Loveta Wynn's Field Reports

Part 2 The Response

Loveta Wynn — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:20:20 -0600

Here are the actual quotes from this guy all I did was copy and paste notice how it is in all caps i recieved it as I he was shouting and trying to prove a point like a teenage "GURL"

Since I am creating timelines I have enough literature for a whole book if I keep at it so pretty soon you all will be reading my book. (lol) For real thats the new plan I have to get something out of this experience and I want this information to be public.

"THANKS FOR THE APOLOGY, THOUGH I REALIZE THAT THE PHONE AND INTERNET ARE A CHALLENGE AT THE MOMENT. WHEN THE EMAIL IS STRAIGHTENED OUT THAT MAY BE THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE SINCE WE SEE EACH OTHER SO LITTLE. "

" I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU LOOK AT ME AS SOMEONE WHO IS "TRIPPING" AND WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE. I'LL JUST SAY THAT I HAVE NO TIME TO WATCH THE EVERY MOVE OF YOU OR ANY OF OUR PAST VISTA'S. MY CONCERN WAS THAT I HAD INVITED YOU TO BREAKFAST FRIDAY AND I THOUGHT YOU'D ACCEPTED, BUT I DID NOT GET A REPLY TO MY EMAILS OF MONDAY OR THURSDAY AFTERNOON. NOR COULD I CALL YOU, THOUGH I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAD TO LIMIT INCOMING CALLS FOR FINANCIAL REASONS."

"I WAS SOMEWHAT SLIGHTED THAT YOU SKIPPED OUR BREAKFAST WITHOUT COMMUNICATING WITH ME, BUT I BECAME TRULY CONCERNED WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO FIND YOU AT COLLINS CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT YOU HAD NOT BEEN IN ALL WEEK (AND HAD NOT CALLED OR EMAILED EITHER). I LATER LEARNED FROM DIEGO THAT YOU WERE NOT AT YE-TEC EITHER THAT FRIDAY, A WORKDAY.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT VISTA IS NOT A WORK STUDY PROGRAM BUT A FULL-TIME SERVICE COMMITMENT, AND YOUR CONTINUED RECEIPT OF FEDERAL BENEFITS -- LITTLE AS THEY ARE -- IS DEPENDENT ON MEETING THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH CTC VISTA. COLLINS CENTER IS OBLIGATED TO ENSURE THAT VISTA'S SERVE A FULL-TIME SCHEDULE, AND I HAD AGREED TO BE YOUR INTERIM SUPERVISOR WHILE DONNA WAS AWAY.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, I RESPONDED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WITH VICTORIA ONE DAY LAST FALL WHEN SHE COULD NOT BE FOUND AT COLLINS CENTER OR REACHED BY PHONE OR EMAIL. IT TURNED OUT THAT SHE HAD GONE ON AN OUT-OF-STATE VACATION BUT HAD FORGOTTEN TO REMIND DONNA OR ME (WE HAD APPROVED A VACATION A MONTH EARLIER), AND SHE HAD NOT PUT THE VACATION ON THE COLLINS CENTER CALENDAR. SHOWING UP TO WORK EACH DAY, STAYING THROUGH THE FULL WORK DAY, AND REPORTING ANY VARIATIONS IN THE SCHEDULE TO YOUR SUPERVISOR (AND TO EVELYN AT COLLINS CENTER) ARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT AND ARE NOT SOMETHING SINGLED OUT FOR ANY ONE PERSON."

"I'M VERY SORRY THAT YOU AND VICTORIA HAVE GOTTEN OFF TO A DIFFICULT START. I WILL COMMUNICATE YOUR REQUEST TO VICTORIA IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO DIRECTLY, BUT IF YOU TWO CAN'T WORK IT OUT I PREFER TO LEAVE THE RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER TO YOUR SUPERVISOR. DONNA HAS BEEN VICTORIA'S CO-SUPERVISOR AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES BETWEEN YOU AND VICTORIA. IF I AM NEEDED FOR ANY REASON, DONNA WILL LET ME KNOW. TO THE EXTENT THAT EITHER OF YOU EXERCISED UNPROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR INADVERTENT, I WOULD HOPE THAT APOLOGY(IES) WILL ENSUE. (IN MY EXPERIENCE, A PROCEDURE FOR RESOLVING SITUATIONS LIKE THIS IS FOR THE SUPERVISOR TO HOLD A MEETING WHERE EACH PERSON DISCUSSED THEIR POINT OF VIEW TO THE OTHER, BUT I LEAVE IT TO DONNA TO DECIDE WHETHER TO DO THAT OR NOT.)"

