Form Name: School Board Trustee Application Submission Time: June 12, 2016 8:23 am Browser: Chrome 51.0.2704.84 / Windows 7 IP Address: 68.41.72.64 Unique ID: 259484988 Location: 42.383800506592, -82.923500061035 â School Board Trustee Application Today's Date Jun 12, 2016 Applicant Name: Je Donna Dinges Email Address Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230 Phone: Spouse Name (if any): Darrell Dinges Number of Years of Residence 7 Children (optional) College: University of Detroit Major: Communications BA Liberal Arts 1987 Employer, dates and position for the 2014-Current Owner, Margaux & Max Boutique past 10 years 2011-2014 HR, Operations Administrator and Research Associate, JFM Consulting Group, 2010-2011 Project Manager Detroit Parent Network 2008-2009 Community Building Organizer Friends School in Detroit 2003-2008 Employee Benefits Representative Colonial Supplemental Insurance
Major duties in each position: Margaux & Max Manage daily operations. Providing outstanding customer service; purchasing and maintaining inventory, visual presentation, marketing and generally working to ensure the financial success of the boutique. JFM Consulting Group Developed Employee Handbook as well as new hire orientation materials. Handled all HR functions including new hire orientation and paperwork processing, payroll, expenses, time reports, and employee benefits. Conducted benefits negotiations. Assured compliance with provisions of all benefits and HR legislation including those required under IRS Section 125. Provided cost benefits analysis of all employee benefit plans. Reviewed and audited invoices from benefits providers for accuracy. Used Project Management software to track and manage project timelines, to ensure that deadlines were met. Coordinated and tracked tasks related to specific projects. Prepared and edit meeting minutes, presentations and tables. Edited, proofread and prepare reports for printing. Setup and coordinated meetings and conferences including travel arrangements. Supported staff in assigned project based work. Assisted with project related research and analysis. Served as a point of contact to clients; responding to questions and requests for information, as well as resolve problems to ensure client satisfaction. Detroit Parent Network Supported 54 schools in the development, assessment and implementation of parent engagement policies programs and plans in accordance with Title I Part A, No Child Left Behind. Worked with parents and school organizations of record at assigned schools to develop or revise a school/parent compact which, outlines shared responsibilities for improved student achievement. Assisted schools and parents with developing school's parental involvement policy which outlines federal parent involvement mandates and shared responsibilities. Built relationships with community partners to ensure needs of families in schools are being met such as: Gleaners Community Food Bank, Our Lady of Good Council Church, Neighborhood Legal Services, and Habitat for Humanity. Developed programs designed to help parents improve their children's achievement in core academic subjects. Provided information and conduct informational training sessions in Grade Level Expectations to increase parental skill levels in assisting students with academic achievement.
Provided information and conduct informational training sessions for school staff in the value and utility of parental contributions, community building and the need for parent partnerships. Created daily, weekly and monthly reporting formats for all project reports to the school district. Managed and maintained two Parent Resource Centers which includes development of workshops, budget oversight, as well as staff management. Responsible for writing daily, weekly and monthly reports to the school district. Attended bi-weekly status meeting with the school district. Recruited, interviewed hired and managed staff, as well as maintained all employee time keeping. Friends School in Detroit Friends School in Detroit Established Friends School in Detroit as an integral part of the community by developing partnerships with community organizations, public, private and charter schools, churches and community leaders. Planned and hosted Arise Detroit Neighborhood Day program for over 250 Lafayette and Elmwood Village residents. Acquired over $10,000 in good in services to ensure that the event was free and open to the entire community. Donations obtained included: Food and beverages, entertainment, health screenings, and school supplies. Empowered community residents to work together for the good of the community. Colonial Supplemental Insurance Company Marketed group and supplemental benefits through a top-down sales approach to Directors, Managers, as well as other key decision-makers to assist both small and large organization in achieving tactical and strategic objectives. Provided clients with input to determine strategies for employees represented by unions and as well as non-represented employee. Conducted strategic analysis of plan designs with recommendations for renewal. Maintained records and communication with clients to ensure customer satisfaction and retention. Assisted clients in preparation and distribution of annual benefits statements. Conducted research and analysis of employers current benefits packages as well as modified or added to plans to help employers to attract and retain quality employees. Provided employee Benefits Communications of all current benefits offered by employers including; explanation of plan descriptions, and summaries of material modifications. Agent Liaison for strategic accounts: Detroit Police Officer's
Association, and the City of Detroit. Provided support to Labor Relations unions to develop effective strategies to negotiate for benefits.
