OPALGA Board Votes to Hire Professional Consultant
At its monthly board meeting on August 21, the Board of Directors of OPALGA voted unanimously to retain the services of Carol S. Goldbaum, Ph.D., to assist the Board as it moves toward the vital step of hiring the organization’s first Executive Director.
In the past 18 years, OPALGA has experienced tremendous growth as it has continually worked to fulfill its mission of serving the LGBT community. Yet growth presents additional challenges, and OPALGA, like many other not-for-profit organizations, is now experiencing typical growth and maturity issues as it seeks to transition to the next level.
The efforts of Chris Mitchell led OPALGA to contact Dr. Goldbaum. After an initial meeting with Susan Abbott (Youth Program Director) and Mike Cochran (Treasurer), it was obvious that she was an excellent fit for the organization. “Carol possesses a breadth of background that is both diverse and accomplished, “ stated Cochran. “Furthermore, she is a member of the LGBT community who is familiar with our organization, knows many of our members, and is passionate about our mission. She will be a tremendous individual for our Board to work with, and I am eager to get the process started.”
The process necessitates additional work hours for the OPALGA Board and staff. Dr. Goldbaum will hold a series of meetings with the Board and staff, and she will meet with members at large during a public open focus group where both past OPALGA leaders and members of the community will be invited to share their thoughts and ideas. Through close collaboration with the Board, the result of this process is expected to be a specific project plan with detailed action steps, job descriptions, and a business plan.
After meeting with Dr. Goldbaum, both Brad Bartels and Cheryl Haugh, Co-Chairs of OPALGA, were equally enthusiastic. “I did not know what to expect initially,” said Bartels, “but I was pleasantly surprised. It was very apparent at the outset that she would tailor this project for OPALGA, and I liked that.” Echoed Haugh, “After checking one reference, it became apparent to me that Dr. Goldbaum would hold each of us on the Board directly accountable for our tasks, and yet she would do so with a sense of humor and enthusiasm.”
If all goes according to plan, the Board would receive its final work product on or about December 31, 2007. Yet knowing the amount of work awaiting them actually added to the Board’s willingness to proceed. “We are all in for a more hectic fall schedule,” stated Board member JoAnn Ziebarth, “but this is a very exciting time for OPALGA and a great step forward.”
Any OPALGA member wishing to have input into this process should call Mike Cochran, Treasurer, at 708-848-8025. The progress of this project will be reported in future issues of Empower.