"I AM SORRY YOU THINK THAT IS THE OPINION OF YOUR SUPERVISORS; IT IS NOT. EXCEPT FOR THE THURSDAY BEFORE LAST I HAVE VIRTUALLY NO DIRECT INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, OR NOT DONE, SO THAT QUOTE COULD NOT POSSIBLY REFLECT MY OPINION OF A MONTH OF SERVICE. THE ONLY "DRAMA" ON MY PART WAS LAST FRIDAY WHEN I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TEMPORARILY SUPERVISING YOU AND DISCOVERED YOU WERE NOT REPORTING TO WORK, AND THAT IS HARDLY "UNNECESSARY" -- IT IS THE ESSENCE OF A SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITY.

IN MY VIEW, THE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD FOR A NEW VISTA REQUIRES THAT WE ALLOW TIME FOR YOU TO GET FAMILIAR WITH THE PROJECT AND THEN SET PERSONAL OBJECTIVES THAT ARE REALISTIC FOR YOUR SKILLS, INTERESTS, AND THE PROJECT'S GOALS. UNTIL THAT POINT -- WHICH APPARENTLY YOU'VE NOW REACHED -- IT IS INEVITABLE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME MOMENTS OF INDECISION AND LACK OF FOCUSED PROGRESS, AS WAS TRUE WITH BOTH PAST VISTA'S. I THINK THAT THE FIRST MONTH'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE NOT EASILY MEASURABLE; WHAT COUNTS IS WHAT A VISTA DOES OVER THE ENTIRE COURSE OF THEIR YEAR OF SERVICE."
"NO, YOU ARE ONLY SERVING AS THE CO-OP VISTA. THE OTHER POSITION WAS TO WORK ON POLICY AND RESEARCH ISSUES WITH MYSELF AND A PARTNER ORGANIZATION, UNDER DIRECTION OF THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION, AND YOU HAVE NO DUTIES IN THIS AREA. TO THE CONTRARY, YOUR WORK IN THE CO-OP SHOULD ACTUALLY BE ENHANCED BY THE FACT THAT VICTORIA WAS RETAINED -- SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT PLANNED AT THE TIME OF RECRUITMENT -- AND IS ABLE TO SPEND SOME PART OF HER TIME ASSISTING WITH THE CO-OP PROJECT. THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE LESS TO DO; IT MEANS YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH MORE IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT WORKING IN ISOLATION. IT WILL BE YOUR AND DONNA'S DECISION AS TO WHAT YOUR WORKPLAN WILL BE, AND WHETHER YOU AND VICTORIA WORK JOINTLY OR SIMPLY COORDINATE ACTIVITIES."
" DONNA CAN DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU BUT CTC VISTA IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM WITH ITS OWN RULES; THEY ARE NOT OUR RULES THOUGH WE ARE OBLIGATED TO FOLLOW THEM. YOUR POSITION IS FULL-TIME AND PAYS HEALTH, TRAINING, AND A STIPEND FOR COMPLETION IN ADDITION TO THE POVERTY-LEVEL WAGES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT IS NOT PERMITTED BY CTC VISTA, BUT IN ANY EVENT THE MINIMUM WORK WEEK IS STANDARD FOR ALL VISTA'S NATIONWIDE.

YOU ARE WELCOME BUT IN NO WAY OBLIGATED TO WORK HOURS BEYOND THE MINIMUM CTC VISTA SERVICE COMMITMENT. IF YOU HAVE AN EVENING OR WEEKEND WORK EVENT, YOU ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR AND WITH EVELYN AT THE COLLINS CENTER TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO YOUR NORMAL SCHEDULE. THERE IS FLEXIBILITY SO LONG AS YOU COMMUNICATE IN A TIMELY WAY, BUT I LEAVE ALL QUESTIONS OF YOUR VISTA SCHEDULE AND WORK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR."
" GOOD QUESTION, SINCE I DON'T SEE WHY THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRAMA AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ASSOCIATE ME WITH "ALL OF THIS PRESSURE".

