Plan A Seems to be Working Well

Believe it or not I have filled several fairly big boxes (so far) with items sorted to be filed at the dump.  Let it be known that there were only a couple of the faintest of twinges of remorse throughout the process; mostly it was gleefully sacking every last thing I can no longer tolerate the sight of!  OUT they go! 

Gone, gone, gone! 

The couch and two chairs - GONE! 

I would have gotten much further along had not a friend showed up to provide a much needed (and long time coming) respite by taking me out on the town.

Plan A: Sorting and Filing

One thing about moving is that it reveals in no uncertain terms exactly how much STUFF you have accumulated. 

One thing I have added to my Plan A is clearing out un-used and/or un-wanted clutter.  I'm going to clean house, I say!  I'm gonna CLEAN HOUSE around here! 

My daughters will be so proud. 

Getting rid of the things I don't need, want, or particularly like means I'll have more space for the things I DO need, want, and like.  Now there's a 'duh moment' for you! 

I have to be utterly RUTHLESS, which doesn't come easy for me. 

My biggest couch I left at the other house, so that's one item I don't have to worry about. 

I have several chairs that there's no room for.  Out they go, along with one very ugly (also very heavy) couch that someone gave me. 

There are lots of clothes for me to sort through as well. 

I have my scrubs for work, which I will keep. 

I have my ordinary clothes which consist largely of jeans, sweaters, flannel shirts and such.  I can get rid of many of them. 

I have my 'work clothes', smeared and spattered with tar and paint and adhesives and who knows what all else. 

And I have my 'Real People Clothes'.  These are my suits, dresses, nice outfits and the shoes and accessories to go with them.  These I keep for the times I venture out into the real world (admittedly few and far between but I'm working on that, too) and add to my collection on occasion. 

I've got my work cut out for me in more ways than one. 

The time to begin is now.

To paraphrase Patrick Henry:  They tell me, sir, that I am weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.  But when shall I be stronger?  Will it be the next week?  Or the next year? 

No.  I'm as strong today as I expect to be next week or next year, and my adversary ain't gonna be getting any weaker that I can see.  The time is now.  Right this very minute. 

I'm taking a deep breath and getting ready to fill up some of the boxes I unpacked with things that can go to the dump. 

Here I go.

Eli

Chronology

The results of a large number of internet searches; kudos to Blair, Van Doren, Oregon Gal, and the many other researchers.

1734     Eli b. to Thomas Jr. and Rebecca Borden Branson in Burlington, NJ

1763     m. Keziah Hough (Huff) in Frederick County, VA    Keziah:  b.1744/45

1764     12 Jan.     John b. Orangeburg County, SC

1766                     Daniel b. Randolph, NC
1767     1 Nov:  Cane Creek, NC Quakers mm - disowned Eli

                          => Eli was a 'Regulator' of western NC, protesting increasing corruption in NC Colonial, Regional, and Local Government

1768                     Thomas b. Randolph, NC

             Spring:     The Sheriff of Orange County announced that he would only collect taxes at certain areas of the county, and if the settlers did not pay at particular locations, they would be fined. 

This was also the time that Governor Tryon announced the construction of Tryon Palace.  

In May 1768, a group of settlers convened at Cox's Mil on Mill Creek (Orange County) to form a committee of Regulators to end the injustices, and Eli and Thomas Branson were among the regulators who signed the petition. The mission of the group was to 'assemble ourselves for conference for regulating public grievances and abuses of power, in the following particulars...that may occur: 

(1) We will pay no more taxes until we are satisfied that they are agreeable to law, and applied to the purposes therein mentioned, unless we cannot help it, or are forced.  

(2) We will pay no officer any more fees than the law allows, unless we are obliged to do it, and then show our dislike and bear open testamony against it. 

(3) We will attend all of our meetings as often as we conveniently can... 

(4) We will contribute to collections for defraying the necessary expenses attending the work, according to our abilities.  

(5) In case of differences of judgement, we will submit to the judgement of the majority of our body.' 

(alcohol was also not allowed at meetings)

 Hillsborough officials soon seized a Regulator's horse, saddle, and bridle, and sold them for taxes.  A band of outraged Regulators rode into town, rescued the horse, and fired a number of shots into Col. Fanning's house.  The four Regulators involved were ordered arrested.  Herman Husband, defacto leader of the Regulators, was chosen to meet with Fanning to discuss the incident, but before it took place, one of the four Regulators involved and Herman Husband were arrested for inciting rebellion.  This caused the Regulator movement to spread, and the group often broke into  courts of justice, drove judges from the bench, set up mock trials, dragged attornies through the streets, and terrorized town inhabitants. 

1770                     Levi b. Randolph, NC  

             24 Sep:  Eli was among the Regulator group of 150 men, armed with wooden cudgels and cow skin whips, who assaulted a number of government officials in Hillsborough.  They assaulted and beat John Williams Esquire (an attorney), and tried to strike Associate Judge Richard Henderson when he tried to calm them down from the bench window.  They surrounded the courthouse, pulled Col. Edward Fanning out by his heels, and whipped him.  Fanning tried to hide in Johnston and Thackton's store, but the regulators threw dirt, stones, and bricks at the building to get him out.  Assistant Attorney General William Hooper, and other gentlemen were also dragged into the streets to be whipped and abused.  The mob broke into Fanning's house, drank his liquer, burned his papers, destroyed his furniture, and finally burned the home to the ground. 
Governor Tryon immediately began to draw up reforms to address the settlers' needs.  When the assembly heard that the Regulators were grouping in Cumberland County for a march on the capitol of New Berne, the state assembly also passed the Johnson Act dealing with riot charges.  It was only enforced about a year, but included a clause that anyone who avoided a summons for 60 days were declared and liable to be killed for treason.

