How to Find and Keep an Executive Director + Make a 6 Month Work Plan (2024)

Presented to the Trenton Downtown Alliance

by Isaac D. Kremer, MSARP

July 18, 2024

• Introductions (5 mins)
• Welcome from Greater Trenton (5 mins)
• Examples from Four Downtown Revitalization Orgs (20 mins)
• Shared Responsibilities (15 mins)
• How We Work Together (5 mins)
• Break (5 mins)
• Visualization Exercise (10 mins)
• What Board and Exec Director Can and Should Do to Ensure Success (20 min)
• One-Page Work Planning Exercise (20 min)
• Closing Thoughts (10 mins)

10 Board Responsibilities

1. Determine the mission and vision
2. Supervise the ED
3. Develop and approve the budget; establish financial controls
4. Raise and manage the money; approve contracts
5. Understand all legal duties of all nonprofit corporations
6. Plan for the future and evaluate the present
7. Recommend names and orient new board members
8. Advocate for the local program
9. Monitor and grow the organization’s programs
10. Support the Executive Director, evaluate regularly

What Board Can do to Ensure Success

• The importance of organizational stability and infrastructure for the new director’s success
• Financial planning and budgeting for the new director’s role
• A clear and focused work plan for the interim period
• Simplified job description
• Leverage the county executive’s support
• Utilize third places and regular meetups to foster increased engagement
• Position Trenton as a vibrant and attractive downtown destination
• Articulate a clear and compelling value proposition for the organization (for businesses, for property owners, for residents, for County government, for State government)