This is an unusual entry. It is, more or less, a job listing for the directorship of one of our most important local service organizations—GoLocal Sonoma County.
GoLocal is a messaging and marketing co-operative of over 400 locally owned or stewarded businesses and nonprofits. That’s a fair piece of our local economy and middle class. GoLocal brands them and fights for them in an embattled time of transition affected by global ecommerce and a millionaire’s Congress.
Now, after 14 years at the head of this co-op and movement, Janeen Murray is stepping down so someone in the community can step up. Maybe you! The search for a new team to take on GoLocal in 2025 concludes Aug. 15.
CH: Janeen, describe your ideal candidate for this job.
JM: A person, team or organization that is passionate about the GoLocal mission. Other requirements include a desire and ability to invest in relationships, a capacity for strategic planning, creative collaboration, deep listening skills, smart financial planning and business development skills including sales, membership, new and existing revenue lines, marketing and communications. It takes inspiration and motivation to energize the local business community.
CH: That lengthy list of skills and that volume of work suggests to me a team or a superhero. What would this team receive besides endless hi-fives?
JM: A lot. This is not a sale. This is an opportunity to take responsibility for existing assets. GoLocal is strong, with great membership retention growth and revenue generating media assets.
CH: A strong business for strong businesses.
JM: New leadership is encouraged to create new offerings. We are not wanting to have somebody just do the same thing. This is a new beginning for GoLocal. But it is nice to have some revenue you can count on!
CH: What is next for you, Janeen? Are you going to be working on your golf game?
JM: (laughs) Hardly. I’m not retiring. Looking forward to continuing working with our local businesses as a consultant. But I haven’t had much time to think about it. I have to take care of this baby first.
Help with the candidate search! Share this story and its linktree QR. It has links to an interview with Murray, which is a primer on the importance of local, as well as the job listing and a master list of all 400 local businesses in the co-op.
