Consistent & Caring Board Members

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ROLE DESCRIPTION: BOARD MEMBER, Commitment: 4 hours, per quarter

Words Heal, Inc.

Mission:
Words Heal, Inc. - The Sadie Peterson Delaney Literary Collaborative, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to bridge the cultural, economic and knowledge gaps that prevent people from accessing needed medical and mental health assistance. We promote bibliotherapy as a mainstream and commonly-used complement to traditional therapies. We publish literature and media which reflects the lived-experiences of often marginalized minority-populations. We also produce evidence-based research on bibliotherapy for health practitioners, public libraries and the general public.

The Board will support the work of Words Heal, Inc. (WHI) and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Officer and/or Board Chair to inform the development and implementation of WHI’s strategic plan
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by WHI for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
• Approving WHI’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
• Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the organization's leadership
• Assisting the Executive Officer and/or Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other board members
• Partnering to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
• Representing WHI to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
• Ensuring WHI’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities WHI serves

WHI Board Members will consider WHI a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that WHI can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, WHI expects board members to make donations.

Boardparticipation

Board meetings are held quarterly and committee meetings are held monthly, as necessary. Our annual meeting takes place in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Board members may serve from any location in the United States.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about WHI's mission. We are especially eager to partner with people with experience with board leadership.

Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in education, social services, librarianship, psychology, medicine or the nonprofit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in the above-mentioned fields.
• A commitment to and understanding of WHI’s beneficiaries, preferably based on experience
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of WHI's beneficiaries

Service on WHI's Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties. Members of majority populations/religion and males are encouraged to apply. Board member applicants are nominated for appointment by the board, after a successful interview, background and review process. Preference will be given to persons living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.