UCC Disabilities Ministries

December 2, 2006: The search committee is no longer receiving letters of interest.
Thank you for your interest. Please join us at General Synod - Hartford for our Saturday afternoon Getting-To-Know-You time for persons interested in Disabilities Ministries.

The UCC DM is looking for a person to become the first Executive Director of this 29-year-old ministry. Relocation is not necessary, some travel is involved. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Job Title: UCC Disabilities Ministries (UCC DM) Executive Director

General Description: To provide high level leadership and vision to UCC DM, to cultivate and manage resources, implement, monitor and refine strategic plan that has full backing of Board of Directors.

Responsibilities: Job responsibilities include but are not limited to

1. Develop collaborative partnership with UCC DM Board to work on UCC DM strategic plan.
2. Develop financial resources to sustain and expand ministry.
3. Manage A2A (Accessible to All) program and network, incorporating feedback from congregations already participating in the A2A program.
4. Identify Conference level structure/function/taskforce/Inclusion team for UCC Disabilities Ministries in each conference. Develop plan of engagement, support and evaluation of congregations who participate in the A2A program with each of the conferences.
5. Work with communications and other, web-based resources with accessible formatting, to support UCC DM website as DM’s main communication, resource and marketing tool. Do so in close coordination with UCC website people Dan Hazard, Michelle May, and Bob Chase.
6. Support and supervise project staff and contracted work.
7. Advocate for a strong sense of disabilities ministries presence at all levels, particularly at the conference and national levels.
8. Be a clear advocate in the development of a collaborative DM presence and partnership with Denomination’s Ministries and coordinate information sharing and presence using a common, clearly defined and articulated DM theology, philosophy and mission image in all aspects of the National Church Ministries. This will include the following and their successors:
   • Ministries
     1. Proclamation and Identity
        • UCC News
        • Web Director
     2. Human Resources
     3. Conference Relations
   • Local Church Ministries
     1. Parish Life and Leadership
     2. Publications
   • Wider Church
   • Justice and Witness

Accountability/Evaluation: The UCCDM Executive Director shall be supervised by and accountable to the Executive Committee of the UCC DM and the Board Chairperson. This description will be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee of the UCC DM and the Board Chairperson as the UCC DM and the position evolve.

Status: Start up phase (to begin January 1 - February 1, 2007): Quarter Time Stipend Staff with Personnel Committee support and goal setting on annual basis.

Approved By: UCCDM Board of Directors (September 12, 2006)

Basic Skills, Characteristics, and Competencies:

1. A keen interest, genuine passion for and orientation to disability ministry and advocacy.
2. A personal philosophy that sees persons with disabilities from the viewpoint of what they can contribute, not what they need.
3. Commitment to and understanding of disabilities from theological perspective in keeping with 2005 Synod resolution, “Called to Wholeness in Christ: Becoming a Church Accessible to All.”
4. The capacity to lead by articulating — in word and writing — a clear, collective vision that will motivate and inspire Board, staff and constituents throughout the wider church.
5. Working knowledge and history of involvement with the wider mission of the UCC.
6. Works successfully as an independent contractor which includes initiation, collaboration, communication and conflict resolution skills, team building and facilitation and an ability to recognize success at many levels in many different settings.
7. Financial management skills that include experience in budget development and fiscal reporting.
8. Demonstrated ability to develop financial resources necessary to grow the UCC DM and implement strategic plan.
9. Energetic, self-directed, and well-organized to effectively nurture and manage a growing ministry within the church, handle multiple tasks, select priorities and maintain focus on strategic plan goals.
10. Personal qualities of commitment, integrity and sensitivity.
11. Willingness to travel for meetings and work from home.

Desired Experience

1. Five years experience in previous organizing role in non-profit setting, preferably within or related to the UCC.
2. Measurable results in hiring and developing staff and in engaging and supporting a non-profit governing board.
3. Experiential knowledge of disabilities ministries or equivalent experience with other marginalized groups. Persons with disabilities are actively encouraged to apply.
4. Theological or other Graduate Degree with a sound theological base compatible with that of the United Church of Christ
5. Leadership role in United Church of Christ church or related organization as ordained or lay staff or senior-level volunteer.

Compensation

Initial phase is quarter time position at $15,000 a year.

To Apply

Email applications are preferred. Letters of interest and supporting documentation should be sent to slaterm@ucc.org. Or, materials can be mailed to:

Rev. Margaret (Peg) Slater
Minister of Inclusion
The United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Avenue E
Cleveland OH 44115-1100

Applications due by December 1