Hi Nancy,
Your experience is truly disturbing and as pointed out by Owen and Linda the
fault is the board of directors for allowing this to happen. I know of at
least 3 visually impaired past board members who tryed to bring the current
issues and some others dealing with the boards current grievance process to
their attention and basically get no where because the board is a yes board
to the director, they are all friends and value that above what there
responsibilities are. The current board doesn't even follow there own guide
lines for selecting there members or honoring the term limits that a member
can serve or hold office. Unfortunately DBS has decided to put all there
eggs in one basket, mainly the FAASB basket so this is what we get from the
state.
I urge all of you who have posted to this issue to please send your messages
to the president of the Lighthouse board. His email is
boardpresident1@xxxxxxxxx If he his truly dedicated to the cause of the
lighthouse he will consider our concerns as valid and start the process for
change and the betterment of services in the 7 counties they serve.
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Folsom
Sent: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 11:26 AM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: What is the lighthouse of the big bend trying to hide
Hello All,
I know from personal knowledge that the Lighthouse of the Big Bend actually
pays their supervisors to check every note that is sent to the Division of
Blind Services. Often times the Specialists are told what to write, and to
cut parts out of notes such as the following, “xxxx was given some kitchen
utensils which were not part of Lighthouse inventory”. This indicates that
the Specialist donated items to the client and paid out of their own pocket.
I know of at least once where the Specialist was told to cut such a
statement out of notes. During my time at Division of Blind Services, none
of the Supervisors went over every note sent by the Counselors or
Technicians. I’d say this is an example of micromanagement to the max, and
a waste of tax payers money, since about 10 hours per week or more is spent
on these activities at the Lighthouse. Another waste of tax payer money is
a person who insures that all documents that should be in a file are
accounted for. Often
, that person is responsible for editing notes for Specialists who only have
a High School education and so cannot write correctly.
I applied for, and went for a second interview for several positions at the
Lighthouse. However, each time I was told that a person with more
experience was chosen for the position. Each time I was denied a position,
I later found out the the person that was chosen over me did not have more
qualifications and experience. I found out that they only had a high school
education and no college education at all. Furthermore, they had very
little or no experience working with blind and visually impaired individuals
compared to my over 10 years of experience working in the blindness field.
I also learned after one of my interviews that the Executive Director made a
remark like “I guess we are unanimous that we don’t want to have something
like her here”.
An example of services provided by one of the Specialist with no education
is. One day the dishwasher needed to be started. The Specialist who had
perfect vision, did not read the directions on packaging for the detergent
tablets, and put one in without removing the paper. I also understand from
someone in the community that this same Specialist noted gas fumes in
someone’s home but did not take steps to assist the individual in
evacuating, remarking that she didn’t think it was unsafe. Our tax dollars
at work!!!
I really feel that the hiring practices in general at the Lighthouse should
be another change that needs to take place.
-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Owen Mccaul
Sent: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 7:47 AM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: What is the lighthouse of the big bend trying to hide
While I agree that a 'seperation of powers' between co-directors would be
desirable, I don't see the local Lighthouse doing that anytime soon.
That would, after all, require paying 2 salaries between $50,000 and
$70,000 per year. The Lighthouse, like many state agencies, is always trying
to do 'more with less,' not recognizing that the usual result is that you
really end up doing less with less.
I strongly suspect that you won't see significant changes at the Lighthouse
until you see significant changes on the Board of the Lighthouse. I applied
for a position on the Board a few years ago, thinking that my experience as
a member of the Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and
the Blind, and my experience as vice-chair of that Board, made me a good
candidate. After being interviewed, my application was rejected because they
said that they were looking for someone who could assist with fundraising
efforts. I have always suspected that the real reason was that Ms. Ross
feared I would be too confrontational. Perhaps now that Ms. Ross will be
leaving the picture it would be possible for the Lighthouse's Board to get
some 'new blood.' I have far too much on my plate to apply again anytime
soon but perhaps someone else in the local community (Chip?) could step up
and try to make changes from within.
-----Original Message-----
From: Erica <ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tabi <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, Sep 1, 2015 12:27 am
Subject: [tabi] Re: What is the lighthouse of the big bend trying to hide
What Lynda suggests-- hiring 2 differently qualified but compatible
co-directors-- is exactly what C.I.T.E.-- the predecessor of Orlando's
Lighthouse-- did. This arrangement allows the proper caliber of services to
be provided, but in a scope that will be fiscally sustainable long-term.
Erica
-----Original Message-----
From: lynda jones <lyndajones2414@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tabi <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Aug 31, 2015 9:53 pm
Subject: [tabi] Re: What is the lighthouse of the big bend trying to hide
Robert:
I agree with much of what you have written. I too am puzzled as to why
they would close a job posting for an Executive Director in one week. Let me
put a bit of a different perspective to the situation.
