Having grown up in a higher education household (my father is a retired college professor, mother is a retired student affairs professional), I became familiar with the annual rituals of the spring job transitions at an early age. I saw my parents’ colleagues and their children, frequently my friends and classmates, occasionally pack up and move to a new opportunity at another college or university. While we were sad to see our neighbors and friends leave, it was usually for a better position and the start of a new adventure for the entire family.
Our O∆K family at the national headquarters is experiencing this rite of spring (assuming that the snow will eventually melt – we got 20 inches last week – and that spring will come to Lexington one day) here in 2014. Two of the most valued members of our staff, Shannon Mohrman and Andrew Cahoon, will be leaving us in June. Shannon, our membership services coordinator, is moving to Houston with her husband who is completing law school at Washington and Lee University in May. Andrew, the O∆K centennial fellow, is heading off to the Peace Corps to work in Sierra Leone.
So, the “Help Wanted” sign is back up at O∆K’s headquarters. We are running a national search to fill the position currently held by Andrew. The O∆K Fellow has been retitled as “Leadership Consultant” in order to better reflect the work that has been done by the three individuals who have previously held the position.
The O∆K Leadership Consultant is a two-year commitment that will begin on June 1, 2014, and run through June 30, 2016. This full-time staff member is based at the O∆K National Headquarters in Lexington, Va., but the individual will travel to see at least 80 Circles across the country during his or her tenure. The “LC” will engage with alumni, oversee the Clay Leadership Development Grant Program, manage the Society’s awards program, support the National Day of Service, and work very closely with the National Vice President and the Associate Executive Director on matters related to Circle support and expansion.
It is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about O∆K, likes to travel, searching for opportunities to expand professional and leadership skills, and excited to have both an adventure and a challenge. Details about the application process are located at the O∆K website.
In the next few weeks, we will also be posting the Membership Services Coordinator position on the website. This position works closely with the Circle officers to process membership applications, certificates, and pins. I like to think of Shannon as O∆K’s “first responder” since she greets guests, answers the phones (she’s the “voice” of O∆K), and answers the emails that come to the odknhdq@odk.org mailbox.
I hope that a number of individuals will be interested in these two important positions. We hope to have both new colleagues on board prior to the start of the convention (June 11 – 15, 2014) so that they can better get to know the Circle officers and senior volunteers of our organization. This summer’s convention and centennial celebration will not only be a great introduction for our new colleagues, but it will also be wonderful launch of O∆K’s second century.
