Agency Resource Directory Registration CLICK HERE

Welcome to the Literacy Initiative Website!

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, along with many other community partners, embarked on this initiative in 2008 to address our community’s illiteracy problem. A regional Summit was held to raise awareness and the Literacy Council of West Alabama was born.

The Literacy Council was set up as a coordination and support agency for all efforts already going on in our area. The board (listed on this site) and advisory group include representatives from the business community, media, school districts, institutes of higher education, community-based organizations, as well as literacy providers.

Counties served in our region are: Tuscaloosa, Hale, Lamar, Greene, Pickens, Fayette, Bibb and Sumter.

A 2009 Action Plan has been outlined and is available on this site.

LITERACY COUNCIL SEEKS NEW PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

POSITION: President and Executive Director of the Literacy Council of West Alabama

REPORTS TO: Board of Directors

JOB SUMMARY: The primary responsibility of the President and Executive Director is to manage and direct the operations, fund-raising, planning, programming, and fiscal and budgeting areas of The Literacy Council.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration and Operations
• Works with the Board of Directors to create and administer plans, policies and procedures.
• Oversees day-to-day operations of the Council with the highest business and ethical standards.
• Develops overall organization’s work plan, monitors its progress and evaluates the results in relation to the mission, goals and objectives.
• Ensures effective use of technology in accomplishing the work plans.

Finance
• Develops and monitors annual and long-range budgets.
• Reports financial information to Board, funders and other appropriate constituencies.
• Is responsible for preparation and distribution of organization’s annual report.
• Ensures organizational compliance with generally accepted accounting principals, organization’s fiscal policies, and other financial procedures required by the Board or regulatory agencies.
• Ensures compliance with all contracts.

Human Resources
• Works with the Board to develop appropriate personnel policies and procedures.
• Recruits, hires, trains, develops, directs, evaluates and disciplines staff as appropriate (including termination) in accordance with the procedures.
• Develops and administers compensation and benefit program for staff.
• Provides overall supervision of staff and volunteers.
• Ensures effective staff working relationships with those within and outside the organization.

Community Relations
• Works with the Board to develop and implement a strategic community relations plan to promote literacy issues.
• Supervises the development of all community relations materials.
• Participates in community activities and speaking engagements to promote the mission of
the Council.
• Serves as chief spokesperson for the organization and represents the organization with all constituencies including governments, media and funders.
• Works with community and business leaders to promote the Council as a link between community resources and clients needing literacy services.
• Directs provider relations.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with other literacy programs and agencies to identify best practices.

Fund Development
• Sets goals with board.
• Develop an annual and comprehensive fund development plan to ensure ongoing revenues and maintain fiscal stability.
• Research, identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects.
• Manage corporate campaign.
• Manages development of all fundraising materials.
• Works with grant makers and contacts major private and governmental funding sources at all levels.
• Implements and supervises all fundraising activities.
• Write grants and manage grants schedule.
• Manage fund-raising special events.
• Work with board to solicit gifts.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge
• Bachelor’s Degree (required) - Master’s degree (preferred) in nonprofit, public or private administration, or equivalent.
• Ability to acquire strong knowledge of the West Alabama area business and civic community.

Experience
• At least three years management experience in public or private administration.
• Experience in fundraising, grant proposals, and special events.
• Experience in budget and financial management.
• Experience in program management.

Skills and Abilities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and motivational skills.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Effective computer skills (word processing, database, spreadsheet).
• Demonstrated fundraising skills and success.
• Demonstrated ability in public relations to establish community support.
• Demonstrated effective time management and organization skills.
• Demonstrated ability in management of simultaneous tasks or projects.

BENEFITS:

Competitive Salary.
Comprehensive, competitive, and affordable benefits plan including: BC/BS health insurance, life, dental, vision, retirement plan, personal time off (PTO), vacation, and holidays,

APPLY:

To apply, mail cover letter, resume, written questions and supporting information, including one confidential reference, to Chamber of Commerce, Literacy Council of West Alabama Executive Director Search, P.O. Box 20410, Tuscaloosa, 35402.

WRITTEN QUESTIONS

1. Describe your vision for literacy awareness and programming in West Alabama and explain the role that you think the Literacy Council of West Alabama should play in bringing about that vision.

2. What do you see as the funding sources for the Literacy Council, what would be the challenges in securing that funding and how would you overcome those challenges?

3. Describe your fund-raising experience in relation to fund-raising via individuals, corporations, foundations, organizations, and the government sector. What is the largest gift you have solicited? What is your experience in developing fund-raising plans or campaigns?

4. How would you increase awareness and understanding for the vision for the Literacy Council of West Alabama and work with other organizations to create partnerships and programs?

5. What is your management style (with staff and working with volunteers and a board of directors) and what system do you use to accomplish tasks?

6. Describe your experience in working with elected officials and provide one or more examples of situations in which you successfully sold them on your position.

7. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career to date?

8. What has been the most challenging aspect of your career to date?

9. What qualifications, abilities, and strengths will help you succeed in this job?

10. What are your career objectives?

BIG NEWS

Literacy Council Receives Appropriation from Congress

Literacy Council of West Alabama chairman Johnnie Aycock announced in July 2009 that the Council has been awarded a $250,000 appropriation from Congress, which should be received in 2010. The Council plans to use the funds to hire staff and create an office for the Council.

Kudos to LITE

The UA Alumni magazine recently included an article about LITE (Literacy Is The Edge student organization). It caught the attention of the Alabama Higher Education Partnership, an association of 14 public Alabama state universities. LITE leader, Dr. Bruce Berger, was asked to present at HEPs Leadership Conference in Sandestin in August to share the LITE story and explain how other universities in the state can start similar LITE campaigns on campus . Audience included administrators from universities and student leaders. It was a wonderful platform for stimulating involvement on a much larger scale across universities.