1771     March 11:  Eli was tried at New Bern for his Regulator Activities.

              On March 19, 1771, Tryon began raising the militia to bring order to Hillsborough, and on April 23, 1771, the troops began their move toward Chatham County.

             May 16: Regulators Defeated at the Battle of Alamance:  'Swear Loyalty or Hang ...'

Most Regulators were forced to leave society, and live in the wilderness. Those that laid down their arms, took the oath of allegiance, and paid their taxes were given a pardon on May 17, 1771.

In the fall of 1771, Eli appears on a petition for relief from the mill dams on Deep River that were interfering with the fishing going on there.

1772     Orange County tax records show Eli there

                   Amy b.  ?

1774     Records show that Eli 'Raised a Company of men (on the orders of Governor Martin) and served'
               Aug:  Court - Chatham Co. NC
 

'A road to be laid out the nearest way from Chatham courthouse to Ely Bransons, and the following persons or any twelve of them be a jury to lay up the same and make report to the next court. Viz: Henry Cook, Josiah Lyon, Solomon Terrell, Joseph Hadley, Joshua Hadley, Brinsley Barnes, James Barnes, Thomas Branson, Ely Branson, Levy Johnston, James Herndon, John Hornaday, Moses Teague, Edward Teague.'

1776     13 Jan    Eli Jr. b. Randolph, Chatham County, NC

             27 Feb. Eli fought for the British as a Captain at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, North Carolina.  He was forced to hide in the woods during the summer of 1776, and on November 26, was with a group sent by the state to apprehend Dr. Piles and his son, John.

                            

1777    At New York, Eli was paid for 581 days of service from February 5, 1776 to September 8, 1777. 
            Eli rejoined the British Army in September 1777, and was with Cornwallis in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 1777.

                            Rebecca b. Chatham, NC
1778     May:  Eli had returned to North Carolina
                        He continued to communicate with Governor Martin, and was eventually forced to resume hiding.
                               Jemima b.    ?

1779                    Mary b.

1780     May:        Cornwallis takes Charlestown; > 3,400 Continentals and Patriots Surrender
             October 7:  Eli narrowly escaped in the Battle of King’s Mountain in Bethabara, North Carolina

1781     March:     Eli rejoined Cornwallis.  Captain Eli Branson and his Company of North Carolina Independents (a company of the Queen’s Rangers) were captured at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Loyalist records indicate ‘he distinguished himself in a charge on the Whig Cavalry at the siege of Yorktown and dressed in red, was a marked object of his enemy’s fire’.  He was later Repatriated via a Prisoner Exchange in NY.
                              Naomi b.
1782     23 April:  Eli was listed with the prisoners of War at Lancaster on April 23 and June 24.

1783     24 Feb:  Prisoner on Parole
             25 Aug:  Prisoner on Parole
             24 Oct:   Prisoner on Parole

              Eli was listed as a prisoner on parole on February 24, August 25 and October 24, 1783.  He was to serve 4 years commanding his Independent Company as a detachment under command of Lt. Col. George Turnbull in New York.

Eli applied for a claim in 1783 at age 40.                                              

(Aug. - Oct:  Muster Roll of NC Volunteers attached to NY Volunteers)

1784     Signed Petition of Memoralists, Petitioning for Land in the Bahamas

             Chatham County, NC Land Seized and Sold 

             12 Aug.    150 Acre Farm Seized and Sold by Sheriff (he owned 400 acre and 270 acre tracts in Chatham County that he received from his father).

             14 Aug.     Registration of Grant in Nova Scotia, Canada - St. John, New Brunswick from 'the Loyalists of New Brunswick, Ester C. Wright'

             Eli turned down Lot in Parrtown (St. John); he turned it down and went to England

             14 Oct.     m. Elizabeth Jane Rankin (a minor daughter - b.1766/7? - of William Rankin, Tory Colonel, who was in England after the War) in Westminster, St. Anne, Soho, London, England.

