The Friends of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park seeks a full time Executive Director with the capacity to envision and strategically plan the direction of the organization. The Friends group works in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve, protect, and expand awareness of the significant resources and influences associated with the lives and heritage of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. About the Friends of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Since forming in 2007 as a 501(c)3 organization, the Friends group has raised over $1 million in contributions and dedicated funds to support events, education, and historic preservation projects in the Park. Led by an eight-member Board of Directors, the purpose of the Friends group is to: Serve as advocates for the Park, promoting public support for care, preservation, and educational opportunities related to the Park Develop and implement programs and activities that will broaden the public s knowledge of the Park, its resources, and future needs Plan and co-sponsor special events to raise funds for worthy Park projects, and Foster partnerships between the Park and regional businesses, organizations, and institutions that will support the economic vitality common to all. Recent Park projects supported with funds from the Friends group include: Youth Presidential Leadership Council created was established in the fall of 2016 to involve a diverse group of high school students in cultivating skills in leadership, volunteerism, civic engagement, youth empowerment, and stewardship for the National Park Service. This initiative will develop student leaders, raise consciousness in communities, and encourage creativity in education. Through this program, youth will be empowered to become agents of change and public servants within the National Park Service and in their local communities. Parking Area Lighting updated the Friends submitted a successful grant application and provided partial funding to replace outdated lighting in the visitors center/headquarters parking area in Johnson City. The old lights will be replaced with low-energy consuming, night-sky friendly LED fixtures. LBJ Ranch Fire Truck restored a 1915 American LaFrance fire truck which served Brady, Texas from 1915 to 1960, was given to President Johnson in 1964. He used it for years as a vehicle to give tours of the ranch. With funding assistance from the Friends, hundreds of hours of meticulous restoration work were completed. The Park and Friends used the restored truck in parades as an "attention getter" throughout the National Park Service centennial year in 2016. The truck now has a permanent position in the Park's vehicle collection. Visitors Center Doors replaced the Friends matched funding for new automatic sliding oversized doors for the entrance to the Park s Johnson City visitors center. This allowed for President Johnson s Model T, gifted from Henry Ford II, to be moved from the Ranch to a new permanent display in the visitors center.
Recent fundraisers and other events co-sponsored by the Friends group include: 2017 LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour termed "a ride to preserve history" because it has the distinction of starting and ending on the airstrip of the LBJ Ranch, taking riders by the Junction School attended by the President as a child, and the Johnson Family Cemetery. Hundreds of riders from nearly two dozen states participate in the annual event, now in its tenth year 2016 Barbecue on the Pedernales guests enjoy an evening reminiscent of the barbecues President and Mrs. Johnson hosted for their guests from around the world. Barbecue and a live auction are followed by an evening of great country music all under the oak trees on the banks of the Pedernales River. 2016 Fort Griffin Fandangle a performance of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, barbecue, and a live band provided a fun-filled, family-oriented event at the LBJ Ranch. The Fandangle was first performed on the LBJ Ranch in 1967 for ambassadors representing the Organization of American States, again in 1976 for Mrs. Johnson and a bicentennial celebration with friends, for a ranch barbecue in 2008, and this time, to celebrate the NPS centennial. About the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Initially established in 1969 as the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Site, the Park was designated as a national historical park in 1980. The current authorized boundary encompasses 1,570 acres, of which 674 acres are federally managed. Two separate districts make up the Park. The Johnson City district in Johnson City, Texas, includes the Boyhood Home area and the Johnson Settlement, and reflects President Johnson s humble origins and the importance of community that influenced his policy agenda as president. The LBJ Ranch district in Stonewall, Texas, where the focal point is the Texas White House, is a physical manifestation of the President s personal and political life, the site of his ancestral home place, as well as a key aspect of his personal and public image. Executive Director Candidate Profile The Executive Director of the Friends group will report to the Board of Directors, provide overall leadership, and serve as the chief executive officer of this dynamic and expanding nonprofit organization. Job Responsibilities 1. Prepares and distributes meeting agendas in accordance with Bylaws. Takes minutes at Board meetings. Maintains cloud-based files for minutes, attendance, financial reports, Bylaws, and other records reviewed, approved and/or discussed at meetings. Initiates follow-up action on items and research resulting from meetings, and as requested. 2. Serves as FLBJ s point of contact. Responds to phone calls, email, and correspondence. Drafts responses for Board review and approval, when needed. Provides first review on contracts and agreements to make recommendations to Board. Serves as liaison for FLBJ with others on projects, permits, and contracts for grants, fundraising, marketing, educational, and other projects.
