What makes GTECH great Posted on May 2, 2017 by wpengine Share this post As my official last week of my internship here at GTECH commences, I wanted to reflect on my time as an intern, my favorite experiences, and why I am proud to call myself a GTECHer. This past weekend I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with my Masters in Social Work, with a concentration in Community and Social Action (COSA). Many people do not associate social workers with nonprofits who work with communities to reclaim and invest in vacant land, but I can assure you that this is exactly where I/we are needed. The range of perspective, direct experience with individuals and communities, and nonprofit management courses are assets to any organization, and I am thankful to the team at GTECH for helping me recognize (and support) my contribution. The following are five experiences, quotes, or day-to-day activities that have resonated with me, made me a stronger social worker, and made me most proud to represent GTECH. 1.Full Circle at the ‘swag’ table The second or third week into my internship we gathered at Wigle Whiskey for our Entrepreneurial Spirits event, and I volunteered to work at the “swag table” (picture below). I recall being nervous to talk about what GTECH did, and stood by Evaine’s side as she recited a few variations of GTECH’s “elevator speech.” Fast forward to now, I am proud to say that not only do I have a GTECH elevator speech, but I could talk on end about what the team is doing and where we are headed! 2.Staff Meetings Like many nonprofits, we have a weekly meeting to stay abreast of what’s going on with the organization and with everybody’s projects. Every week, a GTECH team member leads the meetings and picks any question to ask the staff (ranging from favorite movie to questions that require a bit more thought). This practice should be implemented in all nonprofits because it levels the playing field. Personally, having that role made me feel like a team player from the get-go. No matter title, intern or executive director, we all have shared the responsibility of leading the staff meetings (I failed to mention that the designated team leader also gets to empty the trash and take out compost!). 3. Spring Break in DC! In April, over my spring break, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to present at the Environmental Justice Conference with Evaine, James, and Sarah. Bonding with the team was great but even greater was the confidence I gained from putting together a presentation with Evaine and presenting it in front of nearly 100 people. Evaine and I are presenting below. Presenting at the NEJC Conference in D.C. 4.Three Questions Last week I attended Green Building Alliance’s Inspire Speaker Series, Environmental Justice and Civic Conversation. The panel consisted of leaders throughout the community, including GTECH’s very own, Evaine K. Sing. What I am most proud of GTECH for can be summed up in Evaine’s response to the prompt; Tolstoy’s three questions: What is the right time to begin something? When you have all of the information and tools that you need to get it done. Which people should you listen to? Anyone who is going to be impacted by what you do. What is the most important thing for him to do? What is the right thing to do? “ensure you can follow up to whatever you promised to do” Above: Evaine presenting on Environmental Justice and Green Playces! 5.The TEAM! If you didn’t already know, the team here is AWESOME. Thank you, team, for supporting me and allowing me to grow and help out with projects– y’all rock, and I can’t wait to stay on as a GTECH team member throughout the summer!