Interns update - Notes from the office

Melpomene Journal, Fall-Winter, 2001

This past summer we welcomed six interns to Melpomene and assigned meaningful tasks and projects to each one of them. From May through August, they worked almost 1000 hours on literally every program, project, special event and day-to-day activity.

Interns are required to work a minimum of 10 hours a week. Two of them averaged 30 hours a week and used their experience to complete their degree programs.

The interns jelled well as a group; partly because of the recently inaugurated "Intern Room," which gave them their own office. The generosity of our members enabled us to obtain a computer that is compatible with our network, as well as three desks and three chairs.

All the interns participated in the "Melpomene Interns and Girls Project: Role Models and Mentoring." Sponsored in part by the Kate Risley Foundation, this project promotes physical activity and self-esteem and teaches nutrition

to girls, ages 9-13. The interns presented six workshops for more than 75 girls. Among their creations was the "Nutri-Twister," a game that has quickly become a very popular way to learn about food groups and other nutritional facts.

The interns also worked on obtaining 150 items for our 9th Annual Benefit Auction.

A lot of time was spent outside in July. Their participation in Melpomene's 7th Annual Garden Tour contributed to its huge success. And, working with our Research Director, Mary Healy Jonas, they traveled to Blaine, Minnesota, several times to collect data from 960 participants in The World Cup Soccer Tournament for our "Girls' and Boys' Attitudes Toward Competition" project.

In addition to all of these group efforts, the interns accomplished invaluable individual tasks. Each completed at least one book review and an in-depth examination of a sport/health-related topic, called a "pathfinder." Look for these on our website

Lucie Turcotte, a biology major and senior at Notre Dame, was masterful in working with our web master to update and expand the book review section of our website, our on-line store offerings and our connection/ links with several "dot com" businesses. (Look for Lucie's account of her travels on page 4 of this Journal.)

Abbi Schutte, a leisure services programming major and senior at the University of Northern Iowa, was responsible for all the details of the "Melpomene Interns and Girls Project: Role Models and Mentoring."

Kris Johnson, a psychology and exercise/sports science major and senior at University of Wisconsin -- Lacrosse, coordinated and supervised the many details that made up the 7th Annual Garden Tour.

Jenny Schiebe, a biology major and senior at Gustavus Adolphus College, was co-editor of "On the Move," a newsletter for Melpomene members, donors and friends.

Carrie Stattman, a psychology major and senior at the University of Wisconsin -- Madison, was also coeditor of "On the Move" and worked on our 20th Anniversary planning.

Casey Miller graduated this past spring with a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin -- Eau Claire. She joined us in July after traveling in Europe for five weeks. (Be sure to read her account of her trip on page 4 of this Journal.) Working with Program Consultant, Susan Hadley, Casey updated the manual for "Taking Time to Move -- Finding Balance Through Strength and Movement," a Melpomene program designed to promote fitness for women in the workplace. Since she didn't have to rush back to school, Casey is staying on as a Melpomene Fellow until February 2002. She is working on the Auction, the Mentoring Program and the 20th Anniversary.

Melpomene internships and fellowships are available throughout the year. If you or anyone you know is interested, please call Maureen Moo-Dodge at 651-642-1951 or e-mail maureen@melpomene.org