PARIS — A nationwide search is under way to find a new executive director for the McLaughlin Foundation.
“The search committee is hoping to have someone hired by the middle of March,” said Barb Deschenes, vice president of the board of directors, which oversees the nonprofit organization that supervises the historic McLaughlin Garden property on Main Street in Paris.
Jennifer O’Rourke, who has served as interim director for the past eight months following the resignation of Michael Desplaines in February 2010, will remain in that position until spring, when a new executive director is expected to be named, Deschenes said.
According to Deschenes, the search committee seeks “a proven leader with a successful track record in the areas of fundraising, board and staff development and strategic as well as operational planning. This individual must have a demonstrated ability to provide overall leadership in a wide range of areas including community outreach and media relations, membership development, property management and educational program development.”
Deschenes said the most important attribute will be the candidate’s successful fundraising abilities.
To reach out to the widest possible candidate pool, Deschenes said the search committee will conduct a nationwide search by advertising with horticultural and garden organizations that provide free job postings. The same method was used 10 years ago when Kristine Perry was hired from the Chicago area, she said.
“We’ve been in transition for eight months. We’re optimistic we’ll find someone this way,” she said.
Deschenes said the committee will begin reviewing applications after the Dec. 15 application deadline and take the month of January to begin interviews. “If we don’t get any (viable) candidates, then we have to regroup and figure out where else we can advertise.”
According to Deschenes, the executive director will oversee the educational programs, gift shop and summer café, manage the building and grounds and collaborate with the horticultural director, who manages the garden. The Foundation has an annual operating budget of $220,000 and three paid staff who are supplemented by volunteers involved in every aspect of the organization’s activities.
The McLaughlin Foundation stated mission is to “rehabilitate and sustain the garden created by Bernard McLaughlin, maintain the garden’s integrity, preserve the 19th century home and barn, and host an educational center where horticulture and historic preservation are nurtured for the local community as well as for visitors from other areas.”
Deschenes said interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume no later than Dec. 15 to: [email protected]. McLaughlin Foundation and its mission is available on the website, www.mclaughlingarden.org.
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