IT SEEMED TO ME THAT YOU WERE ALREADY FEELING PRESSURE THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU, THE DAY WE WENT TO LUNCH, AND I TRIED TO SUGGEST WAYS TO ALLEVIATE MONEY PRESSURES. IT WAS HARDLY MY INTENT TO ADD PRESSURE WHEN I POINTED OUT WAYS THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO EXAMINE PERSONAL BUDGETS TO FIND WAYS TO ECONOMIZE. YET DONNA TELLS ME YOU LATER BECAME UPSET WHEN I GAVE YOU THE EXAMPLE OF KEVIN, OUR FIRST VISTA, WHO PUT HIS CAR OUT OF SERVICE IN ORDER TO AVOID INSURANCE PAYMENTS AND REPAIR COSTS DURING HIS YEAR OF SERVICE. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU TOOLS TO EXAMINE YOUR EXPENSES IN VIEW OF INCOME, AND I THOUGHT THAT BUDGETING WOULD BE A USEFUL SKILL FOR THE GRANTS AS WELL. MY MOTIVATION WAS NOT TO PRESSURE YOU BUT TO EMPOWER YOU TO SET AND LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET; ANY DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR FINANCES ARE QUITE OBVIOUSLY YOUR OWN. IF YOU THOUGHT MY SUGGESTIONS WERE ADDING PRESSURE THEN I APOLOGIZE FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WAS THE FARTHEST THING FROM THE INTENT. FROM NOW ON I THINK IT BEST THAT I NOT TO ASK ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR GIVE ANY FURTHER ADVICE ABOUT YOUR INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL MATTERS.

I AM ALSO PUZZLED WHY DONNA, IN HER EMAIL, SEEMED TO THINK I SIDED WITH VICTORIA IN THE DISPUTE THAT I SAW BREWING A WEEK AGO THURSDAY. IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT VICTORIA'S EFFORT TO COORDINATE CO-OP WORK BY GIVING YOU A DAILY WORK PLAN THAT MORNING WAS COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE AND BEYOND HER ROLE. AS YOU KNOW I PUT A STOP TO THAT IMMEDIATELY AND I MADE IT CLEAR THAT VICTORIA WAS NOT TO BE YOUR SUPERVISOR, THOUGH I TRIED TO DO SO IN A GENTLE MANNER. BEFORE YOU STARTED WORKING I HAD ASKED VICTORIA TO HELP GIVE YOU GUIDANCE, JUST AS KEVIN HAD DONE FOR HER LAST YEAR; I THINK SHE WAS TRYING TO INVOLVE YOU IN THE CO-OP WORK IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY, AS SHE AND KEVIN HAD WORKED, BUT SHE DID SO IN A WAY THAT CAUSED PROBLEMS AND RESENTMENT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. I SUGGESTED TO YOU THEN, AND TO DONNA BY EMAIL, THAT LONGER-TERM INDIVIDUAL WORKPLANS WOULD BE FAR MORE APPROPRIATE AND I LEFT IT TO DONNA AND YOU TO DECIDE WHAT WAS APPROPRIATE. I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT YOU DID DEVELOP A WORKPLAN AND I WILL LEAVE IT TO YOU AND DONNA TO ASSESS YOUR PROGRESS ON THAT PLAN.

UNFORTUNATELY YOU AND VICTORIA SEEMED TO UPSET EACH OTHER FURTHER THE NEXT DAY, AND SOMEHOW IT SEEMED YOU LOOKED AT ME AS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DISPUTE IN SOME WAY. AT THE SATURDAY TRAINING EVENT, I TRIED TO OPEN CONVERSATION WITH YOU DURING THE BREAK BUT IT SEEMED CLEAR THAT YOU HAD NO INTENTION OF SPEAKING WITH ME. THOUGH YOU SAID NOTHING, I AFTERWARDS GUESSED THAT YOU MUST HAVE BEEN HOLDING ME RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISPUTE IN SOME WAY. I AM SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAY, BUT SINCE DONNA IS YOUR SUPERVISOR AND SINCE YOU AND I DON'T SEEM TO BE UNDERSTANDING OUR COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SAME WAY, I THINK IT BEST TO LEAVE THE RESOLUTION OF THOSE ISSUES TO DONNA UNLESS SHE ASKS ME TO BECOME INVOLVED.

