Red Cross director moves to Boys |amp| Girls Club

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter

eolson@sbj.net

The executive director of the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter is starting a new chapter in her career. After five years directing the nonprofit emergency response organization, Cheryl Searcy has accepted the position of resource development director with the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield, effective Dec. 1.

Searcy informed the Red Cross board Oct. 29.

"We sure hate to lose her," said Linda Tripp, chair of the Red Cross board. "Our loss is going to be Boys & Girls Club's gain."

Tripp and vice chair Russ Marquart head a search committee for a new Red Cross director. More than 30 applications were turned in at press time; Dec. 1 was the deadline, Tripp said.

"We've had good response from a number of people in the Ozarks," Marquart said, adding that he hopes to have someone in place Jan. 1.

In the meantime, Red Cross CFO Larry Worsham and Director of Emergency Services Scott Emerson are serving as interim directors.

Searcy's new job places her in front of the public, now wearing a Boys & Girls Club banner. She is responsible for public relations and fundraising, more specifically for creating broader awareness and advocacy for the organization in the community and developing a comprehensive fund-development program.

"This is a move based on an opportunity for me and an opportunity to work with kids and a new mission," Searcy said. "I absolutely love what I (was) doing here at the Red Cross. I wasn't looking for a job, one just kind of came to me."

According to Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Pat Gartland, board President Ron Neville recommended Searcy for the position left vacant Sept. 15, when Michele Risdal-Barnes left to work as president at Bolin Truss and Supply Inc., which Barnes co-owns with her husband Skip.

"Cheryl has a great reputation in the community and in the not-for-profit world," Gartland said.

A tough call

When Gartland phoned Searcy about the vacancy in late September, she politely declined.

"As I thought about it a little bit more, the opportunity to work with another highly respected organization in this community ... I kept coming back to the kids and the opportunity to work with and for kids," Searcy said.

Searcy and Gartland met seven times in a seven-week period. But before committing, Searcy analyzed the fiscal situation she'd be leaving at Red Cross.

"The reason I even considered any other position is based on the fact that I know the Red Cross is in good hands right now," Searcy said. "I could never walk away if I didn't think things were in solid shape."

Despite shortfalls among nonprofits during the recent recession, the Red Cross Ozarks Chapter posted a $146,923 excess last fiscal year, ended June 30, Searcy said. The nonprofit received $896,724 in contributions against expenses of $722,507.

Searcy's successor inherits a $695,529 budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year.

"We finished out the fiscal year in excellent shape," Searcy said. "We've seen strong support from the community."

Gone, but not forgotten

Searcy said she will miss the relationships built over the last 12 years at the Red Cross. She was executive director for the last five years.

"It's become a family. I have some amazing friends that I will not be working with anymore," Searcy said, citing the staff of 18, 600 volunteers and 23 board members she is leaving. "I would match them against any Red Cross organization in the country. I will miss them dearly."

But Searcy vows to remain a participating member of the local chapter. She plans to be part of the disaster action team and work as an armed forces emergency caseworker.

"I will always be part of the Red Cross family," Searcy said. "I have always been passionate about the organization's mission, but I'm going to an organization with an equally great mission."