1785     2 Jan.        Land Grant in New Brunswick, Canada

    85/86?               20 July     Anna b. Chester, PA     Anna m. Thomas Robinson; the Robinson Family Bible says 'Jane went to England in 1785.  Records indicate that Anna turned 25 on 20July1810

1788     28 Mar:    Eli filed a claim to the English government on March 28, 1788, while residing in St. Pancras, Middlesex, London for cattle and grain supplied to the British Army, and on          
              26 Nov:     he received 450£ and 750£ on the claim; his attorney said Eli was in Canada.
                              27 Oct:  Charles Cornwallis Branson b. Canada

             note:  both Anna and Charles ended up in Fulton County, IL => Quakers ... Eli and Keziah's son John was also in Sangamon County, IL; John's children were in Fulton County, IL later

1789-93                 Eli recorded in Tax Lists Deptford Twp, Gloucester County, NJ
1790     Settled at Ninety-Six, SC

1791     Eli serving on Land Board in Montreal              

1793                      See above re: NJ 
            

After Jane’s death (presumably), he moved to South Carolina, and sent for Keziah in North Carolina. His will was written in Abbeville County , South Carolina on May 30, 1796, and probated on March 27, 1797. He described himself as ‘one of his Majesty’s subjects of the King of Great Britain, now resident of Abbyville’. He left his wife, Keziah, a slave; John, Daniel, and Thomas 636 acres in Newberry County, Indiana Creek, South Carolina; Rebecca, Mary, Naomi, and Levi 20 shillings each; Eli 200 acres in Abbeville County; Jemima 40£ in his will (executed by his ‘well beloved wife’, Keziah, and Nathaniel Henderson Sr.). He added a codicil on May 31, 1796, in which he deeded any inheritence he would receive from his grandfather, Benjamin Borden’s estate, equally to John, Daniel, Thomas, Levi, Eli, Rebecca, Mary, Naomi, and Jemima.

1796     Eli with Keziah in SC.  Will dated 30May1796 in Abbeyville, SC

1797     Eli's Will Proved in March of 1797 - see above

One Family Tree Root: A Work In Progress

1.  Nathaniel Branson            1605                            Sunning Berkshire England

M Ann  -?-                              1605/10?                                 - ? -
            Brother Thomas?  Father John?  Sister/Aunt/Cousin Judith?

Children of Nathaniel and Ann:

2.  William Branson               1645                            Hinkley Mm Leicestershire England

M Margaret  Johnson               1649                           - Ipswich? Sunninghill? Burlington, NJ? -
2.  Nathaniel Jr. Branson        3.William and Mary (Tate) Branston
William was the son of Nathaniel 2^nd, Berkshire England, and Mary (Bacon) Branston

Children of William and Margaret:  

3.  Thomas Levi? Branson    18 FEB1670-1744      Sunninghill Wellington Berkshire England/NJ

M Elizabeth Day                    1685-1754                   (surname Day is Irish back <1100)   
M 4 OCT 1702 in Springfield Burlington NJ

3.  III Nathaniel Branson        JAN 1671                    Sunninghill Wellington England

3.  II William Branson            12 MAR 1673             NJ
3.  Samuel Branson                23 MAR 1676             Sunninghill Wellington England

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth:

4.  Thomas Branson Jr.         1703-1792       Springfield Burlington County NJ/NC

M  Rebecca Borden                 1710                            VA                 
M 1731
  M Elizabeth Norton
  M 20 DEC 1782

4.  John Day Branson             1704-1769       Burlington Co NJ/Frederick Co VA
4.  David Branson                   - -
4.  Lionel Branson                  - - (Scioto River Valley in Ohio. A will recorded for Lionel Branson, in April of 1809, leaves to his children many acres of land, ranging from estates on the waters of Lost River in Virginia and tracts in Shenandoah County to approximately six hundred acres of land in Ohio.)
4.  Joseph Branson                  - -
4.  III William Branson                      - -
4.  Sarah Branson                   - -
4.  Mary Branson                    - -
4.  Jonathan Branson              - -
4.  II Elizabeth Branson                      - -
4.  Jacob Branson                   - - 
4.  Day Branson                      - -

Children of Thomas Jr. and Rebecca:

5.  Eli Branson                        1734-1797                   Burlington County NJ/Abbeville SC (An Abbeville Courthouse, South Carolina, record shows an estate of land and slaves being left by one Eli Branson.)
M  Keziah Huff                      1744
  M Elizabeth Jane Rankin     - -                    Westminster St Anne Soho London England
  (M 14 OCT 1784)

5.  Levi Branson                     - -

Children of Eli and Keziah:

6.  II John Branson                 12 JAN 1764-1845     Orange County NC

M Sarah Jones                                    1766-1822

6.  Daniel Branson                  after 1764       Randolph NC

6.  III Thomas Branson           after 1768       Randolph NC
6. II Levi Branson                   1770/75-1859 (M Rhoda Ballinger JUN 1801 in Guilford NC, died 1859 in Strawberry Plains TN)
6.  Eli Jr. Branson                   1775-1859       (died 1859 in Abbeville Co SC)
6.  Jemima Branson                after 1775 (1776?)
6.  II Rebecca Branson            1777                Chatham NC (M Ruban Jones)
6.  II Mary Branson                1779                (M Patton Jones)
6.  Naomi Branson                  1781                (M Thomas Ward in SC)

Children of Eli and Elizabeth:

6.  Anna Branson                    20July1785
6.  Charles Cornwallis Branson          - -

Children of John and Sarah:

7.  II Keziah Branson                          - -
7.  III Eli Branson                               about 1787-3 AUG 1811        (died in Clark Co OH; M Anna Turner)

7.  Andrew Jackson Branson           1789-1875       Charleston SC/Prob IL
M Susannah Wilkinson                      1797-1875

