Board Member

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Our Mission

Blossom's mission is to connect new and expectant families with services, resources and support for a healthy, informed and confident pregnancy and parenting journey. Since 1999 Blossom has been working to meet the ever-changing needs of women and their families during preconception, pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. We offer a comprehensive range of resources and services including fitness, childbirth preparation, parent education classes, and early parenting support groups. We also offer an online provider network and provide professional development for birth workers such as midwives and doulas.

Board of Directors Responsibilities

The Board supports the work of Blossom and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance, while executing its legal and fiduciary duties. The role of the Board includes:

• selecting and evaluating the performance of the Executive Director
• strategic and organizational planning
• ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
• fundraising and resource development
• approving and monitoring the organization’s programs and services
• enhancing the organization’s public image
• assessing its own performance as the governing body of the organization

Board Member Responsibilities

While day-to-day operations are led by Blossom’s Executive Director (ED), the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific leadership, governance and oversight responsibilities of an individual Board Member include:

• Knowing the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs
• Serving as a trusted advisor to the ED as they develop and implement Blossom’s strategic plan
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by Blossom 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 Blossom’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all legal and fiduciary responsibilities, including faithfully reading and understanding the organization’s financial statements
• Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the ED
• Assisting the ED and board chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
• Serving as an active advocate and ambassador for the organization and fully engaging in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission
• Leveraging connections, networks, and resources to fully help achieve the organization’s mission and to benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing
• Serving on at least one committee or task force and taking on special assignments
• Ensuring Blossom’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the community Blossom serves

Blossom Board Members will consider Blossom a philanthropic priority and make an annual gift that reflects that priority. So that Blossom can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, Blossom expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity or to secure that amount through philanthropic solicitation (give or get).

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Professional experience with leadership accomplishments in maternal, pediatric or mental health, non-profit management, fundraising, financial planning and analysis, management and governance, human resources, and/or community development
• 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 supporting expecting parents and growing families
• An entrepreneurial, self-starting mentality

Time Commitment

• Two-year term commitment with an option to extend for a maximum of three terms
• Attendance at monthly Board meetings (typically held in the evening))
• Attendance at two semi-annual Board retreats (~4-6 hours on a weekend)
• Additional 4 hours/month minimum of volunteering (including committee work)
• Participation in the organization’s fundraising efforts as described above

Board Member applicants should be based in the Bay Area, CA. To apply, please complete and submit a cover letter and resume to board@blossombirthandfamily.org . Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Our next review is on October 25th so please submit your application by this date.