Job Opportunity: FISH Food Bank, Ellensburg, WA – Executive Director

FISH Food Bank, Ellensburg, WA  –Executive Director

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for FISH Food Bank’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. S/he will initially develop deep knowledge of core programs, operations, and business plans, especially regarding diversified fund development to ensure FISH’s growth and sustainability in the community.

Responsibilities include:

·      Actively engage and energize FISH Food Bank’s volunteers, board members, clients, partnering organizations, and donors

·      Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors: seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for ongoing local operations

·      Conduct a strategic business planning process to assess the need for program growth in Kittitas County

·      Lead, mentor, develop, and/or retain or coach up/out FISH Food Bank’s staff team

·      Expand local revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and internal system growth

·      Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand

·      Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities

·      Begin to build partnerships in new markets, establishing relationships with the donors, and political and community leaders

Minimum qualifications required:

·      A thorough commitment to FISH Food Bank’s faith-based mission

·      Proven leadership, coaching, relationship management and fundraising experience

·      Bachelor’s degree required with at least 10 years of management experience

·      Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget

·      Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships

·      Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures

·      Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills

·      Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people

·      A person of passion, idealism, and integrity; a self-directed and mission-driven leader with a positive attitude 

Additional information: 

Applicants must pass thorough background and reference checks. Must have valid Washington driver’s license, (or, if an out of state applicant, must obtain a Washington State license upon hire).  Must be able to drive FISH Food Bank vehicle/s and be covered by FISH Food Bank’s auto insurance carrier. 

To apply: 

Prior to September 14, 2015, qualified applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, salary requirements and an essay detailing their faith in action (no more than 500 words) in a single document to Kari Anderson, at kari@inciteconsultinggroup.com. Please list “Executive Director – FISH Food Bank” in the cover letter.

FISH Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiter:  Kari Anderson, Principal, Incite! Consulting Group

Recruiter email: kari@inciteconsultinggroup.com

FISH website: http://www.kvfish.org

Recruiter phone: 844-946-2483

Washington Nonprofits: Building Strong Volunteer Programs

3-Part Series Online Starting September 9 Building Strong Volunteer Programs

Join us for our annual series on how to manage volunteers! Building Strong Volunteer Programs Series   3 Wednesdays in September September 9, 16, and 23 12:00-1:00pm Online   Presented by: Washington Nonprofits, Volunteer Centers of Washington & 501 Commons How prepared are you to harness the potential of 21st Century volunteers? What are the basic essentials to building a solid volunteer engagement effort for your organizations? In this series, you’ll examine the “how” and “why” of effective volunteer engagement, gain a better understanding of the essential elements and infrastructure required to support your organization’s volunteer involvement efforts and identify simple steps you can take to strengthen your volunteer program. September 9, 2015 Engaging Volunteers Effective volunteer engagement starts with intentional matching of an individual's interests and talents with the job that you need to get done.  Barb focuses on the importance of an organizational needs assessment before designing job description and targeted recruitment. Participants will learn the purpose and steps for developing a targeted recruitment strategy as a means to promote the benefits and features of volunteer positions. Barb Bush: Barbara Bush recently retired from the Washington-Idaho Volunteer Center (and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) in Lewiston, Idaho where she served as Executive Director for 11 years.  During Barb's tenure at the WA-ID Volunteer Center, she held board positions on both the Washington Association of RSVP Directors and the National Association of RSVP Directors.  She has also served her local non-profit community as Treasurer of the Lewiston Library Foundation and President of the Lewiston Civic Theatre Board of Directors.  Barb has been instrumental in helping several non-profits streamline or re-write bylaws and operating policies in order to strengthen organizational structure. September 16, 2015 Using Skilled Volunteers Using volunteers in skills-based roles can provide enormous benefits. Skilled volunteers can offer insight and expertise and add to our capacity to tackle challenges staff does not have the time to take on. But the tools and approaches we use for program volunteers will not work for skills-based roles. Join us for an interactive and informative session on how to effectively engage skilled volunteers. Participants will learn how to recruit, screen, and match volunteers into skills-based volunteer opportunities. Nancy Long: As the Executive Director of 501 Commons, Nancy Long has spent the last 12 years engaging skilled volunteers in providing professional services to nonprofits in our state. Prior to that, Nancy worked in health care as the Vice-president of Strategy and Organizational Development at Group Health Cooperative, the Director of Quality for the Washington State Hospital Association, and the Director of Planning, Marketing, and Community Services for Pac-Med, and was the founder of the Cross-Cultural Health Care Programs.  Nancy has a Masters from the UW Evans School where she was an affiliate faculty member teaching courses on management and leadership of nonprofit organizations.  She sits on the board of Executive Service Corps - United States which includes 26 Executive Service Corps programs. Jan Burrell: Jan Burrell brings over 15 years of experience connecting volunteers to meaningful opportunities in the community and ensuring that both client needs and volunteer expectations are met.  As 501 Commons' Volunteer Engagement Manager, Jan oversees the Service Corps, the skills based volunteer program, and United Way's Volunteer Impact Partnership, which helps organizations improve the ways in which they engage volunteers.  Prior to joining 501 Commons, Jan was the program manager and interim executive director at the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children.  She also spent nine years developing and managing volunteer programs for people in their 20s and 30s through Seattle Works.  Jan holds a certification in Volunteer Management from Washington State University. September 23, 2015 Recognizing Volunteers Participants will understand the importance and delivery of volunteer recognition, including ideas about recognizing volunteers on a limited budget. The takeaway from this exercise is to recognize volunteers in the way they want to be recognized, using McClelland’s Social Motivator categories. Michelle Morris: Michelle Morris's seven years as the Senior Manager for Community Engagement at the United Way of Snohomish County and director of their Volunteer Center included launching a "Youth United" teen volunteer program and coordinating the annual Days of Caring event which engages over 1,000 residents in 90+ non-profit projects.  For two of those years, Michelle was also the President of the Volunteer Centers of Washington, the state-wide association of volunteer centers.  Michelle has trained over 700 individuals on effective Volunteer Management and is passionate about the power of volunteerism to solve society's most pressing issues.  She is currently the Director of the SeaFair Foundation. REGISTRATION Series $30 - WN, 501 Commons, Volunteer Centers of WA Members $50 - Non-members Members of 501 Commons and Volunteer Centers of WA can use discount codes "501" and "VCW" to receive the $30 price.  Washington Nonprofits will work with our partners to verify membership.  REGISTER HERE By signing up, you are signing up for the whole series.  Participants will receive all three recordings and accompanying materials.    WASHINGTON NONPROFITS Washington Nonprofits builds a strong, collaborative network of nonprofits serving Washington communities through education, advocacy, and capacity building.  It is a member of the National Council of Nonprofits.  Join us today!