7.  IV William Branson                                  - -
7.  Catherine Branson                         1792                Charleston Co SC (M Frederick Stripp)
7.  III John Branson                            - -
7.  IV Thomas Branson                       FEB 1798-12 OCT 1864         (M Eleanor Thomas on 12 AUG 1829; M Louisa Cole on 4 MAY 1841; he died in Dallas TX)
7.  III Mary Branson                           1801-JUN 1875                      Greene Co OH (M Abraham Onstott on 23 SEP 1824; she died in Clark Co OH)
7.  III Rebecca Branson                      1803                Greene Co OH (M Elizah Harper; she died in Clark Co OH)
7.  Nancy Branson                              4 JUN 1806     Greene Co OH (M Charles Winn)
7.  Benjamin B. Branson                    - -

Children of AJ and Susannah:

8.  III Levi Branson                1817                            IL
M Emily Francis Cole            1 MAY 1829?-1880                KY
M 26 AUG 1847 Sangamon County IL

8.  Almeda Branson                            - -
8.  A. P. (or T.) Branson                     - -

Children of Levi and Emily:

9. IV John L C Branson                     about 1839                  IL got a question about this guy
9.  V William H Branson                      about 1846                  IL
9.  James M Branson                             about 1849                  IL
9.  II Susanah E Branson                       about 1851                  IL
9.  IV Mary E Branson                          about 1851                  IL
9.  II Sarah T E Branson                        about 1854                  IL
9.  II Nancy R J Branson                        about 1856                  IL

9.  II Samuel Levi Branson                24 SEP 1859               Menard County IL

M Mary Jane McCord                            about 1868

Children of Samuel Levi and Mary Jane:

10.  Charles A Branson          1892
10.  Darrell Branson               1894
10.  U. Frances Branson         1896
10.  Fiona F Branson              1897
10.  Ester P Branson               1899

10.  C W (Chiff) Branson                  1901               

M Helen Margaret Gibson

10.  Opel F Branson                1905

Children of CW and Helen:

11.  VI William C Branson    - -
11.  Stanley Branson              - -

11.  Robert Samuel Branson 3 MAR 1933  
M Wauna Lee Blanton                       26 NOV 1937  TX

11.  Margaret Branson                        - -
11.  Marilyn Branson             - -

Plan A: Gotta Love It

This is going to be wonderful. 

It already IS wonderful!

As things get put away the mountains that filled the rooms shrink and chaos subsides.

Plan A Progressing Nicely

After working a full night shift I found I was wobbling a bit by the time I got home.  I took a power nap, got some things organized, and then pulled my little pick up truck next to the side door.

Two loads of boxes later I decided it was time to use the front door, as it's much easier to access and many things won't fit through the side door route.  After a couple of trials I got pretty good at backing the tailgate of my truck smack up to the door sill!  That makes for a quick and safe loading and unloading process, which is just flat out nice. 

Anything I can get out through the front door of this house is a piece of cake getting  into the studio, as all of those doorways are plenty big and it's a straight shot into the place via the front door, front porch, foyer, inside front door, and double dining room doors (for the things that aren't staying in the front room for the time being). 

Dark comes too quickly at this time of the year or I'd still be loading and unloading.  As it is, I'm a wee bit tired but quite very pleased with the progress I made today.  I'm guess-timating that there will be at least a half dozen more trips before I've got everything moved, so it's fortunate the trips are short! 

Now it's time for supper, a good book, a long tub soak, and snuggly warm pj's and robe. 

I'll take the day off from moving tomorrow because I don't want to go in for my 3-11 shift dead tired before I even get there.  The following day ought to be one of most satisfying days of my life.

Shiela Branson Resume Details and Specifics

Johnny Nolon’s Cashier’s Cage:

Opening Cashier must:

Arrive first at casino

Clock in

Retrieve restricted access keys with security

Accompany manager to cage

Verify all monies/tokens/chips

Verify opening count with closing count from the night before

File paperwork

Control/distribute restricted keys for appropriate personnel

Open/verify secondary cashier windows as staff arrives for their shifts

Verify paperwork for departments (i.e. restaurant, bars, etc.)

Perform daily tasks such as customer service, check/credit card monies, run paperwork on all floor transactions

Use cage equipment such as copier, calculators, credit card machines, coin/token sorters, computers for paperwork, bill verifying machines, etc.

Take and distribute messages as necessary for management

Be accountable for all transactions for the duration of your shift

Make sure the accounts all balance in all windows at the end of your shift and provide documentation

File all paperwork appropriately

Assist oncoming shift if necessary

Closing Cashier must:

Do all of the above except close the casino instead of opening it

Mid-shift Cashier must:

Verify monies/tokens/chips in their windows

Do most of the above, but less of it, and without the responsibility of opening/closing the casino

 I won’t disclose the numbers involved, but there are a lot of digits involved, everything is VERY intensely regulated in this industry, obtaining a gaming license involves a ream of paperwork, prints, background check, the whole nine yards, and every working moment you’re under probably nine or ten cameras at all times.

 I made about thirty thousand a year at this job, working four ten-hour shifts per week and enjoying almost every moment.  For most of that time my home was three hours and fifteen minutes away, a very long commute.  I started as a mid-shift cashier, went to closing, then opening.  The opening cashier also has responsibilities involving fund transfers, deposits, etc.  Both are responsible for daily reconciliation of all transactions for their shifts and must balance.

