Catherine Menick, MPP

Experience

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  NARAL Prochoice Minnesota

  Jun 2010 - Jul 2011

  CLN Network Manager

  I identify, research, and summarize news stories relevant to the pro-choice cause, compiling stories into a bi-weekly newsletter that is sent to hundreds of NARAL and pro-choice cause supporters. This news letter also encourages members to get involved through writing letters to the editor, volunteering at NARAL events, and exercising their right to vote at all opportunities. Since beginning my post as the CLN Network Manager, readership has increased by 10%.

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  Grassroots Solutions

  Feb 2011 - May 2011

  Intern

  Synthesized research for a program evaluation project, a newer arm of business for the company, using NVivo software and collaborated on creating client recommendations based on my findings within the research with the guidance of my esteemed supervisor. Updated and streamlined media contact lists for different clients. Coordinated email petition campaigns to garner the support of MN businesses for client causes which entailed designing the email itself and researching local businesses to determine best matches. Distilled and summarized research on issue campaign best practices. Researched and summarized state legislation to provide my primary supervisor with background information she could use to reinvigorate a client relationship that had paused. Assisted administrative staff as needed. Enjoyed the experience immensely and learned a great deal about myself and intersections of for-profit, nonprofit, and government.As an endnote, I'd like to mention that working at Grassroots Solutions was an absolutely wonderful experience. It is an intern's utopia of work environments, and anyone that has a chance to work with GRS is any capacity should jump at the chance! Show less

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  League of Women Voters Minnesota

  Aug 2011 - May 2012

  Intern

  I'm assisting with the State of Democracy programs efforts to educate Minnesotans on the suppression of the vote that will happen if voter photo ID legislation continues to be enacted. I design info pamphlets, provide input on education program strategy, and coordinate information toolkit packages.With the beginning of session, I've begun staffing and doing administrative work for the LWVMN Action Committee. For the Committee, I follow and write about legislation regarding Reproductive Choice for the bi-weekly Capitol Letter. This internship is extremely rewarding and I was lucky enough to be asked on for this second semester. I hope to continue to be involved with the League of Women Voters Minnesota going forward. Show less

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  League of Women Voters Minnesota

  Sept 2012 - Jan 2013

  Action Committee - Volunteer Member

  Discussed issues of importance to the League of Women Voters MN with a venerable group of women. Pointed out opportunities to engage local level Leagues of Women Voters, as well as members at the individual level. Some committee members issued action alerts calling on members to contact legislators on particular committees as it pertained to our issues of interest. Unfortunately I had to leave prior to the legislative session due to obtaining a full time position with the Consulate General of Canada. Show less

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  Our Vote Our Future

  Sept 2012 - Nov 2012

  Volunteer - Phonebanking

  I'm spending Thursday nights until Election Day calling fellow Minnesotans to talk about the voter photo ID amendment that will be on the ballot in November, and sharing information that explains why the amendment is terrible for the state.

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  TurnStyle Consignment

  Oct 2012 - Apr 2013

  Sales Associate

  I really enjoy this job and the people I work with. Everybody works extremely hard to consign clients' quality goods, price goods according to company guidelines, take care of customers' questions, keep the store (as) organized (as possible), close down the store, report end-of-day sales figures to upper management, communicate with colleagues to fix problems and make sure operations flow smoothly from one day to the next. And I try to resist to urge to blow my paycheck on the items that come in the store. Especially those adorable Christmas tealights. Show less

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  Canadian Consulate General

  Jan 2013 - Jul 2013

  Receptionist/Consular Affairs Assistant

  I manage client inquiries via phone, email, voicemail, and in person. My consular duties include ensuring a well-stocked and presentable lobby and consular booth; assisting the Consular Affairs Officer with the processing of client case files with regard to proof of citizenship, passport renewal, and Canadian prisoners in the US. I was recently asked to begin curating the daily Media Scan for the public policy branch of the Consulate, an email digest which reaches the entire Minneapolis location. The work environment is wonderful and I hope to continue to grow my responsibilities. Show less

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  Hodges for Mayor

  Jul 2013 - Nov 2013

  Volunteer Phone Banker

  Happily call fellow Minneapolitans to encourage them to vote for the BEST candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis, Betsy Hodges. Inform voters how to find their polling place and how to obtain an absentee ballot. Also, collect data on voter feedback and information as well as my performance to report to a dedicated campaign organizer.

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  OfficeTeam

  Sept 2013 - Oct 2013

  Data Entry Operator

  Quickly and accurately enter data using XpressKey on behalf of a major client. Consistently performing above standard. Recently selected to provide backup for a supervisor level function and was given additional hours. Personal focus on getting to know my colleagues.

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  Friends of the Hennepin County Library

  Jan 2014 - Oct 2014

  Marketing and Communications Assistant

  Designed print and electronic marketing material including advertising, web banners, enewsletters, and more; Coordinated the quarterly newsletters and annual report; researched and recommended print vendors, and managed design timelines; Tracked organization’s media coverage and contributed to the organization’s social media; Spearheaded the signage and brand redesign of Friends of HCL Bookstore; Managed ticket sales, wrote speaker introductions, and designed signage for large-scale paid and free events; Executed daily website updates using WordPress; Wrote and edited press releases, event descriptions and other communications Show less

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  MacPhail Center for Music

  Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  Interim Development Data Coordinator

