From Volunteer Board Member to Common Sense Media Exec.

Meet Ellyn Weisel, Bay Area Director for Common Sense Media, a wonderful web site designed to provide parents with trustworthy information to help manage their kids' media lives.

My career path
When my twins entered kindergarten and my son was in third grade, I felt I was ready to re-enter the workforce.  I knew that working part-time would be the best option for me and for my family, so I started talking to friends and board colleagues at MCDS and the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco (BGCSF) to see if they had any openings that would be a good fit for my schedule.

After a few conversations, it became apparent that there was a need for a part-time person at BGCSF, so I took a leave of absence from their board, and returned to work in the spring of 2007. I consulted on several projects for the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco, including the implementation of a partnership between BGCSF, Major League Baseball and the San Francisco Giants. I also worked as a consultant on the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco $35 million capital campaign.  While I was working at BGCSF, I was introduced to Linda Burch, co-founder of Common Sense Media, www.commonsensemedia.org.  Linda was looking for someone to be Bay Area Director handling outreach to schools and non-profits. Given my previous experience, it sounded like a great fit, so I took the position.

In my part-time role at Common Sense Media, I am responsible for helping to develop and oversee strategy to build Common Sense Media’s local presence, outreach programs, volunteer organization and fundraising base in the Bay Area.  I am working closely with the development team to expand our major donor and foundation base and with the outreach team to develop partnerships with community stakeholders across multiple segments. I’m also working to recruit and organize a local advisory council.

Time -off

I was at home with my children from 2000-2006, during which time I was actively involved in non-profit work.  From 1995-1999 I served on the Board of Sportsbridge, a mentoring program for underprivileged girls.  In 1998, I joined the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco (BGCSF).  BGCSF is one of the largest providers of services to at-risk youth in the Bay Area, serving more than 13,000 children and teens in 2007.  I was Chair of the Marketing Committee from 2000-2003 and Chair of the Board from 2004-2006.  I also serve on the Board of Trustees of Marin Country Day School.

Rewarding Aspects of My Job

The most rewarding aspect of my job is working with an amazingly talented group of people who are focused on improving the media lives of kids and families.  I also look forward to spreading our information to communities that have less access to good information about the media and its impact on their lives.

Importance of Networking

I think networking is important in that it keeps you connected to people and ideas that you might not otherwise have available in your daily life as a mother.  Being involved in several non-profit boards gave me a network of individuals I would not have met.

Mentors Helped Me

I had several mentors during the time I was home with my kids.  All of whom were on the BGCSF and MCDS boards with me.  The support came in allowing me to learn and grow in the non-profit sector, applying skills I had developed as a mom, and making me feel that my voice was important.  I also looked to my mom who went back to work when I was eight and to my sister who has continued to work while raising two children.

Always a Balance

I love being back at work but now worry about the work/life balance for my kids, husband and myself.