American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho
Position Description: Executive Director

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Idaho (ACLU) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated exclusively to preserving and enhancing individual freedom and civil liberties throughout the state of Idaho. Through public education, lobbying and litigation, the ACLU endeavors to preserve and enhance liberties grounded in the United States and Idaho constitutions and civil rights laws. Among these liberties are separation of church and state, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, the right to privacy, reproductive rights, due process of law, and the right to equal treatment under the law.

Founded in 1993, the ACLU of Idaho is one of Idaho’s premier advocacy organizations. Based in Boise, the ACLU has an operating budget of approximately $350,000 dollars and is led by a 15-member Board of Directors and a staff of five.

Position Overview:
The Executive Director will serve as the chief executive officer of the ACLU, with primary responsibility for managing the organization’s day-to-day activities and operations, leading the organization’s fundraising, directing and coordinating the work of a professional staff, and serving as the primary spokesperson for the ACLU.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director ensures that the organization is fiscally sound and that its internal and external communications, fundraising, and programs meet the needs and interests of its constituents.

The Executive Director must have a working knowledge of and personal commitment to the civil liberties policies and principles of the ACLU and must be a leader and manager who is adept at internal management and external impact. The individual must be an outstanding communicator who is able to convey effectively the mission and activities of the ACLU to a variety of constituencies, as well as to the broader public.

Priorities:

During the first year, the Executive Director is expected to:

• Thoroughly understand the ACLU and the ACLU of Idaho – its history, mission, programs, operations, finances, constituencies, and potential.
• Work closely with the Board and the Executive Committee to carry out policies as established by the Board of Directors and consistent with National ACLU policy.
• Get to know the staff and understand their strengths and concerns; maintain a feeling of partnership and cohesion within the organization.
• Get to know current funders and build on those relationships; work with the Board and the staff to develop and implement a plan to identify and attract new funding sources.
• Become an effective and visible spokesperson for the ACLU, representing the organization in the media, and increasing public awareness and broadening the organization’s reputation.

Key Responsibilities:
The Executive Director will also have ongoing responsibility for the following:

Leadership and Vision

• Serve as an articulate marketer, fundraiser, communicator and spokesperson for the ACLU’s mission; with the Board and staff, diversify and expand the ACLU’s donor base.
• Initiate and strengthen relationships and collaborations with organizations and leaders who are connected to the ACLU’s mission and purpose.
• Work in partnership with the Board and staff to continue its growth and expand the ACLU’s reputation, provide clear vision and direction to guide programs.

General Management, Finance, and Administration and Program

• Ensure by effective management and leadership that the day-to-day operations are professionally and efficiently organized and administered.
• Direct and coordinate legal, legislative, and communications programs.
• Oversee the organization’s financial operations; oversee the budgetary process and ensure that sound financial controls are in place.
• Motivate and maintain a cohesive staff, ensuring that there is strong internal communication and coordination; recruit new staff when appropriate, and evaluate performance.
• Use technology to facilitate organizational management, fundraising, public education and lobbying.

Board Relations

• Implement policies, programs, goals, and objectives as established by the Board.
• As needed, work with the Board to identify and help recruit new Board members who will add diversity to the Board and whose talents, interests and commitment will help to further the ACLU’s mission and expand funding opportunities.
• Regularly brief the Board on the status of the organization; enhance Board participation in strategic planning, creating visibility and fundraising.

Challenges:

The challenges facing the new Executive Director include the following:

1. Strengthen fundraising: The ACLU raises operating expenses through donor contributions and legal fees. The Executive Director, together with a Development Director, must play a leading role in raising the funds necessary to increase the affiliate’s programs by expanding membership, increasing donor contributions, and seeking new funding sources.

2. Increase and diversify membership: The ACLU is committed to recruiting a larger and more diverse membership. The Executive Director will be responsible for continued outreach to minority communities and young people.

3. Increase the public profile: The Executive Director of the ACLU is typically in high demand as a spokesperson for the organization’s issues. The Executive Director should be able to cultivate relationships with the media, and effectively articulate positions to the press and the public, both in organized forums and under the pressure of developing events. A high profile that educates the public about civil rights and liberties not only advances our philosophy but also aids in recruiting members and increasing funding.

4. Expand programs:

a. Litigation: The Executive Director must work closely with the legal staff to find new cooperating attorneys who can increase the office’s caseload.
b. Education: Educating the public about civil rights and civil liberties has become even more important since September 11. Expanding the public education program will raise the organization’s profile, increase the membership, and attract additional funding. The new Executive Director will work with the board and staff to conceive, implement, publicize, and evaluate new programs.
c. Legislation: The affiliate’s lobbyists monitor pending legislation, draft bills, lobby legislators, and build coalitions with like-minded organizations throughout the state. The Executive Director will oversee this effort and help to build coalitions around pending legislation. He or she will also encourage the development of a grassroots lobbying operation.

5. Update technology: The Executive Director will make a priority of improving the organization’s electronic infrastructure through a sophisticated web site, database, and listserves to better communicate with current members and attract new ones, increase political effectiveness, produce email alerts, and promote public education.

6. Provide a rapid response: Much of the work of ACLU involves responding to local and unforeseen events with speed and dexterity. Meeting these challenges requires improving the organization’s ability to take on legal cases expeditiously and to mobilize grassroots lobbyists in targeted legislative districts.

7. Work with the Board of Directors: Board members contribute significantly to the work of the organization. The Executive Director will report to the Board at meetings and work with the Board to develop new programs, funding initiatives, and a long-range strategic plan.

8. Manage financial resources: The Executive Director will be responsible for increasing the budget, balancing the budget, and allocating money consistent with priorities developed in a strategic plan for the organization.

9. Manage the staff: The Idaho affiliate is blessed with an able and committed staff. The Executive Director will be expected to evaluate, train, and manage employees, and ensure that the staffing is aligned with the strategic plan.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; JD or other advanced degree desirable.
• If not an attorney, professional experience working with attorneys and comfort with analyzing and articulating legal concepts.
• Minimum of five years of nonprofit management experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, program delivery, volunteer recruitment and community development.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and the ability to interact effectively with volunteers from divergent geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience in working with boards and volunteers, strategic planning and human resource management.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, and to have excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment and to multi-task;
• Creative, result-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule, working beyond 9-5 as needed.
• Firm commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU.

The ACLU of Idaho is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All interested individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBT persons are encouraged to apply. Application deadline May 15, 2008.

Please call (208) 344-5243 for more information or submit your resume to rfornshell@csi.edu or

ACLU of Idaho
E.D. Position, c/o Rosemary Fornshell
855 Sunway No.
Twin Falls, ID 83301.