Annie Armatage '12

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group, Mount Vernon, IA

In the fall of 2009, Annie Armatage '12 interned with the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) in Mount Vernon, IA.  Armatage worked closely with main street and marketing director Kristy SeBlonka to kick off the 3/50 Project and to help coordinate Magical Night, the annual start of the holiday shopping Season. 

Armatage says, "This internship provided me with a greater understanding of non-profits. I learned some of the challenges that derive from the nature of non-profits: difficulties that volunteers pose and budget limitations. The Community Development Group is completely volunteer-run, with the exception of the Main Street and Market Director, Kristy SeBlonka. Because volunteers are not compensated for their work, the time they put in is rather limited. You are limited to their pace. Networking and good communication are extremely important in the non-profit world. Since non-profits are often somewhat limited in resources and power, it is important to collaborate with other non-profits and all sectors of society. On a smaller level, in the case of the CDG, it is important to have close relationships with local business owners in order to gain cooperation"

Click here to read Annie's blog.