Best Places to Work 2007: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks offers competitive salaries and benefits, but officials say it’s the nonprofit’s children-centered mission that really makes employees happy.

“People who get involved in a nonprofit are there because their hearts are in what they do and because they believe in what is accomplished,” said departing Executive Director Lisa Slavens.

The local affiliation of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, which provides mentoring programs for children, has grown significantly in the last four years. In 2003, the budget was $200,000 while the agency served about 200 children per year. Now, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks has a budget closer to $550,000 and serves about 1,200 children each year. Slavens attributes that growth to dedicated staff members.

The organization pays 75 percent of employees’ health insurance, and employees can earn up to 20 vacation days annually depending on tenure. Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers a 403(b) retirement savings plan for employee contributions and sick leave and personal time.

According to Slavens, employees have received 7 percent to 9 percent salary increases for the last few years because of the organization’s steady growth. Slavens also says bonuses of $501 to $750 are given to employees annually if the organization has had a good year of fundraising and served its families well.

“We do work a lot of weekends and evenings, and so the work environment is structured so we have flextime and comp time and things like that,” said Laurie Soulsby, development director.

Slavens says flextime is what Big Brothers Big Sisters does best. If employees work an evening activity, they can adjust their schedules accordingly.

Another key benefit, Soulsby said, is support that comes from co-workers as well as board members outside the office.

“If somebody wants to grow his or her program, it’s like, ‘OK, let’s go for it,’” Soulsby said. “What do we need to do to get that done?’”

Employees have annual evaluations with immediate supervisors, and new this year, they also participate in peer-to-peer evaluations. Because the evaluations are prepared electronically, printed out and sent to the director, they remain confidential. Executive Director Slavens’ evaluations are forwarded to the board.

No full-time staff member has left in the last year and a half, but Slavens is leaving her post by the end of the year to pursue her elementary education degree.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks

Founded: 1983

Address: 3372 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, MO 65807

Phone: (417) 889-9136

Web: www.bigbro.com

Employees: 11

Services: Mentoring programs for children ages 6–15 years