Donna Zehner
Estimated Time Analysis
Year of Service Breakdown
Expand Our Reach
Who are we targeting?
- Women
Where do we generally find women in Montana?
1. Social Events
2. Schools
Hula Hooping Contest
Description:
In Montana there are 44 4-H Fairs and 36 rodeos. As Miss Montana Volunteer, I will continue hosting hula hooping contest at these events to raise funds for the Miss Montana Volunteer Program. In this contest, people normally donate $5 - $10 to challenge me in seeing who can hula hoop longer. If they win, they get their $5 back, and if I win then I keep the bets they placed. I also use these events to connect with local 4-H/rodeo royal and court, as well as speak with community members about our organization.
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Goal:
Is to fundraise and increase recruitment for the Miss Montana Volunteer Program.
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Purpose:
Is to the enhance the Miss Montana Volunteer Organization by attending large scale community events.
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4-H Fair Schedule
Pro Rodeo Schedule
Segment on Science Hobbies
Description:
According to the Pew Research Center, only 2 in 10 people have an interest in science-related hobbies, yet millions of Americans enjoy the outdoors every year. This demonstrates a clear misunderstanding of the general public's perception of science hobbies. As Miss Montana Volunteer, my plan is to continue to host outdoor science hobby events every month and create videos about the experience that leaves people with enjoyment and action items to apply to their lives. Located here is a sample video of one of these events.
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Goal:
Is to bring people together for an event to connect science with outdoor activities. The goal with the videos are to expand the reach to a larger audience to promote an active lifestyle and utilizing our public lands.
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Purpose:
1. Only 1 in 4 people follow a science social media page (Pew Research Facility). By creating short entertaining videos this will increase the people following a science page.
2. Is to get people thinking about the activities they do involving science and being fun.
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Sample Video
Trivia Nights
Description:
As Miss Montana Volunteer I want to expand upon my trivia nights with the Eureka Creative Arts to trivia nights in partnership with local restaurants, saloons, and community events. These trivia nights normally have questions focused on the science related to current issues in today’s society and the Miss Volunteer America Organization. After the event, I always post all trivia questions to social media to engage with people virtually.
Goal:
Is to help people improve information literacy and expand the outreach of the Miss America Volunteer Organization.
Purpose:
Is to raise awareness for the importance of incorporating verified facts into decision making and expand people's knowledge of the Miss Volunteer America Organization.
Virtual Trivia Display
Are you Science Savvy?
Description:
This activity is in partnership with local restaurants, malls, and community events to make appearances, host meet and greets, and provide people the opportunity to participate in a fun challenge I call, “Are you Science Savvy?”. The challenge includes answering a series of science questions related to current societal issues. With permission from each participant, their answers will be recorded and edited together to create a video published on social media. The winners who answer all questions correctly win prizes sponsored by the venue. As the next Miss Montana Volunteer, my plan is to host these same events once every month to help with recruitment efforts.
Goal:
Is to raise awareness for the Miss Montana Volunteer competition by meeting Montanans in public spaces.
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Purpose:
Is to expand recruitment efforts to more public spaces while also advocating for my social impact initiative, Savvy Science, and increasing the number of people who incorporate science in their everyday decision making.
Sample Videos
US Forest Service Commercial
Description:
I currently work at the Mt. Marston Fire Lookout Tower in Eureka, Montana where one of my primary responsibilities is interacting with the public for the Forest Service. This is my fourth year working for the Forest Service and with the title of Miss Montana Volunteer, I want to use my connections to create a mutually beneficial recruitment video.
There is currently a shortage of wildland firefighters, yet, in our state, there is an increase in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires. As Miss Montana Volunteer, I would use my existing partnership with the Forest Service to promote the Miss Volunteer America Organization by showcasing me, in the various roles people can serve as a wildland firefighter. Included here is an initial list of the footage I would obtain for the video.
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Distribution:
The 15 - 90 second video would be distributed to over 400 Town Pump gas stations across our state.
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Partnerships:
United States Forest Service & Town Pump
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Goal:
Is to increase recruitment for the organization by distributing footage of Miss Montana Volunteer at easily accessible locations across the state that grabs the public attention with action-packed activities.