Washington Nonprofits 120 State Avenue #303, Olympia, WA 98501 (855)299-2922 | info@washingtonnonprofits.org | www.washingtonnonprofits.org

Job Opportunity: Chef & Manager - Pike Market Senior Center Meals Program

This position plans and oversees the Pike Market Senior Center meal service and is responsible for all aspects of the meal program including, but not limited to, menu planning, food procurement, preparation and service of meals, training and supervision of kitchen staff, and ensuring we meet all of the requirements of our City of Seattle contracts and other funding sources.

Read more below and apply today!

Position Title:  Chef & Manager - Pike Market Senior Center Meals Program

Reports to:    Executive Director

Supervises:  Cook, Dishwasher, Janitor, Title V trainees, and volunteers

Classification:    Full-time 35 hours/week, possible weekends, non-exempt 

Status:  Open

APPLICANTS: Please send cover letter and resume to resumes@pmsc-dtfb.org

Chef & Manager - Pike Market Senior Center Meals Program

WFC Recognized for Anti-Hunger Advocacy at Mayor's End Hunger Awards

On Thursday, June 18th, 2015 the Meals Partnership Coalition held the 2015 Hunger Summit "Outside the Box". This day of knowledge and meal sharing ended with the 21st Mayors End Hunger Awards. This award honors individuals, organizations, businesses, and public servants who are doing exceptional work to eliminate hunger in the Seattle-area community.

 There were many recipients of the Mayors End Hunger Awards honoring different aspects and ways of fighting hunger. The Washington Food Coalition received an award for Outstanding Political Advocacy. Pictured right is Trish Twomey and Mayor Ed Murray. The plaque Trish is holding is also pictured below and reads: In recognition of your work on behalf of those who struggle with hunger we honor you for your compassionate and dedicated action. We are inspired by the example of your work in our community, which demonstrates how individuals and groups can make a powerful difference towards ending hunger. Other recipients of the award include: Peggy Sue Drury for Outstanding Individual Service, ATS Automation was the Outstanding Corporate Community Leader, and Community Lunch won Outstanding Program.

