Board of Directors (Volunteer Position)

About the role

The Board of Directors serves as the backbone of our organization, providing guidance, governance, and strategic direction. Serving on the Board requires a deep understanding of our mission and a commitment to promoting progressive principles, inclusivity, diversity, and social justice. As a Board Member, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organizations and the communities we serve. You will participate in crucial decision-making processes, ensuring our actions align with our mission and values. You will also contribute to building financial sustainability by participating in fundraising efforts and identifying potential donors, grants, partnerships, and recruit for Imagine Black events and operations.

Responsibilities

• Determine mission and purpose.
• Select the chief executive.
• Support and evaluate the chief executive.
• Ensure effective planning.
• Maintain adequate financial resources.
• Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight.
• Build and maintain a competent board.
• Enhance the organization's public standing.

Requirements

• Required Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated commitment to the Imagine Black/Imagine Black Futures' vision, mission, and values.
  • Demonstrated commitment to self-determination and how radical Black imagination can directly influence policy and advocacy.
  • Lived experience with Black community issues, particularly in Oregon.
  • A commitment to a Black Queer Feminist lens.
  • Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with people from all backgrounds and willingness to promote equity actively.
  • Availability to attend regular quarterly board, committee, and strategic planning meetings and events and contribute an average of five hours per month to fulfilling board member responsibilities.
  • A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite, as well as ability to work with online forms and systems.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Proven skills working and communicating with communities within the African diaspora, especially with descendants of enslaved Africans, African immigrants and refugees, and Caribbean immigrants and refugees.
  • A large network of personal and/or professional connections and willingness to tap into those connections to support the organization's mission and programs financially and/or in terms of donated goods or time.
  • Willingness to raise money and resources for the organization through personal asks, events, and other activities.
  • Experience serving on a nonprofit board of directors.
  • Familiarity with Asana, Slack, Zoom, or similar systems.
  • Lived experience with or intimate knowledge of Black community issues, particularly in Oregon.
  • Bi- or multi-lingual (Arabic, Amharic, Swahili, and Somali-speaking applicants are encouraged to apply).
  • Professional expertise in one or more of the following areas: Advocacy, Civic Engagement, Electoral Justice, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Marketing / Communications / Social media, Creative / Design/ Technology, Accounting / Financial management, Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion, Nonprofit Management, Event Design and Implementation, Employment Law, Corporate / Nonprofit Law.

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, highlighting experience and competencies that meet the role's requirements. For this role, we are not concerned with typo-free writing or aesthetically beautiful materials -- our main concern is understanding how well you meet the stated qualifications and any other information that will help us understand how you might be a good fit for Imagine Black and vice versa. You're welcome to also include anything else you feel is pertinent for us to have in your application materials, though this isn't necessary. Racial equity is of utmost importance for our search. If you do not meet all of the required qualifications for this role but feel you can be a great addition to our team, please apply and let us know why we should meet you!

Application Instructions

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by August 31, 2025.

Benefits

N/A