Position Title: Executive Director Reports To: Board of Directors Prepared Date: August 2014 Approved By: Governance Committee Approved Date: February 2015 Summary Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Position Description Directs and coordinates operations, programs and services of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta (DSAA) to meet the mission of the organization by working with the board, staff, and volunteers. Professional characteristics include strong organizational, social and inter-personal skills; strategic outlook; and motivational attitude. Experience and focus in the following functional areas is preferred: member services; programming; fundraising; management; event planning and management of volunteers. This is a full-time position. Compensation will be consistent with qualifications and experience but is targeted to be around $60,000 per year. Resumes should be submitted to resumes@dsaatl.org. Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Organizational Management Oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization as well as affiliated entities. Ensure organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities are in place to fulfill the organization s mission. Maintain and account for all revenue, financial investments, holdings, and expenditures on behalf of the organization. Ensure the organization is in compliance with all legal, financial, and contractual obligations. Demonstrate regular and reliable work attendance for office hours, events, and meetings. Staff, Volunteer and Member Relations Provide positive leadership and supervision for subordinate staff and volunteers. Recruit, hire and retain well-qualified employees and volunteers; Provide formal feedback, coaching and evaluations; institute performance plans; Discipline or terminate employees when necessary; Confer with staff and volunteers and disseminate information to keep them abreast of current developments. Board Support Provide staff support to the Board of Directors by working with the Board President to develop the agenda for all Board meetings, providing monthly program, and financial reports to the Board and supporting DSAA committees as needed. Assist the Board in short and long-range strategic planning. Plan and implement annual retreats, as needed and directed.
Ensure the maintenance of membership database and effectuate communications with advisory board members, committee members, supported families, and potential members of the organization. Ensure implementation of the strategic plan; develop goals and objectives consistent with the mission, vision, and strategic plan. Ensure compliance with funding sources and regulatory requirements. Prepare reports of grant activities for the board, staff and funding sources as required/appropriate. Recommend requisite policy and procedures to the Board. Attend and actively participate in all regular Board meetings as a non-voting member. Fiscal Management Manage multiple funding streams and line-item expenses, ensuring quality program management as well as cost effectiveness, and compliance with agency and donor requirements. Develop and manage contracts and agreements with donors and agencies that clearly define each party's fiscal, programmatic, and reporting responsibilities. Assist in preparation of budget to project revenue and expenses, allocate program expenses among various funding sources, and facilitate cost control through regular budget-to-actual reporting. Ensure that financial tasks, including bill payment, cost allocations, reimbursement requests, and financial reporting are accurate and timely. Ensure that expenditures are in line with the budget. Timely report expenditures versus budget items at monthly Board meetings. Create an annual strategic funding plan and budget for each strategic priority to be used for writing grants. Fundraising Coordinate and oversee all fundraising efforts through individual donors, corporations, foundations, and agency grantors. Prepare fundraising plan for each fiscal year, including potential targets for grants, individual donations, and corporate donations. Maintain regular searches for, and follow up on, potential grants for the organization. Create relationships with statewide donors as well as statewide corporations to solicit funds for the organization. Meet and maintain relationships with the top donors to the organization. Outreach and Public Relations Coordinate community outreach, including community education, member relations, media relations, and publications. Participate in community activities to develop opportunities, identify local needs, and develop improvement projects to address those needs. Foster communication with community members interested in the activities of the organization. Foster collaboration with other organizations advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
Competencies Key competencies and requirements of the Executive Director include: Organizational development skills; Willingness to work with volunteers to develop volunteer leaders; Experience managing staff and volunteers; Understanding and experience with fiscal management; Proven record of raising funds from private and public sources; Experience with accounting and fundraising/donor/event software; Experience working with a volunteer board of directors and advisory boards of directors; Experience interacting with and working with members of the organization; Availability to attend evening and weekend meetings and events. Experience preparing financial statements; Experience reconciling finances of a non-profit organization; Strong written and verbal communication skills; Personal connection to Down syndrome and/or disability community; Experience working with people with disabilities; Experience advocating for people with disabilities; Desire to include social media and communications strategies in daily work; Experience with basic computer skills Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Experience with a shared governance model of leadership.
Overview of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Mission The mission of DSAA is to educate stakeholders, unite our community, and build bridges between worlds, so that individuals with Down syndrome and their families are connected to opportunities for an amazing life. Vision DSAA envisions a world where individuals with Down syndrome and their families are connected to opportunities for an amazing life. History Founded by a small group of parents in 1979, The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta (DSAA) is a 501 (c)(3) Georgia non-profit organization dedicated to providing individuals with Down syndrome and their families life-long community connections. There was a need to provide support and information to families who had, or were expecting, babies with Down syndrome. DSAA started working out of family's homes and having board meetings at kitchen tables across metro Atlanta. In 1985, DSAA became a 501(c)(3) public charity. Throughout the 1990 s, DSAA found itself growing in both numbers of families touched and in funding resources. In 2008, we celebrated our 30th Anniversary at a Gala Banquet and Dance. By 2008 DSAA was able to hire its first employees, an Executive Director and an Assistant Director. Today, DSAA serves 800 families in 18 counties in the greater Metro-Atlanta area with its programs, services, resources, and activities for all age groups. It is the largest volunteer organization for those touched by Down syndrome in Georgia. DSAA is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA). What DSAA Does Coordinates year-round parent education programs. Convenes conferences and events for parents, educators, and health care providers. Organizes social gatherings and events for member families. Manages the First Call program, which partners with 26 metro Atlanta birthing hospitals to provide accurate and up to date information and support to expectant parents with a new diagnosis, and distributes current information about Down syndrome to OB/GYN practices in metro Atlanta. Manages the Educational Liaison program, which provides information and
activities for educators working with students who have Down syndrome. Oversees a community-based parent networking program, currently comprised of 14 area groups. Serves as an umbrella organization for the Atlanta chapter of Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.), which provides fellowship and support to fathers of children with Down syndrome. Directs an extensive social media presence to provide support, information and resources for parents and caregivers. Leads the Asociación Hispana de Sindrome de Down en Atlanta (AHSDA) - DSAA s Hispanic outreach and support program, which serves over 250 families. AHSDA is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the county. Advocates for issues affecting persons with Down syndrome locally and nationally through the annual Georgia Disability Day, annual Buddy Walk on Washington, and National Down Syndrome Society s (NDSS) DS-Ambassador program. Orchestrates an annual Buddy Walk each October in Atlanta to raise awareness and financial support. Recognizes citizens and organizations who have made a significant contribution to the Down syndrome community through its Buddy Awards program. On of only two funders of the Adult Down Syndrome Program (ADSP) at Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability (ISDD), which provides regional specialty healthcare to adolescents (age 16) and adults with Down syndrome and their families and other caregivers. Supports the Emory Down Syndrome Clinic, which provides specialty healthcare to children with Down syndrome up to age 14. Partners with and provides financial support to Gigi s Playhouse Atlanta, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free therapeutic programming, resources, and support to families of individuals with Down syndrome. Provides financial support to Habima Theatre, Corrigan Care and many other programs for those with disabilities. For more information, please visit www.dsaatl.org.