Big Brothers Big Sisters names new director

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by Eric Olson|ret||ret||tab|

SBJ Reporter|ret||ret||tab|

eolson@sbj.net|ret||ret||tab|

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After five months without an executive director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks has a new leader in the form of Lisa Hawkins.|ret||ret||tab|

Hawkins, a former BBBS board member with about 25 years experience in the not-for-profit sector, was offered the position following the Jan. 29 board meeting, said board president Jean Twitty.|ret||ret||tab|

Twitty said the board thought it had a candidate hired in October an individual from outside the area but differences over contract details nixed the deal. The board then turned to its own members, and Hawkins stood out, said Twitty, whose day job is Greene County assessor.|ret||ret||tab|

"Lisa believes so strongly in the mission of the organization and it follows true to form with her involvement as a staff person at Easter Seals impacting children, that she was drawn to an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters," said Twitty, who worked with Hawkins at Easter Seals in the late-1990s. Hawkins was Easter Seals' director of development and Twitty served as president of its board.|ret||ret||tab|

Since leaving Easter Seals in 2000, Hawkins served short stints at Wonders of Wildlife, doing public relations for about two years, and a year and a half as administrative director at Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which she left Feb. 13.|ret||ret||tab|

Jerald Andrews, executive director of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, said Hawkins' duties have been split between new hires Stephanie Lawson, a certified public accountant most recently with Collegiate Catering, and Shauna Wiertzma, a former hall employee with a five-year history there.|ret||ret||tab|

Hawkins calls the new marriage with Big Brothers Big Sisters a "logical solution" to filling the vacancy left by the Sept. 19 resignation of Louise Henson.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's a wonderful way to start this position because now I understand both sides of it," said Hawkins, who has served on the board for more than three years. "I know what the board expects of the staff, and I know what the staff would love to see from the board. It's a great position to be in."|ret||ret||tab|

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Hawkins' agenda|ret||ret||tab|

Hawkins said first on her agenda is requesting that the board become more involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters' special events.|ret||ret||tab|

"The staff wants the board to see what we do, to see what's accomplished," Hawkins said. "One of my goals is to make sure that the board is more aware of all the activities that we provide and have the opportunity to participate. I think too often they're aware of what we do, but don't realize that we'd love to have them be there."|ret||ret||tab|

Big Brother Big Sisters of the Ozarks operates with a staff of five, including Hawkins and another new hire, Laurie Soulsby, who replaces Andy Marquart as event coordinator and recruiter. |ret||ret||tab|

Twitty said Soulsby will assume the event and recruitment duties and others, though the position, billed as assistant director, is still being defined.|ret||ret||tab|

While Big Brothers Big Sisters' board members and staff are still determining its 2004 operating budget, Hawkins expects to raise more than the approximately $275,000 in contributions brought in last year.|ret||ret||tab|

To do so, a significant draw is needed at the group's biggest fundraising event, Bowl for Kids' Sake, which is March 6 at Battlefield Lanes, she said. Typically, Bowl for Kids' Sake revenues fund more than 20 percent of Big Brothers Big Sisters' annual operating budget; last year the one-day event generated $58,000, Hawkins said.|ret||ret||tab|

Despite an economy on the rebound, Hawkins said fundraising will again be a challenge.|ret||ret||tab|

"There are so many good not-for-profits out there that provide so many wonderful services," she said. "We all need to get our message out and make sure that the donors realize their money is being well stewarded. It is always a challenge. This year, hopefully, (it's) not as big a challenge as it was last year because the economy is bigger and better."|ret||ret||tab|

Big Brothers Big Sisters estimates it costs $1,000 per child-adult match for the traditional mentoring program. A significant portion of that figure goes for background checks, Hawkins said, a procedure that staff members take seriously, especially considering the recent assaults on children that have been in the news.|ret||ret||tab|

"Our number one concern is always the safety of our children," Hawkins said.|ret||ret||tab|

Big Brother Big Sisters searches applicants' criminal records, checking driver history and any drunken driving or drug charges. This is followed by a series of personal interviews, in which the candidate is asked nationally mandated questions, and at-home visits, Hawkins said. Children's parents also are interviewed.|ret||ret||tab|

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