American Community Gardening Association
Executive Director Job Description Purpose of Position The Executive Director is responsible to the Board of Directors and has overall responsibility for the management and operations of the organization. The Executive Director also serves as a key ambassador to the community for ACGA. Key Responsibility Areas Work with the Board of Directors The Executive Director assists the Board in achieving the goals and mission of the organization. Prepares for and staffs board and committee meetings in consultation with the President. Overseeing Operations of National Office The Executive Director will provide oversight and management of ACGA's national office, The Executive Director oversees administrative and program staff and consultants on a daily basis. Fundraising and Finances The Executive Director will be the leader, working with the Board of Directors, in seeking sources of financial support and writing funding letters and proposals. Fundraising includes corporate sponsorship, individual supporters, foundation contacts and proposal writing, membership development, project contracts and, potentially, cause-related marketing, earned income, and consulting. Work with the Treasurer to prepare an annual budget and provide oversight of overall organizational finances. Program Development and Management Working with staff and volunteers, provide oversight for ACGA's programs and lead the development of new programs. Help organize and publicize ACGA's annual and regional conferences in conjunction with local organizing committees. Expand ACGA's training and mentorship programs, including developing strategic alliances with local and national organizations. ACGA's current strategic plan seeks to establish regional training/demonstration centers. Provide oversight and management of publication and distribution of publications, other membership mailings, and maintenance of the website and internet communication. Manage other staff and consultants, and support volunteers involved in these activities. Represent ACGA and Coordinate Activities with Other Groups The Executive Director represents ACGA at meetings and events. The Executive Director also would be called on to give testimony, advocating for and representing ACGA's position in meetings and hearings, and to manage press and public relations. The Executive Director will also develop and maintain mutually-beneficial working relationships with other organizations, corporations, city, state and government agencies and all private companies and individuals. The Executive Director will be supported by Board and other members in this role. Requirements * Possess a strong commitment to community gardening and community building. * Enthusiasm and experience with non-profit management. Experience with regional or national organizations is desired. * At least 5 years of experience in all or most of the following areas: * Strong fundraising record, including grant-writing, membership development, individual donor programs, corporate sponsorship and special events * Experience with general small organization management, including marketing/public relations, event management, program development and implementation, and financial management. * Demonstrated leadership ability and experience coordinating project development and implementation, involving multiple partners and/or participants * Computer and website literacy with multiple software programs * Experience working with voluntary boards. * Flexibility and ability to handle several projects simultaneously. * Willing and able to deal easily with a variety of people in social and professional situations. Experience with diverse communities: age, religion, cultural, ethnicity, sexual orientation Demonstrated ability to communicate in writing and orally. Multiple languages a plus * Successful record of working within a team environment as well as independent thinking and self- motivated * Work/live in Columbus Ohio or surrounding area. Application procedure: All materials must be sent electronically as attached documents. Please submit cover letter, your resume, and a concise writing sample by January 26, 2007 to: jkuhns at communitygarden.org Selection of candidate will occur during winter of 2006/2007. Expected start date will be in March/April 2007. About American Community Gardening Association The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is a bi-national non-profit membership organization of professional volunteers and supporters of community gardening and greening serving both the United States and Canada. Founded in 1979, ACGA serves a membership of over 1000 individuals and organizations and addresses issues that impact over 10,000 community gardens and over one-half-million community gardeners across North America. ACGA builds the capacity of community gardening programs to address social, environmental, health and economic issues. ACGA provides direct services, conferences, workshops, web services and publications. Highlights include an internationally recognized and attended annual conference, regular print and electronic publications, a dynamic listserv, youth/young adult programming, hands-on garden/community building mentorships, and a community organizing/organizational capacity-building curriculum and workshop program. Until 2005, ACGA was entirely managed by an active board of directors with limited administrative staff support. Currently ACGA has an interim Executive Director located in Boston, Massachusetts and an Operations Administrator and Programs Manager located at ACGA's new home at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. ACGA is an equal opportunity employer. The American Community Gardening Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or age. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20061215/648395a6/attachment.html
