2006.11.16: November 16, 2006: Headlines: COS - Slovakia: Conservation: Arbutus Times: Slovakia RPCV Robbi Farschman leaves her job as southwest sector coordinator for the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation
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2006.11.16: November 16, 2006: Headlines: COS - Slovakia: Conservation: Arbutus Times: Slovakia RPCV Robbi Farschman leaves her job as southwest sector coordinator for the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation
Slovakia RPCV Robbi Farschman leaves her job as southwest sector coordinator for the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation
In addition to her community conservation work, Farschman's professional credentials include a Master of Arts degree in social work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, two years' experience as a U.S. Peace Corps teacher in Slovakia and teaching jobs with Baltimore County Public Schools, the Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Slovakia RPCV Robbi Farschman leaves her job as southwest sector coordinator for the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation
Farschman leaves legacy of heartfelt commitment
11/16/06
By Marcia Ames
Caption: Robbi Farschman accepts a parting gift of flowers from Harriet Pittman as she prepares to move to New Hampshire.
After more than six years as southwest sector coordinator for the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation, Robbi Farschman will leave her job Nov. 21 to live in New England.
"I don't know what I'm going to do up there, which is why it's sort of exciting to go," she said last week, with characteristic enthusiasm.
Her man, as she refers to Chris Pitcher, has already found employment in Concord, N.H., and awaits her there.
Farschman stayed behind to sell their Catonsville house, a deal she expected to close on Nov. 3.
Job hunting begins later this month, but she isn't worried about prospects.
In addition to her community conservation work, Farschman's professional credentials include a Master of Arts degree in social work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, two years' experience as a U.S. Peace Corps teacher in Slovakia and teaching jobs with Baltimore County Public Schools, the Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
The couple had wanted to live anywhere in New England that featured snow, she explained.
Moving to a town before having a job there doesn't scare Farschman, 38.
Leaving the Peace Corps in the summer of 1996 with no job and no place to live, the Ohio native saw unlimited options, not challenges, when she came to Baltimore.
She spent three years teaching and going to graduate school before her full-speed-ahead attitude endeared her to staff in the Office of Community Conservation, according to office director Mary Harvey.
"She puts so much heart and enthusiasm into her work," Harvey said. "She really is a good example of Baltimore County and our employees."
Farschman tended to community groups throughout the southwest sector, which extends from Interstate 70 south through Catonsville, greater Arbutus, Lansdowne, Riverview and Baltimore Highlands.
In general, her job was to coordinate community needs with available county resources.
A year ago in Halethorpe, for example, Farschman advised Oak Park residents wanting to create their own community organization on how to write bylaws and to incorporate so they could apply for county grants.
Farschman's most high profile task as a county employee came in spring 2006, when she coordinated activities for the 13-member Spring Grove 2010 committee.
Assigned to seek community input and suggest future uses for the Spring Grove Hospital Center in Catonsville should the state decide to sell the property, the volunteer committee met a half-dozen times over three months before producing recommendations in June.
Farschman handled minutes, general paperwork, scheduling and a myriad of other chores necessary for the committee to complete its work.
And she loved it, just as she did every other aspect of her job.
"It was great fun and I was paid to do it," she said.
Saying her goodbyes, which began last week with a mass e-mailing, has felt like a trail of tears, she said.
Meanwhile, the office she leaves behind is undergoing some reorganization.
Instead of a coordinator for the southwest sector, Harvey is assigning former northwest sector coordinator Tony Baysmore to the entire west side.
Terri Kingeter will serve the east side and a new employee, Michael Lynch, will use his Spanish- speaking skills to work with Latino populations throughout the county.
All areas will continue to receive individual attention as needed, Harvey said, noting that other staff will participate as well.
Until the reorganization is complete, communities Farschman has served may call Harvey at 410-887 -2572 for assistance.
E-mail Marcia Ames at Marcia Ames@patuxent.com
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Headlines: November, 2006; COS - Slovakia; Directory of Slovakia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Slovakia RPCVs; Conservation; Maryland
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Story Source: Arbutus Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Slovakia; Conservation
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