ALL IN ALL, I AM SORRY THAT YOU HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES IN YOUR VISTA EXPERIENCE AND I HOPE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO WORK THEM THROUGH WITH DONNA'S GUIDANCE. MY HOPE IS THAT IT WILL SIMPLIFY YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND REDUCE YOUR MIS-PERCEPTIONS OF PRESSURE FROM ME, BY MY LEAVING ALL ISSUES OF WORK SCHEDULE AND WORK PROGRESS TO YOUR SUPERVISOR, EVEN DURING THIS PERIOD WHEN DONNA IS AWAY. DONNA WILL BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND SATISFIED WITH YOUR VISTA EXPERIENCE, AND THAT YOU SATISFY THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS OF CTC VISTA AND THE COLLINS CENTER."

Can you believe I actually signed up for this?

Loveta Wynn — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:11:28 -0600

Treat people with "Dignity and Respect" even if you don't agree with them or like them. The golden rule is similar "Treat people the way you want to be treated" Every see the Disney movie Bambi? "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say any thing at all" Oh and the Bible "Do unto others as you would want other to do unto you" I keep going with the Universal quotes of how we are all suppose to respect each other but that would bore you read part two of the drama.
Good Morning to all

I would like to inform everyone that I Loveta Wynn has been part of the digital divide for almost a week or so I have been unable to check and receive emails from my personal laptop. Apparently it has this crazy virus and it takes about 40 minutes or so to connect to the web so with all of the pop ups and warning signs it is very frustrating to sit still and wait patiently. I said all of that to say that my emails are delayed and I honestly apologize for not using other forms of communication.

I honestly did not think it was that big of a deal but now I see that some parties involved are tripping and watching my every move as if this was a work study program.

For what it is worth I am not completely satisfied with my position as a vista I have not received a written apology from Victoria Edwards for embarrassing and insulting me at the Collins Center on Friday August 15 2008. I was offended and I want justice to be served.

I am deeply sadden that all of my efforts I put fourth to in my first month of service has been overlooked and unrecognized as me “sitting here with nothing to do” from here on out I will document the entire task that I complete. (I find that strange based on the stories from the past vista’s they seem to have had little or no supervision and they were trusted and encouraged to do a good job by the end of there service.) So my next question is why is there all of this unnecessary drama going on that hasn‘t occurred before while having vista volunteers? I just remembered that I am doing work for 2 vistas so is that worth anything?
So when I have down time I have to work on another project I am only getting 11,000 for the year I will do what I can because I am all about solutions and creating social change but I will not over work myself on projects for anyone. I am demanding the same respect and courtesy given to all vistas who paved the way for me to be here today.
Why is there so much drama when I have only been hear for 1 month working I thought I was still feeling my way and learning the ropes. With all of this pressure it makes me unsure about my choices.

July 14, 2008- My first day at the Collins Center Evelyn got me all set up with my personal cubical and office supplies and email. Victoria introduced me to some professionals in the office she also had me read a book “Digital divide and social inclusion” I read the whole book. Who reads a whole book in 8 hours? I felt like I was studying for my final exam or something. I didn’t complain or show disrespect I simply did it. I thought it was over the top. But Victoria told me that Kevin made her do the same thing. Paid 12 dollars to park

July 15, 2008- I met with Phil Bacon I did a short interview and he gave me tips to survive to survive in the business world and how to conduct myself while being at the Collins Center (take the initiative and give help where help is needed sort of like Victoria. Paid 10 dollars to park

July 16, 2008- I went to Collins Center for half the day then went over and met Diego for the first time I met his volunteer staff and I introduced myself. I also did community service I gave a volunteer a ride to a few places in the neighborhood because it was raining and because I felt like it was the right thing to do. Paid 8 dollars to park

July 17, 2008- I went back over to Diego’s observed the CTC and the students to get a better ideal of how I fit in. Victoria showed me where to park in Overtown it was Noon and you all know that it is absolutely hot during that time of the day. Well we were walking and Victoria got us lost so we walked in circles downtown from Overtown to the Collins Center in the hot sun. I was pouring with sweat and I had a heat head ache. If you are not from Miami you have to get use to this heat.

