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Prospective Board Member Profile

Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM) is actively building its Board of Directors and is seeking qualified and committed community professionals. The PCM Board meets ten times a year, with board committees and task forces meeting regularly as needed.

PCM is a robust organization in the late start-up, early growth phase of its lifecycle, indicating a high quality of programmatic focus and passion for mission. It also means that the organization is simultaneously building its organizational infrastructure and management structure, identifying appropriate policies and procedures, determining appropriate means of resource development and focusing on building board governance best practices. As such, the PCM board is committed and crucial to the development of a strong, vibrant and healthy organizational infrastructure.

Board members carry out their legal and fiduciary duties by actively participating in meetings and retreats, serving a minimum of one three-year term, taking an active role on at least one committee/task force and participating in resource development by making a personal financial contribution and participating in fundraising campaigns.

Characteristics Desired

The Ideal Candidate for Membership to the Board of Directors of Phoenix Conservatory of Music will:

• Have a passion for music, youth development and the mission of PCM to provide high quality music education for all children and youth.
• Be comfortable in a start-up/growth environment and possess an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Possess strategic perspective, prior board experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to community service.
• Have a wide personal and professional network and the willingness to approach and inspire them to action on behalf of PCM.
• Have an ability to personally contribute funds at a level they deem to be generous.
• Have the time to commit to being an active board member by attending all meetings and events and serving on at least one committee/task force.
• Be assertive, yet respectful in their interactions with PCM staff and board members.
• Be out-going, friendly, open-minded, positive, and have an ability to listen to and work well with others.

Skill Sets/Backgrounds Needed

We have conducted a review of current board members and have determined a need for representation from the following professions or sectors:

• An attorney specializing in corporate, finance, or entertainment law or estate planning
• Representatives from prominent local Corporations and Businesses
• Individuals with Organizational Development, Management and Strategic Planning expertise
• Commercial Real Estate Development, Architectural Planning, and other development professionals
• Individuals with event planning, fundraising and project management talents
• Business professionals from diverse communities
• University or college music educators

Steps for Becoming a PCMBoard Member:

PCM is committed to cultivating relationships with individuals on a year-round basis in order to bring the best qualified and most passionate prospective board members for consideration in a timely manner.

1. Meet with the Executive Director and a current Board Member, or two Board Members to:

• Conduct an exploratory discussion of the candidate’s personal interests in the PCM board and the candidate’s experience in community volunteerism.
• Share PCM’s board responsibilities and expectations of members.

2. A second meeting may be requested to give the candidate a tour of the PCM studios or another program event to further educate the candidate on the mission of PCM.

3. If at this point a board position is deemed appropriate, the candidate will complete a Board of Directors application and submit it along with a current resume to the Board President to present to the Board.

4. The Board will either recommend candidate to the full Board of Directors or for committee service.

• Candidate’s application and resume will be emailed to the full Board in advance of a meeting.
• A Board member will introduce the candidate’s materials, explain the meeting process and ask for board consideration.
• If a recommendation is made for Board membership, the full Board of Directors will vote on candidate’s profile.

6. The candidate will be contact by the Board President and invited to join the board. An official welcome letter will be sent by the Executive Director.

7. A new board member orientation will be held soon after the election to ensure that the candidate can most effectively participate in board business as quickly as possible.