Lessons I learned as the Student Representative to the MVF Board

by Olivia Ormsby, MVF Student Representative

In March of 2024, I was elated to learn that I had been selected to be the Student Representative on the Montgomery Village Foundation Board of Directors. As a lifelong resident of Montgomery Village, I thought I already knew how the Village operated. However, interning over the summer and attending MVF Board meetings throughout the year taught me many professional and personal lessons, revealing a different side of the community I love.

In the monthly Board meetings, I had the opportunity to hear from residents about issues the Village was facing and observe the Board members’ real-time reactions and plans to address challenges. By reading the Executive Vice President’s Report and MVF department updates, I gained insight into the small changes and successes that keep the Village moving forward. From hiring new personnel in recreation to adopting new architectural standards, the Board meetings demonstrated what effective collaboration should look like.

One of the most interesting parts of this experience was the Board retreat in June. Up until then, the monthly Board meetings mostly covered smaller changes or updates on existing projects. However, during the retreat, I observed how Board members advocated for new initiatives to help the community. I also had the opportunity to participate by sharing my opinions and suggestions. As a result of this retreat, one of my ideas – to host an event celebrating diversity – was approved as my summer project to put together.

During my summer internship, I had the opportunity to observe and learn from MVF employees in action, gaining an understanding of the day-to-day work of each department and how that work would be crucial to the diversity project I was planning, as well as to the functioning of the whole Village. For example, I shadowed the Administration and Finance Department as they processed payroll. I joined the Recreation and Parks Department for a pool and parks inspection. Beyond observing, I gained firsthand experience. During my week with the Human Resources Department, I conducted stay interviews with staff members to better understand what they value as employees and how they envision MVF’s future. In the Communications Department, I helped create calendars and wrote program descriptions for the Village News. Through these projects, I saw how the different departments collaborated and supported each other in achieving their goals.

Although there was plenty of work in this internship, it was balanced with one-on-one connections and enjoyable moments. Some of the biggest takeaways came from unplanned conversations. For instance, I discussed leadership philosophy and staff motivation with Mike Conroy, MVF Executive Vice President. I received career advice and tips for collaborating with new people from Director of Communications Ruth Stadius. I even accompanied Christopher Hitchens, General Counsel, on trips to court, and we discussed legislative initiatives with Senator Nancy King.

This internship has been an amazing experience, exposing me to numerous opportunities, information and people. Beyond gaining a deeper understanding of my community and the law, the field I aspire to work in, I discovered new interests, such as writing, and I developed a deeper appreciation for the Montgomery Village community. Working with the Board members during the year and with the MVF staff throughout the summer has made me a more understanding and collaborative person. It has also empowered me to take risks, as I now have greater knowledge of different industries and how people work in teams.

I feel that being the Student Representative to the MVF Board of Directors has prepared me to excel in college, both personally and professionally. I strongly encourage any future high school student considering this position to apply. Being the Student Representative is a unique opportunity to learn more about your intended career field and your community while being open to exploring new and interesting fields that you may never have considered before.