July 18, 2008- Thank God its Friday had a meeting with Victoria and Diego and two volunteers we talked about the Club house closings and I suggested that we do a press release to get it out to the media. Victoria said I will do it and also interview the volunteers. I drove

July 19, 2008- Saturday I went to tax training with Kevin and Victoria I was kind of cool I learned about Miami-Dade property tax stuff. I was surprised that Kevin knew all of the answers as much as the facilitator.

July 21, 2008- Week two Victoria asked me to run the CHW meeting on the upcoming Wednesday. She double booked herself of the Knight Foundation “Trabian Shorter” meeting and the CHW meeting which were held at the same time. I agreed to help her out……it seemed like the right thing to do. After all I wasn’t doing anything according to the emails I read. Victoria agreed to do the power point and all I had to do was present it.

July 22, 2008- Good morning Loveta your cell phone is officially turned off. Victoria emailed me the power points I read them and familiarized myself with the information I would be presenting the next day. How hard could a power point be? I did a few in school and I got a good grade. Towards the end of the day I presented it to Victoria and she wasn’t quite pleased with what I had accomplished. So as I am presenting it to her on
the third power slide she say oh no this is how you say it. She got frustrated and started reading the slides out loud and very loudly when she was done she said like this I said in the nicest way I could Victoria you do the power point I was going to help you out but since it isn’t up to your standars you do it. She said no it’s fine the way you want to do it It’s just I double booked myself I am so stupid and I hate when I do that….Blah Blah Blah. As you can see I wasn’t the happiest Vista. I was salty and offended. I didn’t care anymore it was 5pm time to go.

July 23, 2008- It was Ms. Joyce’s Birthday. She looked like a Princess in all white and he diamonds were blinging (shining). We went to a Spanish restaurant I had plantains and red beans and rice. I felt like this was the start of something great you know being introduced to new cultures and foods. Ms. Joyce drove us to the CHW meeting I watched and listened I also passed out papers to everyone in the meeting.
July 24, 2008- Rushed to a grant writing workshop with Victoria I drove it was on Biscayne we went Victoria felt like it was a waste of her time and she wanted to leave. I’m not sure if it could help me or not because we arrived late and we left early. I did not agree with leaving early but I did it. I felt like that was a waste of my time walking from Collins Center to Overtown to get the car then drive in the horrible traffic up and down Biscayne. Not only is it a waste of time I have to use my gas and my energy its too hot for all of that.

July 25, 2008- I read volunteer information I was feeling depressed and I was officially broke by this time no money in my pockets. Oh I met Mark for the first time and we had lunch to get to know each other. It was disaster to me mark wanted to know more about me and where I come from and after talking to him I became extremely depressed and emotional I was crying non stop. I was feeling as if I had again poured my heart out to someone who will never understand. As soon as I feel that I have a grip on life someone who appears to empathic to the poor wants to know details and while explaining I realized that they can see that I am weak and they are not helping me overcome any these adversities that I spoke about.

The only thing I remember was from that lunch date is Mark telling me to sell my car and take the bus, forget about my cell phone and use the Collins Center phone and email to communicate with the outside world. Oh and to create a budget for the money I hadn’t received yet. Now to someone who had support and money in the bank that sounds Ideal but for me a “ Po black Gurl” trying to make it is unrealistic advise for my life at this time. Oh and Mark told me that if “I didn’t do a good job then I wont receive a good job at the end” Real encouraging huh?

July 26, 2008- Attended a commuity Summit with Kevin and Victoria it was nice and informative. Now I know that Miami-Dade is in as bad shape as every other city it just looks so beautiful. I met some really nice people I hope to network with.

July 28, 2008- Yes!! Pay day I got 450 dollars now. I felt like new money I was so tired of not having things I need. Appropriate comfortable work clothes and much more my favorite a full tank of gas. Worked at Diego’s

July 29, 2008- Worked at Diego’s I filled in for Diego on the conference call while he taught his class. The Conference call was long and boring I felt like all of the professionals wanted to all get a chance to talk about there view of digital divided and social inclusion. There went any solutions offered to this problem they keep talking about. They just schedule another time they can sit and talk. Blah Blah Blah.. I took notes and passed them along to Diego.

July 30, 2008- I worked at Diego’s

July 31, 2008- I drove Victoria to the Club house and met with Sidney I also helped do Tech Atlas on a few pc’s.