CONFIDENTIALITY IS MANDATORY AT ALL TIMES.

Child Development Services:

As a substitute teacher, it was my responsibility to provide the educational needs of children ages three to five in the classroom, including but not limited to reading, physical activities, interactions among the children, outdoor play, meals, transitions, general supervision of scheduled activities.

When I was drafted into food services, it was my job to assist in planning and preparation of nutritious meals and snacks for the children and staff, as well as setup and teardown of mealtimes. 

While doing one-on-one with my little autistic guy, it was absolutely mandatory that I be with him (or watching him VERY closely from an immediately accessible place) at ALL times.  We were encouraging interactions with others, which got a little dicey now and then. 

This position also required the background check, prints, etc. and provided First Aid/CPR certification, as well as job-specific training.

Secretarial:

UND Student Government Recording Secretary

Record and transcribe minutes (both mechanical recording and ‘taking minutes by hand’) for Standing Committees of UND Student Government (allocation committees

Distribution of minutes (after accuracy check) to appropriate persons within the UND community

File all documents as required

Recording Secretary for NDISL - North Dakota Intercollegiate State Legislature (in Bismarck at the Capitol) House of Representatives

Also worked with the Women’s Center on UND campus in a clerical position

Secretary for UND Student Organization ABC – Association for Better Child Care

I was also my own secretary when I was ‘Director’ of the one year pilot program in Wells County (ND) for Safe Alternatives for Abused Families Wells County

I was even class secretary in High School

Electronic Scale Operator:

Assist in setting up scaling equipment on project site

Get supplies and equipment, check and double check everything, and get scale office set up

Obtain (from DOT and contractor/s) and enter preliminary project data into electronic computerized scaling equipment on site

Enforce tare (empty weight) documentation requirements for all trucks/equipment on site

Organize and maintain field scale office equipment and supplies for project/s

Operate scale equipment

Run end of day reports and distribute them to appropriate contractor/subcontractor/DOT personnel (one copy on site)

Check and double check accuracy daily, weekly, to date on project

Trouble shoot (especially if more than one scale site for project and/or multiple projects/contractors for site)

Interact (diplomacy) with all personnel (i.e. DOT, state, county, local officials, contractors, drivers, equipment operators, mechanics, etc.)

Take and distribute messages as necessary

Be familiar with and adept at trouble-shooting a variety of office equipment (phones, BB radio, ticket printers, fax, report printers, etc.)

Provide security and confidentiality for project records at all times

Maintain records for hired trucks/drivers and everyone else on the job

Provide DOT and contractor with the records they require in the manner in which they require it

Perform required testing of equipment as required (i.e. sensitivity tests, shift tests, comparison tests, checking scale load cells, etc.) and documenting everything

Attend all weekly safety meetings and participate in OSHA/MSHA safety training

CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROJECT RECORDS REQUIRED.

Flag Person:

Certified in state of ND

Maintain safety at all times in the construction are, on site management of traffic (both public and construction trucks/equipment)

Adhere to ALL safety regulations (and then some)

Public relations

Train team members to be both professional and personable

Pilot Car Driver:

Guide traffic safely through congested and sometimes hazardous construction area, without interfering with or delaying the trucks/equipment

Receptionist:

Multi-line phone system

Data entry

Filing

Processing accounts receivable (billing)

Fax

Copier

Typewriter

Business computer programs

Receive and relay messages for office personnel

Daily mail runs (intra-office and post office to corporate headquarters)

Processing invoices

Responding to questions from the public

Special projects as assigned by management

Divisions included in this position for Strata included concrete for road and other building projects, brick, stone, masonry blocks, fireplaces, on site materials, tools, equipment, and supplies.

 CORPORATE CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIRED.

Accounts Payable:

Process invoices received for payment

Data entry

Sort and file accounts payable

Process checks for payments

Attend regularly scheduled safety/training

Postage machine

Document separator

Shredder

Copier

Business computer programs

Update files

Prepare end of year files for storage

Route employee expense accounts and other documents

Attend and participate in departmental meetings

Interact with personnel from various divisions within the corporate structure

Identify suppliers and customers

MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY AT ALL TIMES

Recreation Therapy Assistant:

This was a position at Cambridge State Hospital where I worked with six ‘households’ of 8-12 people severely/profoundly handicapped. 

Some of my duties included:

Planning, preparation, and implementation of outings for various groups of different households

Assessments, setting individual goals, implementation of goal-attainment programming, documentation of everything

Providing respite for household staff at times – giving them a hand if their households were more unruly than usual, helping out with mealtimes, bedtimes, etc. 

Providing one-on-one activities with household members, ability-appropriate

Keep in mind that our households were severely/profoundly handicapped; their abilities were extremely limited – therefore every tiny achievement was a triumph, even maintaining was ‘success’

Domestic Violence Advocacy:

Extensive/intensive training through The Refuge in Cambridge MN

Safe house

Crisis line

Public education

Support groups for primary and secondary victims

Transportation

Court support

Monitoring of courts/law enforcement

Legislation writing/recommendations

Emergency on-call for law enforcement and medical personnel

Grant writing

Fund raising

Quarterly/fiscal year end reports

Setting up office in Wells County

Interagency referrals in tri-county and multi-state arenas

CONFIDENTIALITY MANDATED.

