Bookkeeper/Office Manager

Center for Transformative Change (CXC) is a nonprofit that is dedicated to naming, framing, advancing and promoting Transformative Social Change: work at the intersection of personal inner awareness, organizational effectiveness and broadbased social change. We are the first and only national center entirely dedicated to bridging the inner and outer lives of social change agents, activists and allies to create a more effective, more sustainable social justice movement. By directly impacting the culture of movements for social justice, we are "changing the WAY change is done."

As a "transformative practice organization," we are a unique hybrid of residentially based "Core" members who Live, Work and Practice together. As the organizational Core, we are committed to role modeling and articulating the process of deep change. We operate under an abiding principle that it is possible for a small team of creative, grounded individuals, working collaboratively, at the center of and within the larger field of Transformative Social Change, to effectively change the world.

We are in the midst of a strategic merger with YES!, a previously Santa Cruz based non-profit that connects, inspires and collaborates with young changemakers globally in building thriving, just and sustainable ways of life for all. We are tentatively working under one name, Transformative Change (XC.)

Position Overview:

Transformative Change is looking for an experienced and dependable part-time bookkeeper and office manager to join our unique organization during a period of dynamic transition and strategic growth. The ideal candidate will have proven experience with bookkeeping, maintaining financial records, and preparing regular financial status reports, especially for non-profit organizations, as well as effective office management skills.

In addition, the ideal candidate is comfortable with working with numbers, is meticulous, detail-oriented, thrives in a deadline-driven work environment, has solid Mac computer experience, working knowledge of everyday office machinery (printers, fax, multiple-line phone system, laminator, label maker, etc.) and can demonstrate that they will be able to 'hit the ground running' as of early/mid December 2010.

This is a part-time position (20-25 hours/week) that is potentially residentially based.

The bookkeeper/office manager reports to and works collaboratively with the Chief Operating Officer (who works from Santa Cruz) using an online project manager as a central means of communications and collaboration. The bookkeeper/office manager is also a member of a 4-person, mostly residential, Core team located in our primary office at Center for Transformative Change, which is also a residence and practice space, in Berkeley, CA.

Responsibilities:

Bookkeeping & Reporting (40%):

• Keep accurate and timely records of all XC financials
• Communication related to finances and billing
• Preparation of financials for timely tax filing
• Preparation of financial information for grant/fundraising proposals and reports
• Regular and timely reporting of financials

Bill Paying (25%):

• Input all accounts receivable and payable
• Submitting and tracking of invoices and reimbursable expenses
• Bank account maintenance, deposits & transfers
• Manage cash flow & payments
• Manage petty cash box

General Administrative Support (35%):

• Direct information flow, regarding general office matters and outside inquiries
• Tracking and supporting overall smooth functioning of XC
• Supporting other staff as needed, especially CEO and COO
• Manage outgoing and incoming mail, packages, and parcels
• Assist in troubleshooting and maintenance of office equipment, computers, and office-related software
• Maintain voicemail system
• Administrate XC work-exchange program
• Manage fiscal and contractual paperwork for XC rentals and residential programs
• Manage membership payments
• Develop and give input on relevant systems
• Some ongoing data entry, especially recording of donations in database
• Manage tax-deductible donation acknowledgement letters

Qualifications:

• Excellent project management, follow-through, and time management skills
• Willingness to learn and engage transformative organizational practice
• Ability and willingness to use an online project management system to maintain team collaboration.
• Flexible and able to prioritize multiple tasks
• Highly developed reasoning and creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop systems and solutions in situations where limited standardization exists
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Mac and Internet savvy
• Solid working knowledge of QuickBooks, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Numbers
• Familiarity with online banking, online bill-pay systems (including PayPal)

Education and Experience:

• 2 to 5 years relevant work experience in bookkeeping and office management
• Familiarity working with start-up and/or growth organizations especially valued
• Strong commitment to social justice and willingness to engage in a unique, visionbased, multi-faceted approach to systemic change
• Abiding interest in supporting XC's mission

Qualities:

• Commitment and passion for the work of XC
• Commitment to personal responsibility, accountability, and clear communication
• Strong commitment to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
• Strong commitment to inner life development
• Possess and engage a regular meditation, yoga, qi gong, or other inner-life practice
• Interest in working in transformative community model
• Highly organized, flexible, even-tempered, and creative
• Able to work well with very diverse personalities and cultural backgrounds
• Passion for creativity and innovation
• Detail-oriented
• Queer-friendly
• Vegetarian-sensitive
• Ecologically-sensitive
• Easy-going and wicked sense of humor essential

Ideal but not required:

• Interest in periodic group practice (non-paid) with Core
• Familiarity of social justice/progressive/activist community a plus
• Familiarity of meditation/yoga/socially-engaged spiritual community a plus
• Own transportation (bicycle, motorcycle, moped or smaller footprint vehicle preferred)

Compensation: The bookkeeper/office manager will be paid $22-$26/hr (DOE.) If they are a resident, $800/month will be deducted from their pay monthly for room and board and they will be paid a stipend of $1000-$1200 per month (DOE.)

The Residence:

• The residence is a large 7 bedroom, 2-story Edwardian, centrally located in South Berkeley. Our office is located on the ground floor. We are ideally situated between the Ashby and Downtown Berkeley BART stations, no more than a 15-minute walk to either. In addition, to plentiful street parking, our location is easily walkable to two of Berkeley's year-round Farmer's Markets, as well as easy access to the amenities associated with living near a large university (cafes, shops, etc.). We have a beautiful freestanding Practice Hall located to the rear of the main residence, and our sizable property is fenced with bamboo and contains a meditation garden and a pond. Our property has a peaceful, yet communal feel with the meditation garden open to the public and our practice community at specified times during the week.
• We are an eco-friendly, queer-friendly, health-conscious, vegetarian household. We actively engage in reducing our carbon footprint on the earth by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels; eating and shopping for what is local, organic, and in season; composting, recycling, being mindful of our energy and water consumption, and reducing our overall use of plastic.
• Current residential Core members are: 2 women of color, 2 men of color, 1 cat and 1 African Grey parrot. CXC Founder and New Dharma Community Spiritual Director, Rev. angel Kyodo williams is a Core resident and serves the organization as Vision Fellow.
• All Core members work together to maintain the residence and practice hall through weekly chores and general mindfulness about the appearance of both the house and the grounds. Core residents are also, from time-to-time, given brief tasks to prepare for upcoming meetings or events held at the Center.
• Working part-time outside the Center is possible, but it is essential that Friday mornings be left open for community practice and a weekly Core meeting, which typically is 2-3 hours in length. Each resident holds one morning a week of yoga/meditation practice. All residents also seasonally participate in the 27 Days of Transformative Change, which gives each person a chance to let go of old habits and deepen into their own spiritual practice.
• The room that is available is approximately 12' x 12', with a closet and 2 windows, located on the 2nd floor. There are three bathrooms on the property, one with a shower. Other amenities include shared wireless Internet cable access throughout the property, free laundry facilities, all utilities included (gas & electric, cable, etc.), and a fully stocked kitchen.

To Apply:

Please send cover letter with resume with your name and "Bookkeeper/Office Manager" in the subject line. Please note that your application will not be considered without a cover letter and we will not consider stock cover letters favorably. In your letter or resume, make sure to address your relationship to the qualifications listed above and whether you are interested in being a resident. No phone calls or walk-ins please