NORTH EAST COMMUNITY CENTER. Millerton, New York Executive Director. Community. Background

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1 NORTH EAST COMMUNITY CENTER Millerton, New York Executive Director Background The North East Community Center (NECC) ( in Millerton, New York, was founded almost 30 years ago as the North East Community Council, Inc. At the urging of Town leadership, NECC was created to serve as a catalyst to create partnerships to address the lack of social support services for Millerton and North East residents, who reside far from county services in Poughkeepsie, NY. Millerton is located in Eastern Dutchess County in the Tri-State area of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. NECC incorporated as a New York nonprofit in 1990 and as a federal 501(c) (3) in In 1993, through the generous support of a donor, NECC purchased its current community center building in Millerton, where it has been doing business as NECC ever since. One of its earliest programs was to provide constructive activities for children and teenagers outside of school time. NECC has grown steadily since its founding, and, especially since 2001, has added programs and program sites, and expanded its geographic reach. It is the only organization in Northeast Dutchess County that provides a wide range of social services to community residents. Recently, its acclaimed After-School Program was voted the best in Dutchess County by the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam Counties. As NECC has grown, it has retained its commitment to remain deeply in touch with community need, to provide or work collaboratively with community partners to offer programs and services, and to create bridges of caring and understanding among all members of the community. NECC s general service area is Northeastern Dutchess County. In addition to Millerton and North East, it provides services to the surrounding towns of Amenia and Wassaic, Dover Plains, Pine Plains, Washington and Stanford, NY. Community The Village of Millerton in the Town of North East was founded in 1851 as a 19 th century railroad hub for eastern New York. The Village received historic recognition and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in The Village center includes The Moviehouse (a four-screen cinema), restaurants, antique shops, art galleries, an inn, popular coffee shops, headquarters for Harney s Tea, a thriving independent bookstore and a variety of small businesses. Millerton hosts part of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, an abandoned rail bed which has been paved over for hiking and biking. The Village is accessible via NY Route 22, and is located within 10 minutes from Sharon and Salisbury, CT, and an hour from Hudson River towns, including the county seat of Poughkeepsie. Millerton is also one hour from Stockbridge and Tanglewood in Massachusetts, and two hours north of New York City, by car or Metro 1

2 North (Harlem Line) train service. Millerton is a diverse community of long-time residents and second home owners. About the Executive Director Position The North East Community Center is seeking a visionary Executive Director to partner with the Board to lead NECC to the next level and manage, support and inspire the staff. The Executive Director of the North East Community Center will: Manage, support, and inspire the staff and programs; Be the face of the organization in all aspects of fund-raising and outreach; and Report to and work effectively with the Board of Directors. A critical responsibility for the successful candidate will be to provide experienced leadership, guidance, and management of the NECC, its staff and programs. He/she will lead, manage, and support a dedicated, long-serving, and mission driven staff of approximately 11 full- and 15 parttime employees. The Executive Director will communicate effectively with staff, Board members, the Advisory Board, government entities, collaborative partners, clients and the community at large. Monday Mornings Out Toddler Program Dial-A-Ride The position requires a creative and dynamic individual who will be the public face of NECC. The Executive Director will have significant experience and effectiveness in fundraising of all sorts, including individuals, public and private donors, private foundation grantors as well as governmental (local, County, and State) entities. The Executive Director will also interact with all strata of the surrounding community and its various organizations, which will ensure an awareness of developing needs that NECC can help meet. Reporting to an engaged Board of Directors, the Executive Director will work closely with the Board and its Committees in their ongoing and future responsibilities including exploration, planning and implementation of temporary and permanent space; conducting a successful capital campaign; and implementation of the Strategic Plan. NECC s Board follows good governance procedures and its responsibilities are initiated through its appropriate Board Committees or Task 2

3 Forces (currently including the Strategic Planning Task Force as well as the Building, Program, Development, Nominations & Governance, and Executive Committees). The Executive Director attends and participates in Committee and Task Force meetings. The Executive Director s ability to work effectively with this strong resource will help NECC achieve its ambitious strategic goals. Program Descriptions From its original founding as a Council, NECC has grown from a small agency to a significant regional provider and resource for Northeastern Dutchess County of a variety of social service programs that serve all ages in the community. The budget of approximately $1.3 million is currently supported by government, private and corporate foundation grants, individual contributions, and revenue from events. NECC s goals are to ensure quality after-school activities that support the development and academic achievement of young people; address gaps in family supports and social services; maintain community cohesion; and increase civic participation and responsibility for community problem-solving. Toward those goals, NECC runs numerous programs for teens, parents, seniors, kids, and families in crisis, including: Teen Interns Tax Aide Program Preschool and Toddler Enrichment Programs: Growing Together is a twice weekly parenting support and play group and Mom s Morning Out provides a half-day of child care each week. Youth and Teen Programs: After-School Connection includes elementary afterschool and middle school clubs and homework help. Community Partnership with Schools and Business (Teen Jobs) is an employment training program for high school students which includes the summertime Farm and Food Education Program. Teen Team Leadership/Youth Council provides leadership skills for teens as well as community service opportunities. Transportation Programs: Northeast Dutchess Transit includes the volunteer-led Dial-a-Ride and fills the huge gap in public transportation throughout many of the Dutchess county towns. The 3