Crisis Pregnancy Counselor:

Trained in Cambridge MN and worked in both Cambridge and Pine City centers

Performed pregnancy tests, talked with families dealing with unplanned pregnancies.

Did lots of public presentations and talked with schools, churches, community groups.

Interagency referrals

Safe home for some clients

CONFIDENTIALITY MANDATED

REFERENCES

Johnny Nolon’s

Glenn Hayes, General Manager

Child Development Services

Shelly Coulter, Food Services Manager (she’ll be able to connect you with others)

Electronic Scale Operator

Bob Tkach, Foreman

Carl Lill, Strata Park Manager

Rick Volk, Close Construction Project Foreman

Flag Person/Pilot Car Driver

Bob Tkach, Foreman

Receptionist

Dale Juve, Strata Block and Masonry Manager

Accounts Payable

Gerald Brorby, Strata Corporate Exec

Secretarial

Ask for copies of UND minutes from 1987-89

Domestic Violence Advocacy

Lona Lussier, The Refuge Director

John Mogren, Wells County Social Services

Bonnie Palacek, NDCAWS

Crisis Pregnancy Counselor

Sandi  - ? can’t remember her last name off hand – it was twenty years ago or more

You can get the Strata divisional numbers (Block and Masonry, and Strata Park) from headquarters at Red Dot 701-746-5000

EXRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Fessenden, North Dakota

4.0 cumulative four year average, high school

Lettered in track and basketball

Class secretary

Music

State Speech

Drama

Chess

GAA

Church youth

Booster Club fundraisers

Domestic Violence program

Vignettes seasonal plants/accessories

Dream catcher presentations for sixth grade classes

UND

3.15 cumulative GPA, Bachelors degree, psychology emphasis

Student Government Standing Committee member – Multi-cultural Awareness Committee

Seven Fires student organization

Association for Better Child Care student organization

Liaison for different organizations

Office of Women’s Programs

Alpha Chi Omega sorority officer – editor and intramural coordinator

Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity Little Sister

Varsity football cheerleader

Recording secretary for NDISL

UND Representative to NDISL (different year, of course) – nominated for the May Award (best piece of legislation written and introduced/passed in both House and Senate)

UND Summer Sports School instructor

Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities, 1989

Cambridge, MN

Crisis pregnancy counselor

Domestic violence advocate

Omnibus (high potential student program)

‘Annie’ musical production – props, costumes, line coach

MCCL

Home-based child care provider

Trained for NEON (Nighttime Emergency Outreach Network) in the Twin Cities

Baby-sitting Co-op

Shiela Branson : Partial Resume

 Shiela Branson

Education

High School    Fessenden High School

                        Fessenden, North Dakota                   4.00 cumulative GPA

College           University of North Dakota

                        Grand Forks, North Dakota                3.15 cumulative GPA

                        Bachelor’s Degree 2002

                        Psychology Emphasis

Other Training

Cambridge State Hospital, Cambridge, MN

Specialized training to work with severely/profoundly physically/mentally handicapped people, including but not limited to training in setting individualized goals, assessment of progress, planning and implementation of individual and group activities, both on campus and off, general work in the various households with people of varying skill levels.

N.E.O.N. Minneapolis, MN

Nighttime emergency Outreach Network

Trained but did not actively participate in this program due to pregnancy as a risk factor.  The training included suicide intervention, drug-related incidents, domestic violence, runaways, the unemployed, and other stress factored situations (i.e. hotline types of things) with the appropriate local resources references.  Training covered both telephone and face to face intervention (partner pairs with telephone backup).

Crisis Pregnancy Centers, Pine City and Cambridge, MN

Dealing with (mostly teen) pregnancies, this was crisis line work as well as drop-in and follow up services (pregnancy tests, referrals for medical assistance, social services, ministers, short term housing as necessary, clothing and other needs for mothers to be  and infants, etc.).  It also involved community education, making presentations for churches, working with local school personnel, fund-raising, and liaison role for teens/parents/schools/service providers.

The Refuge, Cambridge, MN

Domestic Violence intensive and extensive pre-advocacy training as well as continued on-the-job training.  Telephone crisis line work, safe house, emergency transportation, coordinating services, legal support for court hearings, filling out appropriate paperwork according to individual needs, support groups, legislative input, monitoring/tracking local law enforcement and/or judicial responses, etc.  A VERY fine program with many extremely well trained and effective volunteers as well as staff.

Electronic Scaling, Road Construction Projects

This involves computerized electronic scaling (weights) of materials used in construction projects, working with contractors, Department of Transportation personnel, drivers, equipment operators, OSHA, MSHA, local, county, state, and federal officials, etc.  Specialized knowledge of construction-based computer programs, knowledge of specific project requirements as well as general regulations, keeping paperwork straight and as perfect as humanly possible.  Instilling and maintaining a positive work atmosphere in situations where Murphy’s Law rules.  I also flagged some projects, public relations and safety issues.

Extra-curricular/Volunteer

High School

Lettered in Track and Basketball, Class Secretary, Chess Club, Girls Athletic Association, State Speech two years(second place in my category one year), ‘Oklahoma’ Musical, Church youth activities, Vocal music groups, District Science Fair.

