Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County

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1 Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County Great futures start here. Chief Executive Officer Position Profile Search conducted by:

2 1 Bo y s & Gi r l s Cl u b s o f Wh at c o m Co u n t y THE MISSION To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. THE ORGANIZATION Boys & Girls Clubs around the country provide kids a safe, nurturing, and fun place to be outside of school. Boys & Girls Clubs give kids a place to call their own, where they can be part of a team, be creative, get help with homework, or just hang out with friends. These clubs are making a difference in kids engagement in school, their safety, and their choices for life after high school. Every Boys & Girls club is a part of its community and varies to meet its unique needs. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County (BGCWC) was founded in 1946 and has grown to become a $2M organization with five clubs serving nearly 6,000 kids in Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lummi Island, and Lynden. Each location offers arts activites, an exclusive space for teens, outdoor play, access to computers, and afterschool programs such as Power Hour -- where college-age volunteers help kids with homework. The dedication of staff is universal at the BGCWC. This is a group that loves working with kids, believes in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs, and is motivated by their ability to make a difference in kids lives. The number of kids served, the array of programming offered, and the physical facilities of the clubs varies significantly as a result of their distinct local communities. To learn more, please visit

3 2 Our Locations Bellingham is the largest city in Whatcom County and its club is also the largest of the five - serving over 150 children in the afterschool programs daily. Bellingham offers a robust athletics program, which serves 350 kids in peak season and includes baseball, basketball, football, and volleyball. Nearby schools offer bussing directly from school to the club, which is conveniently located next to a public park. Free daily snacks and a full-day summer time program are also provided. Bellingham is the core location of BGCWC and where the CEO and leadership team currently have office space. Blaine serves roughly children per day and is located directly opposite the local elementary and middle schools. Kids can literally cross the street from school to reach the club. It is housed within the Blaine community center. It has an outdoor basketball court and also is in the planning stages to build a new, covered outdoor space (The Pavilion) with support from the City of Blaine and the community at large. Ferndale is the second largest club, serving approximately 150 kids per day, with around 250 when including athletics in peak season. Ferndale s athletics program offers basketball, baseball, and football. Renovated in 2010, the club itself is also beautiful. The high schooler s space includes a recording studio and a stereo system plays upbeat music in the indoor basketball court. Lummi Island is the smallest and most rural club, reflecting the close-knit, artistic community of Lummi Island population of 820. Serving kids per day, this location features a garden club and volunteer activities in the local community. Lummi Island recently won an award for their community service work. Lynden serves kids per day. Housed in a local church that generously donates the space, this location has access to several acres of greenspace and outdoor play is frequent. Lynden additionally aims to expand in the next few years and the incoming CEO will be key in driving the capital campaign to support that growth.

4 3 Ch i e f Ex e c u t i v e Of f i c e r Based in Bellingham, Washington, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will have a direct impact on children s lives in Whatcom County. The organization is poised for growth and the next CEO will have the opportunity to take this premier nonprofit organization to the next level. S/he will be the public face of the organization -- raising funds and generating visibility in the local communities. In partnership with the Board of Directors, s/he will build lasting relationships with government, civic, and business leaders, as well as parents, donors, and partner organizations. The CEO also will provide strategic leadership and organizational vision, ensuring that the agency operates in support of the mission, vision, and overall goals. S/he will oversee the entire organization and have four (4) direct reports (COO, Director of Development, Controller, and Administrative Assistant). The position includes managing leadership staff, maximizing the liaison role with the BGCWC Foundation, providing human resources, accounting, resource development, IT, and communications support for the clubs. S/he will design and implement plans, policies, and initiatives to enable all clubs to provide consistent, high quality services. Key Priorities The first priority for the incoming CEO will be to establish relationships internally with staff and the Board of Directors. This individual will need to provide stable and consistent leadership for the organization. Then s/he should look outward, solidifying connections in the communities and continuing to expand those through fundraising and volunteer recruitment efforts. More specifically, the CEO will focus on: Collaboration of the Clubs Overseeing a group of five different locations, the CEO must have the leadership, people skills, and operational know-how to better leverage the BGCWC s shared resources. While BGCWC has a strong COO who will support these efforts, the CEO must communicate and further build the vision around how to best create collaboration between - and an integrated identity across - the five clubs. Team Building & Staff Development The BGCWC CEO will work closely with staff and must create a unified, friendly, and effective internal leadership team as well as mentor staff to become leaders. The incoming CEO will partner with the COO and Board to build a roadmap for deepening teamwork and professional development opportunities. Governance & Board Development The new CEO will build the involvement of the talented, diverse group of community volunteers who make up the corporate Board of Directors and the local club Boards. The CEO will be expected to help develop Board membership and assist the Board in fulfilling its roles and responsibilities. The CEO will also be expected to proactively provide factual and timely information to the Boards as needed to make high-level strategic and capital decisions.

