one on one with community members |
| 2. |
Organization is run by its low income members |
| 3. |
Fast-paced exciting work |
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| Challenging or frustrating: |
| 1. |
Your work is never done |
| 2. |
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| 3. |
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What is the most important task on your desk right now? |
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Organizing the neighborhood I've been working in for the past four months. To do this I have to be in my neighborhood every day, door-knocking to find those individuals who want to improve their communities. I also have to be creating
solid and genuine relationships with the leaders and members I already have.
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What drives you to do this work? What makes you want to get out of bed every morning? |
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This is community organizing on it's most basic level. I am not an activist. I'm an organizer. I bring people together so they have a place in which to be activists. I get out of bed every day because I'm part of an organization that
is truly giving power to the people who live in the communities in which we work. I love my work simply because the members in my chapter are the ones winning the victories, not me.
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How often do you "dress up" for work? Describe the culture of your organization. |
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The culture is very laid back. There is no set dress code, although for some occasions I could see the need to clean up a bit.
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In a typical month, about what percentage of your time is spent on the following activities? |
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| Talking on the phone |
20% |
| Dealing with email |
1% |
| Meetings with individuals |
20% |
| Meetings with groups/committees |
5-10% |
| Traveling |
5% |
| Writing |
1% |
| Researching |
1% |
| Other: door knocking |
40% |
| Other: staff meetings |
5-10%
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(Note: respondents could allow their answers to add up to be more than 100%)
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What do you do when you are feeling burned out at work? |
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Sometimes, if I'm really burned out and we've just finished an intense period in the office, I'll mention something to my supervisor, if appropriate. But usually it's all about balancing your life and scheduling in time alone to
process and deal with the work week. I have from about Saturday afternoon to about Monday late morning to relax, but sometimes I'll have to come in and put in extra hours. Do not consider ACORN if you're not prepared to work hard and long hours.
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