Purpose:
Is to promote both the Miss Montana Competition and Wildland Firefighting.
Colleges in Montana
Description:
My plan as Miss Montana Volunteer is to contact all 27 colleges and the 8 cosmetology schools in Montana and verify Miss Volunteer America is on their scholarship list.
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Goal:
Is to increase recruitment by covering our basis in making sure each college in Montana has our program listed on their scholarship page.
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Purpose:
By having our organization listed as scholarship websites we will be directly targeting young women actively searching for scholarship dollars in Montana.
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Information Literacy Presentations
Description:
I currently give presentations for Savvy Science to improve information literacy throughout our state. As Miss Montana Volunteer, I would add talking points about the Miss Volunteer America Organization to my existing interactive activities and continue these presentations throughout my year of service. Specifically, I've prepared a list of schools with contact information to perform a school tour which include, 28 elementary schools and 15 high/middle schools in the north west portion of Montana. Here you can find not only the Montana school districts I plan to focus on, but also the presentation slides.
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Goal:
Is to make sure every student I interact with feels touched and connected to both science and the Miss Volunteer America organization. Additionally, I want each person to have a tangible item to leave with, such as an individual polaroid picture, a digital photo, or a signed autograph card.
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Purpose:
Is to increase both recruitment for the organization and information literacy in northwest Montana.
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Partnerships:
I am partnering with Chris Ferris, a children's book author who simplifies scientific concepts.
Elementary School Presentation
Middle & High School Presentation
Partnership: Childrens Books
Adult Presentation
Science Communication Workshop
Description:
I have developed a course called, “Science Communication for Students Studying Science” that fills a need in post-secondary education for helping students relay scientific information to the public. The goal of the course is to help connect science to society by directly teaching students skills in science communication. I have transformed my 10–12-week course into a 10-minute workshop. As the next Miss Montana Volunteer, my plan is to perform a college tour where I present my workshop to students at each of the 27 colleges in Montana. Additionally, during these workshops I plan to explain the scholarship and career benefits of the Miss Volunteer America Organization to enhance recruitment for the Miss Montana Volunteer Organization.
Goal:
Is to increase both recruitment for the organization and science communication in Montana.
Purpose:
Is to expand the Miss Montana Volunteer recruitment outreach by using my workshop as a doorway into university classrooms. Once in those classrooms, students are provided information about the scholarship program and skills in science communication such as, (emotion recognition, empathic responding, and the imago dialogue).
Enable Our Women
Enable our women by providing them affordable resources
Science Translations
Description:
This is a social media post that occurs once every two weeks where I take an issue and explain a scientific aspect about it. The public can submit questions through my online form called science queries. Each post is meant to provide a starting point/new information on the issue. Included here is an example of what the post looks like.
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Goal:
Is to provide additional information and resources to issues related and unrelated to the competition.
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Purpose:
Is to increase the number of people who use science to make everyday decisions.
Instagram Feed Preview
Snap Inc. Permission Granted
Example of Instagram Post
Virtual Closet
Description:
Cost is one of the biggest hurdles for candidates. To make the competition more affordable, I plan to create a virtual closet. Shown below is a sample of what the virtual closet would look like. This is a google spreadsheet that can be shared to any woman with an email. The items in this closet remain with the owners. The cost of the item is the shipping & handling (which could be picked up in person and = $0) as well as the dry-cleaning fee, which will be paid to the owner of the garment. If damages occurred to the item while in the barrower possession, the barrower would sign prior to picking up the item an agreement to pay either for repairs or the original price. My plan is to contact current and previous candidates, previous titleholders, and advertise on social media to spread the word about being able to make money off your personal wardrobe. To take the first step in doing this, I have created a virtual closet request form shown to the right.
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Goal:
Is to reduce cost-associated barriers for candidates.
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Purpose:
Is to have a resource for candidates that is mutually beneficial for both the barrower and owner.