August 1, 2008- Victoria kicked me out of my cubical so she can work from my pc and hers at the same time. I wasn’t happy about that but I was just following along. She also made me work on the website that was due like 4 months ago. I asked her why is she rushing me to do it. She said because it was due a while ago and she needed to finish the report. Blah blah blah.
I finished that site in like 2 hours as I was working in Victoria’s cubical she kept coming over to me stopping me to check her email and send emails. I began to get mad I was salty because according to my Vista training in Boston I was told that I don’t pick up the slack I’m not an intern so I will not receive intern responsibilities. I felt like she was pressuring me because she finished projects at the last minute and now she is pressed for time. I was salty so I wanted to wait for the right time to say something. The rest of the day I just hung out with Victoria and spent time getting to know her as a person. Oh I sat around listening to Victoria and Evelyn talked about who had HDHD the worst between the two of them. I checked my email and talked to my mother on the phone. You know doing regular stuff people do when they have an office/desk job.

August 2, 2008- I started grant writing training at Miami-Dade College from (9am-1pm) I was very cool I learned a lot and met a lot of good contacts.

August 4, 2008- Worked at Diego’s

August 5, 2008- Worked at Diego’s had a meeting St. Vincent De Paul. Met with Victor Martell and Diego about writing a grant for “SVDP” and YETEC the meeting went great I looked great and Victor Martell liked me and wanted to hear what I had to say.

August 6, 2008- Came to the Collins Center to do some work (you know Diego doesn’t have any resources and without phone or internet it is very difficult for me to think and really do work as far as research and writing goes.) Took the train to meet a volunteer that was coming to the volunteer orientation that Victoria postponed until Aug 16, 2008. On the way Victoria realized that once again she forgot to do something which was bringing the volunteer information for the Volunteer. Thank God that I had all of that information in my binder so I gave it to her and she appeared to be prepared for the meeting.

So what I had originally planned to do I had to put it on hold to do this Victoria stuff and everyday I come into the Collins Center it is like that.
Example: if I get here at 9am I am dripping with sweat I like to cool off and check all of my email accounts I also read my horoscope. Not with Victoria standing over my shoulders or looking at me through the window that’s by our cubical. When I come in she will say ok so I am going to give you 5 mins then we will go over…I stopped her and said no I’m gonna need more than 5 mins to get myself together. At that point I really don’t even want to here anything that she has to say. I’m thinking how could you be so inconsiderate just give me a chance to get settled. But I would never say it to her because I’m thinking that’s just Victoria she doesn’t’ know any better. (Now how could that be a true statement if she is a college grad?) It’s not true, that’s when I realized that she thinks I work for her something as if I am her personal assistant or something.

August 7-8, 2008- Worked at Collins Center researched volunteer management information for Victoria. When I found information I though would be helpful to include for the Volunteers Victoria told me that she already read most of the information and she didn’t need what I found for a the project and I should just read for my own understanding. So just imagine how a person might feel after that? Well let me tell you I felt like what is it all worth?
I stayed late and invited Kevin and Victoria over Sat. to help me write a grant.
August 9, 2008- Kevin and Victoria came over to help me write the grant come to find out I didn’t have enough information from Diego to even start the grant.

August 11, 2008-AT the Collins Center check my email and saw that I have fallen further into delinquency with my phone company. I was sad Victoria told me she was gonna help me find a second job on the beach because that is what she had to do for a little while. So we took our lunch break early to do that. I got all my resumes together and we walked to my car and drove to the beach. I didn’t get a chance to change my clothes so I didn’t find a job because I wasn’t looking slutty enough. I had on my Vista polo shirt and black work pants and penny loafer’s not proper attire for south beach. We got lost and Victoria gave me 10 dollars for gas because I was hot and salty. When we got back to Collins Center Victoria asked me to drop her off at the door because she had a lunch date at 2pm. “truth is she didn’t want to talk that long hot walk from Overtown to Collins Center” So I dropped her off and I parked and when I started walking back It started pouring on me. I was salty and wet so by the time I got back to me car hit had stopped raining and I was hot wet and sticky. So I went home to change and vent.