4 program allows families and seniors to travel to medical appointments, shopping, social trips or even to catch a train. Senior Programs: In addition to NECC s transportation programs and Tax Assistance, there is a twice-weekly Senior Exercise Program. Family and Individual support: Tax Assistance provides volunteer tax preparation for lower income families. Case Management and Client Advocacy provide one-on-one support to individuals and families in crisis. By partnering with other organizations, NECC offers health insurance outreach and enrollment; groups for, and support to, Latino parents and families; enrollment in SNAP and other programs; as well as assistance with housing, mental health support and other services. Fresh Local Food and Hunger Relief: Millerton Farmers Market connects local farmers to all members of the community, including low-income residents via incentive programs like HealthBucks. NECC Community Garden provides fresh produce to local needy families. School Garden at Webutuck High School provides fresh produce to the community. Summer Lunch Box bridges the school year gap to provide free lunch and breakfast to children in need. The Fresh Food Pantry provides farm produce, milk and eggs to clients of three area pantries. Cultural Programs and Community Connections: NECC enriches the cultural life of its communities with various neighbor-connecting programs. In addition, it serves as a Community Resource, Community Advocate and Community Partner in groups such as Millerton Business Group, Eastern Dutchess Rural Health Network, Anti-Racism Millerton, and the Nutrition Advisory Council, among others. NECC also serves an important role in referring community members to other organizations and entities that offer the additional programs and services that NECC cannot provide. Executive Director Key Responsibilities and Skills Required Lead, manage and communicate with a dedicated and mission-driven staff. Partner with the Board of Directors and Board Committees to achieve strategic goals, and provide appropriate financial management and program oversight. Partner with government, religious and non-profit/foundation officials and organizations in Millerton, North East, and surrounding communities, including nearby Columbia County, to address community needs. Collaboratively raise funds from individuals, foundations and government sources. Manage and renew existing grants and acquire new ones. Participate in a Growth Campaign for building improvements and expansion, and to increase the endowment. Maintain the current range of excellent programs and services. With program staff, establish critical metrics for targeted evaluation to improve program results. 4

5 Ensure that the foundational NECC values of respect, flexibility, transparency, collaboration and inclusiveness permeate all NECC does. Work with Board and staff to establish priorities for new or expanded programs, with projected budget and staff impact, when space and resources allow, and appropriate approvals have been secured. Supervise and manage budgets; oversee the preparation of reports and vouchers for grants and the preparation of monthly financial reports. Work with the Building Committee to identify new office and program space and to design an efficient and flexible facility. Oversee implementation of a visionary and effective Strategic Plan. Continue to enhance community awareness, outreach, ongoing dialogue and support. Qualifications Advanced degree in social work or related field preferred 10+ years experience in social and/or community services, including management in a high level administrative capacity Experience working with an effective Board of Directors (highly desirable) Strong and effective management skills, including staff development and establishing professional procedures and protocols Excellent writing and public speaking skills Experience in developing and running programs, particularly those related to social services Financial acumen, including knowledge of nonprofit finances, funding, budgets, and grants management Marketing, public relations and communications experience, including social media Computer skills, including Word, Excel and Power Point Experience planning and implementing large events (desirable) Experience with capital campaigns and building projects (desirable) Life experience in a small town or rural area (highly desirable) Bilingual in Spanish and English (desirable) Traits and Characteristics Highly organized and able to delegate Effective decision-making skills Proven good judgment Passionate commitment to the goals and mission of the NECC Effective verbal and non-verbal communicator with excellent speaking and writing skills Ability to communicate internally and externally Collegial team player who is a people-focused leader Ability to see the big picture, but with attention to details, as needed 5

6 Ability to manage, work and communicate with individuals from a variety of income levels, and become part of a diverse community with widely divergent populations Evidence of being a community advocate A collaborative people person with a good sense of humor/friendly and outgoing Toddler Enrichment Program Weekly Farmers Market Compensation and Benefits Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and participation in a retirement plan. Applications and Inquiries Please submit a letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred) to: Doralynn Pines, The Development Consulting Group at: search.tdcg@gmail.com North East Community Center is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes any qualified applicant and values diversity of all kinds. 6