Serve on City Year Chicago's Associate Board

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City Year Chicago recruits, inspires and mobilizes emerging leaders as full-time tutors and mentors who empower at-risk Chicago Public School students to reach their highest potential.

Mission

The City Year Chicago Associate Board is a volunteer group of young professionals who are committed to supporting and promoting City Year Chicago and its AmeriCorps embers, consistent with the vision and goals of the larger City Year organization and national service movement.

Goals

Members of the Associate Board strive to support City Year and its AmeriCorps members in a variety of ways, including:

• Generating financial and in-kind support
• Establishing themselves as ambassadors by promoting City Year’s mission and its brand in personal, professional and other communities with a goal of recruiting City Year Champions
• Providing mentorship and other forms of assistance and enrichment to AmeriCorps members

Composition of the Associate Board

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is comprised of the Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Membership Director, Secretary and Treasurer) and Committee Chairs. The Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the communication and decision-making processes of the Associate Board and directing the broader fundraising goals. The Executive Committee is elected by the members of the City Year Chicago Associate Board and finalized by City Year Chicago staff.

Associate Board Members

Eligible to vote and hold office, the Associate Board is comprised of 40 young professionals who have been nominated by the Membership Committee. Associate Board Members are elected to two-year terms.

Member Benefits

Members of the Associate Board will have the opportunity to:

• Play a meaningful part in the work of a national service and education organization aimed at addressing the nation’s drop-out crisis with a focus on keeping students in school and on track to high school graduation
• Interact with and influence hundreds of young , civic minded AmeriCorps members and future leaders
• Receive meaningful professional development
• Gain leadership opportunities
• Expand personal and professional networks
• Socialize with other young professionals
• Receive employer recognition, and recognition on City Year Chicago’s website and at City Year special events

Responsibilities

While we understand that Associate Board members have many commitments, it is expected that an active Associate Board member of City Year Chicago participate in the following manner:

• Contribute $1,000 minimum annually (fiscal year July 1 - June 30) through a combination of dues ($100), meaningful personal contributions, employer matching contributions, and event support (sponsorships, ticket sales, securing auction and in-kind items) for the Associate Board Soiree and other fundraisers.
• Provide non-monetary contributions such as time, introductions, consulting and leadership support
• Promote City Year and facilitate introductions on City Year Chicago’s behalf to potential individual donors, corporate sponsors, media partners and community constituents
• Participate in mentorship and enrichment activities for AmeriCorps members
• Attend Associate Board meetings and events
  • Mandatory:
    • Full Board Meeting Months: July, September, November, January, March, May
    • Committee Meet-ups: During the months in between full committee meetings
• Attend at least (1) Additional City Year Event:
  • Red Jacket Weekend (Early September), MLK Day of Service (January), Ripples of Hope Dinner (March/April) City Year Graduation (June)
  • Serve on one Associate Board committee
  • Increase contributions and involvement with the Associate Board over time

Time Commitment

• Commit to a two-year membership term
• Attendance at all bi-monthly Associate Board meetings and committee meet-ups is strongly encouraged. However, attendance at a minimum of four (4) full board meetings is expected, and conference lines will be available if necessary
• Conduct at least one (1) City Year Chicago school visit per 2-year term

Membership

Ideal Characteristics

• Enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge regarding City Year’s mission, goals and core values
• Ability to guide and contribute to the Board and its committees
• Willingness to contribute and secure financial related resources for the organization and to make City Year a philanthropic priority
• Energy and motivation to participate in and mobilize others to participate in City Year service events, fundraisers and special events
• Strong personal and professional networks and the willingness to promote the organization among those networks
• Ability to work well with others to set and exceed ambitious goals

Process

• City Year Chicago is currently recruiting new Associate Board members.
• The Associate Board Recruitment and Membership Committee reviews applications and makes determinations on a quarterly basis (1 st Quarter: July - September; 2 nd Quarter: October - December; 3 rd Quarter: January - March; 4 th Quarter: April - June)
• All applicants are required to participate in an interview with a representative of the Membership and Recruitment Committee as well as complete an application and resume.
• If accepted, new members will be invited to attend an Orientation Session prior to their first all board meeting.
• Contact Jillian Granato, Membership Director, if you have any questions at jgranato@wintrust.com

Organizational Support

The Associate Board and its activities are supported by City Year. Specifically, a member of City Year Chicago’s Development Team adds capacity to enable the success of the Board and its committees.