Executive Service Corps of Otsego-Delaware

ESC Summer Updates

noreply@blogger.com (NBH Off Mgr) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:05:00 +0000

On May 18, the Annual Meeting of Executive Service Corps of Otsego-Delaware, Inc. was held. A big thank you was given to the past ESC Board and a hearty welcome to the new Directors.

The 2011-12 ESC Board Members are:

Co-Chairs: Joan Moyer & Perrie Saxton
Vice Chair: Robert Consigli
Secretary: Betsy Westad Cunningham
Treasurer: Robert Moyer
Bill Davis
Tom Selover
Robert Wood
Joann Rasmussen and Erna McReynolds Board Members Emeritus

The 2011-12 Membership Drive has been on for the months of June-July. If you have not sent in your form or need another please contact the office. Having an ESC membership is not required to be an ESC Volunteer, but it is helpful as we present ourselves to foundations. The form has a place for your directory information and it is essential to update this each year.

The ESC Directory is in progress but not finished so if you need to get your information in please do so (email or call). This year the directory will be sent out by email. Those who need a paper copy will be able to request one.

The ESC Board voted to participate in the Grand & Glorious Garage Sale, to be held on Saturday, September 10, from 9-4:00. Please start saving your items (we need a lot). You can drop off items at the Rowe House and Betsy Cunningham (Artware) has also offered her store for a drop off point. If anyone can help for an hour or two on Saturday, September 10, please let Joan or Perrie know.

Save the date for the ESCapade. Wednesday evening, September 14, at the home of Joann Rasmussen the 2011 ESCapade will take place. This is a time to relax and visit with ESC friends and bring a new potential volunteer! You will need a dish to pass, wine or beer. Coffee, tea, soda and dessert are provided. It's a wonderful time, hope you can attend.

More info and directions to Joann's home will be in the newsletter coming out this month.

Just a reminder that the office is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-3:00.

Enjoy your day!

Volunteers Reflect on 2010

noreply@blogger.com (NBH Off Mgr) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:38:00 +0000

One ESC Committee remained very active during the 2010 year and that was the Volunteer Social Committee, Co-Chaired by Fran Bliven and Joan Moyer.

The first ESC social gathering was the Spring Luncheon on March 24, at St. James Manor. The guest speaker was Mary Jo Cronin who talked about green energy. It was an interesting topic and many questions were asked following the presentation.

On May 19, the Annual ESC Meeting was held at Brook's Roost in Oneonta. Board Chair, Rich McCaffery conducted the meeting and reports from each committee were given. All volunteers were introduced and recognized. The ESC Board and officers for the 2010-11 year were announced.

On June 9, Joann Rasmussen hosted the ESCapade at her home in Walton. Although it was a very wet evening nothing could dampen the spirits of the group of volunteers. Many early ESC members came to celebrate the 20 year anniversary kick-off! Founders Joann Rasmussen and Erna McReynolds shared some memories of the early days of ESC and as the group gathered many shared challenges and laughter. A few guests sharing some memories were Robert Graham, Harold Hayward, Fran Bliven, Giles Russell Perrie Saxton, Charlie Weber and Joan Moyer. A special cake was presented after a delicious potluck buffet. It was an evening of memories that brought many smiles.

Joann Rasmussen and Erna McReynold Founders of ESC.

On October 19, the 20th Anniversary Luncheon was held at The Plains in Oneonta. David Hayes was the Master of Ceremonies.

Robert Consigli, Co-Chair of the Project Management Committee introduced the clients and the consultants who worked with them. Two outstanding clients that Executive Service Corps had worked with in the 20 years of its consulting services were recognized.

The Rasmussen Not-for-Profit award was presented to Kathy Greenblatt and Lyn Glueckert of Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otsego Counties. Robert Harder, ESC Project Consultant, was on hand to help Joann Rasmussen present the award.

The Morgan-McReynolds Small Business award was presented to Todd Pink of TS Pink Corp. Gerda Gyori, ESC volunteer, shared some of her husband Ivan's experiences and some of her own about the time spent with Todd Pink and the making of his soap rocks. Erna McReynlds presented Todd the small business award.

Senator James Seward attended the ceremony and congratulated both recipients and presented them with special certificates.

Many thanks to the Volunteer Social Committee for arranging this lovely event.

Fran Bliven a twenty year ESC volunteer and Perrie Saxton an eighteen year volunteer were presented gifts for their dedication. Both women are still very active in ESC.

The last social gathering of 2010 was the ESC Holiday Evening at the Rowe House, held on December 8. Many volunteers stopped by to wish holiday greetings and visit. Christine Amos and Rich McCaffery organized a holiday gift basket raffle. The social committee prepared refreshments. It was a fun and relaxing night.

