Resume for RITA BOSICO

Pastor and worship leader
7/2007 - Present  United Methodist Churches at Stuart and Gerty, Ada, OK
These churches both have long-established congregations with valuable traditions. I serve these congregations by leading them in worship (singing, playing guitar), preaching sermons and lessons, and praying for and with them.  In many aspects, I am helping to renew their attention to their current needs, and effectiveness in fulfilling their purposes, and to offer them opportunities to participate in the connectional aspects of the United Methodist Churches (activities, special offerings, and holy days in the church year). At the Stuart church, I am renovating the fellowship hall to become a community coffeehouse to provide opportunities for us to meet the people, serve them in kindness, meet their connectional needs, and by building relationships help to welcome them into the family and fabric of the congregation. Every Sunday afternoon, I offer free guitar lessons as another opportunity to build relationships and express God's love for them and encourage them in their talents.  Since there is a school just down the street (300 students Pre-K through 12) I have established several outreach events to invite the youth for fun, recreation, and building community among us. This has been successful among the middle-school aged students. I am establishing a youth band and youth group to where they can have their own expression of faith and worship, encountering God and learning his truth in a way that reaches them effectively.  From this group, and partnering with the school's FFA (Future Farmers of America) I aim to affect the town by establishing a food outreach, and even establish a student-maintained community food garden.  This will build an investment into people's lives, helping people at their basic needs, and making connection to the community through expressions of compassion and restoration. In this way, the church will mature in faith and express the nature of God in their lives, by expressions of people loving people.  I intend to model and emphasize Methodist founder John Wesley's directive to "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

Assistant to a Certified Financial Planner / Client Rep 
7/2006 - 5/2007  Premier Investment Advisory Services, Ada, OK
The business consisted of maintaining existing clients (who are retired ormaking the transition to retire) and meeting with prospects for the purpose of investing their retirement funds, managing annuities and establishing/monitoring 401k's, IRAs and 529 accounts for education savings.  My job was to be responsible for half of the client base, which extended locally, and in Oklahoma City and Texas.  I processed their account paperwork with our Broker (Securities America Inc in Omaha, Nebraska) and had a daily list of duties to ensure that all the clients' requests were being managed and resolved.  I set up their monthly payment plans, submit requests for occasional requests for money, and act as the liason for the client with companies including Charles Schwab Institutional, Fidelity Advisors, MTL (Mutual Trust Life insurance co), and Hanson-McLain.  I received clients' retirement checks and stock certificates and logged them at our Investors' sites and in our database; at the direction of the CFP, I did mutual fund trading; I maintained the filing of trading records and deposits/withdrawals, and I took deposits from clients who have private IRAs through us and deposited them to their Schwab or Fidelity accounts.  The office use the Goldmine database to view customer information, log all actions, post actions to be taken in the future (follow-up, scheduling, etc), and we used a network for shared files, spreadsheets and forms.  On the first day of the month, I prepared month-end reports on all clients who have 401k's managed here. My job required that I maintain confidentiality with clients' logon information, their account values, and personal information.  I had daily demainds of attention to detail, timing and deadlines, having good customer relations skills, phone skills and familiarity with the internet, financial websites, email, online reports and activity, familiarity with the stock market and information in the Wall Street Journal.  Since the office had a small staff, good teamwork was necessary.  I was hired for the job because the owner said that I had a pastor's heart and could help the clients who were experiencing the multipes facets of stress of transitioning into retirement, and the effects of being retired after long careers at at&t and other companies, being sensitive to quickly execute their requests for withdrawls and helping them in any way.

Director of Food and Clothes Mission
12/2003 - 3/2007  Matthew 25 Mission of Ada, Inc., Ada, OK
I directed the monthly Food Outreach of St Luke's Episcopal Church called Matthew 25 Mission. I order the food from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, arrange volunteers, direct the food load in, sack the food, and oversee the registration and distribution to hundreds of households that come to our site.   I oversee the entire operation of the outreach from start to finish. Over the years, I have been successful at making good rapport with other community helping agencies and other churches.  We now have several churches that participate in this with us. I did the public relations of the mission and brought awareness to the community by participating in the Community Council meetings at DHS (the helping agencies in Pontotoc County), 211 Information Referral Services, United Way events, and the Community Needs Awareness council. I created the presentation board and all brochures and handouts.

