Board of Directors, DOVE Inc.

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Recruiting Organization: DOVE, Inc.

Position Summary:

Members of the Board of Directors of DOVE are a primary force in and personally responsible for enabling the organization to achieve its mission and goals, realize its potential, and fulfill its obligations to the general public. The Board is the governing body of the organization and is responsible for establishing the mission and goals for the organization. The primary role of Board members is to ensure that the organization is well managed and fiscally responsible.

In addition, the Board sets the organization’s policies which provide the parameters for the Organization’s work. A Board member typically commits to a term of three (3) years, which is renewable for an additional three (3) years.

General Responsibilities (for the entire Board):

¨ Ensure that the organization is responsibly managed and is meeting/maintaining legal and contractual obligations.

¨ Ensure the long-term financial stability and integrity of the organization. Specifically, ensure that DOVE has the resources it needs to pursue its goals. In order to fulfill this obligation, Board members must: determine how the organization will raise funds; actively participate in fundraising activities; donate money; recruit, steward, and solicit donors; and identify and cultivate potential funding sources.

¨ Ensure that the necessary resources for the organization are secured and allocated in a responsible manner.

¨ Become familiar with the finances, budget, and financial/ resource needs, and participate in creating and approving the organization’s budget, setting financial policy, acquiring adequate insurance, and arranging for an annual financial audit.

¨ Hire and supervise the executive staff.

¨ Serve as ambassadors and representatives to the community, promoting DOVE for programmatic and fundraising purposes.

¨ Establish and support the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and long-term goals, and evaluate the organization’s progress toward its goals.

¨ Participate in the Board’s assessment of its own composition and performance. Make recommendations to strengthen the structure and performance of the Board.

¨ Evaluate and assess board composition, and identify and recruit potential board members. Suggest possible nominees to the board and committees who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization. DOVE strives to maintain a board that is diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, experience with the issue of domestic violence, and geographic representation throughout DOVE’s catchment area.

Individual Responsibilities:

¨ Know and make a personal commitment to the mission of the organization.

¨ Become and stay informed about the organization’s services, policies, and programs.

¨ Attend all Board and committee meetings, retreats, functions, and special events, and Board education training; actively participate in discussions and decision-making.

¨ Review Agendas and supporting material prior to Board and Committee meetings. Notify President or Committee Chair of any corrections prior to the meeting.

¨ Assist the Board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, including reviewing the organization’s financial statements, annual audit, etc.

¨ Stay informed about the activities of the organization, including reading program reports, and keeping up-to-date on developments in the field of domestic violence.

¨ Actively serve on at least one (1) standing Committee; service on two Committees is encouraged. Serve on special committees and task forces, and offer to take on special assignments.

¨ Make one’s particular expertise, contacts, and resources known and available to the organization.

¨ Assist in fundraising activities. Commit to making a personal financial contribution to the organization at a level consistent with personal means ("give"), and commit to seeking and soliciting donations (individual and corporate) to the organization ("get") as outlined below.

¨ Adhere to Conflict of Interest/Disclosure and Confidentiality policies, and disclose any conflicts of interest as they arise.

¨ Adhere to legal responsibilities of nonprofit Boards, including:

* Duty of Care: The Board member owes the duty to exercise reasonable care when making decisions as a steward of the organization.

* Duty of Loyalty: The Board member must give undivided allegiance when making decisions affecting the organization. The Board member can never use information obtained as a member for personal gain, but must act in the best interests of the organization.

* Duty of Adherence: The Board member must be faithful to the organization’s mission. They are not permitted to act in a way that is inconsistent with the central goals of the organization.

Qualifications for Board Membership

Board members should possess the following qualities:

¨ A commitment to the mission and goals of DOVE, Inc., specifically to serving communities, families, and individuals impacted by domestic violence.

¨ A commitment to DOVE’s Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice efforts, including actively engaging in learning as an individual and collectively as a member of the Board.

¨ A willingness to represent DOVE, Inc. in the community.

¨ A willingness to contribute personal funds, to solicit funds through personal and professional circles, and to engage in fundraising events and activities.

Meeting Times and Commitment

¨ Board meetings typically take place the 4 th Tuesday monthly (10 of 12 months annually), 5:30- 7:30pm, unless other arrangements are made. Approximately 4 times annually the Board will meet in person in Quincy. Other meetings will be held virtually.

¨ Committee meetings typically take place 1-2 times per month, depending on committee, in person and/or via conference call.

¨ Meetings will take place both during weekday hours (typically virtually) and weekday evenings (often virtually with some in-person).

¨ Overall expected time commitment as a member of the Board of Directors is approximately 10-15 hours per month.

