{"id":7153,"date":"2018-10-24T15:33:06","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T19:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cityplanning\/?page_id=7153"},"modified":"2019-09-16T11:29:48","modified_gmt":"2019-09-16T15:29:48","slug":"joyce-sanchez","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cityplanning\/jobs-internships\/directed-internship-program-dip\/joyce-sanchez\/","title":{"rendered":"Joyce Sanchez"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Historic Preservation Commission – City of Somerville<\/p>\n

This semester, I worked as a Preservation Planning intern for the City of Somerville\u2019s Historic Preservation Commission. Though the commission is a part of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Engagement, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission\u2019s role is to keep Somerville\u2019s history alive by protecting historic properties, collecting photos and documents, and educating the community about Somerville\u2019s rich history through various events. So from helping making the Preservation Awards happen to planning the 2018 Somerville Jane\u2019s Walk, I contributed to this effort in a unique way and truly enjoyed engaging with the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three projects from my internship that I\u2019m proud to highlight is shifting the volunteer docent program process to an online platform, building a media presence for the commission, and planning the city\u2019s 7<\/span>th<\/span> Jane\u2019s Walk. <\/span><\/p>\n

Docent Program \u2013 Shifting the Scheduling to an Online Platform<\/b><\/p>\n

From May through October, Somerville sponsors an all-volunteer Docent Program with 3 separate sites open to the public, which include the Milk Row Cemetery, the Prospect Hill Tower, and the Powder House in Nathan Tufts Park. <\/span><\/p>\n

To make signing up for shifts easier for those that expressed interest in being a volunteer, I used the online platform called SignUp Genius, a FREE online software tool for volunteer management and event planning. On Sign Up Genius, volunteers can now sign up for shifts, cancel shifts, view everyone\u2019s sign ups in real time, and much more independently. Though, because of the recent switch, I sent out step-by-step, detailed instructions on how to use features on the website. <\/span><\/p>\n

Social Media: Building an Audience through Facebook and Email<\/b><\/p>\n

In an effort to engage a larger audience for our events and programs, I took the lead on building a media presence on Facebook and through email. Aside from posting any upcoming SHPC events, I posted a \u201cSomerville Fact of the Week\u201d, engaging thousands of people on a weekly basis organically and though additional shares by our followers. During my time as an intern, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission Facebook page consistently has at least 10 page visits every week, an average of 5 page likes per week, and went from reaching hundreds of people to reaching 15,000 people or more (posts, check-ins, ads, and social information from people who interact with your Page) on a weekly basis. <\/span><\/p>\n

I also sent out emails to our database of followers using MailChimp, sending the SHPC subscribers created flyers and information about events coming up. Growing our list to nearly 1,000 people, the SHPC now has at least one-third of subscribers view every email sent. At most, we\u2019ve have 40% of subscribers view an email, 31.7 percent being ages 25-34 and majority female. <\/span><\/p>\n

2018 Somerville Jane\u2019s Walk<\/b><\/p>\n

Continuing our effort to engage and educate, I was granted the opportunity to organize the 2018 Somerville Jane\u2019s Walk during my time as an intern. It was Somerville\u2019s 7<\/span>th<\/span> year hosting a Jane\u2019s Walk, a movement that encourages people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and connect with their neighbors hundreds of in cities across the globe.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the weeks leading up the event, preparation that ensured success of the event included flyer creation, researching businesses, route planning, outreach to businesses for invitation and confirmation, email blasts, and social media promotion. On the day of the event, we had over 40 people — parents, children, college students, and retirees \u2013 on a Jane\u2019s Walk that highlighted the recreational spaces and innovative entrepreneurship in the city. From selling athletic wear that helps funds clean water projects around the globe to bikers that deliver fresh food to residents, we visited businesses that gave tour attendees a deeper look into the city of Somerville, encouraging them to not only walk around their neighborhood more often but to support local businesses that make Somerville so unique. This event was a great success and I look forward to organizing Jane\u2019s Walk in Boston next year. <\/span><\/p>\n

What I Learned from Being a City Government Intern<\/b><\/p>\n

Through these projects and just being in the office, I had an up-close opportunity to see how city government can educate a growing city and learned how important it is to learn how to connect with people from all walks of life. I spent the semester working around a team of dedicated, hard-working City Hall staff and had countless conversations with residents from all the different Somerville neighborhoods. So below, I share two of many takeaways from this experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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