I have employed several fundraising efforts to help keep the outreach going that have been very successful in creating more community awareness and financial support:

-  Redeeming receipts through a local grocery store who gives us ($20 for every $1,000 in receipts. We average $200 a month with this avenue.

- I applied to have the outreach be a United Way agency and we  were accepted and received $4,500.00 (at that time we became a 501(c)3 org. and I serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors); 

- I  wrote a grant to the Episcopal Church Office in New York City to apply for a grant from the United Thank Offering and we were awarded $10,000, and

- I applied to the Episcopal Church's Jubilee Ministry office in NYC to be a Jubilee Center

- and we were accepted as one of only 5 Jubilee Centers in the State of Oklahoma and a select few in the USA.  They trained me in the philosophy, theology and practical issues of  "seeking peace and justice for the poor and oppressed" and I was able to network with other food outreaches around the country.

- I applied to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and received a desktop computer to do food orders online.- I received 2 laptop computers through a united way agency for keeping our rosters in a spreadsheet for keeping our statistics and registration information.I have advanced from just ordering the food, to maintaining  an emergency food pantry  (to help the homeless, and those in crisis without food. I collaborated with Ada Area Commty Emerg Services who had an office in our bldg)to overseeing and directing the whole operation of the missionand recruiting volunteers to do the workto launching community gardens for fresh produce for children and adults.I also created a web page which gives updated information on our mission (stlukesada.com/matthew25)

Church Secretary
4/2004 - 7/2006  St Luke's Episcopal Church, Ada, OK
Handle the front office of the Church office. I receive all walk-ins and work with their requests; I handle the phone calls, emails, and create all materials for church services. I publish the monthly newsletter and maintain a rapport with all the organizations that use our church's parish hall. I report to the Rector of the parish and work on any projects he needs.

Secretary for Director of Campus Ministry
1/2006 - 5/2006  United Campus Ministry, Ada, OK
Support the director of an ecumenical campus ministry.  Create signs and flyers for events and create mail-outs for churches in the state.  Supplied support for office needs as well as the board of directors.  Helped promote their various fundraisers.

Guitar Instructor
6/2002 - 5/2005  Self, Ada, OK
Taught students guitar skills and musical expression.  I used chord charts, instructional CD's with a workbook,  song writing exploration, listening to sound clips, different music styles, contemporary songs, going to guitar concerts and gave them practice routines that helped them increase their skills with great results.  I interviewed the students of what they wanted to learn, and based on that analysis, I created goal sheets and my recommendations of how to achieve those goals.  I kept them accountable and encouraged their successes.  I taught on electric and acoustic guitars.  I purchased equipment (such as accessories, sound effects boxes and speakers) to help them go to the next level and feel confident in their playing ability. With my instruction and encouragement, they went from absolute beginner to novice to confident, capable guitar player.

Computer Tech Support / Customer Relations
8/1999 - 1/2004  Sykes Enterprises Inc, Ada, OK
Worked in a call-center taking in-bound calls of customers of PeoplePC, Toshiba computers, and SBC DSL service.  Computer Tech Support:  Established customer information, assessment of the symptoms of malfunction and did technical troubleshooting to fix the problem by directing the customer over the phone of what actions to take. I also updated the Knowledge Base that the other techs used.  On PeoplePC, I helped create the new knowledge base for other reps and techs, and used eGain to do computer tech support via email.  Trained a class out of state to take over this aspect of the account.Customer Relations:  For Toshiba Computers.  I listened to the complaints of customers who were not able to be helped by level 1 or level 2 techs and used  my skills to work towards keeping the customer, and making them happy.  Sometimes this meant replacing their computer or offering a compensation gift for their dissatisfaction.  It required listening skills, a calm and peaceful attitude, extreme patience and working hard with the headquarters out of state to see what could be done to satisfy the customer.

