A Unique Partnership: Interim Management for Not-for-profit Organizations
I have always been drawn to a line from an Edgar Allen Poe poem describing “a demon in my view” because it seemed to address my professional restlessness as I climbed the traditional not-for-profit career “ladder” from staff position to senior manager to executive. Now, looking back at the variety of positions I have held, I have several insights:
These are wonderful skills. But the question arises: Where do I utilize these skills to best benefit not-for-profit organizations and myself, as a professional? The answer might be obvious to some: secure another executive position at another charitable organization or society. However, after a period of time, I still become plagued by a sense of professional restlessness … by that “demon in my view.” Fortunately, I have discovered an aspect of not-for-profit management not well known in the sector and even less utilized by Boards of Directors and Executive Management. It is the position of a Professional Interim – someone to step into an executive role for a specific interval to lead an organization through a period of transition or change. Professional Interims are a standard position in other professions, such as Church Leadership, but not widely utilized in the not-for-profit arena. A Professional Interim offers a unique background of education and experience to an organization for a defined period of time. Professional Interims, generally, are of greatest benefit and can be found in the areas of Executive Management, Operations Management, Fiscal Management and Fund Development. My own experiences place me in the arena of Interim Executive Management. In my last interim position I spent nine months as the Interim Executive Director of a growing not-for-profit organization. In the two years prior, the organization had acquired a federally-issued license allowing them to offer a unique service to their region. This placed them in a new position within their service area and with other governmental and corporate entities. The prior Executive Director chose to move on to a different service field. In the face of these changes, the Board wisely realized that they needed to take a step back and survey the growth position of the agency in light of the new service that was to be provided. During my tenure as Interim, the Board and I partnered on several important tasks:
These tasks provided the groundwork and guidelines for the agency as it moved forward in the new service area and with its community partners. By establishing clear and consistent directives the permanent Executive Director had a blueprint for success. The Board was clear in both their roles and responsibilities as they led the agency to the next level. What happens to the Interim? For me, interim management cures the restlessness, the “demon in my view”. Interim positions allow me to apply my experience to different agencies every 6 to 9 months, or as often as I choose. I enjoy the new situations and the unique challenges. The agencies benefit by receiving an experienced executive who brings a new perspective to the agency and can make the “hard” decisions necessary for growth. This short-term partnership, between the Board and the Interim, with defined tasks and goals, paves the way for the permanent Executive to take the leadership position of an organization with a clear course and with the tools to realize success – a win-win situation for all.
Victoria Stephan, is a senior consultant with Executive Consulting for the Nonprofit Sector in Long Beach, California. Victoria has over 35 years of experience in the field of children’s and social services including Volunteers of America, Youth Service Center in Riverside, California, and The Stephan Center. As a senior consultant with Executive Consulting, Victoria is a peer leader in the fields of interim executive management, board development and executive training. Victoria received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from California State University at Fullerton and resides in Riverside, California. Executive Consulting for the Nonprofit Sector, Inc., is working with Volunteer Vancouver to offer local not-for-profit organizations Interim Executive Management services through their Interim Solutions Program. Interim Solutions provides trained and experienced executives in Metro Vancouver (like Victoria Stephan) to local organizations to serve as chief executives, development officers and chief financial officers on a short-term basis.
About Volunteer VancouverThe mission of Volunteer Vancouver is to inspire & build leadership in the voluntary sector. This publication is intended to be a medium of communication and information for the many organizations active in the volunteer and not-for-profit sector. The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect official policy of the Board of Directors of Volunteer Vancouver. Volunteer Vancouver |
