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Springfield, MO

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Maura Taylor

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Leading Through Service

Immediately following the Joplin tornado, I became Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, which was a staff of two, and we were responding on a small scale to the needs of disaster survivors. 

Out of tragedy came opportunities to grow and serve even more individuals and families who are struggling with poverty and disaster. Over the years, opportunities and situations continued to present themselves. I believe God put our agency in a position to respond. Now seven years later we are a staff of almost 100 managing 10 programs, and each year we serve thousands of our neighbors who are most in need.  

It takes a team to be successful. You have to take the time to build and encourage that team. Each member of our team—staff, board, volunteers, donors and community partners—was needed for CCSOMO to accommodate such rapid growth. 

Good leaders understand the necessity of communication. Leadership needs to provide clear and ongoing communication of goals and expectations for all staff to understand where the agency is going, and who is doing what in order for us to get there. 

Because change is inevitable, planning and preparing for succession is vital. Although we seek to retain staff, life happens, so it is important to emphasize the sharing of information, clear processes, and cross training. As new staff and board members join our agency, we must embrace new ideas and ways of doing things so we can continue to grow and improve.

Maura Taylor

Executive Director

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri

424 E Monastery St 

Springfield MO 65807

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