Executive Director, DARE Direct Action for Rights and Equality

Founded in 1986, DARE’s mission is to organize low-income families in communities of color for social, economic, and political justice. We do this through:

1. Base Building – We build a multiracial, multilingual membership from our communities. Members are the strength of the organization, and make decisions on campaigns, strategies, tactics, and organizational leadership.
2. Conducting direct action organizing campaigns to win institutional change for our communities;
3. Doing deliberate leadership development and political education; and
4. Contributing to efforts to build a larger movement for social justice.
5. All of this work is guided by a set of Principles of Unity.

DARE seeks to hire a full-time Executive Director by March 2009, to:
1. Oversee the development of an organization that upholds DARE’s Mission, Principles of Unity and Code of Ethics, and that that respects differences in age, gender, race, language, sexual orientation, and immigration status;
2. Oversee the development, planning, and execution of organizing campaigns, in conjunction with the DARE membership, its issue committees, and staff;
3. Oversee development of the membership base of the organization to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the low-income communities in Providence;
4. Raise funds and oversee the development of the finances of the organization to support the organization’s work, including a combination of grassroots and institutional funders;
5. Recruit (when necessary), supervise, and train a staff of organizers, program and administrative staff, interns, and volunteers;
6. Work with the Board, Staff, and Membership to engage in long-term planning and programming of activities and fundraising;
7. Oversee implementation of leadership training to give members experience in a wide range of organizing techniques and analysis;
8. Maintain overall accountability for the fiscal administration of DARE;
9. Facilitate organizational participation in strategic alliances in alignment with DARE’s Mission and Principles of Unity, towards the organization’s movement-building goals on a local, national, and international level.

Qualifications
1. At least 5 years experience in a grassroots organization, including coordination of organizing campaigns and leadership development;
2. Proven ability to supervise staff, in a leadership role;
3. Strong interpersonal and team-building skills;
4. Demonstrated commitment to the struggle for social & economic justice, and understanding of issues facing low-income communities of color;
5. Experience raising funds from grassroots and institutional sources, including foundations;
6. Experience with overall organizational planning and development;
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills (bilingual English/Spanish a plus);
8. Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail;
9. Proficient knowledge of basic computer operations and programs; and
10. Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, and three references by November 15, 2008 to: DARE Executive Director Transition Committee, 340 Lockwood Street, Providence, RI 02907. Email: sara@daretowin.org (please include “Executive Director position” in the subject heading) Please address the following as part of your cover letter, in no more than two pages:

• What is your motivation for doing this kind of work?
• Tell us about one of your significant achievements or challenges in social justice organizing.
• Tell us about your leadership style, with examples from your experiences.
• What do you envision being the future of social justice movements?

For more information call 401.351.6960. DARE is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Salary: $35,000-40,000, generous benefits package.