SIMS had multiple needs. One was interim leadership to keep providing services. Another was stabilizing the board of directors, which had a high turnover rate. Finally, SIMS wanted to find the right person to permanently fill the Executive Director’s role.

SIMS knew it could turn to Greenlights. Recommendations came from multiple sources, including a major SIMS funder. The board also had a good memory of Greenlights from a prior board retreat.

Greenlights was asked to step in and help the board focus its objectives in hiring an interim executive director. Once in place, the interim director conducted an organizational assessment using the Greenlights Diagnostic. She worked with staff to maintain services and began using a refined assessment tool to help paint a picture of SIMS’ capacity and needs.

With the day-to-day under control, the board could look at the big picture and set a course for the long term. That direction helped the board focus on the skills and talents it wanted to execute the plan and the right permanent Executive Director.

Along with the lead Greenlights consultant, the interim director prepared a report for board and staff that showed not only the strengths and areas of improvement for SIMS, but also action steps to take for improving the organization before and after the permanent Director’s hire.

Greenlights led the board through crafting a search process for the new Executive Director, creating a transition committee to be the guiding force for the search process. Greenlights helped SIMS create an organizational description and a job posting that reflected the management needs of the organization moving forward. Greenlights helped the transition committee screen the candidates, ask the right interview questions, and determine the best fit for SIMS.

The interview process, led by Greenlights, included innovative practices like having the candidates present reports and give mock presentations to the organization. This helped the board get to know the candidates and their style, which helped the board make the final decision.

The Results

The Greenlights experience led the board to an Executive Director the board believes can make the organization flourish. The new Executive Director has already successfully navigated staff changes and has the board’s total support. The process has changed the culture/experience of the organization as well – everyone able to work more effectively towards achieving the SIMS mission.

About Greenlights

Greenlights strengthens nonprofits for extraordinary performance and impact by providing valuable management consulting services, professional development workshops and conferences, in-depth research, a membership program and more. Nonprofits pay about half the cost of our services, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

For more information about our consulting services, contact Tara Kirkland, Director of Consulting, at (512) 477-5955, x262.