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Executive Director Search Launched |
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The Massachusetts Horticultural Society has begun a nationwide search for an Executive Director to lead the organization. Below are the criteria for the position as well as a short background of our organization. MassHort encourages qualified individuals to apply for the position. Referrals are also welcome.
The Position
The Executive Director will hold full responsibility for the financial, strategic, and organizational growth and success of the MHS. Reporting the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will lead the development of the strategic vision and planning process for a renewed organization that drives the mission into an increasingly digital and ecologically-aware world. S/he will capitalize on the past successes, expertise, and resources of the MHS to build it into a premier organization known for its mission of promoting the science, art, and practice of horticulture and dedicated to providing the public an appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of plants and our environment.
The ED will have a leadership style that promotes collective involvement and collaboration, open and inclusive communications, is adept at managing in highly matrixed organizations, advocates and cultivates volunteer involvement, and inspires all parties to work toward a singular mission and vision. The ED will prepare all budgets and cash flow projections and in concert with the Board oversee all external audits.
The ED will shepherd the organization through a strategic and operational transition to establish the organization as a strong viable entity. Together with the Board of Trustees, s/he will spearhead a strategic planning process to identify and solidify new revenue streams that support both the mission and operating structure.
S/he will support the furthered growth and expansion of the membership base; expand and enhance development activities, nurture partnerships and collaborations; reinstate and expand the society’s activities and offerings; increase public education and public service; expand grant and donor support; and investigate other venues as advocated in an age of increasing digital technologies and communication.
The ED will serve as the chief spokesperson for the society and participate in all public and private venues and spearhead all major development activities.
The Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a strong successful track record of building mission-driven organizations that have grown to become premier respected entities within their area of expertise. S/he should be a visionary yet have solid financial and leadership skills and will be capable of meeting established deadlines and goals and in communicating progress and milestones along the way. They should exhibit a clear, open, and inclusive style of communication with the Board of Trustees, the members, staff, and volunteers of the society, all partners, stakeholders, and the public.
S/he should be adept at motivating and developing full time and volunteer staff and at leveraging institutional memory and knowledge to build stronger alliances with the public, members, partners, and potential partners. The ideal candidate will be passionately mission-driven but practical about achieving short and long term objectives and goals. A strong understanding of organizational dynamics, motivation of full time and volunteer staff, and Board inclusion and support are key.
Prior experience and success in fundraising with experience and knowledge of the full development process is required. In addition, excellent communication and presentation skills should be a given. S/he should have a working understanding and knowledge of best practices in financial management of a multi million dollar not for profit.
Other key attributes include:
Success in raising funds in a capital campaign
Demonstrated team building skills
Demonstrated understanding of the development process in a not for profit organization
History of excellent Board relations including the reporting of timely and current financial, organizational, development, and market conditions.
Prior experience preparing operating budgets and cash flows
Preferred is a strong interest in horticultural activities.
The Organization
Formed in 1829, MHS is dedicated to encouraging and improving the science and practice of horticulture and to developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. With its library, exhibitions, education and community outreach programs, and the recent development of a hands-on education and information center at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, the Society is recognized as a consistent and comprehensive resource for horticultural science and practice, serving more than 270,000 people annually. Among its finest and most widely recognized achievements has been the Society's Spring Flower Show. First produced in 1871, the Show was New England's largest indoor event, attracting nearly 90,000 people annually. MHS is one of the largest horticultural societies in the U.S., and New England is home to one of the largest and most dedicated groups of gardeners in the country.
MHS is headquartered in restored buildings on a 36-acre site in Wellesley known as Elm Bank Reservation. Bordering the Charles River, the site has excellent accessibility from Boston and its suburbs and represents an important asset for present and future expanded activities. What is now The Elm Bank Horticulture Center was secured in 1996 after a prolonged search for a facility that could house the Society’s headquarters and library, and serve its membership with working and display gardens. Elm Bank, the garden estate designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and owned by the Cheney/Baltzell family from the late19th to mid-20th centuries, currently features ten contemporary and historic gardens and a fine collection of buildings, some of which are on the National Registry of Historic Places, and which have been improved and supplemented with new greenhouses. The Center also houses the 19th and 20th century collections of the Society's renowned horticultural library. The Society's activities at Elm Bank include a thriving Master Gardener program, direct-experience educational programs for children and young people, seminars, workshops, and lectures for adults, and a popular series of spring and summer community events.
The present annual budget of approximately $1.0 million (historical revenue substantially greater) is funded from proceeds of the Flower Show, memberships, program fees, rentals, and donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. These revenue streams need to be strongly enhanced in order for the Society to meet the needs of its various constituencies and fully utilize its important Elm Bank asset.