List committee, booster club, PTO or other function/group name, time period of involvement, level of involvement and offices held List community group, club or function/group name, time period of involvement, level of involvement and offices held. How many of the Board meetings have you personally attended in the last 12 months? How many of the Board work session meetings have you attended as an observer during the last 12 months? How many of the School Board subcommittee meetings have you attended over the last 12 months? How many hours per month do you anticipate spending on School Board related issues or functions? Are there any specific times or days of the month due to prior commitments that you are not available for Board related functions? Volunteer for Choir-- Arts Academy in The Woods 2016 Clinic Volunteer Pierce Middle School Grosse Pointe Park 2011-2013 Friends School in Detroit, Co-Chair of Annual "Empty Bowls" Fundraiser to fight hunger, 2003-2008 Responsible for development of the event from inception to completion. Responsible for budgeting, scheduling, event logistics, pre-event prep, on-site support and event closeout. Developed and maintained relationships with local eateries in order to negotiate donations for event. Recruited and trained volunteers. Coordinated the production of all marketing materials, including fliers, programs, invitations and signage. Partnered with Detroit Public Library for cross promotion to benefit Darfur (2007). Member Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods NAACP Candidate for State Representative, Primary 2006 Placed second out of a field of three candidates with 29% of the vote. Secured support and endorsements of: The Detroit Free Press, SEIU Local 3, SEIU Local 79, SEIU Local 517M, SEIU Michigan State Council, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, Labor Alliance, Million Mom March/Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, National Organization of Women, Michigan Chapter, Michigan Women's Campaign Fund, 13th Congressional District Democratic Organization. Planned and conducted three successful fundraisers. Developed literature and marketing materials. 0 0 0 50 No
Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Education? What are your goals for service on the Board of Education? What do you view as the most important or pressing issue facing the Board of Education in the next 2 years? I wish to serve on the Board of Education because I am part of the change that is occurring in our district. As a mother of a South student in a bi-racial family, I understand the challenges we face as a community in the 21st century. To be supportive of the schools and to work to enhance the education of the young people in our community. I feel that the most pressing issues facing the Board of Education in the next 2 the year is addressing issues around diversity and inclusion and closing the achievement gap.
Letter of Interest Letter of Interest to the Grosse Pointe Public School Board of Education - Open seat June 12, 2016 Grosse Pointe Board of Education 389 St. Clair Grosse Pointe, MI 49230 Dr. Niehaus and the Board of Education, I read about the School Board Trustee position that is available and I am submitting a letter of interest for the position. I am applying for the board because I am part of the change that is occurring in our district. As a mother of a South student in a bi-racial family, I understand the challenges we face as a community in the 21st century. The Grosse Pointe School District is the one place in our society where the best of our great country works together and learns together in order to create a better future. We have the opportunity to embrace that future with courage, compassion and understanding. And it all starts with the leadership we provide as Trustees on the school board. As a small business owner of a retail store in the Pointes, I serve our neighbors and understand the challenges our families face -- black or white, wealthy or middle class -- we are all working to give our children the best education they can have to be successful in an increasingly diverse and competitive world. Our schools bring the larger world to our children in the classroom and increasingly our classroom is bigger than the walls of our schools because of technology. I understand this as a mother and a businesswoman. I bring the love of a mother, the passion of an entrepreneur and the pioneering spirit of a Grosse Pointer. In my work with Detroit Parent Network I gained a wealth of experience working with Title I schools, which helped me to understand Title I guidelines and requirements. As the landscape of education changes in the Grosse Pointes over the next few years I believe having Trustees and teachers who are versed in understanding Title I, AYP and the achievement gap will be crucial. We are the future we have been waiting for and that future is now. I will work with the members of the board so that all of our children will continue the legacy of success that is the Grosse Pointe School System. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this exciting opportunity further.
Sincerely, Je Donna Dinges
Acknowledgment Agree