Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and OutServe today
announced the search process for an Executive Director, who will lead
the new organization, OutServe-SLDN, upon completion of the combination
of the two organizations. The executive search firm, McCormack & Associates of
Palm Springs, CA, has been retained to manage the national recruitment
process in collaboration with a designated search committee of the two
existing boards. The search for an executive director for SLDN, launched
earlier this year, was dramatically changed when the boards of OutServe and SLDN voted to combine at their July 2012 board meetings.
"The
search for the first person to lead this newly combined organization
comes at a critical moment in the fight for full LGBT equality in our
armed forces. That fight marches forward - including for those legally
married gay and lesbian service members who today do not receive the
same recognition, support or benefits for their families as their
straight, married peers. We will not rest until we overcome existing
inequities and ensure full LGBT equality in the military," said SLDN
Board Co-Chair April Heinze, who is on the search committee.
The position of Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN provides
a unique professional opportunity to lead a newly formed, national LGBT
military organization seeking and ensuring full equality for LGBT
service members, veterans, and their families. He or she will manage
ongoing legal and legislative efforts to dismantle federal laws -
including the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - which prevent
the military from treating all service members, veterans, and their
families equally. He or she will oversee pro bono legal
services for LGBT service members, work with the Department of Defense
and congressional leaders for effective implementation of open service,
and work to address any harassment or discrimination related to sexual
orientation or gender identity that may occur.
Additionally,
the leader will oversee building a new infrastructure to grow the
existing OutServe membership and chapter structure as the organization
expands its role as a place for LGBT service members and veterans to
connect through professional association. The new Executive Director
will champion work for full equality on behalf of the nation's gay and
lesbian service members in the media, in communities across the U.S.,
and with stakeholders at every level, including at the White House, on
Capitol Hill, and at the Pentagon. He or she will also lead
OutServe-SLDN's ongoing advocacy for transgender military service.
"In
light of the combination of OutServe and SLDN, we wanted to launch the
search anew in order to attract the best and brightest individuals to
lead the way at an unprecedented time for LGBT service members. The
first Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN has a great challenge in front
of him or her - but also a great opportunity to finish the job we
started with the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and build an
organization that will endure as a place for LGBT service members to go
for support, information, connectivity, and growth," said Josh Seefried,
co-director of OutServe, who is on the search committee.
Aubrey Sarvis, the current SLDN Executive Director, has agreed to remain until a new leader is announced. Click here for the job description and instructions for applying.