NEW YORK - After an 11-year tenure, Clarence Patton - the Executive Director of The New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project - has given advance notice to the Board of Directors that he will not be renewing his contract, which ends December 31, 2007. Under an agreement with the Board and to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, Mr. Patton has agreed to provide services to the agency through March 31, 2008.
Additionally, Mr. Patton and the Board have developed and approved a transition plan - including management enhancements - that is designed to bring even more stability to the organization and help the Anti-Violence Project better serve its clients and the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and HIV-affected community.
A Legacy of Service & Success
Mr. Patton's departure comes at a time when the agency is at one of its strongest and most solvent points in history. One of his principal achievements has been the retiring of approximately 50% of debt that the organization had accumulated over its 27-year history.
Mr. Patton began his tenure as the agency's Director of Development in August 1996 and quickly began to expand and professionalize the Anti-Violence Project's fundraising programs, including initiating its annual awards gala, the Courage Awards.
In 1998 he took the helm of the agency's organizing and public advocacy activities to build a department that now is the second largest in the agency and that has broadened and deepened the impact of the Anti-Violence Project, its programs and services across the city and region, and through the development of the Anti-Violence Project's Statewide LGBTQ Domestic Violence Network, across the state.
In 2002, when the Anti-Violence Project agreed to an incubation arrangement with its national coalition the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) - Mr. Patton was given the added title of Acting Executive Director of NCAVP. Under Mr. Patton's watch, NCAVP experienced tremendous growth and program development.
In April 2005, Mr. Patton was appointed Acting Executive Director of the Anti-Violence Project and was made its Executive Director that November. While inheriting the helm of an agency with more than its share of challenges, Mr. Patton, with a newly energized Board of Directors and dedicated staff, set about making tremendous progress in very short order.
This advancement included the complete renovation of the Anti-Violence Project's offices, moving the operating performance of the agency from a $52,000 deficit to a $76,000 surplus within one year, successfully leveraging $750,000 in new money over two years for LGBTQ domestic violence services around New York State, and as noted above, reducing the agencys structural debt by at least 50% - all while ensuring uninterrupted and unparalleled services to thousands of victims of violence.
Mr. Patton says, "The Anti-Violence Project has been my home for more than 11 years, and although I do not yet know what the future holds for me, I am certain that the organization I will leave next year is one that can only grow and prosper. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated and talented people one could ever hope to find. The staff and Board of the Anti-Violence Project are truly treasures in our city and community. As an Executive Director who understands that this is not guaranteed in the nonprofit world, I must say that working, growing and learning with this Board, staff and agency has been simply wonderful."
Unanimously-Approved Transition Plan
The Board unanimously approved a transition plan created by the Board Executive Committee and Mr. Patton.
A key component of this arrangement is the immediate formation of two permanent Deputy Director positions. These roles are being created in part to provide a level of freedom for the present and incoming Executive Director to focus on higher-level fundraising activities and work with the Board of Directors, as well as macro policy and media initiatives. These deputies also will provide key support to the incoming Executive Director since they will have high-level knowledge of the agency's services, programs, infrastructure and systems.
The Deputy Director of Programs will oversee both the Department of Community Organizing & Public Advocacy and provide support to the Director and Department of Client Services. The Deputy Director of Finance & Operations will focus on the agency's finances and non-programmatic activities. Appointments for these two positions are expected to be announced in the near future.
The plan also includes the hiring of a search firm for Executive Director candidates and a flexible exit arrangement for Mr. Patton depending on the timing of the new hire and the mutually-agreed upon level of transition time needed.
Courage Awards & Beyond
The Anti-Violence Project also is quickly approaching the date of its 11th Annual Courage Awards on Monday, November 19, 2007. Under the direction of Mr. Patton, the Board, staff and volunteers of AVP, this year's event promises to be the most successful ever for the agency in terms of corporate and individual support.
Board Chair Rich Palermo states, "We know that for many, it is difficult to imagine an Anti-Violence Project without Clarence. For the past 11 years, he has dedicated himself to this organization and has helped to make it as strong as it is today. The fact that he is working so closely with the Board on our transition plan is just a further testament to his character. While we all will miss Clarence a great deal, he will be leaving the agency in the very capable hands of the existing staff, Board and volunteers. Additionally, the creation of the two Deputy Executive Director positions will free up our new Executive Director to take the organization to the next level, ensuring that the Anti-Violence Project is always there for everyone who needs it."
For further information, please contact:
1 - 212 - 714 - 1184 x22
About AVP
The Anti-Violence Project is the nation's largest service agency for victims of bias crimes against lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected communities. For 25-years it has provided counseling and advocacy for tens of thousands of survivors of bias-motivated and domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct.
AVP documents incidents of violence against and within LGTB communities, educates the public about the effects of violence, against or within our communities, and works to reform public policies impacting all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected people. AVP provides free and confidential assistance to crime victims through its 24-hour bilingual hotline (212-714-1141).
www.avp.org
