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Executive Director Position Summary
South River Federation
Edgewater, Maryland
The South River Federation’s mission is to restore, protect, preserve and celebrate the South River and its ecosystem. Behind this mission is growing movement to create a new mindset about the behavior and involvement of every individual who impacts the South River. The Federation is a growing, healthy, grass-roots nonprofit environmental organization with some 500 members, three staff and a board of directors comprised of dedicated community leaders.
Organization Background and Accomplishments
The Federation was re-established from an earlier organization and set up as independent 501 (c) (3) non-profit in 1999 through the efforts of local community leadership who were alarmed by the increasingly poor condition of the South River. The South River is an estuary of the Chesapeake Bay flowing from central Anne Arundel County through 12 miles of Annapolis suburbs on its way to the Bay. In all, the South River watershed covers approximately 66 square miles, including 200 miles of streams and 10 square miles of open water. More than 66,000 people live in the watershed and more that 2,000 boats are docked or moored on the river and its creeks.
Since 1999 the South River Federation has united people who are passionate abut the river and the quality of life it brings to its surrounding communities. For three years the South RIVERKEEPER® has been a full time watchdog for the river, and the Federation is a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance. The Alliance approves new Waterkeeper programs in the U.S. and internationally, licenses the use of the Waterkeeper names, represents the Waterkeepers on issues of national interest, and serves as a meeting place for all the Waterkeepers to exchange information, strategy and know-how.
The Federation is a doing, action-taking organization. The following are some of our significant ongoing accomplishments:
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Developed a membership network of some 500 individuals, families, and organizations that support our activities;
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Engaged hundreds of volunteers in restoration parties, gathering water samples, monitoring construction sites and taking other actions to protect the river;
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Raised more than $400,000 from individual members and donors over the last three years and an additional $700,000 from foundations;
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Established an endowment fund with a initial funding of $110,000 to ensure the long term viability of the organization;
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Restored more than a mile of river shoreline over the last six years through the hands-on efforts of volunteers;
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Responsible for planting over 16 million oysters on restored reefs in the river;
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Celebrated the river with hundreds of members at our annual kayak sojourn and wade in and our annual fish fry;
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Developed a South River Score Card which assesses river health on 10 different indicators and will provide a benchmark on how we are doing on cleaning up the river as we update it annually;
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Took action to protect the river by testifying at numerous official hearings on actions that would harm the river, speaking out for protective legislation and, where necessary, taking action in court.
The Federation employs a full-time
RIVERKEEPER® , Program Coordinator, and a part-time Administrative Assistant. A volunteer Board of Directors governs the Federation with seats for up to 19 members. Currently, the Board has 14 very active members who include community leaders and environmental experts. All are local residents with great passion and deep concern for the current and future health of the South River watershed.
The current annual operating budget is in the $300,000 range with undefined potential for growth. Approximately half of the operating budget is foundation and corporate grants. The remaining 50% is divided between individual contributions and family foundations, fundraising events, dues and membership and in-kind contributions. For a complete description of programs and services, visit our website at http://www.southriverfederation.net.
Organizational Identity and Direction
Prior to hiring our first Executive Director, the Board of Directors completed a strategic review and leadership planning process. The following reflects strategic thinking by the Board and Staff about our organization’s identity and its future direction.
Our Mission
The difference that South River Federation aims to make in the world is restoring, protecting, preserving and celebrating the South River and its ecosystem. Behind this mission is a growing movement to create a new mindset about the behavior and involvement of every individual who impacts the South River. The South River is officially listed as “impaired” under the Clean Water Act in the categories of nutrients, bacteria, sediment, toxics and biological condition. When we have accomplished our mission, the South River will enjoy a healthy designation.
Our Organizational Culture and Core Operating Values
The Federation emphasizes local resident involvement and leadership and partnership with key environmental resources in Maryland. It is this combination of volunteer involvement, citizen action and collaboration with environmental and restoration groups that distinguishes the South River Federation.
