What is Rotary?
We are an organization made up of people who share a passion for and commitment to enhancing communities and improving lives in our area and throughout the world. Rotary's mission is: Service Above Self . Each Rotary meeting offers an outstanding speaker, great food, and so much information; all for the low price of $15. (Zoom link available) This week's guest speaker is Julie LaGrow, the Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County. Read below to learn more about Julie:
ExperienceExperience
- Executive DirectorLiteracy Volunteers of Chautauqua County Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County Mar 2015 - Present · 7 yrs 1 moMar 2015 - Present · 7 yrs 1 moFredonia, NYFredonia, NY
- • Oversee all operations of a nonprofit literacy program that teaches adults how to read and write, and to speak English
• Recruit students and tutors, and provide training to tutors
• Conduct testing of students
• Develop individualized curriculum
• Research and write grants to fund programming
• Oversee all operations of a nonprofit literacy program that teaches adults how to read and write, and to speak English • Recruit students and tutors, and provide training to tutors • Conduct testing of students • Develop individualized curriculum • Research and write grants to fund programming
- Executive DirectorExecutive DirectorDunkirk Camp and Conference CenterDunkirk Camp and Conference CenterApr 2007 - Mar 2015 · 8 yrsApr 2007 - Mar 2015 · 8 yrsDunkirk, NYDunkirk, NY
- • Oversaw all operations of a 110-acre nonprofit camp and conference center, with recreational facilities including 35 buildings and more than 9,000 visitors annually
• Administered a budget of approximately $1,000,000, and coordinated fundraising from individuals and organizations
• Researched and applied for grants including a grant from Ronald McDonald House to start our Day Camp program which served 48 children after just two years of operation
• Oversaw approximately 20 program directors who plan educational and recreational programs for children
• Networked throughout the region to attract business
• Served as an active member of the Board of Directors, and several committees including Marketing, Program, Finance, Development and Personnel
• Supervised and developed approximately 35 year-round and seasonal staff members, as well as volunteers who donated more than 28,000 hours each year
Accomplishments
• Raised camper revenues by 42% over 5 years; increased number of child campers by 500
• Added catering services, wedding and event hosting, weekend camps, retreats, and other events to expand operating season from 3 months to year-round
• Re-branded the Center through an extensive website design, a Facebook page, and enhanced print materials
• Designed and implemented a Send a Kid to Camp program, in which local businesses and individuals sponsor a child’s camp fees and which has nearly doubled in size over three years
• Raised the profile and accessibility of the Center in the community by offering a variety of public events
• Learned to effectively utilize technology to improve marketing and streamline services, including Dreamweaver and Fireworks to create a new more functional website and registration forms; Elite E-Mail to manage press releases and general e-mail communications; Vanco and PayPal for more efficient processing of fees
• Oversaw all operations of a 110-acre nonprofit camp and conference center, with recreational facilities including 35 buildings and more than 9,000 visitors annually • Administered a budget of approximately $1,000,000, and coordinated fundraising from individuals and organizations • Researched and applied for grants including a grant from Ronald McDonald House to start our Day Camp program which served 48 children after just two years of operation • Oversaw approximately 20 program directors who plan educational and recreational programs for children • Networked throughout the region to attract business • Served as an active member of the Board of Directors, and several committees including Marketing, Program, Finance, Development and Personnel • Supervised and developed approximately 35 year-round and seasonal staff members, as well as volunteers who donated more than 28,000 hours each year Accomplishments • Raised camper revenues by 42% over 5 years; increased number of child campers by 500 • Added catering services, wedding and event hosting, weekend camps, retreats, and other events to expand operating season from 3 months to year-round • Re-branded the Center through an extensive website design, a Facebook page, and enhanced print materials • Designed and implemented a Send a Kid to Camp program, in which local businesses and individuals sponsor a child’s camp fees and which has nearly doubled in size over three years • Raised the profile and accessibility of the Center in the community by offering a variety of public events • Learned to effectively utilize technology to improve marketing and streamline services, including Dreamweaver and Fireworks to create a new more functional website and registration forms; Elite E-Mail to manage press releases and general e-mail communications; Vanco and PayPal for more efficient processing of fees
- Director, Crosspoint CenterDirector, Crosspoint CenterEduKidsEduKids2006 - Mar 2007 · 1 yr 3 mos2006 - Mar 2007 · 1 yr 3 mosAmherst, NYAmherst, NY
- • Coordinated all operations of a child development serving approximately 160 families
• Supervised and scheduled a staff of 30 full- and part-time employees, including classroom and kitchen staff