I do know why Barbara resigned. It wasn’t her management skills that
forced a resignation; it is her lack of people skills as well as her lack of
knowledge of quality blindness services. For more than three years the
Lighthouse Board of Directors has ignored evidence that Barbara was
mistreating some of her staff. They were told several times by several
people and chose to ignore the evidence and stand behind Barbara. Recently,
they were forced into accountability.
Executive Directors of many businesses are often managers rather than
experts on the service part of the business. It would be wonderful, if there
is someone who knows both sides of the picture—blindness and management. But
you can’t run a business without the management skills.
As I read the job announcement, I noticed that the Board is again giving
total power to a single individual. This new Director will oversee every
aspect of the Lighthouse. It is quite possible that they could hire someone
else like Barbara and again ignore all red flags.
It is my belief that the only way to avoid repeating the problem is to
hire two individuals with both of them answering directly to the Board. One
person would manage the business and fundraising part of the Lighthouse. The
other person, qualified in blindness services, would hire staff and manage
client services.
Lynda
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Robert Miller
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 6:21 PM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] What is the lighthouse of the big bend trying to hide
Apparently around August 17th Barbar Ross director of the
Lighthouse of the big bend resigned with no announcement or reason given to
the blind community it services. To add more insult to injury the job
announcement has already been posted and closed on August 24th. As far as
we can tell the job announcement wasn’t posted on any blindness organization
web sites. I have posted a copy of the job discription below, which to me
is very disturbing since blind or visually impaired is not mentioned once.
In the discription where disability is mentioned they are prefered and not
requirements. From the discription it is very apparent that the board is
looking for a money maker not someone who gives a damn about blind people or
there needs. It is pretty scary to have a director responsibal for the
hiring and directing of employees that has no idea what to look for in who
they hire. Since The lighthouse of the Big Bend is a FAASBY member, I am
afraid this is the case with
many other member agencies and this is exactly why the state of Florida is
doing a major disservice to it’s blind citizans.
I urge all of you to contact the board and express your dismay and
demand that they re-write there job discription and repost the job
announcement in places that might give them a chance to find an aplicant
that is qualified to adequately provide quality services for our community.
Robert
NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Lighthouse of the Big Bend, a local nonprofit in the Tallahassee area
is seeking an Executive Director. This salaried position will pay between
$50,000 - $70,000 annually, depending upon experience, and comes with
excellent benefits such as annual, sick and holiday paid leave, health
insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
The Executive Director shall be directed by the Board to include but not
be limited to the following:
a) To coordinate between the Board and staff respecting all business of
the nonprofit agency.
b) To administer and report on all fiscal matters as directed by the
Board.
c) To monitor and report on trends respecting the mission of the
nonprofit agency and assist the Board in setting appropriate priorities.
d) To prepare and submit to the Board an annual operating budget for
their approval.
e) To develop fund raising activities locally, statewide and nationally
for the proper operation of the nonprofit agency.
f) To maintain a written personnel manual.
g) To recruit, employ and terminate, as may be necessary, the employees
of the nonprofit agency.
h) To coordinate the services of the nonprofit agency with other
programs.
i) To provide leadership and promote professional growth by
participation on committees and in training conferences which are pertinent
to the mission and operation of the nonprofit agency, with the prior
approval of the Board.
Duties of the Executive Director
• Supports operations and administration of Board by advising and
informing Board members, interfacing between Board and staff and supporting
Boards evaluation of Executive Director, upholding and adhering to the
policies and bylaws of the organization, entering into contracts on behalf
of the organization with the Board of Directors approval.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of the organization’s
strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Oversees the effective design, marketing, promotion, delivery and
quality of programs, products and services through the recruitment and
supervision of the management team.
• Oversees creation and implementation of annual operational plan and
continuous quality improvement plan.
• Recommends yearly budget for Board approval and prudently manages
organization’s resources within those budget guidelines according to current
laws and regulations. Ensure timely and accurate reporting and invoicing on
all contracts and grants.
• Effectively manages the human resources of the organization according
to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to
current laws and regulations.
• Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying
resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies
to approach funders, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising
records and documentation.
• Assures the organization and its mission, programs, products and
services are consistently presented in strong, positive image to the general
public, media, other organizations and relevant stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Executive Director Requirements
• Preferred education level: Master’s Degree with emphasis in management,
social work, human service, psychology, education, or a related field;
• Minimum ten (10) years of management experience preferably in the field
of disabilities;
• Minimum five (5) years experience in social services, preferably with
children/adults with disabilities;
• Proven supervisory and leadership skills;
• Adept at budgeting and strategic planning;
• Knowledge of grant writing experience;
• Skilled in exercising sound judgement and possesses good analytical
skills;
• Capable of working with a variety of diverse and multi-cultural
personalities and leadership styles;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Clear Level 2 background check.
To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to
the Board President at boardpresident1@xxxxxxxxx by August 24, 2015.
Thank you.
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interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
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