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Posted by: John_Hamilton on 02/20/2012 04:41 PM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 02/20/2012 04:41 PM
Expires: 01/01/2017 12:00 AM
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Resource Conneciton Adopts New Management Model
CALAVERAS COUNTY/CA - At the December 2011 meeting of the Resource Connection’s Board of Directors the organization adopted what they are calling an “alternative Management Model”. Shared governance might be a more appropriate term as The Resource Connection of Amador and Calaveras Counties has decided to forego the traditional Executive Director structure and turn the responsibility of running the organization to a Leadership Team...
The Resource Connection of Amador and Calaveras Counties is a non-profit, social service organization offering numerous programs and services in each county. Resource Connection programs include: WIC, Child Care Resource and Referral, Head Start, The Resource Connection Food Bank and the Calaveras Crisis Center. Each Program currently employs a Program Director who is responsible for the day to day operations; these Program Directors along with the Human Resources Director and Fiscal Director will serve as the Leadership Team that runs the organization. The Team will meet twice a month to discuss the business of the organization, make decisions and/or recommendations which will then be reviewed by the Board of Directors at their monthly meetings. Committees of the board will review items specific to the organizational budgets, funding, new programs, audits, personnel policies and Board governance with support from members of the Leadership Team. Team members will be accountable to each other and ultimately to the Board of Directors with one Program Director being appointed as the Chief Administrative Director responsible for signing contracts and checks on behalf of the organization as well as being the staff liaison to the Board Executive Committee and acting as the “Buck Stops Here” person within the structure. “I am excited about this model, there will certainly be challenges but I believe the team is up to it, we are all committed to the Resource Connection’s mission and vision” says Kelli Fraguero who has been appointed the Chief Administrative Director by the Board. “We have people who make our organization work and this is an opportunity to allow them to keep doing what they do, together” says incoming Board Chair Anna Gates.
The organization did not take this decision lightly, after losing two Executive Directors in two years, the Board and Leadership Team took a hard look at the ED job description and realized that it was just too much to expect from one person. The group also realized that much of what was thought of as the ED’s responsibilities were being done at some level by members of the Leadership Team. Members of the Team also have the advantage of being known in the communities of Amador and Calaveras and having strong working relationships with other agencies, something an incoming ED would not necessarily have.
Another major factor in the decision to try something new is the economy. “The new leadership structure for the Resource Connection was a result of the Board and staff creating a plan that will stay true to the mission of our organization. Our hope is to manage the organization’s dollars and programs in the most cost effective manner possible while continuing to keep children, families and the community as the primary focus. The Board recognized that we have staff in house to do the job and that we can actually change the way we do business. It is the right thing to do” says Mike Kriletich, outgoing Board Chair. The Resource Connection Board also realized that the new model reduces the percentage of funding that will be used for administrative functions leaving more money for programs and services. In a time of funding cuts maintaining programs is a high priority for the organization and is in line with the strategic plan and the mission to engage families, empower communities, enrich lives.
The members of the Leadership Team are Michelle Gonzales, Fiscal Director; Beverly Stewart, Human Resources Director; Sheila Neal, Head Start Director; Kelly Graesch, Child Care Resource and Referral Director; Jeannie Hayward, Food Bank Director; Shirlee Runnings, WIC Director and Kelli Fraguero, Crisis Center Director / Chief Administrative Director. The group is excited to be given this expanded role and believe it is a step in the right direction for the organization, “The traditional role of one single leader having all of the required skills, knowledge, vision and qualities necessary wasn’t meeting our agency’s or the community’s needs. The issues of today and program regulations require much more leadership than a single person should be responsible for. We all have similar yet different skills and areas of expertise and we can use processes similar to those we use when we engage the community to create leadership that “happens” together. It’s very empowering and I think we will learn a lot in the process” says Kelly Graesch, Program Director for Child Care Resource and Referral.
“We have validated our sense of what is right for us at this time by witnessing the whole organization embrace this leadership model with excitement and enthusiasm. As we move forward, we anticipate that the result of increased staff empowerment, engagement and overall organizational responsibility, we will be able to increase the viability and quality of community services.” says Linda Mariani, Board member.
The Resource Connection is a non-profit multi service agency serving Amador and Calaveras Counties. For more information on the specific programs and services offered by our organization please call our administrative office at (209)754-3114.
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