News
Job Posting: Executive Director, L'Arche Halifax
L’Arche Halifax is part of an international organization founded by Jean Vanier, and dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs, and support networks with people who have intellectual disabilities.
We are seeking a dynamic person of vision, reflection, and action to lead and guide our organization through the next crucial phase in its development as a community of L’Arche.
Position: Executive Director
Closing date: January 15, 2011
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Community Leader, the Executive Director will oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the L'Arche Halifax community. He or she will be responsible for ensuring
- that all community members have the support they need to grow and to live the mission of L'Arche, and
- that all government and L’Arche operating policies and procedures are met in accordance with prescribed standards.
REQUIRED SKILLS
The successful candidate for this position will demonstrate:
- Excellent organizational and people skills
- Proven communication and administrative skills in a related field
- A commitment to the vision and mission of L’Arche
- An ability to recruit, supervise, train, and manage a staff of 10 – 12 people
- A capacity to inspire and to lead others to work towards common goals
- An ability to lead by example and to model the values of L’Arche
- A commitment to build effective working relationships with Board members, government officials, medical and other professionals, and other leaders in L’Arche
- An understanding of not-for-profit governance structures and processes
- An ability to prioritize responsibilities and to set clear standards and expectations for others
- A commitment to the professional development of self and others
- An ability to exercise authority with fairness and respect
- An ability to manage and resolve conflicts
- An openness to asking for help when necessary
- A commitment to confidentiality
A more detailed Role Description may be found here.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Undergraduate degree
- 2 years of management and supervisory experience
- L'Arche or other not-for-profit leadership experience an asset
CONTACT INFORMATION
Resumes may be sent by mail to:
The Selection Committee
L’Arche Halifax
c/o 44 Driftwood Crescent
Dartmouth, NS
Canada
B2V 1S7
Or by Email to: larcheatlantic@eastlink.ca
For further information, contact John O’Donnell at larcheatlantic@eastlink.ca
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3, 2009)
Members of L'Arche Atlantic Region have extended an invitation to members of the public in Truro, Nova Scotia, to attend an Ecumenical Prayer Service to mark this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3, 2009). Below is a poster with the details. For info or to R.S.V.P., please contact John O'Donnell at 902-449-4172 or by email at larcheatlantic@eastlink.ca.
For a printable version of the following poster, click here.
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Seventeen new communities welcomed to L'Arche
Following is a list of the communities recently welcomed into the International Federation of L'Arche at the General Assembly meetings in Kolkata, India (October 5 - 12, 2008):
- Saint John, Canada
- Arcobaleno, Italy
- Asha Nir, Bangladesh
- Els Avets, Spain
- Beauvais, France
- Kapiti, New Zealand
- Skupnost Barka, Slovenia
- Wavecrest, USA
- Asansol, India
- Kovcheh, Ukraine
- Landsberg, Germany
- Al Fulk, Egypt
- Tirol, Austria
- Saskatoon, Canada
- Al Safina, Syria
- Ravensburg,Germany
- Sycomore, France
For more international L'Arche news, visit www.larche.org
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Walking in Gandhi's footsteps
By John O'Donnell
Delegates to the International Federation meetings in Kolkata (Oct. 5 - 12, 2008) participated in many amazing events during their time together. But the Pilgrimage to the "House of Gandhi" on the second last day was a true "highlight among highlights." Following is one account of that extraordinary event:
An inspiring scene unfolded Friday on the streets of Kolkata as Jean Vanier led L’Arche representatives from around the world on a walk from their conference centre to Gandhi Bhavan, also known as the “House of Gandhi.” The walk, which took about an hour in the searing heat, wound its way through some of Kolkata’s poorest neighborhoods. At the half-way point, participants stopped off at Asha Niketan for a brief rest.
Gandhi Bhavan was made famous in 1947, when Gandhi chose it as the place within which he would undertake a fast in an effort to convince Muslims and Hindus to lay down their arms. The house--which had been inhabited by a Muslim family, forced to leave because of the violence--was a dangerous choice of location. But Gandhi felt that he had to place himself near the center of the conflict if he was going to have any influence over the terrible situation unfolding on the streets of Kolkata.
One of the stories recounted from that time tells of a Hindu man who forced his way into the room where Gandhi was lying. The man tells Gandhi that he has just killed a Muslim, because the Muslims have killed his father. As the man starts to leave the room, Gandhi says to him "I know a way out of hell for you." The man turns in amazement, and Gandhi says to him: "You must find an orphaned Muslim child, and take him into your home." Astonished, the man turns to leave the room, but Gandhi gestures for the man to come closer. As the man leans down toward the bed, Gandhi says to him. "But you must raise the child in his own faith--as a Muslim."
Within days, the Hindus and Muslims did find the courage to lay down their arms--though not before thousands had been killed. The cessation of hostilities, brought about by Gandhi's fast, is remembered to this day as the "Miracle of Kolkata." Unfortunately, Gandhi would recover from his fast only to be cut down 149 days later by an assassin’s bullet.
Before entering Gandhi Bhavan, all visitors must remove their footwear. Inside, one is greeted by a series of photographs depicting various moments in the tumultuous history of India’s journey toward independence. Particularly disturbing are the scenes of the aftermath of the riots that brought Gandhi to Kolkata in 1947.
Further on into the house, there is a room containing most of what Gandhi owned at the time of his death. The list is short: two dinner bowls, a wooden fork and spoon, his diary, a prayer book, a watch, sandals, a mattress, and a walking staff, loin cloth and shawl.
What an incredible experience to be able to offer simple prayers in this room, and to recall Gandhi's wisdom on worldly possessions: “All pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness," he once said, "before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”
May God grant each of us the grace to discover ever more deeply the true joy of serving one another in our families and communities.
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