Volunteer Board Member (NKF Ambassador)

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Thanks to the exceptional generosity of our supporters and volunteers, we are reaching more people than ever before. The simple message that 1 in 3 adults - 73 million Americans - are at risk for kidney disease because of high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney failure, is reaching people nationwide.

Do you see yourself as an ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation? We are currently recruiting for board members for our Upstate and Western New York chapter.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY: The Board of Directors is responsible for providing leadership and advancing the mission and vision of the organization.

Mission: To prevent kidney and urinary tract disease, improve health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.

Vision: To enhance the lives of everyone with, at risk of, or affected by kidney disease.

AREAS OF CONTRIBUTION: Each Board member contributes to the organization through active participation in:

• Dreaming: Board members believe in who we are, what we do, and how we do it and, board members help us to "dream big." In doing so our board works as a coordinated team to set the vision and strategy for our work and make it possible for us to change lives in the communities we serve.

• Doing: Board members serve as "boundary spanners" by supporting and promoting our programming and events, and by being our eyes and ears in the community. Board members have access to a broad swath of constituents. They inevitably will hear and see reactions, concerns, ideas, support - the kinds of information and feedback that allow our organizations to respond effectively and, better yet, to anticipate problems and occasions for growth in a timely manner

• Development and Stewardship: Board members promote and embrace a culture of fundraising and development that is vital to carrying out the mission and vision of the organization. In addition, all board members make an annual gift, separate from any fundraising event or campaign.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS: Each Board member is expected to attend a majority of the Board meetings. There are four quarterly meetings per year.

Each Board member is expected to actively participate on at least one committee. Standing committees include: Kidney Walk, NKF Golf Classic, Programs and Nominations. Other committees may be organized at the discretion of the Board Chair.

Advocacy is an important part of the Foundation’s mission, and the National Kidney Foundation’s Board of Directors actively supports our advocacy efforts on a state and federal level. Each Board Member must join the NKF’s Take Action Network and must be willing to communicate when called upon.

BOARD RESPONSIBILITES: Every Board member is responsible for:

• Advising on all programs and events to facilitate growth and achieve success.

• Addressing needs of patients and professionals through thoughtful development and implementation of key programs, local volunteer programs and awareness campaigns. Key programs include: NKF Cares, NKF Peers, Your Kidneys and You, and Keep Healthy.

• Representing the National Kidney Foundation in the community to current and prospective supporters (including volunteers and donors).

• Assisting in revenue generation above and beyond a personal board giving commitment to fund the mission of the organization.

• Connecting NKF to local, Division and/or national funders/potential funders.

• Reviewing and providing strategic thought related to the financial performance of the local NKF office and as appropriate, the Division.

• Participating in NKF programs and events.

• Recommending and helping to recruit other volunteers to serve on the Board and/or become active on committees.

We are interested in seasoned, highly connected, C-Level type individuals with expertise in any of the following:

• Medical/healthcare field
• Personnel management
• Fundraising
• Strategic planning
• Legal
• Financial management
• Public/community relations
• Program development

We are looking for those with influence in any of the following:

• Business/Corporate community
• Media
• "Power Groups" (such as Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, County Clubs)
• Foundations
• Ethnic/Minority groups
• Government (City, State and/or National)
• Potential/current individual donors

Share your network with us and help us finish the fight against kidney disease!