The Washington Food Coalition's advocacy for the Emergency Food Assistance Program is one piece in a larger community of outstanding anti-hunger advocates who are working to create a hunger-free Washington. The EFAP request is one of many initiatives during the 2015 Legislative session that are crucial to ending poverty and hunger in our State, please see the other initiatives here. The community of anti-hunger advocates includes key organizational partners, lobbyists, and WFC members. Each of these entities were essential to the success of our advocacy initiative. Our work throughout the legislative session would not have been possible without the support of and collaboration with Northwest Harvest and the Anti-Hunger Nutrition Coalition. In addition, WFC had the outstanding services of Ceiba Consulting. Lastly, but definitely not least, the Advocacy Champions within the Washington Food Coalition membership made substantial efforts to contact their elected officials, meet with them, and testify in Olympia.  

In all, advocacy, and making a difference in society, is a community effort. The Washington Food Coalition is thankful and humbled by the recognition received through the 2015 Mayor's End Hunger Award. In accepting this award, WFC represents the efforts and passions of our members and partners as well as the effort of our staff. We cannot thank and honor the anti-hunger champions across the State enough.

Written by Dani Gilmour, Advocacy and Communications Assistant

University Commons- service with dignity!

Empowerment through service is the truest way to make an impact in a community. Creating stability is the first step to providing opportunities. The University District Food Bank and the Low Income Housing Institute are creating such opportunities right here in the U District. University Commons highlights the most innovative approaches to eradicating poverty through direct service.

The current U District Food Bank resides in the basement of University Christian Church, which is historical at this point! (the Washington Food Coalition office is upstairs). Limited space leads to a less amount of healthy options available to store and distribute. The limited space also creates a long line that often snakes around the block. Service with dignity is essential, and the University Food Bank aspires to create an inviting atmosphere for its customers.  The new food bank in University Commons will triple the space of the current location.

"We've been In this same basement for 32 years and while the space hasn't grown the need definitely has," said Joe Gruber, Executive Director of the University District Food Bank. "We're working with around 1,100 households a week in that same space. It means we're distributing 40,000 lbs. of food from an 800 square foot room."

“One of the important aspects - the U District has always had is an affordable housing mix. This is one small opportunity to preserve some of that.”

Joe Gruber, Executive Director of the University District Food Bank

It is clear that hunger is a national tragedy in a country as rich as ours. According to Feeding America research, hunger is present in every single county. Joel Berg, a keynote speaker at the WFC Conference in 2014, breaks down the economic tolls hunger has on our success as a society in this video. His platform rests on the power of basic needs being met, and necessarily not by the private sector either. Just like water and air, people have a right to food, and our government needs the ability to secure safety from hunger for all.

Studio style housing will be above the new food bank. Designed to be accessible for youth involved in job training also housed in the center. Permanent housing is shown to effectively confront homelessness, in a cost effective and humane, respectful way, also shown to be a recent success in Utah.

In all, the project is an all-around good idea that we are lucky to have in the University District. This area is definitely boundless.

Some photos From the event:

Marion West
Civil rights champion; honored through
the housing portion of the University
Commons which is named after her

Sharon Lee
ED of Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)

Joe Gruber
ED of the University District Food Bank

Article by Dani Gilmour, danielle@wafoodcoalition.org

Photos by Trish Twomey, trish@wafoodcoalition.org

2015 Hunger Summit & Mayors End Hunger Awards: Tomorrow!

The Meals Partnership Coalition Presents: SAVE THE DATE! 2015 Hunger Summit &  Mayors End Hunger Awards June 18th, 2015: 10AM ~ 2PM St. Marks Cathedral: 10th Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 WE ARE THRILLED TO PRESENT THE 2015 HUNGER SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKER: GRAHAM KERR We hope you will join us for this years Out of the Box HUNGER SUMMIT.  Our Keynote speaker Graham Kerr (www.grahamkerr.com) will delight us with his off the wall humor and extraordinary stories. Chefs are planning a superb "Meal for Many" hands on workshop (on dietary restrictions, food safety, and nutritional pairing), in the kitchen, for those wishing to roll up their sleeves, put on the gloves, and create our luncheon extraordinaire! If cooking isn't your passion, but food justice is, the Food Equity and Sovereignty workshop is for you! During lunch the 4 member innovative panel will share best practices information, with a Q and A. The day culminates with the 21st Mayors End Hunger Awards, honoring  individuals, organizations, businesses, and public servants who are doing exceptional work to eliminate hunger in our community. The nomination form can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MfrIzrErNFF8NpLu0gCzZy2BQ5BYLHoINhy0KBXiPVI/viewform The event is no-charge, however, there is a suggested donation of $10 to defray the cost of the meal and venue. (Donation is not mandatory for attendance) Registration at Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1564989 For more information lease call 206 922 2015.   We hope you will join us for Hunger Summit 2015!