Job Announcement
Position: Director, Shem Center

The Director will work with the Director Emeritus and the Board of Trustees (BOT) to sustain and expand the work of Shem Center in these challenging times. The Director will bring vision to the future programming of Shem Center and create and lead and facilitate these programs, while executing the administrative functions needed to support Shem Center’s ongoing global work. The position is advisory to the Board: recommending priorities, alerting to challenges, identifying opportunities, and facing the public.

Supported by the Board of Trustees, we envision that the Director will:

• Develop monthly Board agendas and facilitate the meetings
• Support the Director Emeritus with the ongoing Shem Center presence via website, virtual programs and meetings, email blasts, and other outreach methods
• Communicate with Shem Center participants and respond to queries
• Lead events as determined by the BOT, including annual fund raising drives, BOT retreats, and the organization’s annual meetings
• Provide technical (computer and electronic media) and program support for regular Shem
• Center in-person and remote events, such as the Male Spirit Retreats, Zoom Check-ins, America Our Inheritance gatherings, and others as the Center continues developing

Desired qualifications:
Due to the varied responsibilities and diverse community we serve:

– required experience:

• competence with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, electronic media, word processing, email, website tools, and spreadsheet programs
• practical experience with volunteer organizations
• comfort with Board support
• ability to work with interested parties of varied ages, backgrounds, and faith traditions

– preferred experience:

• fundraising coordination
• an undergraduate degree or higher level of education
• previous work with communities of faith
• experience with event logistics

Expectation of time commitment:
The Director will be expected:

• communicate weekly with the Director Emeritus and as needed with the BOT
• provide administrative and program support
• supply to the Board a monthly synopsis of their work

all estimated to average 10-12 hours/week plus in-person presence for events such as retreats and designated Shem Center support activities (such as work at the Shem Center in Oak Park, Ill.) on approximately a monthly basis. As the position is for a contractor, not an employee, these scheduled in-person work periods are somewhat flexible to accommodate the Director’s other commitments.

Financial Support:
In recognition of this time commitment and work requested above, a stipend up to $2,000 will be provided monthly by the BOT. Reasonable travel expenses for in-person events will also be provided.

As a contractor, payments will be reported on Form 1099. No benefits accrue to this non-employee.

Application/Selection Process:

Once chosen, the candidate will serve as the Acting Director for a Six Month period from the time of selection. At that point the BOT will decide on offering the Acting Director the Directorship position.

If you are interested in the position, please contact the BOT Chair John Brown at JohnFBrown99@gmail.com to discuss your background and answer any questions you might have. You are encouraged to submit

• a letter of intent,
• a resumé,
• examples of development and execution of the types of programs that might apply,
• three professional references
• and, optionally, any initial thoughts on what the future programming of Shem Center might be.

At the Board’s discretion you will be invited to no more than two interviews, which can be remote. A decision on the application and the offer to become Acting Director will be made within one month of completion of your application process. Start-date can be immediately following selection depending upon the candidate’s availability.

The Shem Center is committed to equity and we value applicants of any age, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical ability, or veteran background and status.

The selection process will remain open until filled.