As a new fiscal year begins at PAL, it’s time for me to start thinking about new fundraising ideas, new marketing techniques and prepare for our main events: the Turkey day 8K and the 2018 Criterium!  A new year is a time for reflection and planning, and as I look back on my time at PAL and what I have done in the past 10 ½ months, I think about what went well, what I could have done differently, and what I can add in the coming months.

In order for me to grow within my job, I look for webinars, seminars, lunch and learns and other meetings that I can attend to help me learn more about the different aspects of my job. I already have learned so much about fundraising and marketing in a nonprofit since I have started this position, but this ensures that I stay up to date on all the new techniques and information out there. It is also important to network with other nonprofits in the area. It is very helpful to talk to organizations with similar structures and learn what they are doing in their businesses and exchange stories and ideas.

In addition to the marketing and fundraising efforts of my job, I look forward to our upcoming events! The Turkey Day 8K is a free run that is open to the public and always takes place on Thanksgiving morning. The downtown criterium is a professional bike race that will take place on April 27, 2018. I am very excited for both of these events this year because I now know what to expect. Knowing what I know now, I feel as if I can really take the events even further this year and make them even bigger and better (even though they are already pretty awesome!).

 I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for PAL and its impact in the Spartanburg community!