WMAN Executive Director Lizabeth Macoretta announces her resignation

As West Mt. Airy Neighbors (WMAN) prepares for Eat Your Heart Out and other events, they must begin to think about seeking out a candidate to replace Executive Director Lizabeth Macoretta, who recently informed the board that she will be stepping down from her post after April 15.

Macoretta said the decision was heartbreaking but it was one she felt she needed to make.

“I love the job but I can’t be an organization of one,” Macoretta said.

Macoretta said that she has been working well over the 20-hour workweek she signed up for when she started the position in November 2009.

East Mt. Airy Neighbor (EMAN) Executive Director Elayne Bender can sympathize with Macoretta’s decision to leave the organization.

“Someone told me, when I took this position, that there’s no such thing as a part-time Executive Director,” said Bender.

As for the impact on EMAN, Bender will miss Macoretta’s “energy, collaborative spirit, and just plain hard work”.

WMAN Board President Kevin Peter said that the group will begin actively searching for a candidate after this weekend’s event. At the next scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, Peter will appoint a chair for a search committee who will begin discussing criteria for an appropriate candidate, as well as possibly opening the position to full time.

“There are some questions as to whether a full time staff position would lead to less volunteer positions,” Peter said in reference to the many hours of volunteer work that board members put into committees on a weekly basis.

At the moment, WMAN currently employs three positions in their office, an executive director, a communications and marketing coordinator, and an administrator. As executive director, Macoretta was working up to 60 hours a week assisting committees and reaching out to residents on behalf of the organization. Peter understands and recognizes the amount of work Macoretta was doing on a weekly basis.

“For a part time position she was working more than part time hours,” Peter said.

In the upcoming search, WMAN will have a lot to consider and Macoretta’s shoes will be a lot to fill. Peter said the board has been so happy with the work Macoretta has done and it will be hard to see her go. But as Macoretta’s end date quickly approaches, there are a lot of things to consider when filling the position.

“The sense of the board is someone who really wants to work with all areas of the neighborhood and community.” Said Peter, adding “Someone who is responsible with what the organization is trying to accomplish.”

Editor’s note: This is a revised edition. It now includes comments from Elayne Bender. No other changes were made.