  Learned Raiser's Edge on the job and began entering gifts received via mail, lockbox, phone, and online in formats of stock, check, credit, and in kind within three weeks of starting. Placed emphasis on ensuring donor contact information and gift history was entered/updated accurately. Emailed daily summary of gifts received to Development and Executive staff. Generated acknowledgement letters via Raiser’s Edge, edited and personalized content, and ensured they were signed and sent within 72 hours of gift receipt. Reconciled gifts each month with Finance department and developed a process improvement plan to better align Development and Finance records. Provided assistance with large-scale donor mailings and internal projects as needed. Show less

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  Longfellow Alternative High School

  Sept 2015 - Oct 2019

  Office Specialist

  Managed personal records for 90+ students with accuracy and confidentiality, ensuring up-to-date information by establishing open communication with internal and external parties. Entered and audited credit values and grades for high school students on a quarterly basis in compliance with MN Department of Education policy to determine qualification for graduation. Streamlined student registration procedures with top school administration, reducing registration times and earning buy-in from other internal school partners. Established and launched a district-funded racial equity book club attended by 80% of staff, which received full funding in its second year and continually expanded outreach. Produced and distributed annual school newsletter, collaborating with students and staff to generate unique content and highlight relevant district events and accomplishments.I initiated a series of in-class discussions to encourage our students to learn about voting and their power as citizens. I presented the Student Election Judge Program which resulted in three students participating through the City of Minneapolis, as well as credit-earning opportunities in Math and Social Studies, and in eight young women voting for the first time who would otherwise been unheard. I am currently planning a set timeline to ensure I have time to work one-on-one with students - with the partnership of staff - to increase participation in 2017.Basic responsibilities include directing phone calls, welcoming guests and parents to our school, responding to and sending records requests to ensure students accomplishments are tracked, writing and designing intra-school communications such as newsletters (with focus on increased student participation), managing the registration process, entering confidential and critical data into the student records database, managing behavioral situations, and other duties as assigned. Show less

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  Macy's

  Nov 2015 - Jul 2017

  Gift Registry Advisor

  Promoted to the role of Gift Registry Advisor in November 2016. I guided couples through the process of creating their ideal gift registry for weddings, commitments, housewarmings, and anniversaries. This was done through one-on-one engagement with customers who came into a specific store or through outreach to customers who started registries online but had not yet visited a physical location. My goal was to provide memorable experiences for each person while exceeding personal and departmental goals. After 3.5 months in this role I ranked 5 out of 16 advisors in the sales region.I provide stellar customer service which results in consistently meeting or exceeding my sales goals. I am high-performing and continue to score highly in sales and customer experience feedback. My attention to detail resulted in almost $2,500 of merchandise being put back onto the sales floor instead of being marked damaged and taken off due to a supplier mistake in the tagging of the items. I also get along excellently with my colleagues at all tiers and continue to get positive feedback in that regard. Show less

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  State of Minnesota

  Oct 2018 - May 2024

  Independent Contractor, Financial Analysis

  Strategically curated real-time financial statement samples for a proprietary curriculum, consulting with organization leadership to identify needs and generate learning tools that filled knowledge gaps. Coached cross-functional teams and management on Office of Grants Management state policies, conducting three sessions of 25+ attendees to improve standards compliance. Curated real-life financial filings and translated salient state policy and FASB updates into straightforward curriculum that drove engagement, empowerment, and comprehension for staff. Served as a subject matter expert to mentor trainees, providing additional tools to increase capacity for financial analysis. Researched, compiled, and analyzed financial health data regarding Minnesota nonprofit grantees with budgets of >$4.1B, consulting with key stakeholders to recommend adjustments that enhanced stability and efficiency. Show less

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  Minneapolis Public Schools

  Oct 2019 - Jul 2021

  Senior Office Specialist, Budget Coordinator

  Oversees execution of federal title fund requests for 14 nonpublic schools within the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) service area. Establishes and tracks annual budgets in SAP Concur database, assigning accounting codes to purchases and comparing actuals to budgets to drive forecast accuracy. Verifies operational budget availability and transfers general ledger balances as needed to ensure all processes move forward as scheduled, collaborating with Finance team to report relevant changes to stakeholders. Cultivated new processes to streamline accounts payable, tracking stipend, invoice, and reimbursement request processes, improving effectiveness to reduce task times. Show less

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  NORTH COUNTRY FOOD ALLIANCE

  Apr 2020 - Sept 2021

  Finance Coordinator

  Delivers organizational support for a nonprofit through the implementation and teaching of GAAP, data analysis, budget projections, and profit and loss management. Manages QuickBooks transaction verification, improving efficiencies by assigning detailed categorizations and labels for all products and services. Conducts monthly reconciliations for operational spend, compiling and referencing internal expense reports to clarify any incomplete or ambiguous data. Creates and implements record-keeping practices on a company-wide scale to improve accuracy and productivity across finance department team members of diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Coordinates cross-functionally with Propel Nonprofits to generate organizational development strategies, translating needs into actionable solutions that impact the reach and scope of NCFA’s services. Show less

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  Propel Nonprofits

  Aug 2021 - now

  Loan Officer & Financial Specialist

  Produces trusted and informed loan underwriting based on clear analysis of financial reporting and strong nonprofit client relationships. Further provides clarity and analysis to clients through the provision of technical assistance. Underwrites, closes, and services $5.2M loan portfolio comprised of 36 loans grown over 2 years. Provides technical assistance to over 30 unique clients. Coordinates referrals to other Propel departments, ensuring clients can access a full range of services. Presents at least 10 training sessions per fiscal year to the public and Propel clients on topics such as true program costs budgeting, cash flow projection management, and fundamentals of nonprofit finance which are also provided through technical assistance. Develops and maintains external relationships with sector partners. Accomplishes key tasks with Salesforce, DownHome Solutions, Excel, additional Microsoft Office programs, and Adobe Acrobat. Show less