Director and Teacher at Bible Institute
8/1999 - 3/2003  Victory School of Ministry, Ada, OK
Raised up a new Bible Institute to train people for ministry in the church, as well as additional education in theology and the bible. First I worked with a man in establishing ties with LIFE Bible College using their curriculum. When that proved too expensive for the students, we established our own curriculum and taught those classes ourselves.  After the initial director left, I remained as the sole director and forged a relationship with the Oral Roberts University School of Lifelong Education to establish a Diploma Program and continued to teach classes, be the administrator and registrar and acquire a ministry library and computers for the students.  I taught classes and selected teachers for other classes in ministry classes and counseling classes.  See website:  vsom.1hwy.com

Minister to college students
7/1999 - 3/2002  LifeHouse, Ada, OK
Helped the students of East Central University develop their faith by mentoring them, preaching, playing music, and offering spiritual advice.

Office Temp for several businesses
9/1998 - 6/1999  Express Personnel, Tulsa, OK
Due to my varied talents and ability to adjust to changing environments, I was a temp for several companies including:     AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists),  St Francis Hospital,  Honor Books Publishing Company, and  Lockheed Martin-Postal Technologies Inc.

Office Secretary
8/1997 - 9/1998  The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK
The company was the Oklahoma chapter of an international organization (tnc.org) which is committed to preserving certain lands that hold local ecology intact as well as ecosystems that depend on its stability.  I worked mainly for the director, Brita Cantrell with presentations and correspondence and supported them as needed in regards to the education, research and fundraising that they did.  Participated in several trips to the Tall Grass Prairie for the annual Bison roundup, and for the dedication of the Pontotoc Ridge Preserve and helped to coordinate their annual meeting with their members from across the state.  Did the data entry for an extensive survey of their members.

Head Teaching Assistant for Gen Ed Bible Classes
8/1994 - 5/1997  Oral Roberts University Grad School of Theology and Missions (Seminary), Tulsa, OK
After 1 semester of being a TA, I was promoted to be the Manager of 12 TA's for the general education Old Testament and New Testament Bible Classes (of 600-800  undergraduate students) in the Fall and Spring semesters for 3 years. I taught the classes in the teacher's absence, and gave announcements.  I also coordinated the TA training classes.  I arranged 3 discussion groups for each TA, made the seating charts for their sections in our auditoriums, kept attendance, prepared the students for tests, led the tests including the distribution of materials, answering inquiries, watching for cheating, executing discipline, and overseeing the grading and post testing procedures.  I created the first computerized grade book for the TAs, complete with formulas, for accurate and easy grade calculations, attendance tracking and notes on students. This way our TA's were more efficient and the information was able to be printed out in neat typing and made the time management easier for the TAs and myself.

Newspaper Columnist
2/1993 - 5/1996  Oral Roberts University THE ORACLE NEWSPAPER, TULSA, OK
Campus newspaper weekly columnist for "The Oracle".   I created a new column called "A Good Report" which featured reporting on the spiritual events on campus as well as reviews on upcoming events. My skills involved observation, interviewing, research, writing and editing. In addition, my photographs were included with articles.

Rep in Admissions Dept
5/1995 - 8/1995  Oral Roberts University Grad School of Theology and Missions, Tulsa, OK
Answered incoming calls of people inquiring about our degree programs and requirements, and sent out information packages to them. For those who were applying, I kept in contact with them in their application process.  I also led campus tours for potential new students at our college weekend seminars. I created a slide show of the history of the university for the dean to present for the main event of the weekend.  I helped people who were considering attending ORU by communicating what we offered and what they were needing for preparation for their purpose in life.  I was on the team of facilitators for 2 summers of 1995 and 1996

Teaching Assistant for Undergrad Theology Class
1/1993 - 5/1993  Oral Roberts  University Grad School of Theology and Missions, Tulsa, OK
I was on the team of 12 TA's who led 3 discussion classes each week for the general ed. class "Christian Faith and Ministry". I attended the lectures and tests and held office hours each week.  I was responsible for keeping an accurate grade book of about 100 students.

Secretary
5/1992 - 12/1992  AGFA  Film, Orangeburg, NY
Secretary for a company that manufactured film and specialized in new digital imaging.   I was the secretary in a department of a director and 5 other employees that sold machines that did  imaging and storage of images of medical procedures.  I arranged meetings and catering needs, prepared reports, communicated regularly with our branch in Belgium and kept our foreign guests entertained when they visited.

