JCA Structure Change

Dear JCA members, friends, and neighbors,

As promised in the February 5th email announcing the upcoming departure of the JCA’s executive director Molly Curren Rowles this spring, the Board of Directors wants to keep you informed during this time of transition. We have been busy working with Molly, JCA staff, and external partners to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the momentum Molly has helped us build.

As the JCA has grown significantly in recent years, we have been reviewing the organizational structure on an ongoing and collaborative basis. In line with the recommendations of our JCC Association of North America and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) colleagues and many other similar organizations across the country, we are proud to announce that the JCA will now be evolving to a chief executive model to meet our expanding needs. Therefore, instead of hiring an executive director, we will be recruiting a chief executive officer (CEO) to lead the JCA into its next chapter. This is more than just a name change. It signifies our growing capacity to meet the needs of our community, with strategic vision and increasing investments in our mission and work.

We are pleased to share that we have engaged JCC Association as our recruiting partner in the nationwide search for this new leader. In the coming weeks, we will meet with stakeholders to help shape the job description, finalize CEO recruitment materials, and begin accepting applications. We encourage you to share the forthcoming job posting with those who you think would be great candidates.

Executive director to CEO is not the only position that will change as part of the shift to the chief executive organizational model. Once the new CEO is on board, the JCA will also be hiring a chief operating officer (COO). The COO will manage many aspects of JCA operations, including the Goldman Family Preschool, Center Day Camp, JCA programming, and facilities. Other existing key roles will also be elevated to reflect this new model, including chief development officer and chief financial officer.

As we embark on the CEO search, the Board of Directors has selected an interim executive director to serve as the organization's short-term leader. We are excited to share more information with the community as soon as all of the logistics are finalized.

We are appreciative of your support while we secure the JCA’s next leader. And, we are so grateful for all of the work by Molly and the rest of the JCA staff that has brought us to this point. This is an exciting time for our organization and the community, as we eagerly prepare for the meaningful growth and expanding impact of this next chapter of the JCA. As this year's annual campaign reminds us, now we go forward.

With optimistic anticipation,

The JCA Board of Directors

P.S. Never hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or feedback about this process or the JCA’s new organizational structure! You can email us at board@mainejewish.org.

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