The Federation’s culture is embodied in the core operating values that drive our mission. The following is a draft statement of core values that the Board of Directors and Staff aspire to uphold in all aspects of the organization’s operations.
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Walk the Walk with Integrity and Credibility: We believe that our capacity and our reputation rest on being responsible stewards of our resources. This includes the way we behave in conducting business and avoiding conflicts of interest, and the way we care for the natural environment. It is critically important to us to practice sound science and to be truthful, forthright and evidenced-based in the positions we take.
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Tenacious and Relevant Leadership: The Federation believes that our work demands perpetual vision, vigilance, focus and persistence, and that we must be open to embracing new and evolving ideas as we learn increasingly more and new information about our caring for our dynamic environment.
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Wade In, Be Involved and Have Fun: The Federation will accomplish our mission through proactive, joyful hands-on involvement of everyone living and working in the South River watershed. Everyone is a steward with a stake in the health of the South River. Everyone can contribute in small ways or big ways through changing behavior, expanding knowledge, sharing information, having a voice, bringing along friends and family, volunteering for projects and building the river community.
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Representative and Community-Guided: We believe that we must reflect the perspective of all communities, individuals, businesses and organizations in the South River watershed. We respect different points of view and seek out help from everyone who will contribute their time and energy.
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Pursue Creative Solutions: We believe we must bring the latest technology, diverse expertise, and a wide range of partners to bear on the complex problems to be successful. The Federation is stronger and more effective when we tap our collective wisdom for fresh ideas.
Our Customers
The primary customer of the Federation is the South River including our members, homeowners and business owners who have a financial stake in the river as well as individuals of all ages who experience the watershed, especially through boating and other water recreation activity. Our supporting customers who help us accomplish our mission include an array of government agencies, foundations, schools, and other like-minded organizations.
Our Vision
South River Federation is recognized as a model and leader among grassroots watershed organizations. Based on our first seven years of accomplishments and growth we envision increasing momentum and expansion in the next ten years. We have aspirations of thousands of members and engaged volunteers whose collective contribution and voice results in a measurable and visible improvement in the water quality of the South River. We will know that we are successful when we have a program in place to preserve the headwaters, and we can demonstrate changes in the river score card such as greater water clarity, more underwater grasses, lower bacteria counts, and healthy oyster reefs. We see the potential to achieve this vision through collective action and strong partnerships with our members and volunteers, local, state and federal governments and our philanthropic partners including the Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, Chesapeake Bay Trust and many others.
3-Year Strategic Direction
Our new Executive Director will be charged with leading and managing the way to realize this vision. To sustain our current success and be positioned for more success in the future, we recognize the importance of continuing to balance our investment in the South River and our programs with continued investment in our own organizational infrastructure, including development of the Board of Directors, operating systems, and human capital especially volunteer management. A strong future for Federation depends on routinely and consistently making this kind of balanced strategic investment overtime.
The Executive Director Position and Key Qualifications
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the South River Federation Executive Director is generally responsible for the following:
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Directing and managing staff and programs to assure measurable progress on goals outlined in the strategic plan;
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Providing advice, counsel and support to staff and the Board of Directors;
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Insuring effective management of the organization’s financial resources;
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Developing and implementing successful membership development and fundraising programs;
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Working closely with partners to shape strategic responses and recommendations on public policy issues;
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Generating creative ideas for, and leading efforts to position the Federation in the community and attract new members and volunteers;
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Cultivating financial and other community support to sustain the Federation as a thriving grass-roots, community-based nonprofit organization;
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Facilitating a strong working relationship with the Board of Directors and its committees; and
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Serving as an outspoken advocate for the health and vitality of the South River.
The Executive Director’s priorities for the next 12 to 18 months will include:
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Completing an updated strategic plan with the Board of Directors and staff;
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Putting in place a membership development program to achieve 1,000 members by 2010;
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Developing and implementing fund raising plan to support 1 to 2 additional staff by 2010;
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Creating a framework to enlist volunteers systematically to expand and enhance our program activities.
SOUTH RIVER FEDERATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