Office worker for Undergraduate Theology Dept Chairman
8/1989 - 5/1992  ORU - Undergraduate School of Theology and Missions, Tulsa, OK
Worked for the chairmen of this department for 3 years doing any general office work they needed.  This also included supporting the secretary and about 14 teachers in the fields of bible, theology and practices of ministry.  Our work involved setting up resources in the library for the students, having material copied at the Copy Center, and helping out at the departmental meetings. This was a work-study job where most of my pay was applied towards tuition.

Secretary, Parks & Rec Offices
5/1988 - 8/1989  City of Maitland, Florida, Maitland, FL
Worked as secretary for the Director of the City of Maitland's Parks and Recreation Department.  Also assisted the employees directing the after-school programs, summer programs, city sports teams and registration in those events.  Served the public every day - both adults, parents and children.  Worked with the City Hall staff with communication, public meetings, and marketing our events to the community.  Assisted the staff in planning three new recreation centers and the bidding and contract process to renovate a tennis center.  Ended the job to continue my education in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Administrative Assistant and Office Staff
5/1986 - 1/1988  Lederle Labs (American Cyanamid Pharmaceutical Co), Pearl River, NY
Worked as a temp doing office work and administrative assistant duties in 11 departments over the course of my time there.  This was a nationally-recognized pharmaceutical company which did R&D as well as production of vitamins and drugs onsite.  The work in these departments required attention to detail, work with the FDA, confidentiality, technical terminology, work with scientists, coordination with other departments, and many kinds of reports, meetings and presentations.

Choir Singer
1/1987 - 3/1987  Festival of Praise - travelling Choir, Longwood, FL
Travelled with this choir (singing alto) doing concerts in churches almost every night of the week and several times on weekends.  We memorized the whole program and learned staging for the risers, and every two weeks we incorporated a new group of singers for the next leg of the journey.

Worship Leader of Guitar Group
5/1979 - 1/1987  St Peter's Catholic Church, Haverstraw, NY
We provided worship music and singing for the contemporary mass at St Peter's Catholic Church. I was in the guitar group and led the singing for 8 years, the last 2 years of which I was the leader.  I played the guitar, led rehearsals, selected music and trained new musicians for the group.  I directed the music for our annual Easter plays as well.

Singer, PR, Newsletter editor
2/1985 - 12/1986  Concert Ministries Inc., Longwood, FL
Sang in several concerts with this tri-state choir, originally gathered for the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.  We performed in Manhattan on July 4th, as well as other churches in NY and NJ.  I worked the sound board during rehearsals and was a co-editor of a monthly newsletter for the choir.  I did advertising by handing out fliers in Manhattan to promote the event, creating radio PSAs and putting up posters.

Cashier/ Store Worker
9/1983 - 5/1985  7-Eleven, Suffern, NY
I served the public by being a cashier and store worker at one of the busiest convenience stores near a hospital, police station and salvation army school.  I maintained the drink machines, kept the areas clean and restocked the coolers every night.  I was responsible to verify the invoices of the publications and magazines that were delivered, as well as the draughts of the beer deliveries.

Serving the Priests and Retreat Participants
3/1982 - 9/1982  Don Bosco Marian Shrine, Thiells, NY
Worked with the kitchen staff at a Christian retreat center.  We served the priests their dinners, and prepared the dining rooms for the groups on retreat.  We delivered the food, worked with food preparation and clean up, prepared the tables and did clean up.

Campaign Worker
1/1970 - 8/1982  Election Campaigns and Local Govt, Haverstraw, NY
Our family was involved in several election campaigns for my father and his friends running for mayor, deputy mayor, and trustee of the Village of Haverstraw, New York.  The HQ was always at our house and so I was involved in the distribution of campaign literature, phone calls to constituents, making election signs and observing the creation of press releases, building a support base, and the voting and election process. In high school, I was on the local campaign team for a gubernatorial race.  My father was in local government for 12 years and I from his time in office, I learned much about the issues of running a village and caring for its people; the administrative side and the managing side, the politics and the people.Through this experience I learned how to listen to people's needs, follow instructions, work on a team, lead a team, have poise and professional phone manners, be a hard worker till the end, and work to win.