1. KATHERINE A. MCNAMARA
2308 South Damen Ave  Chicago, IL 60608  (773) 847-1909  kamcnamara5@gmail.com
As a dedicated and knowledgeable professional with experience in human resources and volunteer
management, I seek to bring my abilities to add value to your organization. I am an organized, self-
motivated individual who enjoys working with people. I have a proven track record of establishing and
maintaining organization-wide standardprocedures and delivering productive and efficient results. Key
competencies include:
 Recruiting, managing, and supporting volunteers and programs effectively.
 Providing increasedefficiency by developing and instituting new processes and procedures.
 Managing and prioritizing multiple time-sensitive projects in a fast-paced environment.
 Communicating with a variety of audiences, ranging from volunteers, to employees, to
members of the Board of Directors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
FRIENDS OF THE OAK PARK CONSERVATORY – Oak Park, IL 2010-Present
A non-profit organization, whose mission promotes interest in the Oak Park Conservatory, offers educational
and recreational opportunities and supports projects that benefit the Oak Park Conservatory.
Volunteer and Program Coordinator
 Organized volunteers for special events, educational programs, plant care, and operations as
well as made recommendations for Board of Directors and committee members.
 Recruited, screened, on-boarded and trained volunteers.
 Maintainedfiles on all volunteers that included mandatory paperwork, availability, training
sessions completed, background check status and number of volunteer hours donated.
 Createdprocedure for logging hours in database and trained volunteers to assist in data entry.
 Streamlined and improved in-depth training for tour docents.
 Coordinated and increased number of docent led tours by 89% over a four year period.
 Doubled Exploration Station sessions - an educational, weekend drop-in program for
Conservatory visitors.
 Added to number and availability of Exploration Kits on loan to area schools.
 Planned and implemented annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner and annual barbeque.
 Providedpublicity for various events, programs, training sessions andvolunteer opportunities.
PRITZKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-Chicago, IL 2007-2014
A Regional Gifted Center, and Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Cluster School in Wicker Park
Local School Council Chairperson
 As a publicly elected official, monitored the school budget and School Improvement Plan,
presided over monthly meetings and engaged parents, teachers, community members and
administration in various tasks to improve the school climate.
 In an effort to enhance communications, establishedthe procedure of written monthly reports
to the council and the school community.
 Prepared and posted meeting agendas.
 Supported parents as a liaison in individual situations.
 Created a Wellness Committee as a first step toward Healthy Schools Certification.
 Conducted tours for parents of potential students.
 Represented Pritzker Elementary School at city-wide school fairs.
 Established Kiss – N – Go drop off program to alleviate traffic congestion. Scheduled and
trained parent and student volunteers.
 Createdandpublished a school directory with student contact information to enhance school –
wide communication.

2. KA TH E RI NE A. M C NAMARA Phone: (773) 847-1909  Page 2
 Conceptualized and implemented a full week of activities in which parents, students and
administration acknowledgedteachers’ efforts andachievements.
AMERICAN LINEN SERVICE — Chicago, IL 1987 - 1998
An industrial laundry company, that provides linens and uniforms to restaurants and manufacturers
throughout the Chicago area.
Director of Human Resources
 Interviewed and hired candidates to work in both manufacturing and office settings.
 Conducted orientations for new hires.
 Participated in contract negotiations with two separate unions.
 Managed unemployment and workers’ compensation.
 Processed grievances and terminations of employees.
 Handled files in a confidential manner related to HIPAA and other personnel issues.
 Maintained policies and procedures to successfully pass internal and external audits.
 Responsible for the general wellbeing of over 200 employees.
Office Manager
 Organizedandsupervisedan office staff of eight. Overall performance as Office Manager led
to creation of Human Resources position.
Service Manager
 Guidedand delegatedinquiries to four service representatives, 10 sales representatives and 40
route drivers. Promoted to Office Manager.
Service Representative
 Anticipated linen customers’ needs and provided uniform rental services that generated
additional business through quality customer service. Promoted to Service Manager after
successfully coordinating acquisition of Coverall Laundry Service .
NOTABLE PROJECTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
FRIENDS OF THE OAK PARK CONSERVATORY – Oak Park, IL
 Instrumental in developing tour content for “UNCORKED”, an adult evening event in the
summer season, highlighting the showrooms of the Oak Park Conservatory.
 Created a new volunteer application and procedures for screening volunteers.
 Authored and maintained Volunteer Handbook, liaising with committee members of the
Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory and Conservatory staff as resources for material.
 Worked closely with Conservatory staff to become Park District Risk Management Agency
(PDRMA) certified.
 Established background check procedures for all new and existing volunteers.
 Collected and maintained attendance data on all educational programs and feedback from
teachers/tour participants to evaluate success.
 Contributedto the successful rollout of a new educational program, Toddler Exploration Time
(TET), for young learners, by recruiting, training andscheduling new volunteers.
 Initiated a new program, 2nd Sunday Tours, offering docent led tours for individual visitors to
the Conservatory.
 Fashioned job descriptions, outlining expectations and responsibilities, for volunteers.
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
 Microsoft Office suite
 Giftworks - Fundraising software for non-profit organizations
EDUCATION
 Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minor in Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago.