Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning & Development Commission Julie Patera Executive Director 230 W. Poplar Street, Harrisburg, IL ph

Executive Directors Human Resource Challenges 1 st year challenges – Pick up in mid air all projects left by your predecessor – check files, dates, forms, meet with contractors & engineers – Create new projects/generate income – Acquaint/reacquaint w/state and federal agencies – Reports/reports/reports – Board meetings/reports/financials – Oversight and manage employees, staff evaluations – Oversight and manage all programs – Conferences/Training – Indirect costs – Local meetings/networking with stakeholders – Getting to know your local and national politicians – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) & Committee – Replacing committee members – Legal issues – Insurance – Building/Workers Comp/Liability/Fidelity/E & O – Maintenance on your building, parking lots, handicapped parking, ADA issues – Replacing equipment – Updates for computers/programs – IT issues – Website - Server – Show a profit at years end – Keep Personnel Policy Updated – Keep By-laws updated – Executive Session minutes annual review – Staff turnover – new hiring – training – Annual Audit – Budget

Executive Directors Human Resource Challenges Just how many hats can an ED wear? Staff size? 1-5, 6-20? More? Questions for discussion— How to manage people you previously worked with or are friends with? How to help diverse members of a team work together and value their differences? How to set your priorities when you are busy putting out fires?

How to manage people you previously worked with or are friends with? Problem: Sometimes friends may try to take advantage of your position at work. It’s human nature. It's very important not to fall into a habit of letting this happen. Solution: You have to draw a line. Be professional and be prepared that ultimately it may cost you a friendship. It’s hard.

How to help diverse members of a team work together and value their differences Celebrate Diversity! Celebrate Strengths! Utilize your employees strengths’ to your advantage and to the advantage of the Agency! Examples- Drama Queen- highly energetic, quick to volunteer, use as the agency cheerleader. Organizational Queen – helpful when making travel arrangements, great with registrations/schedules/directions Mom-detail oriented, wants exact guidance and directions, doesn’t mind a little micro management.

Diversity – Identify & Delegate! Diversity? What does that mean to you? Race – Religion - Sex - Personality As a new Director, I learned, after about 5 years, to ask for help and to delegate. I had gained the trust of the employees (old and new) and I needed help. By identifying the unique talents and strengths of my employees, I was able to delegate smartly and be successful!

Setting your priorities when you are busy putting out fires! Problem: Many problems that present on the appointment of a new director. A lot of initial problems will settle down in time. Don't panic if things aren’t going quite your way in the first few weeks (or months), people will soon get used to your new job role. Don't be too hard on yourself. Every new job is hard at first - just remember it will get easier. Solution: Deal with one thing at a time. If you're having problems with more than one person or agency, deal with each situation separately. That way, you might learn something from your initial problems and work out the best way to get around it for next time.