MVF Student Representative Reflection

In 2021, despite the COVID-19 crisis, I was given the opportunity to work at Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) and on the MVF Board of Directors as the MVF Student Representative. I got the opportunity to sit in on the virtual Board of Directors meetings, as well as spend my summer interning at the MVF Office and getting to know the parts that make Montgomery Village work.

During my summer internship, I spent each week working with the different departments and learning about what they do and how all of the departments work together to make Montgomery Village run. Each department had its own way of doing things and functioned as a close-knit community of its own.

Throughout the summer, I got to participate in numerous projects, such as the Green Plan with Duncan in the Recreation and Parks department. I was in charge of putting together the beginning of the plan. With Duncan, we visited different electric car charging stations to get an idea of future projects for MVF. I helped the Conservation Corps with cleaning Lake Whetstone when it was drained. I visited the numerous pools in Montgomery Village, met many of the lifeguards that work to keep our community safe, and worked with some of the pool operators to learn how much work is put into maintaining our pools. I got the opportunity to work with the wonderful people in the Recreation and Parks Department in setting up many community events.

In the Architectural Standards Department, I was able to learn and observe housing inspections and exterior remodeling applications. The architectural staff kept me engaged with topics like color swatches, the different types of roofing, being able to sit in on the Architectural Review Board meeting, and taking me out into the field for real house inspections. I learned about the different parts of the architectural request process and was taken out for inspections during the different parts of the process.

In the Communications Department, I was able to participate in editing and constructing the Village News, while also taking pictures of the various community events, like Squeals on Wheels and KidjAM. In Community Management, I was shown the process of maintaining the Village and giving MVF the expertise it needs to keep residents content. I learned how many different communities inside of Montgomery Village are being managed by the Community Management Department. I spent much of the time helping with house inspections. The house inspections occur in both the Architectural Standards and the Community Management departments, but for different reasons.

The last department I worked with was the Finance Department. I learned about how the Board meeting packets are put together and was able to help put a few together. I also learned about the thoughtful budgeting and allocation of funds that keep Montgomery Village running.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the wonderful people that make MVF run. I learned so much about leadership and what it takes to make a community run. This experience has shaped me as a person and prepared me for the future, regardless of my career path. It was an amazing way to spend the summer and gain experience in a workplace. As my time as the MVF Student Representative comes to a close, I recommend that any high school junior apply.