Historical October 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Personnel matters were the major topic of discussion at the Sept. 13 meeting of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council. Within two weeks both Executive Director Ronald Laboe and council secretary Gabrielle Wilson submitted their resignations to the board. SDCC Board President Frank Burke summarized Mr. Laboe’s reasons for resigning and opened discussion on the qualifications and hiring of a new director.
When the Council’s Constitution and ByLaws Committee completes its revision, the Council hopes to have a clearer statement of the goals and purposes of the organization, based on the needs of the community today.
It was agreed that the directions in which the Council sees itself moving would determine the qualifications and duties of its new director, at the same time acknowledging that the ideal director would be one who would be flexible or innovative enough to take on varied responsibilities as new priorities are set by the SDCC board. Specific qualities and abilities of the ideal executive director were discussed, ranging from fundraising, grant writing, and working well with people and institutions, to typing, walking on water, and being able to survive on a relatively small salary and neighborhood potluck suppers.
The specific task of advertising the search, identifying the stated qualifications, and doing the initial screening of applicants was given to the president, or a designated representative, of each of the three neighborhood organizations.
At the second level, the representatives of the supporting institutions will become involved, and the final selection will be made by the full board.
The greatest concerns of board members centered on two issues: residency and salary.
While most members agreed that a resident of the Skinker-DeBaliviere community, or possibly someone who would become a resident upon appointment, would be best acquainted with the wishes and the problems of the neighborhood, it was also recognized that it may be difficult to find a qualified person who can afford to live in the area.
By a vote of 10 to 8, it was decided that residency would be a requirement for the position.
The search will begin within the neighborhood.
If the board then determines that it wishes to broaden the search, advertising will be done throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, but still retain the requirement that the director become a resident of the Council area.
It was further agreed that the salary range would be $13,000-$15,000, with the possibility of negotiating added incentives if grants were received which could be used for this purpose.
The availability of other benefits such as health insurance is also being investigated.
Until an appointment of a new executive director is made and specific needs are determined, the position of secretary will not be filled.
Originally published in The Neighborhood Paper, October 1982.
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Original source: SD_Times1982_10.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
