President;
The Faith and Politics Institute

Background

"It is true, political problems are not solved by love and mercy. But the world of politics is not the only world, and unless political decisions rest on a foundation of something better and higher than politics, they can never do any real good for [humanity] . . . There must be a new force, the power of love, the power of understanding and human compassion, the strength of selflessness and cooperation, and the creative dynamism of the will to live and to build and the will to forgive. The will for reconciliation."

-- Thomas Merton

The Faith & Politics Institute is a nonpartisan, interfaith organization that seeks to help public officials in Washington D.C. stay in touch with their core values and to strengthen public leadership on behalf of racial justice and reconciliation. Seventeen years ago, Rev. Doug Tanner along with Rev. Joe Eldridge, Rep. Glenn Poshard, and Ms. Anne Bartley organized the first morning reflection group, in which they sought to create a dialogue for shared values of faith and to discuss challenges specific to people working in politics. The success of these weekly dialogues led to the founding of the Faith & Politics Institute in 1991 with the hope of providing opportunities for meaningful interactions and experiences among other members of Congress. The word "faith" was chosen instead of the word "religion" to communicate a reference point broader than any single religious doctrine. The word "politics" was chosen instead of "policy" to communicate concern with the dynamics of the political process rather than the merits of any particular policy. The Faith & Politics Institute exists to assist officials in public life to seek spiritual guidance and recognize the ways in which their faith calls them to work for the common good and to heal society's wounds.

The Institute's mission is to provide bipartisan, bridge-building opportunities for political leaders to experience the spiritual power of conscience, courage, and compassion. The Institute achieves its mission by providing opportunities for open dialogue and sustained reflection, in which members of Congress, congressional staff, and others closely connected to Capitol Hill, engage in dialogue that fosters communication across racial, religious, and party affiliations, by promoting reconciliation and healing in all areas of American life where there is alienation (between ideologies, ethnic groups, social classes, as well as religious and secular interests), and in part by giving to lawmakers a platform for hearing the personal stories of people whose faith inspired their leadership on matters of universal importance. For further information, see www.faithandpolitics.org.

Current Situation

 The Faith & Politics Institute employs a staff of full- and part-time employees. The Institute is led by a President, a dedicated professional team, and an eighteen-member voluntary Board of Directors. The President oversees a staff that includes, at present, an Executive Director, who acts as chief operating officer for the Institute, a Development Director, a Program Director, an Office Manager, an Executive Assistant, four Associates in the areas of communication, development, finance, and program, and volunteers. The President and the Board of Directors are further assisted in their work by a 26-member Congressional Advisory Council, composed of members from both houses and parties, that advises and supports both the Board and staff of the Institute in carrying out its mission.

The Faith & Politics Institute hosts a wide variety of interactive programs based on creating dialogues on broad issues of faith and reconciliation. Several staff members act as facilitators for hour-long reflection groups that may start with a scripture reading, or sometimes, with the thoughts of spiritual writers of different faiths and lead to a series of discussions involving personal experiences of group members. The meeting ends with a prayer. Retreats offer a weekend sanctuary of in-depth reflection away from the hustle and bustle of D.C. life, providing an opportunity for an extended dialogue and reflection to help participants connect their role with their greater calling as human beings. The forums consist of a variety of lectures by well-known speakers of diverse political and religious backgrounds whose lives reflect spiritual values and exude courage in the political arena. The Faith & Politics Institute has conducted experiential journeys, leading bipartisan delegations of Congressional members from both houses to Alabama and overseas to South Africa to experience how the faith played a galvanizing role in the quest for racial justice and reconciliation in those places. The Institute hosts an annual St. Joseph's Day Breakfast that raises awareness of the spiritual and moral issues that affect businessmen and laborers in America. They also hold an Annual Congressional Reception to acknowledge and thank those that have generously supported its programs each year.

 Specific Role

  The President is the principal spokesperson for the Faith & Politics Institute. This official engages and collaborates principally with members of Congress, congressional staff members, congressional spouses, chaplains of the House and Senate, journalists, lobbyists, public interest advocates, and other political professionals, as a nonpartisan, interfaith leader. The President reaches out to these people by visiting them in their offices and consciously taking advantage of other opportunities to interact and connect. To succeed in the Institute's mission, the President must have excellent interpersonal skills that elicit trust and credibility at all times. The President must transcend the often partisan atmosphere of Capitol Hill in a way that is non-threatening and welcoming, particularly to people who do not easily give their confidence. The new President is expected to broaden and deepen his collegial relationships among the core constituency of the Institute and to enhance the visibility of the Institute in a way that will increase the number of participants in its programs.

The President plays a critical role in setting the tone of the Institute. Working with a dedicated management team, the President supports a focused mission and vision that promotes dialogue with public officials working on all levels of national government. The President is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Institute, and coordinates the activities of the staff and plans, implements, and monitors policies to achieve the Institute's mission objectives. Within broad policy guidelines and established objectives, the President advises on all aspects of programs and functions, exercising a high degree of managerial knowledge and ability. The responsibilities of the President may include hiring and training employees, appraising and rewarding performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

 Major Objectives