August 12, 2008- At Collins Center filled in for Diego on the phone conference can you believe that there were only a few people who called in. Shortly after it started we receives several emails from people who were on last time saying they couldn’t make it. “I told yall it was boring and a waste of time and to prove it most of the people did not participate.
She also put a work plan together for me when I received the email I was very upset it was a list of stuff to do and times to complete them. I was like is she serious. I had already made my mind up that I wasn’t going to do that stuff.
Then we have a meeting she then tells me Mark and Donna are getting a divorce. Now whose problem is that? I felt like that was a waste of time. Why would I want to be caught in the middle of some grown people drama I didn’t come here for that. I don’t care one way or another if they stay married or get divorced. That’s just how I feel I expressed that the best way I could.

Mark came by and told Victoria that here work plan was oppressive and it should be monthly. Now why would she create on in the first place is my question. I don’t work for her.

Here is the work plan:
Work Plan August 12, 2008

1. Digital Divide Phone Conference at 11 a.m.
2. Call Program Directors and make sure they’re coming to the conference, tell them to bring a job description for the volunteer position they’re looking for along with handouts (optional) and a quick description of their CTCs and what they need volunteers to do
Program Directors Below:

Jonathan Fried (305) 281-9377
Diego Barrera 305-984-9165
Anthony Dawkins 305) 962-3517
Selene Echavarria (305) 278-7740
Oscar Ramirez 305-557-5251

Google 3 sites about Volunteer Management esp. Volunteer Orientations 30 minutes

Edit Victoria’s PowerPoint 30 minutes

Add all of the Miami-Dade Libraries 1 hour and a half
Broward CTCs and Palm Beach CTCs on the website

Are you serious who times people when they give them work to do?
I was very salty when I received it.
August 14 2008- Congratulations I made it today is my 1 month anniversary as a vista
went to the Collins Center first to type up research and job description for Diego. I put on my new dress. Diego told me I have to make a good impression we had a meeting with Green Family Foundation. It was awesome I met Ms. Kim and Kevin Koster they were great we shared ideas and planned to meet again. This was the highlight of my stay hear. I was finally feeling like I was fitting in and finding my place here.

August 15, 2008- The honey moon is officially over. I was so excited to tell Victoria about what happened at the meeting. I told her that the Green Family Foundation liked me I told her how cool and down to earth they were. I was so happy that I was blessed with an opportunity to meet with funders it’s like being behind the scenes of the non –profit world. I feel that I will end up in a position of power like that. I could totally do a job like that. They inspired me so much.

I so started doing my field report for CTC Vista as I am doing it Victoria keeps coming into my cubical asking me to do stuff like call subway and see what time they are open, find icebreakers for the volunteer meeting tomorrow and listen to her menu and follow the list of task she wants me to complete. I said ok I called subway they open at 9 I went on line and found two easy icebreakers. I waited from 10am to 2pm for her to email me the papers she wants me to staple and put together for the meeting tomorrow. She asked me to pick up the projector from Diego’s and bring it to the meeting.

As I was leaving Victoria asked me where was I going I told her I was done for the day. I had also received some very disturbing news about my family and I was in tears I was trying to hold them in until I got outside but she started following me and yelling my name. I was freaked out. As polite as I could be trying to hold my face up say so my tears wouldn’t fall out of me watery eyes I told her I will see her tomorrow. That wasn’t enough for her she followed me onto the elevator and was shouting at me telling me I had to stay because she still had things for me to do that are due tomorrow. I told her politely that she had all morning to email me papers to staple but she chose not to and wait to the last min as always. She said I was on my lunch break I said and me too. As I walked into the garage she grabbed my arm I snatched it back and said don’t touch me. I do not work for Victoria and I am gone for the day I will see you tomorrow. She grabbed me again and said I hope that when you get a job that you don’t screw it up blah blah blah I walked away and told her to contact Donna if she has a problem with me. She screamed I’m calling Mark. I told her to call her mother.

I couldn’t believe that she insulted me I have more education, training, and experience than she does I will never take orders from someone who can even remember how to get back to the Collins Center when we are 4 blocks away. I have never insulted Victoria I always give her compliments. I honestly do not appreciate the way she behaved I have never insulted Victoria even when I felt like she really has severe HDHD. What gives her the right to dictate to me and insult me I very uncomfortable around her. I fell like she wanted a reaction out of me that I was unable to give she put her hands on me during a heated argument provoking me to get “Street On Her” I’m deeply offended that she would even try me like that.

