Every organization needs that one person who can prepare for programs and events, keep staff on schedule for important meetings and oversee day-to-day operations.
At the United Way of Central Missouri, that person is Lynne Bateman, the organization's administrative coordinator.
Bateman is a recognizable face in Jefferson City, having spent 36 years working at area banks.
"The first bank I ever worked for was Jefferson Bank," she said. "I worked with them for 19 years."
Bateman started out, like many career bankers, as a teller, and worked her way up the ladder. She eventually became executive assistant to Harold Westhues.
From there, Bateman said, she went on to branch management and mortgage lending.
"Those types of skills are the foundation for any job that you do. You need to know those types of organization and time-keeping - and to just get things done when you're on deadline," she said.
Her ability to prioritize tasks make her a good fit for the United Way, she said.
Bateman has supported the United Way for decades, she said, either through volunteering or helping administer events.
She's chaired fundraising events like "Mid-Missouri's Got Talent" and served on the organization's board of directors and marketing team.
Bateman retired about two years ago. Then, on May 22, 2019, a tornado tore through parts of Miller and Cole counties.
A Central Bank executive called and asked Bateman if she could assist the United Way with the sudden influx of donations and volunteers, which was overwhelming.
She and other volunteers helped fill the need at the nonprofit, which was understaffed because of a recent departure.
Local United Way President Ann Bax approached Bateman about filling in until after the annual fundraising campaign had concluded in November.
"Sure, I've already finished Netflix," Bateman replied. "Ann laughs that I got 'training by fire.' I just came in and started helping."
There was no time for training because the organization was in the midst of its annual fundraising campaign, was busy with tornado recovery and was trying to prepare the community for long-term recovery, she said.
"I just used my background from everything else I've ever done," Bateman said.
As she worked, Bateman realized she was enjoying the experience.
Then November came.
Bateman told Bax she really liked what she was doing. Bax hadn't hired anyone for the position and asked Bateman to continue.
And 2020 came along.
The COVID-19 pandemic spread through the state in spring.
Businesses closed and reopened. And the business climate changed.
Late summer, as campaigns begin to wind down, Bateman's ability to prioritize come in most handy. It's a time when Bateman is normally called upon to schedule speakers and workplace rallies at businesses.
"Ann can give me 10 things to do," she said. "What do I do first? (It's about) just knowing and using intuition."
With numerous people out of work and multiple companies allowing their employees to work remotely this year, the campaigns are much different than in the past.
"It is a challenge when things have to be done virtually," Bateman said. "People still need help every day - even when there's not a tornado, or there's not a flood, or there's not a pandemic. They still need help. That's why these campaigns are so important."