Competition Insights
Description:
My plan is to target the low enrollment at the Miss Montana Volunteer pageant by providing competition seminars over zoom. These virtual seminars will discuss the various aspects and phases of competition to help women feel prepared. Each seminar will be 30 minutes and cost $5.00 to attend, with an estimated total of 25 seminars. My plan is to hold one seminar every Saturday. Additionally, I plan to pair my school tours with an after-school activity to provide in person assistance about the competition to also enhance recruitment for the seminars. These seminars will be recorded and available for purchase on the Miss Montana Volunteer website. To gain interest for the seminars I have done a virtual series called, "The Mini America Series" which are 30-90 second videos. A sample video has been included.
Goal:
Is to decrease access barriers about how to be competitive in the competition and increase our enrollment.
Purpose:
Is to show we as an organization recognize the importance of helping women be competitive and successful in both the competition and life. Specifically, by providing this affordable avenue.
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Sample Video Mini America Series
Elevate our Organization
Elevate our organization with sponsorship, science, and marketing.
Science Adventures
Description:
This is a video series occurring once a month, where I partner with different career professionals to showcase the direct correlation for how the Miss America Volunteer Organization prepares women for exciting careers in science.
Goal:
Is to show places careers in science can take woman and how the Miss America Volunteer Organization prepares women for those careers.
Purpose:
Is to share new perspectives for the work women in science perform, how their work impacts the lives of everyday citizens, and the relevant skills gained from the Miss Volunteer America Organization.
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Sample Videos and table of schedule
Sponsorships
1. Professional Sponsorship Plan
Description: To the right is a continuous updateable excel spreadsheet I created for the items I will use during my year of service. For each item I’ve included an image, the price, and a description of its purpose. I’ve utilized this printout to show sponsors that I am a business equal and can provide a clear outline for them of what their donation will be used for. Additionally, it provides businesses the autonomy to fully or partially sponsor an item.
Goal: Is to raise funds and build sponsorships during my year of service.
Purpose: Is to allow businesses to see candidates for Miss Montana as a business equal and target specifically how I can make sponsor feel charitable and have autonomy over their donations.
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2. Community Reinvestment Act
Description: My plan is to target the 52 banks in Montana. Banks are required by law to give a percentage of their revenue back to the community. As the next Miss Montana Volunteer, I am a apart of the community and specifically my serve project is focus on information literacy
For most things to be considered eligible for Community Reinvestment Act credit, the sponsorship, activity, or event has to be pretty targeted. The targeted areas are generally minorities, low to moderate income individuals, affordable housing, financial literacy, etc. Specifically with the marketing handouts described below in "Marketing Materials" to obtain funding through the CRA.
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Goal: Is to improve information literacy in our communities and promote the Miss Montana Volunteer Organization by distributing resources.
Purpose: Is as Miss Montana Volunteer to receive assistance from banks to help improve information literacy in our communities.
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3. Tax Write Offs
Description: With the Miss Volunteer America Foundation being a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that processes scholarships for recipients across the country. I have created a list of individuals, small businesses, and corporations to target to increase the scholarship dollars for the Miss Montana Volunteer competition.
Goal: Is to increase scholarship funds for the organization.
Purpose: One way to attract more candidates to the Miss Montana competition is to increase the scholarships funds participants can receive. Tax deductions are a mutually beneficial way to raise scholarships funds.
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4. Science Savvy Spotlight
Description: The Science Savvy Spotlight is a way each month to connect with creators and organizations online to spread awareness about Savvy Science and our organization.
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Goal: Is to gain new sponsors, followers, or partnerships by rewarding the ones we currently have.
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Purpose: Is to highlight partnerships, sponsors, or create new connections to elevate our organization.
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Marketing Materials
Description:
I’ve marketed “Savvy Science – Think Like a Scientist” in-person, online, and remotely. As Miss Montana Volunteer I will market the organization in-person by including organizational information on my handouts: "Six ways to verify information in <10 sec”, “List of Science Communication Resources”, and “Think Like a Scientists Steps”. I will continue to answer questions pertaining to the organization and pageant specific issues online via my science queries form. And remotely, my plan is to digitally the send the flyers with the savvy science resources to schools around the state.
Goal: Is to increase recruitment, sponsorships, and partnerships for the Miss Montana Volunteer Organization.
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Purpose:
By getting our information and resources out to the public we can elevate our organization.​