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In addition to the regular ESC Committees two more were created and active in 2010:

The Grant Writing Committee and it's members Cheri Albrecht, Jeff Hahn and Bruce Dolph were diligent about pursuing grant writing opportunities. Competition was very tough during this economic downturn but everyone pitched in.

The Workshop Development Committee and its members Rich McCaffery, Rodney Decker, Devin Morgan, Judith Russell and Rosalie Higgins helped start a "Series of Three"
workshops in Otsego and Delaware Counties.

Many thanks to our ESC Consultants: Cheri Albrecht, "Grant Writing Essentials", Judith Russell, "Board Development-Roles & Responsibilities" and Rodney Decker, "Customer Service and Basic Marketing".

ESC Welcomes New Volunteers

noreply@blogger.com (NBH Off Mgr) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:48:00 +0000

In November, the Executive Service Corps Membership Committee headed by Joan Moyer, welcomed two new volunteers. An orientation with volunteers from each committee was held at the Rowe House on 31 Maple Street, Oneonta.

The new ESC volunteers were Lawrence Lewis from Franklin and Tom Selover from Cooperstown.

Lawrence's area of expertise is marketing and he enjoys the challenge of marketing in new areas. Lawrence has an antique shop in Franklin and he splits his time between his work in Franklin and NYC.

Tom Selover is a retired business owner and educator. He has served 11 years on the Cooperstown Board of Education. He knows the ups and downs of self-employment and business and is anxious to assist clients with their challenges.

ESC volunteers also welcomed Doris Tyrrell of Delhi back to active membership. Doris was busy for many years with work and family but has recently moved to The Plains at Parish Homestead and is ready to do some ESC volunteering! Welcome back Doris!

If you are interested in volunteering at ESC contact the office at (607) 433-1700 or email info@escny.org .

Hartwick Business Class Assists Executive Service Corps

noreply@blogger.com (NBH Off Mgr) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:58:00 +0000

As Hartwick College students we were enrolled in an Organizational Behavior class (fall semester) taught by Dr. Theodore Peters. Organizational Behavior is about the actions and attitudes of individuals and how they react with the organization's functioning and performance overall. A requirement of the class is to take part as volunteer's in an organization or business setting. We were assigned teams and an organization and we got to work.

Over the twelve weeks that we worked with ESC we were assigned tasks to promote and/or advertise their different workshops and events throughout our time there.

Our first task was to design a brochure for ESC 's first set of workshops which were held in October, November and December. In this brochure we included the dates and times of the workshops, a brief description of the volunteers conducting the workshops, an overview of the organization's workshops and contact information.

Our second task was to create an information packet on a service that ESC offers. The service is known as mystery shopping, which allows volunteers of the organization to pose as ordinary customers to fully evaluate a business or organization.

Another task assigned to our team was to create a pamphlet for their 20th Anniversary Luncheon.

Our team was also given the assignment to brainstorm new ideas to improve the organization's website.

To conclude our time as assigned volunteers of ESC we created a PowerPoint presentation for the board of directors explaining how we helped ESC and how we learned from this experience.

We have learned how a not-for-profit organization works and what this particular organization does to help current and future business owners and nonprofit organizations to achieve success in their communities. In addition, we have learned how to conduct ourselves in a business setting and how critical it is to work as a team. Overall this experience with ESC has been influential towards our business knowledge.

We would like to thank Mrs. Nola Henry for allowing us to take part in this volunteer assignment. She guided us throughout the fall semester and we were glad to be of assistant to her and ESC.

Sabrina Rocha, James Curcio and Bonnie Bowden, Hartwick College Students

About ESC

noreply@blogger.com (News) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:02:00 +0000

The Executive Service Corps of Otsego-Delaware is an association of middle management and senior level executives who volunteer their time to consult with small business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Volunteers believe the experience and skills acquired during their business careers can help these organizations solve management, governance and administrative problems. ESC has provided thousands of hours of consulting to more than 500 small businesses and non-profit agencies since 1991.

The ESC Mission Statement is:
Executive Service Corps of Otsego-Delaware, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization devoted to strengthening small businesses and nonprofits through mentoring, consulting and training provided by highly experienced individuals who volunteer their time.

The Otsego-Delaware ESC affiliate is part of a network of 33 ESC affiliates across the country. Each affiliate is incorporated independently as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is responsible for its own governance, fund development and program activities. Local ESC affiliates pay no dues or assessments to the ESC network.

The office is located at 31 Maple Street, Oneonta, New York. Mailing address is PO Box 975, Oneonta, NY 13820. Staff include an office manager. All other personnel and consultants are volunteers.

Charitable contributions from foundations, corporations, and community leaders currently provide nearly 80% the ESC operating budget. ESC clients pay modest fees, depending on the nature and anticipated duration of the project, the number of volunteers needed and the client's ability to pay.