Organization

The Shanti Uganda Society is a Vancouver based Canadian Charity working in Uganda, East Africa. Our mission is to support the emotional, spiritual and physical well-being of communities impacted by poverty, HIV/AIDS and war and our long term goal is to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Luweero, Uganda.  Shanti Uganda directly supports the 22 HIV positive women in our income generating group, runs a growing program for teen girls, provides educational opportunities for midwives and runs a newly constructed Eco-Birth House. The Shanti Uganda Society is supported by a thriving group of passionate and dedicated individuals around the world who are all committed towards women’s rights, peace, healing and sustainable development for the communities we support in Uganda.

Job Description

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director directly supervises the Project Coordinator and provides leadership and direction toward the achievement of the society’s mission and objectives. Acting as a liaison among members, the board of directors, staff, volunteers, committees and other community supporters, the Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the delivery and implementation of all programs and services, including budgets, daily operations, and community and public relations for the society.

Responsibilities

• Work with the volunteer board of directors to implement Shanti Uganda’s short and long-term objectives and to carry out all revenue goals  
• Advise, support and solicit direction from the board of directors through regular communications and meetings 
  
• Develop and maintain records of Shanti Uganda members, partners, key contacts and supporters. Maintain records of communications, events, and activities  
• Manage budget in consultation with the board of directors. This will include management of spending in Vancouver and Uganda and monthly reporting to the Society’s Treasurer  
• Participate in and support committees as required and attend meetings, fundraising events, festivals and other functions where and when appropriate  
• Coordinate the regular publication of a monthly e-newsletter and other communications on a consistent basis  
• Maintain and regularly update the Shanti Uganda website, blog, facebook group and twitter account with news and other information  
• Oversee the Project Coordinator in Uganda and ensure successful delivery of programs  
• Seek out, inspire and supervise all Volunteers and maintain strong volunteer relations   
• Act as spokesperson for Shanti Uganda with direction from the Board of Directors  
• Identify, research and develop new and creative ways to secure financial support  
• Manage the Shanti Uganda Ambassador program and all participants 

• BA or Masters in International Development Studies, Non Profit Management or related program  
• Proficient in word, excel, online networking (blog writing, facebook, twitter, e-newsletter), web management and powerpoint 
• Knowledge of international development issues relating to HIV/AIDS and maternal health in Africa  
• Proven non-profit management experience  
• Proven event organizing, fundraising and/or marketing experience  
• Knowledge in volunteer co-ordination an asset  
• Knowledge of the workings of a board of directors and/or non-profit committees
  

• Strong leadership skills  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  
• Exceptional time management skills  
• Proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines and balance multiple priorities  
• Must be a highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter who works well under limited supervision  
• Highly organized, efficient, resourceful and dependable  
• Minimum 1-year experience working in the non-profit sector  
• Experience working in Africa for a non-profit organization an asset  
• Experience and connections in the local birth, yoga, non profit sector an asset

Working Conditions

This is a full time 4-month temporary maternity leave position starting Wed Sept 1^st 2010 and ending Wed Jan 5^th 2011. The work week is 40hrs per week including occasional evening and weekend work. This position requires that the applicant be able to work from home, travel around the Vancouver region as needed, have access to a computer, internet and printer and store organization related material at home. Access to a vehicle is desired, but not required and the salary is $3000/month.

How to Apply

Please email your resume, cover letter and 3 references to the Executive Director at natalie@shantiuganda.org by Monday July 19^th 2010.  We are grateful to all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.  No phone calls please. www.shantiuganda.org

This position will appeal to someone who is passionate about promoting the health of women and children in Uganda, believes strongly in self-less service and is interested in learning more about the international non-profit sector and wants to strengthen their skills in this area.

Our Treasurer:

• Upholds the mission and values of The Shanti Uganda Society.
• Serves as ambassador to The Shanti Uganda Society and works to promote and build the capacity of The Shanti Uganda Society, throughout BC and North America.  
• Uses their skills to oversee the financial stability, growth and management of The Shanti Uganda Society.  
• Attends monthly board meetings, fundraising events, functions and sits on the Growth Committee.    
• Dedicates an average of 4 hours a week.

Duties Include:

• Financial Policies - Oversees the development of financial policies and procedures and their review by the board.
• Funds and Investments – Ensures that funds are retained in safe accounts/investments, invests excess funds.
• Financial Transactions – Verifies that donations and grants are handled appropriately. Reviews invoices, cheques and bank statements. Prepares and emails tax receipts twice annually. Acts as signing authority at the bank and oversees payroll. 
• Financial Records – Receives monthly expenses, receipts, revenue information and updates financial books and records.
• Budgeting – Sits on the Growth Committee and meets twice annually to prepare annual budget and goal revenue. Monitors results and alerts board and staff of any problems or deficiencies. 
• Reports – Prepares monthly financial statements to be presented at every board meeting.  Prepares revenue and expense breakdown annually for budget preparation. 
• Remittances and Filings  - Ensures that government tax filings and remittances are prepared and submitted on a timely basis. 
  