August 16, 2008- I get to me meeting dripping with sweat with the projector and they don’t even need it. How professional are we really. I didn’t receive a thank you or anything.

August 18, 2008- Rain Storm everything was closed. I didn’t know until I got to Diego’s and saw the signs. I went in anyways and typed my new revised work plan that Donna and I went over.

August 19, 2008- Rain Strom everything was closes

August 20, 2008- Went to Diego’s worked a lot on media and party planning for CTC graduation. I cut my foot also I was walking with a slight limp.

August 21, 2008- It was raining I drove to Overtown UI started walking it was very painful on my foot it was still raining so I turned around and went to Walgreen’s to get peroxide to fix my foot.

August 22, 2008- I tried to turn pc on and it saw such a long process I forgot about the breakfast with Mark.

August 25, 2008- I apologized for not using other forms of communication.

Now who keeps a daily timeline?
Now can you believe that the person I sent this time line to completely disrespected my work by writing over it in all CAPS and inserted comments that were rude to me.
Please read the next field report to read what the guy wrote.

I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?

Loveta Wynn — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:11:52 -0600

So I'm down here in Miami, talk about hot or should I say blazen every day has been 90 degrees or hotter I 'm not sure why I even look at the weather channel. Yesterday was my one month anniversary. I have had the pleasure of working between two organizations The Collins Center for Public Policy and YeTech (Youth Expressions Technology Center) I am a split Vista the other chick didn't show so I'm doing work for two people. At first I thought it was the best of both worlds but now I'm praying many times a day to keep my sanity. I've come to realize that some people here have unrealistic expectations of how to increase capcity and get grant money.

The Collins Center is my main source of resources they have quite cubicals, air conditioning, phone, internet, and printers. YeTech has non of thee above but they need mad resources and grant money. Question: How am I going to do research and build capcity for them with out a phone or internet?

After doing a community needs assesment I was ready to work I figure that I would use The Collins Center to do that since they all work together. Jokes on Loveta...that is sort of hard to do. So I have a co-worker Post Vista who got hired on after her year of service to show me the ropes..

What people do with a little bit of power? So its like I am the servant I do stuff that has been past due for four 4 months. Might I add that I have only been a Vista for 1 month and a day..So my first mind is whose problem is that. But I am not that assertive or disrespectful I have a little bit of tact.

I love to help but being pressured to meet deadlines that are past due isn't my style of work. Mean while I (we, me and her) travel to many other community organizations daily doing communtiy needs assesments and tech atlas. Oh yeah using my car and I get 10 dollars for the tank if I show frustration.(Ooooh)
Now if I didn't drive my "HOOT RIDE" 1200 miles then how would we get to the community organizations? Mean while you have the Supervisor whom I've only seen twice telling me that I should sell my car to cut down on expenses. That sounds realistic to someone who comes from a middle class background who has lots of support. But not for me you know one of those "Poor People" we wanna help to overcome poverty and besides I won't be able to effectively do my job in the community.

So I do alot of traveling though out Miami that includes all parts and all under served communities. I sort of like though because by me not being from here I am being exposed to alot all the different kinds of people different languages all of the free lunch dates at expensive resturants (these people are sort of like CTC they will feed you and only the best foods)

Oooh I almost forgot yesterday I met with one of the biggest local funders of the community can you believe that? It's like being behind the scene of non-profts and guess what they loved me. They liked what I said and they are looking forward to working with me and showing the rope. As a matter a fact we have a meeting Tuesday at 1:00pm Can you believe that? I knew it was a good meeting because at the end the wealthy funder the woman gave me a hug and one of those smooches kisses on my cheek. They looked really cool and fun to look at the guy reminds me of Ben with the stylish button, jeans, and chucks. The woman was professional but sort of rock starish kinda like Nickey. So I blended right in with them the Executive director I attended the meeting with was nervous and shaky. I on the other hand was calm and cool. I didn't even sweat.

I started classes at Miami Dade College for grant writting and I am learning alot. Also while visting a non-profit we were asked if we were Techies post-vista said no we are not. I said what do you need help with they lady's printer wouldn't print so all I did was add the printer for her I showed her what to do it was so simple. It was then I realized that digital literacy is a very important factor in reducing the digital divide.

So far this has been one experience thats priceless I'm looking forward to the next 11 months of kaos.

I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.