College

UND Varsity Football Cheerleader, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority office holder, intramural basketball, Student Government Recording Secretary, North Dakota Intercollegiate State Legislature (one year as recording secretary, one year UND Representative, nominated for the May Award for best piece of legislation), founding member of Association for Better Child Care, member of President’s Committee via the Women’s Center, student parent liaison, recording secretary and then active member of Multicultural Awareness Committee of Student Government, allocating funding and assisting in the planning and implementation of Student Organization projects, danced in a Dance-a-thon to raise money for charities, Little Sister at Sigma Alpha epsilon Fraternity, raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis, helped area kids plan, prepare, and present a Christmas Play, supervised their ‘newspaper’ production, organized a small gymnastics class, worked in the Fieldhouse and at the Women’s Center.

Other

Assisted with the high school production of the musical ‘Annie’, costumes, props, line coaching, etc, at Cambridge, MN – sold out every performance, including several that were added!

Did a dissection unit for Omnibus, a high potential program for gifted students in Cambridge, MN.

Member of MCCL (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life).

Member of a local Baby-sitting Co-op in Cambridge, MN.

Volunteer Domestic Violence Advocate/Program Director, Wells County SAAF, Fessenden, North Dakota, a one-year pilot program ‘coordinated’ through Safe Alternatives for Abused Families in Devils Lake, ND.  See Page One under ‘The Refuge’ for breakdown of services.

For Wells Co. SAAF, I did the grant-writing and record-keeping for the program, including but not limited to weekly, monthly, quarterly, and end of year reports.  Washington personnel called me ‘The Lone Ranger’.

Volunteer for ‘The Refuge’ see page one.

Volunteer for Crisis Pregnancy Centers see page one.

Work History

Current :

Vignettes House Publishing            Jack of All Trades, Master of Writing, Editing, Formatting

Previous:

Wells County Free Press                 Freelance Feature Article Writer

‘Self-employed’ renovating my 100 year old home in Fessenden, North Dakota

Johnny Nolon’s Casino             Opening/Closing Cashier                       6/2004 – 5/2007

301 E. Bennett Avenue             40 hrs/wk (four days)                $29,500.00/yr
Cripple Creek, CO                                                                     plus full benefits
80813

Supervisor:       Laura, Cage Manager

Duties: 

Access to and care of restricted keys, responsible for the signing out and in of same by various personnel,

Verifying opening/closing coin, currency, and tokens,

Verifying contents of vaults,

Documentation of all ‘in’ and ‘out’ transactions involving money for cage, bar, restaurant, management, etc.,

Public Relations,

Making change for customers,

Paying out jackpots,

Cashing in tokens and/or tickets,

Jackpot record-keeping for large jackpots,

Answering telephone when requested,

Taking and delivering messages,

Operating specialized equipment including coin counter, roll wrapper, coin count/bagging, check company program, credit card machine, etc.

Using and trouble-shooting computerized data programs,

Training new personnel,

Creating and maintaining a congenial work environment,

Being knowledgeable about and keeping records of special events, promotions, etc.,

Keeping the ‘non-main’ windows stocked with coin, currency, etc.

This position includes both people- and paper-work in a well-balanced blend!

Child Development Services             One-on-one (special needs)   9/2003-11/2004

                                                            Substitute Teacher                 
La Junta, Colorado                             Kitchen                      
                                                           30-40 hrs/wk                           $7.50/hr
Supervisor:                 Shelly Coulter
Duties:           

Implementing individualized education plan for special needs child, assuming responsibility for and control over same.

Following classroom daily schedule, interacting with children (aged three to five years), other teachers, parents/grandparents, and professional personnel.

Planning and preparing meals for hundreds of people; meticulously following Cook’s orders!

Strata Corporation                  Electronic Scale Operator                  5/2002-6/2002

Strata Park
Grand Forks, ND                    50 hrs/wk                                            $1800.00/mo
58201

Supervisor:     Carl Lill, Strata Park Manager

Duties:

Enter Project Data into electronic Equipment,

Operate Electronic Scaling Equipment,

Trouble-shoot,

Keep Accurate Records of Daily, Weekly, and To-Date Totals, Run Daily Reports,

Interact with Project and Corporate Personnel,

Maintain All Equipment,

Perform Required Testing of Equipment,

Construct ‘Ease of Use’ Instructions for Equipment (training purposes),

Organize and Maintain Field Office Files,

Operate Field Office Cell Phone, business Band Radio, Ticket Printer, Report Printer,

Coordinate Services with Other Sites, Projects, etc.,

Provide Security for Project Records,

Maintain Records for Hired Trucks, Drivers.

Strata Block and Masonry                  Receptionist/Clerical             6/2002-12/2002

1625 36 St. North                               Data Entry/Billing
Grand Forks, ND                                                                               
58203                                                  25 hrs/wk                                $900.00/mo

Supervisor:     Dale Juve, Office Manager

Duties:           

Multi-line Phone System,

Data Entry,

Filing,

Processing Accounts Receivable (billing),

Fax,

Copier,

Typewriter,

Business Computer Programs,

Receive and Relay Messages for Office Personnel,

Daily Corporate Mail Run,

Processing Invoices,

Responding to Questions from the Public and Customers,

Tending to Special Projects as Assigned by Management,

Divisions included Concrete for Road and Other Building Projects, Brick, Stone, Masonry Blocks, Fireplaces, Pavers, Materials, Tools, Equipment, and Supplies.