• Interacted with families on a daily basis and registered new families
• Ensured that staff receive required training in CPR, First Aid and medical administration
• Managed a year-round schedule of center events and coordinated promotions
• Developed relationships with other businesses to attract new families to the center
• Coordinated all operations of a child development serving approximately 160 families • Supervised and scheduled a staff of 30 full- and part-time employees, including classroom and kitchen staff • Interacted with families on a daily basis and registered new families • Ensured that staff receive required training in CPR, First Aid and medical administration • Managed a year-round schedule of center events and coordinated promotions • Developed relationships with other businesses to attract new families to the center
- Quality Improvement Mentor, Success by 6 ProgramQuality Improvement Mentor, Success by 6 ProgramUnited Way of Buffalo & Erie CountyUnited Way of Buffalo & Erie County2004 - 2005 · 1 yr2004 - 2005 · 1 yrBuffalo, NYBuffalo, NY
- • Managed the Quality Improvement Project, designed to improve the quality of child care centers throughout Erie County
• Assisted approximately 35 child care centers in quality improvement initiatives; assessed strengths and deficits and established/implemented a plan for improvement
• Mentored and technically advised center directors and staff utilizing the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS)
• Mentored six child care center directors through NAEYC accreditation
• Facilitated Director’s Support Group, to develop participants’ management and leadership skills
• Attended the week-long Directors as Leaders Conference, taught by Paula Jorde Bloom, 2005
• Managed the Quality Improvement Project, designed to improve the quality of child care centers throughout Erie County • Assisted approximately 35 child care centers in quality improvement initiatives; assessed strengths and deficits and established/implemented a plan for improvement • Mentored and technically advised center directors and staff utilizing the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS) • Mentored six child care center directors through NAEYC accreditation • Facilitated Director’s Support Group, to develop participants’ management and leadership skills • Attended the week-long Directors as Leaders Conference, taught by Paula Jorde Bloom, 2005
- Executive DirectorExecutive DirectorLord of Life Child Development CenterLord of Life Child Development Center2000 - 2004 · 4 yrs2000 - 2004 · 4 yrsDepew, NYDepew, NY
- • Oversaw all operations of a center serving approximately 160 families, and as many as 115 children a day
• Hired, trained and supervised a staff of 25-30 full and part time employees, and provided opportunities for professional development
• Interacted regularly with families and developed marketing and enrollment retention strategies
• Prepared and administered an annual budget of approximately $750,000
• Trained teachers in assessing each child’s abilities and developing a plan for each child within the context of the classroom
Accomplishments
• Achieved NAEYC Accreditation for the center, January 2004
• Implemented a wide range of changes in the center to meet accreditation criteria
• Provided extensive staff training to enhance performance
• Successfully obtained OCFS Health & Safety Grant ($14,000), used to purchase new furniture and equipment
• Designed and updated the center web site
• Wrote an employee manual and a family handbook, which outlined policies, expectations and other important information in an organized fashion
• Redesigned and renovated classroom space to create a warm environment and reduce auditory and visual distractions for the children and staff
• Initiated partnership with Aspire Center for Learning to integrate children with disabilities into preschool classrooms
• Mentored 11 staff as they pursued their CDA
• Oversaw all operations of a center serving approximately 160 families, and as many as 115 children a day • Hired, trained and supervised a staff of 25-30 full and part time employees, and provided opportunities for professional development • Interacted regularly with families and developed marketing and enrollment retention strategies • Prepared and administered an annual budget of approximately $750,000 • Trained teachers in assessing each child’s abilities and developing a plan for each child within the context of the classroom Accomplishments • Achieved NAEYC Accreditation for the center, January 2004 • Implemented a wide range of changes in the center to meet accreditation criteria • Provided extensive staff training to enhance performance • Successfully obtained OCFS Health & Safety Grant ($14,000), used to purchase new furniture and equipment • Designed and updated the center web site • Wrote an employee manual and a family handbook, which outlined policies, expectations and other important information in an organized fashion • Redesigned and renovated classroom space to create a warm environment and reduce auditory and visual distractions for the children and staff • Initiated partnership with Aspire Center for Learning to integrate children with disabilities into preschool classrooms • Mentored 11 staff as they pursued their CDA
EducationEducation
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude and President’s List Scholar, 12/98
Pennsylvania State Teacher Certification
Completed 24 graduate credits in Education