3. Oversees marketing and communications efforts. Develops marketing plan, for Board review and approval, to increase membership, donations, and overall participation levels. Prepares press releases, posters, and brochures for Board review and approval. Works with contractors to create banners, signage, shirts, tote bags, and other merchandise with the FLBJ logo; and videos and photographs, as directed by the Board. 4. Develops and keeps current databases for FLBJ membership, volunteers, media outlets, donations, funding requests and expenditures, and as requested. Reports on this data to the Board. Tracks membership renewal dates and sends renewal notices when needed. Works with Treasurer to properly record incoming funds. 5. Obtains grants each year in an amount no less than his/her annual salary. Seeks eligible grant opportunities. Writes and submits grant applications by the stated deadlines. Collects information, signatures, or other requirements to complete applications. 6. Organizes fundraising activities. Provides regular updates on the status of events. Tracks revenue and expenses for fundraisers to ensure fundraising costs do not exceed 20 percent of funds raised. Prepares acknowledgement letters to donors and auction winners for the appropriate signatures, as needed. Ensures that winning auction bidders obtain their items in a timely manner. 7. Administers strategic planning and implementation. Keeps informed about the FLBJ and LBJNHP s missions, bylaws, work plans, and programs. Tracks progress on goals in the FLBJ Annual and Five-Year work plans and assists the Board in routine reviews and updates to complete them. 8. Cultivates existing Board member relationships and development. Assists in conducting new Board member orientation. Makes recommendations to set standards and benchmarks on performing tasks, including technology to be used, for efficient operations. 9. Works effectively with diverse groups. Develops new, maintains or expands existing relationships with members, Park staff, organizations with similar interests, and other community groups. Uses these relationships to help increase awareness and visibility of Park activities and events. 10. Coordinates with LBJ Park Superintendent on FLBJ meetings and agendas prior to meetings; educational, restoration, and recreational projects; and fundraising, marketing, public relations, social media, and other FLBJ activities. 11. Coordinates with the Park Superintendent s Administrative Assistant prior to meetings. Ensures meeting space is reserved and remote electronic participation capabilities are in place and that meeting participants log-in and dial-in information is distributed prior to meetings. Acts on FLBJ requests received by the Park.
12. Maintains calendars of the organization s activities; grant and other funding opportunities schedules; and required reporting or filing deadlines, such as IRS filings, financial audits, insurance renewals, and event permits. 13. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. Professional Qualifications A bachelor s degree in related area of study preferred Minimum of 3 years related experience in administration of volunteer, nonprofit, or public service agency At least 3 years of nonprofit experience in budget preparation, analysis, decisionmaking, and reporting to a volunteer board Strong organizational abilities including grant writing, planning, program development, and project facilitation Pleasant personality and ability to convey the FLBJ s strategic future, interface and engage with Board, members, volunteers, LBJNHP staff, donors, and other audiences Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector Experience in establishing and maintaining endowments preferred Strong written, verbal, and social media communication skills Hands-on knowledge of technology needed to perform duties efficiently Persuasive communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills to collaborate with and motivate board members and other volunteers Salary: $50,000 with bonuses based on meeting goals set by the Board. This is a contract position. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, with specific direction being provided by the Board President who shall provide such supervision and oversight as shall be necessary. A yearly list of goals will be mutually agreed upon by the Executive Director and the Board President, with oversight from the Board. These goals will reflect the FLBJ s Work Plan with LBJ National Historical Park. The Executive Director shall provide the workspace and equipment, such as computer, printer, and cellular telephone, necessary to perform his or her duties and responsibilities, as well as utilities and wireless access. The Executive Director will maintain regular communication with the Board President, reporting on the status of FLBJ projects, specific goals, communications with Park staff and others in performing job duties, and other information regarding the daily operations of the organization. The Friends of the LBJ National Historical Park is an equal opportunity employer. People from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information about the Friends of the LBJ National Historical Park, please visit our website: friendsoflbjnationalpark.org). To apply for this position, please forward resume and letter of interest no later than May 29, 2017, to board@friendsoflbjnationalpark.org.