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Local Voices

Re-Org

It happens all the time. To other people.



The day it happened, I read about it over my newsfeed on Facebook. Post after post about journalists and editors from Patch looking for work. Many of these editors I had met at one time or another, usually over lattes at Fridley Dunn Bros., learning more about them, brainstorming ideas to improve Patch and community engagement.

Patch has been struggling for a long time keeping people in their positions, spacing them with the digital miles that only continues to expand. Skilled professionals who once gave nuanced personality to stories (as only real people can), have been replaced by automation, impersonal “teams”. Long gone are the days of local editors coming out to cover an event, march in a parade, or put up a table at the city festival.

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I understand this is business. Progress even. But I miss those days.

Those days for me were with the editor at the time, Chris Steller. Chris had always physically reminded me of a softer version of Hugh Grant, something about the shaggy way he wore his hair, the placement of his eyes. He had a witty demeanor that was unique and natural. In many ways, I considered him a mentor. He was always encouraging of my writing, and genuinely interested in what was going on in the community. He managed to navigate within Patch for a while, but was let go in January.

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Oddly, that same day I was reading about job losses at Patch, I came to the office to be let-go from my position as director of community outreach at Financial One Credit Union, along with marketing. I was recruited for this position nearly a year ago, and I like to joke that I have come to experience the full cycle of Corporate America.

While I was certainly disappointed (I loved what I did and was good at it), I understood these things happen. They have exciting things in place to drive new business in big ways that will greatly benefit their members, and simply no longer need the role of local community engagement.

I understand this is business. Progress even. But I will miss those days.

So I find myself in the midst, like so many others, of job loss. It’s an interesting experience that I accept and in some ways embrace. I am incredibly lucky; my work was much more about heart than about money. I have a husband who is deeply supportive, and I possess sincere gratitude for the opportunity I was given, and the work I was part of.

What is hardest is the abruptness of it all. The vulnerability. Of wearing a well-constructed identity, to then stand naked, not sure what to put on next.

I am sure I will continue my community projects. I was recruited because of my community engagement, my strong communication skills, and my ability to network to help other people and organizations. It is who I am.

As for the rest of it, I just so happened to start a side gig, a safe Plan B to make extra income about a month ago. I started my own business with Rodan + Fields Dermatologists (creators of that little company you might have heard of, Proactiv). I chose this company because it meets my high standards of product, of people and of philosophy. Always one to seize an opportunity, however unexpected the delivery, my safe Plan B, has now become my intended Plan A.

I’m not actually sure what this will look like, I’ve never owned my own business, never quite had enough guts to try. So I find myself standing not exactly naked, but certainly ill-clothed, designing my next identity from scratch, being sure to use the most vibrant of colors-- and very sturdy thread.


I wish to thank all the past editors and journalists I have had the privilege to work with at Patch: Chris Steller, James Sanna, Scott Carlson, Kevira Vogele, and Hannah Gruber Johnson. Best wishes to you, may you find ways to keep practicing your craft.

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