There are approximately twenty-five full and part-time staff positions of which only seven are currently filled. Key positions include the Director of Education, the Director of Horticulture, the Director of Development and Membership, the Director of Facilities, and the Director of Finance. The Board of Trustees currently stands at fifteen members.
Compensation
The position offers a competitive base and bonus.
For further information please contact Jeanne Leszczynski at
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Simon Malls Extends Venues and Days for BLOOMS! |
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COPLEY PLACE, MALL AT CHESTNUT HILL AND ATRIUM MALL TEAM UP WITH MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY TO PROVIDE EXTENDED VENUES FOR SPRING FLOWER EXHIBIT “BLOOMS!”
Three malls provide added space for large-scale landscapes and garden exhibits from March 12 – 22, 2009; Mall at Chestnut Hill hosts an afternoon of “Florals & Tea” on Sunday, March 15th from 2-4 p.m.
BOSTON, MA (February 17, 2009) — Three of Boston’s favorite upscale shopping centers, Copley Place, Mall at Chestnut Hill and Atrium Mall, announced today a partnership with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s spring flower exhibit, “BLOOMS!”
As a departure from the traditional, large scale landscaping vignettes of other flower shows, BLOOMS! will more offer intimate displays, enhanced by the magnificent architecture of the lobbies of three financial district properties. The event will take place a t two office complexes and a hotel, all abutting the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. One International Place, 125 High Street, and the InterContinental Boston have all made their exceptional public spaces available for the show. For three days, March 13-15, 2009, they'll be filled with color and the scents of impending spring.
Simon Property Group malls, Copley Place, Mall at Chestnut Hill and Atrium Mall, have agreed to provide additional venues as an extension of “BLOOMS!” where the public is welcome to experience a variety of landscape and garden exhibits in common areas throughout the malls. These special satellite venues provide additional space for large-scale landscape and exceptional garden vignettes. Most of the large-scale exhibits will be displayed throughout the Mall at Chestnut Hill, with smaller flower displays at Copley Place and Atrium Mall. The three malls will also allow “BLOOMS!” to extend its run to a total of eleven days, from March 12th through March 22nd.
On Sunday, March 15th, the Mall at Chestnut Hill will host a special event, “Florals & Tea,” from 2-4 p.m., where shoppers will be able to enjoy florals with a Sunday afternoon tea. Special tea stations will be set up throughout the exhibits, and the mall invites the public to peruse the flower and landscape displays while sipping a cup of tea.
“We are excited to partner with MassHort to promote their new exhibit and pleased to offer additional space for landscapers and gardeners looking to showcase large-scale designs,” said Debora Konig, Area Director of Mall Marketing for Copley Place, Mall at Chestnut Hill and Atrium Mall. “We all need a little reminder that Spring is on the way, and we encourage the public to visit “BLOOMS!” in the buildings adjacent to The Greenway as well as in our centers.”
Flower and landscape exhibits will be on display at Simon properties beginning Thursday, March 12th through Sunday, March 22nd. For more information, visit www.simon.com or www.masshort.org.
About “BLOOMS!”
“BLOOMS!” will be held in Boston March 12th-15th in the marble lobbies of International Place, 125 High Street and The InterContinental Boston, in the buildings abutting The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, “BLOOMS!” will introduce the public to this new Boston neighborhood. There will be no charge to visit these exhibits.
About the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Founded in 1829, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. In addition to its 8,000 members and headquarters at the 36-acre Elm Bank Horticulture Center, Mass Hort, known for its annual New England Spring Flower Show--the largest indoor event in New England and, after 136 years, the longest-running of its kind in the United States, will be presenting a new event “BLOOMS!”
About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest public U.S. real estate company. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers®, The Mills®, community/lifestyle centers and international properties. It currently owns or has an interest in 386 properties comprising 263 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. Simon Property Group, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.simon.com.
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Boston "Blooms" This March |
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 Boston…January 30, 2009 – In the Boston tradition of celebrating the arrival of Spring the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, has created a new event, “BLOOMS!” From Friday, March 13 through Sunday March 15, 2009, accomplished flower designers and plant societies will present a spectacle of springtime collections of gorgeous arrangements in the impressive marble lobbies of Mass Hort’s Greenway Garden’s three abutting neighbors; One International Place, 125 High Street, and InterContinental Boston.
