After 28 years at the helm of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), Dan Ireland knows the moral watchdog organization inside and out. He also knows the blood, sweat and tears he has poured into the interdenominational, faith-based group and what it takes to keep it moving forward.
With that in mind as he passed his 76th birthday in March, Ireland asked ALCAP’s board of directors for a co-director to begin training for the lead role. The board approved and has appointed a co-director search committee to begin the process.
Mike McLemore, chairman of the board for ALCAP, said the committee will begin interviews later this summer.
“We want someone to work with Dan for at least one year, watching, learning,” he said. “The person will need to walk in his steps for a while, especially because of the legislative responsibilities.”
The person selected will be a Southern Baptist, McLemore said. And most likely a preacher, Ireland added.
“This program can move on to be even better,” Ireland said. “I want it to continue to be a major voice for the faith community.”
But “hands-on observation, time spent learning the process and understanding the way it works is the best way to make the transition,” he noted.
“Credibility is a major factor with the legislators,” said Ireland, who monitors all legislation moving within the Statehouse during the legislative sessions each year. “We need to take time to walk the hallways of the Statehouse together, get to know the people, understand how it all works.”
Assisting local communities facing wet/dry elections is another major part of the role, he noted. “It is an educational process,” Ireland said. There are laws to understand, election procedures to learn and talking points to develop.
He also wants to make sure the new co-director can work appropriately with the various denominations that support the work of ALCAP.
“We have nine different denominations represented on our board,” Ireland said.
He hopes the board will be ready to announce the new co-director at its March 2007 board meeting. That would give him one year to train the person and still be able to retire in 2008, which will be his 30th year with ALCAP.
ALCAP approves co-director position to work with Ireland
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