Editors Zimkhitha Mlanzeli and Jodi Els doing their thing…
In Thomas Wolf’s book, Managing a Nonprofit Organization in the Twenty-First Century, he says that the single most important defining characteristic of any non-profit organisation is the people who work within it. Paid. Unpaid. Staff. Volunteers. Because of severe financial constraints, non-profits have to ensure that everyone’s skills are utilised to the fullest possible extent. And when someone volunteers their time and their skills, it is of the utmost importance that they know how much their work is appreciated.
One person that we would like to thank for bringing her experience and passion to the FunDza table, is Jodi Els. Jodi is volunteering as one of the editors of the FunDza Fanz writers. There has been a huge increase of stories being sent to us in recent months so her help is greatly needed.
Jodi was told about FunDza by a friend and loved the idea that South African youth have access to stories and content that is relevant to their lives and immediately felt compelled to become involved. Her children are at school in the mornings and it has left her with free time. Unfortunately not enough time for a part-time position, but with enough time for her to tap into her need to give back to the South African community and at the same time make her feel that her skills are being utilised. She says another more personal motivation for volunteering is: ‘It’s nice to be mommy. But it’s really hard to be only mommy.’
Jodi finds that she can relate to the need the FunDza Fanz have to write because she wrote a lot as a youngster especially about teenage angst.
“It is the most inspirational thing to me. Some of these young writers are writing in their second or third language. And a lot of them are writing on their phones and they are writing like eight pages. It just goes to show, if you have something to say, if you have that writing need, it will out!”
Jodi studied English, Psychology and Political Science at NMMU (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) in Port Elizabeth and whilst completing her degree also dabbled in journalism. She says that it is amazing to work with FunDza and in some ways she feels a level of fulfilment at now being able to bring her skills and passions together. And maybe this work will even inspire her to start writing again.
To date Jodi has edited seven stories for FunDza and is currently editing a 37 page story. One of the challenges for her is finding the balance between praising a writer and giving constructive criticism. She deals with it by using the Dale Carnegie approach of sandwiching the negative with the positive. We think that she is doing just fine in that department and the FunDza Fanz writers agree. Philip Vuyo Kaasi (you can see his profile here), one of Fanz writers gave Jodi this feedback:
“Dear Mam
I am highly appreciative of your feedback. I am grateful for your bluntness and honesty. The only way we will improve in whatever it is we are doing is to be willing to get feedback, whether the feedback is what we expected or not. The feedback must be embraced. Thank you very much. God bless you and the organization you work for.
Kind Regards
Philip Vuyo Kaasi”
Jodi, thank you!
“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”
~Sherry Anderson
PS: Jodi has not been allowed to edit this blogpost 😉