We want you to join our board if you:

• Are passionate about peace, healing and sustainable development.
• Are a strong leader who works well both independently and with other like-minded leaders.
• Have an interest in women's rights, maternal and infant health.
• Are interested in or, want to learn more about sustainable development, natural birth, Uganda/Africa.
• Believe strongly in self-less service.
• Have bookkeeping and/or accounting experience.
• Can fulfill a time commitment (average of 4 hours a week).
• Live in the Greater Vancouver region

If you are interested in being a part of a progressive organization that is empowering women locally and globally please email our President for an application form - Ainslie@shantiuganda.org

We've been busy in Uganda! Here is an updated photo of the birth house as of May, 2010. Interviews with midwives and purchasing supplies are well underway. 

On Saturday June 12th, we celebrated our 3rd annual Gala Gala Do Fundraising Dinner & Silent Auction in Burnaby, BC. This once a year event is organized by three of our incredible supporters, Fran Tanner, Joanne Dodge and Beth Connelly and grows and grows each year! 

For the 3rd year in a row, we were amazed by the incredible menu prepared by Spencer and Andree, our volunteer chefs from the Twisted Fork Bistro in Vancouver.  The Gala Gala Do is known for its incredible food and long list of fabulous silent auction items and thanks to our many volunteers and donors, we raised over $4500 towards the operation of our new Birth House in Uganda!

Many thanks to the following for donating towards our silent auction!...

Sculpture Hair Company, Hanna Hak, Lunapads, Suzanne Kingham, Pistol and Burnes, Greg and Cheryl, Christa Hoops, Philip Stephen, Jazz-Ma-Tazz, Michelle Cervo Photography, Tonic Lifestyle Apparel, Padma, Kyna Fletcher, Haley Lorraine Photography, Melissa Horrell, Brenda Feuerstein, Lena Jerabek, Cascadia Soap Co, Paola Balza, YYOGA, Sara Mullin, Hell Pizza, Shoppers Drug Mart Coquitlam, Reflections Books, Surface Collective, Matt Dodge, Michael Garrett, Open Door Yoga, Locus Restaurant, In Style Hair Salon, Profile Aesheticare and Electrolysis, Semperviva Yoga, Zenaida Tanner, Raw Canvas, Phoenix Gymnastics, Cress Spicer, Heart Centre Yoga, Electra Laser, Ora Bags, Planet Organic, Twisted Fork Bistro, Refinery Restaurant, Performance Visual Works.

Lena Jerabek (right), Shanti Uganda Board Member organized the silent auction

Chef Spencer, from The Twisted Fork

Wendy Weymann, Shanti Uganda Treasurer selling door prize tickets

Natalie Angell, Shanti Uganda Executive Director and Fran Tanner, Event Organizer

Nic is now back in Vancouver after spending the winter in Uganda working on the solar and water systems at the Shanti Uganda Birth House. Read through his blog for updates on how we are running our birth house and the most recent photos of the buildings. 

"I am writing now from my desk in Vancouver, 2 months after our arrival home from Uganda.  It was a truly a life changing experience.  I want to share some more of what the last month of our time in Uganda was all about.  Finishing the build was stressful yet rewarding as we made our best effort to get the birth house to a point that it could be used for it’s intended purpose – a safe, friendly environment for women to give birth..."

Continue reading a technical adventure blog about electricity, water and culture in Luwero District, Uganda  

This June, pregnant mamas from all over the Lower Mainland are gathering for a photo shoot for our upcoming prenatal yoga calendar. Funds raised through calendar sales will go towards the Moon Cycle Campaign, a cross Canada cycling initiative to raise funds for the Shanti Uganda Women's Group.  

There a handful of incredible people involved in this fundraising project which is being organized by Shanti Uganda Board Member, Brenna Coupland including TONIC, a local yoga apparel company and the photographers at Free Style Photo.

Recently, Evan from Free Style Photography blogged about the upcoming photo shoot and his connection to Shanti Uganda.

"So, next month Robyn and I will begin shooting a pre-natal yoga calendar, the proceeds of which going to fund the work of the Shanti Uganda Society. But lets back it up just a sec. There is a story here...." 

Read the rest of his blog here