Board Begins Search for Full-time Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The board of the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has voted to approve full-time executive director and begin search for qualified candidates.
Kansas City, Missouri // Friday, September 7, 2018 // https://www.maglcc.org/ – During a special session of the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (Mid-America GLCC) on Thursday, September 6, 2018, board members approved a motion that directs the executive committee to begin a search for a full-time executive director. The decision was based on increasing time and resource requirements related to sustained growth in membership, programming, and community organizing.
“It’s really a good problem to have,” explains Mid-America GLCC President Danny Zaslavsky, “we continue to see strong membership growth and retention month over month, which means increasing attendance and demand for programming opportunities, and an elevated voice in Kansas City’s business community.” However, he also says that has put a strain on volunteers, board members, and current staff. “The board recognizes we need to position the chamber for strategic growth,” says Zaslavsky, “which right now means we need to transition to a full-time staffing model that can effectively support our expanding priorities.”
The Mid-America GLCC is currently under contract with The Lintecum Group, which operates in place of an individual full-time Executive Director. Led by Michael Lintecum and supported by Josh Strodtman, the Lintecum Group staffs both the chamber and AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City, and also specializes in non-profit event production and fundraising.
“We could not be more grateful for Michael’s leadership and service to the chamber and our LGBT business community,” says Zaslavsky, “in fact, it’s a testament to his leadership that we’re at this point.” Under the direction of the Lintecum Group, the chamber has grown to over 400 members and an annual budget of over $200,000 in six years. Lintecum also led the chamber’s successful bid for the Rising Star Award in 2015, given by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, of which the Mid-America GLCC is an affiliate member.
“Serving as the first Executive Director of the Mid-America GLCC has been a professional highlight of my 35-year career in public affairs work,” says Lintecum, “and I believe that a full-time E.D. is needed to take this dynamic chamber to the next level of growth and opportunity for our membership.” Lintecum continues, “I want to sincerely thank our membership and for their incredible support of Lintecum Group’s efforts on behalf of the chamber, and I look forward to remaining active and supportive of the chamber in the future.”
Staff is not the only notable change coming in chamber leadership. This month, the chamber welcomed 8 new board members (out of 19 members), many of which are filling vacancies left by founding board members. “The chamber has grown faster and larger than any of us could have anticipated,” says Zaslavsky, who was on the founding board. “Those of us that have been around since beginning recognize the importance of cultivating new leaders within our membership to eventually replace us;” he explains, “Every organization needs to grow, adapt, and turn-over to continue meeting the diverse needs of its constituency.”
While the search is taking place, the contract with The Lintecum Group has been extended for six months with the option to continue month to month based on the progress of the search. “Immediately, not much is changing,” says Zaslavsky, “and the board recognizes there will need to be an overlapping transition period where we have both a new executive director and The Lintecum Group on staff.” The board also indicated there is a possibility of contracting with The Lintecum Group for special events in the future.
Empowered by the motion, the Executive Committee (EC) will start working on the search almost immediately. It has not been decided whether the EC will directly oversee the search or if a special selection committee will be created. Any decisions related to this must first be presented and approved by the board of the directors. Zaslavsky says, “it’s going to be challenging to find the right combination of skills and personality, but I am confident in our decision and excited about the opportunities this process will create for our members.”
ABOUT THE MID-AMERICA GLCC
The Mid-America GLCC is an organization that advocates, promotes and facilitates the success of the LGBT business community and their allies through the guiding principles of equality, inclusion, economics and education. The Mid-America GLCC was founded in Kansas City in 2012 and is an affiliate chamber of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, based in Washington, D.C. Nationally, the Mid-America GLCC is among the top 10 affiliate chambers in membership, financials, and programming opportunities.
CONTACT THE MID-AMERICA GLCC
All questions should be directed to the Marketing & Communications Director for the Mid-America GLCC.
Michael Hopkins | michaeljohnhopkins@gmail.com
