Looking for a diverse squad of individuals to serve on the Board of Directors

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On March 28, 2011, on his ninetieth birthday Robert LaMar Yarborough (LaMar) was diagnosed with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). In December of the same year, he was also diagnosed with Cancer. Despite these life changing events, LaMar prevailed. With much prayer and strong will he beat cancer and became HIV undetectable (controlled). Living with the virus LaMar grew an urge to working hands on with HIV/AIDS. He started volunteering with different organizations.

After living with the virus for 3years, LaMar formed his own organization, HIV Positive Youth That Pledge to Empower Themselves and Others or (H.Y.P.E). H.Y.P.E was created from inspiration, love, and compassion.

As the founder and Executive Director of this Non-Profit, I was inspired to start a vibrant organization, I did not want anyone else to look at their diagnosis in a negative way. Instead, I wanted to give hope.

In this advocacy, our efforts may be great, but they are not enough yet. We are a young organization and our immediate goals is to build the foundation in which we plan kick start our initiatives in communities in Atlanta.

Our programs at HYPE, which involve community service, HIV education and care, and self and social empowerment, should materialize today in order to ensure sustainability and long-term benefits. Your knowledge and skills can help us make that possible.

Our Ask

Please help me give hope, by becoming a member of the Board of Directors with H.Y.P.E. to Empower, Inc.

Benefits:

• Broaden your connections and build valuable networks.
• Round out your resume.
• Gain expertise on complex issues that are integral to business and the economy.
• Strengthen project and team management skills
• Become a better coach
• Make an impact.

Responsibility and Authority:

• To whom is the board member accountable?

• Mission fulfillment
• Leadership on behalf of the public interest
• Stewardship

v Quality

v Clients/recipients of direct services

v Association members

v Volunteers

v Staff members

v Program alumni

v Community organizations supporting your mission

v Other nonprofit collaborators

v Individual donors

v Public policy makers and others who help define the parameters for your work

v Potential clients

v Prospective volunteers

v Future donors

• What authority does each board member have?

• Governance Goal

• Delegation
• Collective Action

Meetings and time commitment:

• The board of directors meets January through December on the last Sunday of the month, 2:00 p.m., at Georgia Equality (Philip Rush Center) in annex building in the back.
• Committees of the board meet an average of one time per month, pending their respective work agenda.

Expectations of board members:

• Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and special events.
• Lead on a standing committee of the board, and serve on ad-hoc committees as necessary.
• Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by H.Y.P.E to Empowers mission, objectives, and programs.
• Help communicate and promote H.Y.P.E to Empowers mission and programs to the community.
• Become familiar with H.Y.P.E to Empower finances, budget, and financial/resource needs.
• Understand the policies and procedures of H.Y.P.E to Empower.
• Financially support H.Y.P.E to Empower in a manner commensurate with one's ability.

Term:

• How long are board members expected to serve?

• Three years, which may be renewed up to a maximum of three consecutive terms, pending approval of the board.

General Duties:

Time commitment:

Monthly Time Commitment for Board Members

It is an expectation that all Board Members participate in the following activities:

• 4 Hours (at max) Board meetings 1 time per month
• 4 hours (at max) of committee meetings
• 2 hours (at max) for twice monthly Board / Committee Update call

All Board Members are expected to be prepared for in-person meetings and phone calls. Members should include updates on meetings with Sponsors, Donors, and partners, as well as, provide an overview of any community events and meetings attended on behalf of the organizations. Additionally, especially with the organization still in infancy, it is expected that the Members will participate in ad-hoc board meetings and/or ad-hoc committees, as needed. As appropriate, members are expected to advocate on behalf of the organization to secure community support and funding for programs.

As it is hard to quantify actually time and efforts needed, an estimate of time commitment per month, on the high-end, is 70hours. As the organization become more solvent and programs are officially launched, the time commitment is likely to decrease over time as a strong organizational foundation is being built. The time estimate is being provided not to dissuade individual interest in being a Board Member, but to shift interest into action with a commitment of time to the organization.

Organizational Specific Board Responsibilities:

Planning:

Establish long term and short term goals for H.Y.P.E. to Empower Inc. Identifies and prioritizes needs and what the organization should or should not attempt to do. Develop a strategic plan that incorporates H.Y.P.E.'s mission statement and purpose. Develop the overall vision for the organization.

Board Governance:

Define board's philosophy and how it governs itself and the board's own operations. Ensure that the organization and its officer's exhibits exceptional integrity and professionalism. Promote and participate in a climate of mutual trust, respect, and teamwork. Use good judgement based on ethical principles.

Organizational Governance and Action:

Assures that organization cooperates with other groups, governmental and voluntary, which are working towards the same or similar goals. Encourages creative and forward thinking methods and policies to achieve goals. Adopt key operating policies. Ensure that constituents are adequately served and that they receive care.

Committee Oversight:

Recruit effective Committee Chairs. Establish committees that focus on areas of substantial importance to the organization. Monitor and coordinate Committee Activities and ensure progress. Provide adequate resources for committees.

Funding and Financial Management:

Contribute financially to the organization. Raise sufficient funds to ensure Hype meets its objectives. Develop and approve organization annual budget and monitor finances. Develop and implement fundraising initiatives. Cultivate donors.

Advocacy:

Understand and publicize the work of H.Y.P.E. to Empower Inc. in the community. Inspire confidence in the organization and relate our services to work of other groups and to the significant issues that may be present in the community. Advocate initiatives that advance revitalization of H.Y.P.E. to Empower Inc. with government, businesses and individuals. Offer inspiring, dedicated, and knowledgeable leadership to contributors, intended beneficiaries, the public, and those that rely on Hype for service.

Evaluation:

Regularly review and evaluate operations and standards of organization performance. Monitor program activities. Review the performance of the board as a whole and that of each individual on the board.

Personnel:

Hire and evaluate volunteers and other staff workers. Formulates job qualifications and select best persons available for positional needs. Approve personnel policies. Participate in the recruitment, selection and development of Board of Directors as advised by the nominating bylaws. Establishes procedures for selection of new board members and their orientation and training.

Legal and Policy:

Enable the continued legal existence of the organization. Ensure H.Y.P.E. fulfils all legal requirements in conduct. Adopt, follow, update and administer H.Y.P.E. to Empower Inc. By-Laws

Adopt and assume responsibility for H.Y.P.E. to Empower Inc.'s purposes, governing principles, functions and activities, and course of action. Assume responsibility for internal policies governing the organization.

Financial Responsibility

Acquire funding for the organization in the total amount of $4,000 per year. $2,000 and $2,000 in in-kind per year, raised from any source. A portion of this $2,000 must be a personal financial cash contribution in the amount of $60 per month (mandatory board dues.)

Board Members will participate in raising funds through personal, corporate, media, and organizational fundraisers. Connections will open doors for the organization, that may result in financial and/or obligations during the fiscal year and the completion of your $2,000 cash Give or Get; board obligation to the organization.

We strongly support inclusiveness and encourage immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+, individuals with (dis)abilities, and traditionally marginalized communities to apply

Submission Guidelines

Submit a cover letter and resume as a single .pdf document.

Application filename should read: First name Last name - Board of Directors

Submit to:

LaMar Yarborough (Executive Director)

mr.hype@hype2empower.org

404-438-8436