Meet Kiren!
Storm Corps Team Leaders: Getting to Know You Questionnaire
The Basics
1. Name: Kiren Bansal
2. Nickname(s): KB, Kay
3. Hometown: Born in England; Raised in Southern California
4. Where you live now: North East, Ohio
5. Favorite thing about where you live now: Less traffic and beautiful natural environment!
6. College(s) attended and degree(s) received: University of Southern California, B.A. Environmental Studies/Public Policy & Management
Work
7. United Way where you work: United Way of Summit County (Akron, Ohio)
8. Job title: Senior Resource Development Director
9. Work accomplishment you are most proud of: Helping to establish our local Youth Initative- an effort to inspire youth to get involved with philanthropic efforts at a young age!
10. What first brought you to United Way: I was searching for a non-profit position which would have an efficient and broad impact in the community. My search led me to UNITED WAY and the rest is history!
11. Why you stay with United Way: I have a passion for non-profit work and I simply love United Way's mission to improve lives. The relationships we build and the lives we change through our work is an amazing honor and rare opportunity that exists uniquly with United Way.
Storm Corps
12. Why you applied to be a Team Leader: It was a wonderful opportunity to help lead young volunteers in making a real "hands on" difference in the impacted areas of the Gulf Coast region. Perfect fit with our Youth Initiative program!!
13. First reaction when you found out you were accepted: I was absolutely thrilled to hear I would have an opportunity to help shape the experience for the youth participating, as a Team Leader! Overall, extremely excited to be a part of such a wonderful program- okay okay I am actually jumping out of my skin at the moment!!!
14. What you are most excited about: Everything about this program excites me! From the partnership with thinkMTV, to the wonderful impact this will have on the many people involved. At this moment I am extremely excited to meet my fellow team leaders and the youth we will be engaging throughout the program.
15. What you are least excited about: Bed Bugs. Hoping that the little critters will respect my privacy.
16. What you could step up and do really well if needed: Remove a tree from the ground with my bare hands ;) OR Lead, Organize, Motivate, and help come up with Plan B when Plan A flops.
17. What you would rather not have to do: Go hunting for food
18. What you are hoping to get out of Storm Corps:I hope to make an impact in the local communities, help inspire and bring hope to the people in the Gulf Coast region and…. entertain my team!
Fun
19. Secret – or not so secret - talent(s) you are willing to share: I have mastered the art of text messaging, having a phone conversation, emailing, talking, walking AND chewing gum all at the same time.
20. Hobbies: Drawing/Painting, Music, Theater/Arts, Dance, Volunteering, Traveling, Learning to Knit, the list goes on!!
21. People and/or animals you live with: My grumpy cat named Penny.
22. Things you want/plan to do in the near future: PACK!! Complete assigned projects in the Gulf Coast with success!
23. Things you want/plan to do in a while: Travel to Egypt, India, Africa, and California not necessarily in that order.
24. Three adjectives that best describe you: Optimistic, Creative, Passionate
25. Three adjectives that definitely would not describe you: Pessimistic, Boring, Un-motivated
26. Personal motto or mantra: When life throws you a lemon, make lemonade; Everything happens for a reason.
27. What you are most proud of: Making a difference through my daily work at United Way!
Favorites
28. Food: Pad Thai, Bread, Italian food, mangos, Dr. Pepper, chips & salsa, and vegetarian food!
29. Book: Peace is Every Step, Little Women, Janet Evanovich Books, The Notebook
30. TV show: Friends reruns, MTV, Realworld, What Not to Wear, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives!
31. Movie: Aladdin, Top Gun, Two Can Play that Game, The Rock, Kiss the Girls, The Mask of Zorro, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Notebook, Brown Sugar, Lagaan, Bend It Like Beckham
32. Quote: "The price of greatness is responsibility"- W. Churchill AND "We can do no great things; only small things with great love"-Mother Teresa.
Anything else you want to share? This can be fun, personal, medical, work related, etc. Basically anything else you want us to know about you. Can't wait to meet everyone- have safe travels!!
I am confident that Kiren will be an amazing representative in the Gulf Coast region or anywhere for that matter! Congratulations on this great opportunity to help others.
Take care and Good Luck.
Supporting you and your fellows,
Neetu
Posted by: Neetu S. Madan | March 10, 2006 at 11:20 AM
I am so proud of Kiren. She's one of the most optimistic people that I know and also one of the hardest workers. She's taken it as her life goal to help others and will be a great leader down there.
Supporting y'all down there --
Meenal
Posted by: Meenal | March 10, 2006 at 08:00 PM
Kiren,
We are very proud to have a such a courageous sister like you. Keep up the good work and take care. Good luck with everything and see you soon! Miss ya..
Posted by: M & M | March 12, 2006 at 11:07 PM
Kiren, well done on obtaining this fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity. Kiren is the most thrill-seeking, and enthusiastic person I have ever met I am also sure she will have a great time and do a fantastic job. Nice one gal...(watch those bugs)
Love, Pinky xxx
Posted by: Pinky | March 13, 2006 at 07:53 AM
KB!!
You are so awesome. I hope you and your group are having a great time. I'm sure that you are jumping into everything to really make a difference, cause that's what you do everywhere you go. I miss you here, but am so proud and glad that you are there.
Be well, Do Good,
Meg
PS: How's driving the 15 passenger van? Does it beep when you back up?!
Posted by: Meg | March 13, 2006 at 09:28 AM
well done and good luck
xx
Posted by: Pinky | March 13, 2006 at 11:32 AM
BIG UP from the UK (Sorry they will all kill me here in England if I dont give a shout out from them too).
Pink
x
Posted by: Pinky | March 13, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Kiren!
Meow, we miss you at the house! Come back safely so I can have my treat!
Love,
Penny
Posted by: Penny & Family | March 14, 2006 at 01:26 PM
Although Kiren was not my team leader I spent more time with her at the site, and she was amazing. She danced with us, she sang with us, and even acted silly with us, she was great although with all the other team leaders. United Way picked the cream of the crop. Thanks for making this experience one I will never forget.
Posted by: Tyran Suthelin | March 19, 2006 at 04:07 PM
Wut's up. I just wanted to thank you for being the awesome team leader that you were. All four of you were awesome and made the trip as good as it was. I hope no one loses touch with one another and we keep in touch for a reunion down the line. Hope to see you all soon and GO ALABAMA CREW
Posted by: Francisco ORtiz | March 20, 2006 at 11:51 AM
I am so proud of you Kiren. Seeing you do something like this is amazing. I hope that all is well and I can't wait for you to come back so I can hear all about it. I love you and miss you!
needs
Posted by: Needhi Sheth | March 26, 2006 at 11:54 AM
Kiren, I love the books of Janet Evanovich also, they make for great listening (I prefer audiobooks and load them on to my iPod). Great blog, keep it up!
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