Polk County Public Schools
Stephanie Hope Godwin, a secretary at Frostproof’s Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary, was awarded a new 2008 Chevy Aveo as part of a school district wellness initiative.
The 2008 Chevy Aveo was donated to the school district for the promotion by school district partner Michael Holley Chevrolet. Between August 8, 2007 and May 31, 2008, the school district’s Wellness Department coordinated a promotion giving away a new vehicle for employee participation in wellness activities. Activities included health screenings, medical consultations, meetings, sessions, assessments, contests and a health fair. For each activity in which they participated, school district employees were given an entry in a contest to win a free vehicle.
More than 40,000 entries from school district employees were received in the promotion. Godwin won the vehicle through a random drawing of more than 40,000 entries.
The Polk Public Schools have approximately 12,346 employees and is the largest employer in Polk County.
Information: Debbie Zimmerman, school district wellness manager, (863) 648-3057
Marcia Ford, director of the grants department for the Polk Public Schools, is among the first to earn nationally recognized credentials from the Grant Professional Certification Institute (GPCI).
Ford is one of an original group of 170 grant designers and managers nationwide to receive the credential and title of Grant Professional Certified or “GPC.” The credential recognizes proficiency in standards that include professional tenure, education and demonstrated achievement and commitment to service for not-for-profit organizations.
GPCs have also mastered nationally standardized competencies defined by nine skill sets ranging from identifying potential funders to organizational development. A GPC examination includes questions about all the competencies and a writing sample.
GPCI worked with a professional test development group from the University of South Florida to establish and validate standards and the ensuing examination process.
Of the original 170 to receive credentials, Florida has the most GPCs of any state with a total of 28.
Ford has also served as GPCI president for two years. GPCI is an affiliate of the Kansas City-based American Association of Grant Professionals. Contact Ford at (863) 647-4292 for further information about GPCI or earning GPC credentials.