Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO) is Seeking New Board Members

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Getting Out & Staying Out (GOSO) is a non-profit organization based in East Harlem. For the past 15 years, GOSO has served thousands of justice-involved young men in New York City as they reshape their futures and become positive forces in their communities. GOSO’s work is based on a holistic approach of our Three E’s:

• Education: Education is fundamental to our participants' success. Not only does GOSO encourage participants to earn their high school diploma or TASC (formerly GED) through our school program, but we also provide workshops and individual counseling designed to keep young men in school and encourage exploration of different education opportunities, including higher education.
• Employment: Meaningful work experience that builds skills and open doors is also crucial. Our two-week job readiness curriculum leads to our robust employment program, GOSOWorks, which connects participants with our city-wide network of 70+ employer partners.
• Emotional Well-Being: Our staff of experienced and knowledgeable licensed social workers provide emotional support to our participants, more than 50% of whom are living with mental health issues and need helpful resources.

Through programming and supportive services administered by a staff of some of the hardest working and most positive individuals in NYC, our participants are able to build on their existing skills and develop new ones to use in their future career, education, and daily lives.

GOSO also hosts Stand Against Violence East Harlem (SAVE), which is part of the nationwide Cure Violence initiative. SAVE’s mission is to treat violence like an epidemic, and to prevent the spread of violence by stopping it at its source. SAVE's team of Outreach Workers and Violence Interrupters go out into the East Harlem community to detect and interrupt conflicts, treat high-risk individuals, and change the social and community norms. Their goal is to reduce violence and create a safer and stronger community.

For more information about GOSO, please visit our website at https://www.gosonyc.org/.

This year we are excited to announce we are recruiting new Board Members to support our growing organization. GOSO’s Board members share a deep commitment to improving opportunities for court-involved young men. Along with fulfilling the standard duties of board members, many are GOSO mentors and share their experience and expertise by presenting seminars on Rikers Island and in the GOSO office. Many have successful careers in business, law or education and are able to impart valuable, directed advice and support.

Board Terms/Participation:

GOSO Board members are required to serve a three-year term. Board members are also required to attend quarterly in-person meetings and to serve on a board committee. Board committees include: Governance, Development, Programs, Community Engagement and Advocacy.

Fundraising:
GOSO Board members are required to support the organization by donating and/or soliciting in-kind and financial donations. GOSO’s give/get policy will be reviewed with all board candidates.

Qualifications:
As a board member, your responsibility will be to provide feedback and direction on topics including compensation, annual fundraising, and communications. We want to hear from all interested candidates, however, we are specifically looking for people who want to be engaged with the work, are self-motivated, and potentially have legal or financial skills, or work in technology, consulting, consumer/retail brands, HR professional, sports related, construction work related fields.

Board Member responsibilities include:

• Leadership, governance and oversight
• Serving as a trusted advisor to the CEO as s/he develops and implements GOSO’s strategic plan
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by GOSO 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 GOSO’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 CEO
• Assisting the CEO and board chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
• Partnering with the CEO and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
• Representing GOSO to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
• Ensuring GOSO’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities GOSO serves

If you are passionate about criminal justice reform and reentry work, GOSO could be a great fit for you. If this sounds like you, we would love to meet you. To apply, please send your resume/CV or bio and a statement of interest (250 - 500 words) to Robert Harwood-Matthews at rchm675@gmail.com.