MACC GOLF CLASSIC INTERNSHIP

Description:

The purpose of this internship is to help the student gain experience in special events marketing, management, and public relations. The intern will receive daily direction and mentoring from the Chamber’s executive director, who is an adjunct professor of business, marketing, and communication and an accredited public relations manager. The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce is currently looking for a Special Events Intern for their annual MACC Golf Classic. The intern will assist with organization, marketing, and/or implementation of the special event and campaigns that make possible our Chamber’s services and investment in the Mason area community. Responsibilities include the following:

1. Event planning for the MACC Golf Classic activities.

2. Assisting with other Chamber events and programs.

3. Mass distribution of posters and brochures.

4. Marketing of events which may include development of print materials and promotional items, writing newsletter articles and/or press releases, approaching businesses/organizations for team involvement.

5. Following up with current or prospective event participants.

6. Research and evaluation for continuous improvement.

7. Other duties, based on intern interest and Chamber priorities.

Skills & Qualifications:

College students majoring in marketing, special event planning, communications, public relations, or advertising with strong writing, verbal communication and computer skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and handle numerous assignments are ideal. The best candidates will be able to:

Work independently within guidelines and ask for direction when new situations arise.

Work under tight deadlines and on multiple projects simultaneously, with minimum supervision.

Interact professionally with potential volunteers and contributors.

Accept supervision and mentoring while developing the following competencies: managing projects effectively, creating budgets to analyze the cost versus benefit of events, and monitor work within budgets.

Students need to be:

Detail-oriented, resourceful and creative.

Possess excellent oral communication skills.

Have good writing and organizational skills.

Microsoft Office familiarity is a must. Intern must provide his or her own transportation.

Evaluation:

The intern will be evaluated on the basis of his or her performance of the above tasks and the degree of independent thinking with which they approach assigned tasks. At the end of the internship period, an intern evaluation form will be completed by the Chamber’s executive director. It is strongly recommended that the student keep a journal of their experiences. While this is not a requirement of the Chamber, it is an excellent way for the college to be informed of the nature of the student's activities, and an opportunity for the student to reflect on the internship experiences.

Responsibilities & Activities:

The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce raises funds to support the community programs of the organization. Special events raise funds through the coordination and effective management of those events. The intern will work with the Chamber staff and volunteers on research of both past and comparable events. The research projects will also include prospecting businesses for community cause marketing and event specific sponsorship as well as tracking, coding and entering prospects into a database. The intern will also be involved in event coordination by prospecting contributors and volunteers and soliciting their support via various media, including the internet and phone calls, mail lists and mailings, event logistics, and filing. The special events intern will be given the responsibility to develop and implement the event plan, using the knowledge and skills gained during the internship. Responsibilities will include:

· Assist with development of event rationale, planning, and budget development.

· Analyze projections for events to determine the expected cost versus benefit.

· Develop timelines to meet special event objectives. Monitor to assure milestones are on track and reporting is on time. Recommend corrective actions as needed.

· Develop input brief for event signage based on the event rationale.

· Develop supplies checklist for each event, customizing checklist template based on individual event needs.

· Work in conjunction with Chamber staff and volunteers to determine volunteer needs and assign roles and responsibilities.

· Manage event logistics, including developing the site plan, overseeing setup, ensuring signage is prominently displayed, working with the site to arrange for all needs are identified and met, obtaining and motivating event volunteers, coordinating activities, delivering supplies as needed, and other activities as required to ensure the event runs smoothly.

· Plan and conduct pre- and post-event briefing sessions for all participating volunteers.

· Compile results from the event, perform preliminary evaluation of performance to goals, and provide results to Chamber staff and volunteers. Based on evaluation and event briefing sessions, recommend improvements for the future as appropriate.

· Attend various Chamber staff and committee meetings.

Application:

To apply and for more information, please fax or email a cover letter and resume with your academic/career goals and aspirations to Douglas J. Klein, APR at (517) 676-8504 or dougklein@masonchamber.org .The working hours for the internship are flexible according to your schedule and will mainly be during the regular Chamber business hours of Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Additional Information:

Internships provide behind-the-scenes experience and knowledge that helps prepare students to move into professional employment in their chosen field. The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce has a staff of two part-time employees. This setting enables the intern to get hands-on experience on hoe the Chambers programs and events interact and support one another in order to achieve its objective of promoting the community and improving the local economy. Interns will work in-depth on one program or event, but by participating in day-to-day activities, will learn about the functions of the entire Chamber. The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization. Therefore, interns are not paid, but can receive college credit for their experience. Please keep in mind that internships must conform to any requirements of your college or university. Internships are on a part-time basis and have a minimum of three hours a week and a maximum of 20 hours a week. A stipend to help with transportation costs is offered for selected internships, depending on hours worked and time invested in the internship.