As a departure from the traditional, large scale landscaping vignette presentations of former flower shows, “BLOOMS!” will offer intimate displays for horticultural enthusiasts, enhanced by the magnificent architecture of these lobbies. According to Diane Valle, Chair of the event, “This visual abundance of flora, to be offered free to the public, celebrates the location, beauty and natural energy of Mass Hort Greenway Gardens, from The Moakley Bridge to South Station’s Dewey Square, part of The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.
“We believe this complimentary, uplifting and entertaining event will allow city visitors and local Bostonians, who have not yet explored the area, an opportunity to discover the accessibility and vibrancy of the new Greenway Gardens and the evolving waterfront neighborhood,” says Tim Kirwan, General Manager, InterContinental Boston.
“BLOOMS!” plans also offer an educational lecture series including a talk by Roger Swain, former host of the Victory Garden and editor of Horticulture magazine; an extraordinary display of roses from around the world in tribute to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway; children’s gardening activities; window boxes designed with unusual plants; a Master Gardener Information Booth, orchid and bonsai exhibits; as well as a “BLOOMS!” party.
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, celebrates its 80th year of exhibiting at Mass Hort events, will showcase fifty “Boston Landmarks Standard Flower Show” designs. Mass Hort Amateur Designers will create floral interpretations of “Boston Neighborhoods.”
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S.O.S. - Save Our Society |
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The Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society would like to announce a change in leadership and an S.O.S. – Save our Society appeal.
You may have read that we have had to make draconian cuts in our staff, and it seemed prudent to make changes at the Board level, as well. At the June 19, 2008 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Bill McDonough, President, and Elaine Fiske, Vice President, and Walter Pile, Treasurer, stepped down from their posts after many long and tireless years of service. Betsy Ridge Madsen was elected President, Bob Bartlett will continue as Vice President, Pat Tynan will continue as Secretary.
During Bill’s long tenure, our Gardens on the Greenway went from dream to reality. With Elaine’s careful shepherding, Weezie’s Garden was designed and built to become a Mecca for children of all ages. Last year Walter stepped in to fill a vacancy, returning to the Board on which he had previously served for many years. We are all grateful for their time, resources, and devotion to the Society. Bill, Elaine, and Walter will all remain on the Board under the new leadership.
We are launching an S.O.S. campaign: Save our Society. We seek to save the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which was founded almost 180 years ago. We are reaching out to foundations, businesses, and individuals with the goal of putting the Massachusetts Horticultural Society back in the black and continuing our most fundamental programs including horticultural education, Master Gardeners and the Flower Show. We continue to hold our same mission:
Founded in 1829, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment.
We are building a new business plan, reviewing each and every department to make sure that we can stay solvent. For example, we are exploring ways to restructure the Flower Show so that it generates significant revenue for the Society. We have nearly completed our garden on the Greenway, five acres of beautiful horticulture in downtown Boston. We have met all the requirements for a 99-year lease at Elm Bank, adding value in the refurbishment of The Hunnewell Building which is available for events, the restoration of The Cottage for on-site residence, and the restoration of The Flora/Welcome Center, for welcome and sales. We have completed many garden installations, including the All America Selection Trial Gardens, Weezie's Garden, The Bressingham Garden, The Italianate Garden, The Goddess Garden, The James Crockett Memorial Garden, and the Society gardens. All these are done, so we do not anticipate many capital expenses going forward.
Many of you have already expressed your support through letters, gifts, and services. For these tangible signs, we are most grateful. If every one of us gives what he or she can in time, talent, and resources, we can Save our Society. Please become part of our effort.
Sincerely,
Betsy Ridge Madsen
President of the Board
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
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Wellesley, MA June 13, 2008
Dear Overseers, Friends, Supporters and Fellow Members of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society:
Thursday evening, June 12th, my fellow Trustees and I had the pleasure of hosting the annual MHS Honorary Medals Gala at Elm Bank. As has been our tradition for much of our 179 year history, MHS Medals were distributed to distinguished leaders in the art and science of horticulture. We have always been good at recognizing leadership in this area. As gardeners and students of our backyard environments, this is what we all enjoy. It was a lovely evening.
Sadly, times change. As The Boston Globe, on the front page of its Business Section reported just this past Wednesday, "a growing number of the state's non-profits, especially charities and social service groups, face financial strains from a slowing economy..." MassHort finds itself among this number. Arguably, few non-profits in New England have been as challenged by the shifting priorities of our traditional philanthropic constituencies, fading local corporate support and the rising cost of energy as MassHort. These factors, combined with our commitment to design, develop and maintain 4.5 acres of downtown gardens on the Greenway; diminishing returns from the Flower Show; a dose of poor hiring and our share of bad press have diminished our cash flow and created a current operating deficit. |
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