5 4 Strategic Planning The incoming CEO will be paramount in setting the vision for the future of the organization. Taking the Board through a strategic planning process, building a strong 3-year plan, and goal-setting stand as major milestones for the first year in this role. Connecting with the Community In order to be effective, the CEO must be able to connect to the local communities. Gaining an understanding of each community s demographics, needs, opportunities, and strengths will be the top priority of the role. Building trust and becoming known in the community will be the CEO s first step. Innovative Funding for Operations The CEO must seek and develop innovative and diverse funding opportunities to support operations and program expansion. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County has traditionally had each location run its own fundraising events and these special events (primarily auctions) have provided the majority of each club s funds. One of the key priorities for the CEO role will be expanding the development strategy to move from events-driven fundraising to increased focus on cultivating major donors and corporate sponsorships. Alumni tracking and other creative fundraising approaches could create a sea-change for expanding the donor base and increasing giving levels. Endowment Growth & Expansion Goals The BGCWC has a separate foundation that manages an endowment of $2M, which helps to ensure financial sustainability. The CEO must work cooperatively and generatively with the foundation to grow the endowment and maximize this financial resource. As the financial backstop for the organization, the BGCWC aims to increase this endowment in order to proactively ensure continued financial stability. The new CEO will also scope out the parameters of a capital campaign to support Lynden in obtaining an independent space. Clarification and significant further planning is required before fundraising begins.

6 5 Key Competencies & Ideal Profile STRONG LEADER The CEO will be a big picture thinker who will inspire the confidence and respect of the staff, Board, donors, parents, and kids. S/he will empower and support staff encouraging collaboration while managing ongoing challenges in a consistent and fair manner organization-wide. A motivating manager and mentor with a passion for the mission, the ideal candidate will help bring the organization to its full potential. BGCWC is also seeking an individual who is ethical, dedicated, approachable, humble, and demonstrates outstanding interpersonal skills. This visible, accessible individual will be a manager who leads by example. Experience in strategic planning, proven success in staff development, and the ability to build internal buy-in are essential skills for this role. ACCOMPLISHED FUNDRAISER This charismatic, polished candidate will enthusiastically raise the visibility of the Boys & Girls Clubs and serve as its ambassador, clearly messaging the organization s impact in the community. Both sophisticated and down to earth, s/he will have a track record of building long-lasting relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Ideally, the CEO will have experience implementing and maximizing a development strategy with a personal passion for fundraising. This authentic individual will have a proven ability to cultivate community and donor support, building on the already strong reputation of the clubs. BUSINESS ACUMEN The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, strong financial acumen, and thorough understanding of the challenges of non-profit management. The COO and Board are already heavily engaged in setting rigorous programming standards and improving data management; a CEO who shares these values around goal-setting and measurable impact is essential. An ideal candidate will quickly unite all parties under a single vision and catalyze changes to implement that vision. S/he is a strong, creative problem solver who sets clear guidelines and is effective in resolving conflict. Experience in managing an organization through positive change and times of growth is highly desired. INNOVATOR The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County seeks a forward-thinking, visionary leader who will put down roots in the local community and provide new energy and ideas to the organization. The ideal candidate will embrace technology and understand its significance and potential impact for creating greater efficiencies, encouraging the use of the power of social media to connect the clubs. This individual will innovate in order to advance the BGCWC s mission, be a creative thinker, and establish an active presence at the state and national levels within the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

7 6 About Whatcom County Whatcom County is nestled in a lush, forested region located roughly 1.5 hours north of Seattle, just an hour south of Vancouver B.C., and maintains the distinctive feel of the Northwest. Farming, a strong culture of outdoor activities, and a love of water are pervasive. Bellingham, the County s most populated city, is the home of Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical College as well as a number of economic drivers such as the Port of Bellingham, a thriving fishing industry, and resource extraction among others. The city boasts a strong mix of restaurants and museums, as well as an active music scene. Bellingham has been ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the top ten small, local economies in the country. Minimum Qualifications A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible executive-level leadership experience is needed for this role. While nonprofit management experience is not required, a familiarity with non-profit cultures, fundraising, and community organizations is essential. Demonstrated success in budget development and financial management, developing and building staff, working with a Board of Directors, and the ability to present a strategic vision are key. Proven success in fundraising is required and a background in youth development is highly desirable. To Apply The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County is a progressive, equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Please send a resume (2-page maximum) and a cover letter expressing how your interests and accomplishments align with the BGCWC s needs and mission. Address to Jill Lindmeier at search@waldronhr.com for immediate consideration.

8 7 Waldron is honored to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County in the search for a CEO. We believe in and support the work of Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County and we are doing our best to recruit a talented leader who will accelerate this mission. Waldron provides a unique combination of executive search, leadership development and career transition services across sectors and industries. Our passion is helping people and organizations realize their full potential and increase their impact. Seattle Portland Phoenix Salt Lake City Boise Boston