Strata Corporation                              Accounts Payable                   6/2002-12/2002

Corporate Main Office
728 Red Dot Place                              20 hrs/wk                                $720.00/mo
Grand Forks, North Dakota
58203

Supervisor:                 Gerald Brorby, Corporate Exec           

Duties:

Process Invoices Received for Payment,

Data Entry,

Sort and File Accounts Payable,

Process Checks for Payment,

Attend Regularly Scheduled Safety/Training Days,

Postage Machine,

Document Separator,

Copier,

Business Computer Programs,

Update Files,

Prepare End-of Year Files for Storage,

Route Employee Expense Accounts,

Attend and Participate in Departmental Meetings,

Interact with Personnel from Various Divisions within the Corporate Structure,

Learn to Identify Suppliers and Customers, Vendors,

MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY AT ALL TIMES.

Close Construction                             Electronic Scale Operator      5/2001-10/2001

Road Construction
Milton, North Dakota                         50-70 hrs/wk                           $2,400.00/mo
58260

Supervisor:                 Rick Volk, Project Foreman

Duties:

Enter Project Data into electronic Equipment for Interstate highway Project,

Operate Electronic Scaling Equipment,

Multiple Project Scale Sites,

Trouble-shoot,

Keep Accurate Daily, Weekly, and To-Date Totals for Materials, Primary Contractor, Hired Trucks/Drivers, Department of Transportation,

Run Daily Reports and Distribute to Contractors and DOT,

Interact with Drivers, Equipment Operators, Mechanics, Contractors, DOT, etc.,

Maintain Equipment,

Perform Required Testing of Equipment,

Train Scale Operator,

Organize and Maintain Field Scale Office Files,

Operate Communications Equipment (i.e. phone, business Band Radio).

Close Construction                             Flag Person                 5/2001-10/2001

Milton, North Dakota             Variable Weekly Hours          Variable Income

Supervisor:                 Brent Close, Project Superintendent

Duties:

On-Site Management of Traffic,

Adhere to All Regulations Concerning Road Construction Safety Standards,

Control Traffic (public) and Construction Trucks/Equipment in Work Zone,

Safety of ALL Persons and Vehicles Number One Priority,

Public Relations Number One and a Half Priority,

Train My Team Members to be the Best, to be First On-Site and Last Off, Deal with the Public, and to be Both Professional and Personable.

Close Construction                             Pilot Car Driver                      5/2001-10/2001

Road Construction                  Devils Lake Hwy 19 Project
Milton, North Dakota                         Variable Hours                       Variable Pay
58260

Supervisor:                 Brent Close, Project Superintendent

Duties:

Guide traffic safely through congested and sometimes hazardous construction area, without interfering with or delaying the trucks/equipment.  I requested and received permission to alternate stations, so our team of three rotated the two flag positions and pilot car duties, which worked well and helped keep attitudes very positive.

Holen Construction                Electronic Scale Operator                  6/1997-12/2000

Road Construction                  Flag Person
McClusky, North Dakota
                                                50-75 hrs/week                                   $2,000.00/mo

Supervisor:                 Robert Tkach, Project Foreman

Duties:                                    see above and attached

Vignettes                                            Owner             5/1997-6/1999 Seasonal

Seasonal Plants and Accessories
Fessenden, North Dakota                   Variable Hours           Variable Income
58438

Self-employed

Duties:

Research Client Needs,

Travel to Locate and Buy the Best Plants and Accessories,

Sales,

Daily, Weekly, Season Records,

Quarterly Reports,

Inventory,

Care of Plants,

Client Consultations.

Fessenden Booster Club         Black Jack Dealer                   2/1993-10/1995

Charitable Gaming
Fessenden, North Dakota       Variable Hours                       Variable Pay
58438

Supervisor:                 Deronda O’Neill, Gaming Manager

Duties:

Deal blackjack,

Fundraising,

Pull Tab Sales and Redemptions,

Bingo Calling,

Help Plan and Participate in Special Events,

Keep Accurate Records.

Krahler Construction                          Surveyor                     5/1993-10 1994

Farm Related
Fessenden, North Dakota
58438                                                  60 hrs/wk                    $1000.00/mo

Supervisor:                 Mark Krahler, Owner

Duties:

Use Surveying Rod and Transit to Determine Slope Adjustments Needed for Large Field Drainage,

Communicate Instrument Readings to Equipment Operator,

Check Adjustments to Assure Accuracy.

Safe Alternatives for Abused Families, Wells County         Director

Rural Domestic Violence Pilot Program                                           9/1991-11/1992
Fessenden, North Dakota
58438                                      Variable Hours                       Mileage Stipend                    

Duties:

Grant-writing,

Fund-raising,

Quarterly Reports,

Setting up and Running the Office and Office Equipment,

Making and Accepting Referrals to and from Other Agencies in a Tri-County Area,

Providing Safe Housing,

Transportation,

Public Education,

Support Groups,

Hot Line Telephone Services,

Emergency On-Call for Law Enforcement and Medical Personnel.