I've had the privilege of working with Judy Norsigian, executive director of the group that wrote, produced, distributed, and has kept in print (while publishing many more books) the ground-breaker, Our Bodies, Ourselves.
What brought Judy and me together originally was a conference I organized with Joan Labby (who now works at University of the West): Choices in Childbirth. This was in the years when there were few alternatives for women who wanted drug-free deliveries: New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Mass., was then the only place in Boston that had a "birthing room," which meant that you could give birth in the labor room without going to the "delivery" room, in truth, the operating room. Midwives were still regarded as itinerants without proper medical backup; doctors who attended homebirths did so at some risk to their credentials.
On the weekend of the Great Blizzard of '78, 350 people turned up for the conference (at the Harvard Science Center) to hear Judy, Norma Swenson, doctors, midwives, authors, mothers. (Somewhere I have the brochure.)
The conference led to my working on a few writing projects with Judy and the group. My mother happened to be in town for one meeting, and, because she too was interested in women's health, she came along. Typically, while facilitating, contributing ideas, and periodically jumping up to find exactly the right article to support a point, Judy stuffed, addressed, and stamped envelopes. "She never stops," my mother said on the way home.
All these years later, this Radcliffe graduate, world traveler, tireless activist and boundlessly-engaged family member still guides the organization and the many books it has published, including the updated original now in dozens of languages, mostly recently, Russian, Albanian, and Tibetan.
Jeff Stamps and I devoted a whole chapter of Networking, our first book, to Judy and the group.
Now comes the news that an anonymous donor has funded "a new position of Associate Director for 3 years." I wish I were in a position to take it. What an opportunity.
Download obos_assoc_dir_job_descr.doc
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New Position of Associate Director, Our Bodies Ourselves
Our Bodies Ourselves (also known as the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, Inc.), a nonprofit women’s health education, advocacy, and consulting organization, is seeking an Associate Director. This person would work closely with the current Executive Director, other senior staff, and selected Board members to assume key leadership responsibilities as the organization approaches its 40th year.
Our Bodies Ourselves provides accessible, research-based information about women's health and sexuality and advances health and human rights within a framework of values shaped by women's voices and a commitment to self-determination and equality. For some time, the organization has maintained a consistent profile, both in terms of visibility and financial size. A focus for the next few years is to grow the organization’s annual revenues and budget while stabilizing its fundraising capabilities and diversifying its funding sources.
Responsibilities (to be phased in over a period of time):
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
• Supervise the day-to-day operations of the organization
• Ensure accuracy & compliance of routine financial operations, working with financial consultants and/or staff, including:
- Review financial management system and make recommendations for strengthening, as appropriate
- Oversee preparation of annual audit and review monthly financial statements
- Develop and monitor annual and quarterly budgets for the organization and its specific programs
- Ensure timely and accurate completion of necessary state and federal government filings
• Lead strategic planning for the organization, in collaboration with the Board and other senior staff, and monitor/oversee implementation of strategic plans
• Principal staff liaison with the Board of Directors; attend all Board meetings
• Manage the human resources function and supervise staff
• Prepare annual report
PROGRAM
• Provide overall program leadership
• Increase visibility of the organization through various modes and media
- Act as spokesperson for OBOS
- Write op eds and other advocacy pieces
• Conduct policy/advocacy campaigns
• Develop and maintain relationships with other community-oriented organizations
FUNDRAISING
• Supervise research, writing, and submission of grant proposals and grant reports
• Lead donor relations
• Develop and implement short and long-term fundraising plans, created in collaboration with the Board and staff
Required Skills/Qualifications
• Nonprofit management/administrative experience, including direct supervision and management of employees.
• Knowledge of, skills, and proven experience in financial management of an organization with an annual operating budget of over $500,000 (including experience with budget management and financial reporting).
• Familiarity with and commitment to the content and philosophy of OBOS (the book)
• Good knowledge base and experience with women’s health, including reproductive health and gender equity issues
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Experience interacting with the media
• Some fundraising experience
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to organize resources, manage multiple projects, and establish priorities
• Demonstrated relevant experience of 8-10 years, including expertise gained in a growing nonprofit (or other relevant setting)
• Expertise and experience working with diverse communities
• Ability to think strategically and to develop and implement strategic plans
• Experience/comfort with a collegial model of management (participatory leadership style that recognizes people’s skills and fosters leadership in others)
OTHER QUALITIES SOUGHT
• Self-starter (dynamic, highly motivated)
• Entrepreneurial and forward thinking
To apply, please submit preferably VIA EMAIL a resume and cover letter, to: office@bwhbc.org. The organization mailing address is OBOS, 34 Plympton St, Boston, MA 02118. Fax: 617 451 3664.
Deadline: AUGUST 20, 2008
OBOS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
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