¨ It is fully expected that all Board members will have the opportunity and will be solicited for leadership roles on the Board, as Committee Chair/Co-Chair, and/or serving as an Officer, during their tenure on the Board. Weekly and monthly time commitments will vary by position.

Financial Contribution

In order to further demonstrate commitment and confidence in the services DOVE provides, Board members are asked to donate a meaningful gift to the organization on an annual basis, through donations of their own and through other means. There is no specific personal contribution requirement, but all Board members are expected to contribute personally. The Financial Contribution expectation can be achieved in a variety of different ways: through event ticket sales, cash donations on a monthly or quarterly basis, securing sponsorships and/or advertising in event program books, hosting a house party, securing matching gifts through an employer, and/or inviting friends/family to donate and/or attend a fundraiser. DOVE Staff and Board leadership will actively support all Board members in efforts to fulfill this responsibility, and can brainstorm with each Board member specific ideas and suggestions for how to meet this commitment in ways that fit the Board member’s activities, connections, and style. Given the variety of ways the financial contributions can be made, board members are asked to donate and/or raise $3,000. annually.

DOVE expects 100% of Board participation in "giving" and "getting". Board members are encouraged to exceed this goal whenever possible.

Candidate Priorities

An optimal candidate is one who will become actively involved, understands their role in fundraising (give and get) and will serve as an ambassador of the organization, making connections with others to cultivate passion for and investment in DOVE. Ideal candidates will feel compelled/moved by the mission, and will think strategically while understanding the constraints (financial, human) of a lean, medium-sized nonprofit organization providing human services. Candidate will live, work, or have some other connection to our catchment area in Norfolk County. We seek candidates who have skills in needed areas, and represent diversity around race, gender identity, LGBQ/T identity, people with disabilities, and/or experience as survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence, as DOVE strives for its Board to better reflect the communities we serve.

Skill Areas Needed

DOVE’s Board of Directors is seeking candidates with skills and experience in the following areas:

¨ Communications, Public Relations, Social Media, and Marketing

¨ Employment Law and/or Human Resources

¨ Finance and Business Management, including Strategic Financial Planning

¨ Organizational Development and Management

¨ Non-profit, Health, Education, Social Services and Legal Sectors

¨ Philanthropy, Fundraising

¨ Property Management, Facilities Management; Development/Contractor

¨ Strategic Planning

¨ Wealth Management

Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice, and Anti-Oppression Efforts

DOVE believes that domestic and sexual violence are inextricably linked with oppression, and that domestic and sexual violence prevention fundamentally requires us to address racism, white supremacy, and other economic and social justice issues. DOVE has made a commitment at all levels of the organization - including Staff and Board - to advancing racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. In September, 2021, the Board of Directors will vote to endorse a new Mission and Vision (below), alongside a Strategic Plan that centers equity and justice for survivors, advocates, and communities.

Mission Statement

Hope, healing, safety, social change. Working together to end domestic and partner violence.

Vision

A community unified in peace, justice, and equity, for the safety and well-being of every individual.

DOVE has worked with AORTA (Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance) Coop ( https://aorta.coop) at the Staff and Board levels on these efforts, helping to build organizational infrastructure and capacity to strengthen and sustain our work moving forward.

DOVE has committed 5% (2 hrs/wk) of all staff time to participate in active learning regarding justice and equity issues regarding race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, etc., to include reading, listening to podcasts, watching webinars, videos, etc. For BIPOC and LGBQ/T staff, time can include commitment to self-care and resilience-building as needed.

** All current and incoming Board and Staff members are expected to make a personal and meaningful commitment to anti-oppression learning, and to actively engaging in DOVE’s organizational efforts to fulfill its new mission and vision. Resources for learning (reading materials, videos, podcasts, training and workshop opportunities, etc.) are available; members of the Board are encouraged to pursue learning opportunities independently as well. DOVE’s Strategic Plan identifies specific Goals, Objectives, and Activities to realize the organization’s overall commitment to advancing racial and social justice. The priorities and work of each Board Committee is informed and guided by these.

Why You Should Consider Service as a DOVE Board Member

DOVE is a tremendous organization, the work of which over the past 43 years has saved and transformed the lives of thousands of survivors. We are at an exciting time, launching new and refreshing existing efforts to better assist survivors who may be at the greatest risk for and experience disproportionate impacts of domestic and partner abuse based on structural issues and their individual social location.

Working on the Board, members actually feel that they individually make a difference for the organization and in the lives of survivors. Board members are consistently proud of the work of the organization and moved by the skills and passion of the dedicated staff.

February, 2023

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring