Does WMAN need a full-time executive director?

With the recent resignation of Executive Director Lizabeth Macoretta, West Mt. Airy Neighbors (WMAN) will need to begin the process of searching for a replacement.

But before a formal search can commence, a search committee needs to be formed to figure out what changes, if any, need to be made to the position. Macoretta stressed to the board during Tuesday’s meeting that the job was more than the part time position it is billed as.

“It’s hard to be dedicated to a job (after) signing up and thinking it would be 20 hours a week, and it ended up being double that,” Macoretta said.

With the demands of WMAN’s events; 50 Good Neighbors, Eat Your Heart Out, and the upcoming Mt. Airy Day, as well as the daily duties required of the executive director, Macoretta said she has put in more than she is getting out.

“I’ve given this organization 2,000 hours for free,” Macoretta said.

WMAN President Kevin Peter recognized Macoretta for her hard work and dedication and appointed Dan Rhoton to chair the search committee.

 

Mt. “Pleasant” Lot

A vacant lot on Mt. Pleasant Ave. (in between Cherokee St. and McCallum St.) has been causing some stress for WMAN as they attempt to get through the red tape just to clean up the property.

Dan Rhoton drafted a letter to Philadelphia City Managing Director Richard Negrin stating the blight that this lot has become in the neighborhood and the potential need for city support if issues of trespassing should arise.

In the letter, Rhoton points out that WMAN would like the city to “get the owners of the lot to take responsibility” for the lot or at least to “free (WMAN and other neighbors) of liability or trespassing.”

The board agreed that the letter was appropriately worded. It will be sent to Negrin and possibly extended to other city officials.

 

Finances

As WMAN attempts to garner membership by the end of their fiscal year on June 30 the group discussed successes and shortfalls from the past year.

“WMAN needs a strong finance committee who will need to focus on grant applications,” Macoretta suggested.

The group recently received a $2,500 grant from the Northwest Fund, which they will use toward operations such as payroll, rent, electricity and other office expenses.

Macoretta reported that the recent Eat Your Heart Out event was a success with an estimated total profit at $21429.78 and 158 people in attendance.

“The sponsors are there to support WMAN, not just our events,” Macoretta said.

 

Mt. Airy Day

Board member Louis Clot man reported that the committee collected $4,000 for the May 7 event, but that most of that money will be used for police and fire presence as well as other emergency services that are required for community events.

At this point the group is looking to advertise for the community event and is attempting to reach out to local high schools for volunteers.

“It’s getting down to crunch time,” Clotman said.

Editor’s note: For those of you who are familiar with WMAN’s role in the community, Do you think the next executive director should be a full-time position? Do you think Liz should have just limited her effort to part-time and called it a day?