I have been insainly busy, but I havent forgotten to keep blogging! Last Week was a bit manic, I have stopped wroking on Mondays (woo, a day off) So when I go in on Tuesday, there is quite a bit to do, especialy if it has been my weekend off (I work every other weekend)!
I have also been to my first ever Area Meeting, Got to meet all of the other managers in East Anglia and The Area Manager was there, also the Area Manager's Mangaer! So lots of big people, I had to introduce myself, Hello, My name is Stephanie... Felt like saying 'and I am an alcoholic' But I thik, I am Stowmarket's Deputy was more like it, maybe my sence of weird humor wouldn't be appreciated!
I found this Meeting, Well more of a whole day thing, I found it usefull and interesting. Learnt alot, We focused on Theft and Fraud in the shop, both from Customers and Staff and Volunteers. Was shocking some of the stories I heard! And got some usefull information on shop security and how to deal with fraud and thefts from staff, which makes me angry at the thought!
Other than the big meeting, I have been very busy with my new campaign work! This is slightly more exciting, I have started the first Oxfam Campaign group in Suffolk, Starting in Stowmarket and surrounding villages, Hopefully my aim is to branch out to Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds! Exciting stuff! I am currently brushing up on everyhting Oxfam does, all my facts and figures and Everything I need to Know about campaigning. Being the organised little bee that I am, it is all highlighted, all the bits I really need to know and filed in a fetching orange file!
To start monthly newsletters for my e-mail list I am gathering through Staff and Customers, And hopefully soon I will be organising a meeting, I would like to get everyone who supports Oxfam's work together and talk and learn together, and as the group grows, organise events and fundraisers. Then I can start to allocate roles as it grows bigger and bigger! I have one year...Lets see how it goes!
Along with this I am still, yes still, writing my shop guide, it has literally been months! But it is nearly finished, so close now! I'd say way before the end of Novenmber! Everyday I seem to find more to add (or those horrific spelling mistakes) as well as the organisation of pages and titles...the boring bit!
To round off the week, as you probably saw my photos, I had my own market stall, Was a very cold day, but made a healthy amount for Oxfam! It was fun (not having to get up early) doing it and organising it! I half took it upon myself to price everything and get it ready, took about 2 days before to be fully ready, and the other half was a challenge set upon me by my manager, she let me do my own thing but when I needed guidance she was able to help me, things like, I needed some contacts for the local council for a gazebo and a pitch!
The day was long and cold, like I said, But we had some wonderful items on the stall, and some lush shoes! Unfortunatley we didn't sell everything, but what did not sell has gone back onto the shop floor so people who did see something on the stall can have a chance to buy it for the next 2 weeks, unless it sells! It also was a great chance to promote the shop, we didn't go all out on balloons and posters and lots of green, we kept it simple. I say this is by choice, but the fact of the matter was I ran out of time, However this worked in my favor, People who wouldn't normaly come into the shop were looking at the stall, and it was interesting to see people reaction when I explained who we were, some people were chuffed and didn't mind, but some people you could tell they were thinking, run, run away!
So between meeting the big bosses, being a campaign maniac and freezing my toes off in aid of showing people that Oxfam and charity shops do have nice clothes that don't smell, I have had some sort of life! (I say that, I go singing with my mum on a Thursday night, I am so wild) But am having a well deserved night out with the girlies this weekend, let my hair down!
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