When I first saw this task I thought it was comical enough to get my stamp of approval. I started by creating a Mac alias of Recommender@mac.com I designed and posted 20 physical signs around town. I also posted to SF Craig's List as well as the Guardian and SFGate. I waited about a month with no responses. I reposted. This time to both SF and NYC. Apparently there is a lack of validation in the big apple for by the end of the day I had two hits.

the first was from a Yogetta Singh.

On Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at 12:16PM, "Singh, Yogeeta"
wrote:
hi there i was wondering if you do write letters to graduating applicats who needs to have a research on their background

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From: recommender [mailto:recommender@mac.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 3:23 PM
To: Singh, Yogeeta
Subject: Re: Recommendations For Any Circumstance (Greenwich Village)

Sure,
Just give me the information I need to include as well as background on what it is you are needing the letter for and I will write something up. The more info you can provide me with the better.

-TR

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Singh, Yogeeta wrote:
Well im 27 years old and I just graduated John Jay with a BA in Forensic Psychology And Im applying to graduate school and I don't have any experience in volunteering work or research I have no idea where to start and where do I need to list my voluntary position when applying for grad school or where do I go get a voluntary
job I can attach my resume for you I from a family of six girls and it took me along time to get here today

Just got out of an 8 relationship and my dad survived a major heart attack I would love to work with children and I have the patient because im an aunt of three nieces and six nephews I know I need to look for a research program but I don't know where to start

She attached her resume with this email. At this point I did a little research on Forensic Psychology....apparently a Forensic Psychologist must have a doctorate in psychology and then complete and additional 3-5 year degree program in Forensics.....having a BA in Forensic Psychology from a 2 year college made me question the validity of this poor girls degree. I also felt a desire to help her since it was obvious that she was rather clueless about the whole process. I threw in a little advice.

So, are you needing a letter of rec for graduate school or something else? If it is for school, what schools are you applying to?

As far as volunteer work goes, any sort of job you do will look good on the resume whether it relates to your field or not. You could volunteer at an animal rescue facility or a soup kitchen even. You can look for internships as well. you may be able to get these through your school or find them on Craigslist. you would list these just like a regular job only under the a heading like "Public Service" or "Internship".

-TR

I got no response. after a week I just went ahead and did it.

>From: recommender [mailto:recommender@mac.com]
>Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 12:22 AM
>To:Singh,Yogeeta

Subject: Your letter of recommendation


Ms.Singh,
Here is a rough draft of your letter. Please let me know if there are any changes or additions you would like to make. Also, please let me know if you need this letter sent to you on official stationary for forwarding to anything which you are applying.

Anthony Stephens

6/13/2007
Director of Human Relations
Humanitarian Crisis
http://SF0.org/groups/crisis


Yogeeta Singh Is as dedicated as she is talented. She has proven this fact time and again when confronted by difficult situations. She handles herself calmly and methodically. She was a shining star of her bachelor program at John Jay College. She excelled at every turn and overcame adversity to present herself in the forefront of her class.Though hard work and perseverance Ms. Singh has earned the respect and admiration of both her peers and professors. Professionally, she is as motivated as any person I have known. She has elevated herself to be in a position of leadership at which Ms. Singh continually excels ,being an inspiration to her coworkers and a reliable indispensable asset to her employers. She , Aside from her collegiate success . Ms. Singh has extensive experience in managing the needs of both children and adults . She is patient and compassionate : the characteristics inherent to any good caregiver. It is Obvious to me that She graduated the program prepared thoroughly for either graduate study or professional research. She has the drive to succeed in any venue she aspires to I feel, without any doubt in my mind that Ms.Sing would be a talented and creative asset to any program fortunate enough to receive her application.




let me know
-TR

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On Thursday, June 14, 2007, at 06:51AM, "
Singh,Yogeeta
"

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no problem at all,

Yes, you can send it to your graduate schools. If you give me a list I can print one for each school on stationary along with several general ones and send it to you for redistribution.

-TR

I have yet to receive a response back from this question either. I designed a letter head and printed up the letters. Both Avidd and Lowteck advised me to remove the web url for HC from the letter, but due to one part apathy, one part figuring that anyone she sends this letter to won't be checking up on HC (even if they do, I have a feeling that having a stranger attached to a ARG writing her letter of recommendation might not be the highest hurdle to her acceptance or hiring) and two parts laziness I have never reprinted the letter. Nor have I sent it out to her yet. They are currently packed away securely in a box and will go out as soon as I find them.

UPDATE
the letters have been mailed.

as for the second hit....

David Simpson wrote:
Can you tell me if people can also call you for a verbal recommendation?
Thanks,
David

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No, I am sorry. I do written recommendations only.

-TR
SF0.org