For almost two years, the American Ethical Union (AEU) has been without an Executive Director. During this time the AEU Board and the National Leaders Council have joined together in seeking to re-envision the role that an Executive Director can and should take in order to promote the growth and vitality of the Ethical Culture Movement. In addition, there have been regional listening sessions in which Society members from around the country expressed their views on leadership and other issues ranging from growth to technology to communications.  

As a result, there is a broad consensus that the Ethical Culture Movement needs unified and central leadership to best assure the health of the Societies, as well as a clear voice through which it can best spread its message nationally and globally. While the Executive Directors of the recent past had been professionals from outside the Movement, it is generally believed today that leadership can best be provided by a person within the Movement, whose commitment is deeply rooted.

The goals of the position can be summarized as follows:

• To energize and engage the talents and passions of our Societies' members,  
• To revitalize the functioning of volunteer committees and activity groups,
• To maximize the effectiveness of the AEU to serve the individual Societies' needs, and
• To serve as the face of the Ethical Culture Movement and to communicate its mission to the public and other organizations, spear-heading partnerships with outside groups in order to promote our public policy goals.

Although there is so much to be done, the finances of the AEU limit us to supporting only a part-time Director, at least for the next few years. It is hoped and expected that as the finances of the AEU rebound, the job will also grow into a full time position. The Executive Director would be paid $20,000 per year with an additional budget of $5,000 for travel expenses. At this time, the position is being underwritten primarily by pledged contributions to a special fund.

The qualifications of a preferred candidate can be summarized as follows, although these are not all strict requirements:

1. Participation in Ethical Culture for at least five years; familiarity with its foundations, philosophy and structure. Leadership training preferred.
2. B.A. degree in the liberal arts, M.A. preferred.
3. Ten years experience in non-profit organization and development preferred.
4. Administrative experience to include financial management, budgeting, personnel supervision, and strategic planning.
5. Experience in foundation grant writing a plus.
6. Ability in speaking to small and large groups and in using social media and traditional media communications.

The AEU Board will be accepting applications for this position from interested parties until May 21, 2012, which is the day preceding its next Board meeting. All those interested in being considered for this position will please express their interest by sending a letter and a CV to Richard Koral, Vice President of the AEU Board, at richardlkoral[at]optonline.net.

For opportunities to contribute to the fund supporting the new Executive Director position, please contact the AEU office at lmiller.aeu[at]gmail.com or dpang.aeu[at]gmail.com.

The new position of the Executive Director of the American Ethical Union is for:

• Inspiring and galvanizing the Movement through a compelling articulation of the vision, mission and priorities of the Ethical Culture Movement,
• Stimulating a robust, growing, and transformative movement in the context of the 21st century,
• Communicating the message of Ethical Humanism within and beyond the movement in a way that engenders enthusiasm and encourages membership,
• Keeping abreast of congregational concerns, programs, events, and opportunities,
• Working in partnership with the Societies, the AEU Board and the NLC to create and implement the animating visions, strategic aims, and measurable goals of the federation,
• Promoting and representing the Ethical Movement to the broader Humanist and religious communities, and to social, political, and economic arenas, and
• Overseeing the administration and programs of the federation.