CHR to hire new PR person by summer, expand fundraising
After months of debate on what the organization needed to expand into the future, Sanibel’s Community Housing & Resources is now actively seeking applicants for a Public Relations and Communications Manager.
The issue was previously raised by Executive Director Kelly Collini who asked the board to consider hiring a full-time communications professional so that she could focus more on development and fundraising for CHR.
Much of the CHR’s budget depends on donations or funds raised from events like its annual Mardi Gras celebration. The board reached a consensus that the organization wouldn’t be able to grow unless more attention was paid to development, and in order to do that, they need to hire someone to take over communication.
The position has already been posted online and in local newspapers. Collini told the board on May 20 that it would be funded by an additional $100,000 the organization kept in its operating general expenses fund.
She said there has been a lot of interest from job seekers.
“It’s interesting to see the caliber of the applications and they have poured in,” she said.
Board Member and Director of the LEO Committee Chair Dr. Phil Marks said he expects that if the right person is hired, the benefits to CHR will more than cover his or her salary.
“I really think this is how most organizations make their money, by cultivating those people who believe in us,” he said. “It takes money to make money.”
Board President Richard Johnson said he expects any public relations professional to generate money for CHR.
“My expectation is that this person will generate money coming into the organization rather than just looking at it as a salary going out,” he said.
With future projects to complete like repairs and renovations, as well as ensuring that the sale of properties doesn’t result in a loss of money in the organization’s appreciation account, the board has agreed to focus on development and fundraising.
Once the new staff member is hired, Collini will move into full-time development and the two will work together on increasing the amount of CHR funding.
The complete job description can be found online at www.sanibelchr.org. The next CHR board meeting is on June 17.