Yoga Behind Bars
Board of Directors Job Description
Yoga Behind Bars (YBB) is looking for engaged leaders with an interest in trauma-informed approaches to criminal justice reform. We are a small Seattle-based nonprofit with 18 programs for youth and adults all over Washington State in need of board members with the skills and commitment to steward us through a phase of rapid growth. Current areas of focus include the launch of our online learning platform, program evaluation, increasing our budget to $500k a year, building corporate relationships.
Our Mission: Yoga behind Bars shares trauma-informed yoga and meditation with incarcerated people to promote rehabilitation, personal transformation, and a more just society for all.
Our Vision: We are committed to reimagining the criminal justice system. Most people in prison and jail suffer from chronic and complex trauma, stemming from early adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Yet there are very few programs and resources offered to safely integrate this unresolved trauma. This is where we come in. Our approach to compassionate rehabilitative programming is intended to shift the culture in prison from punishment to healing, harm to transformation, and recidivism to reintegration.
Our Values: Integrity. Community. Love. Excellence. Hope and Social Justice.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides strategic oversight of the mission and vision of Yoga Behind Bars, working with the Executive Director to make a positive difference in the lives of incarcerated youth and adults in Washington State.
The Board is comprised of diverse individuals with an interest in social justice, community building, restorative justice solutions, and the transformative potential of yoga. The board is dedicated to representing the people Yoga Behind Bars serves, with a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, including previously incarcerated people and people of color. A strong commitment to equity and social justice are required.
Board officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary
General Skillsets/Needs — Legal, Financial, Human Resources, Social Justice, Online Marketing, Fundraising. The YBB board is a steward of the organization's mission and resources, determines the organization's strategy, and a strong advocate for the community YBB serves.
Board Member Responsibilities
- Attend and participate fully in monthly board meetings
- Serve on one board committee (Internal Affairs, External Affairs, Governance, Race and Social Justice) and participate in related responsibilities
- Make a personally significant financial contribution to YBB
- Participate in fund development events, including the annual Eat Drink Give fundraiser
- Serve as an ambassador of Yoga Behind Bars and introduce the organization to circle of influence
- Follow conflict of interest, ethics and confidentiality guidelines
- Participate in annual board retreat and race + social justice training
Time Commitment
Members are elected to a three-year term. Each member should expect to spend 10-15 hours per month supporting the organization.
- Monthly: 3 hours to prepare and attend the monthly board meeting.
- Monthly: 5-6 hours on committee work.
- Monthly: 2-4 hours on special tasks or attending events.
- Annual: 10 hours for an all-day annual board retreat
Philanthropic Commitment
Board members contribute to Yoga Behind Bars in three ways —Time, Talent and Treasure. Board members are asked to make Yoga Behind Bars a philanthropic priority. YBB asks board members to make an annual contribution commensurate with capacity.
Board Committees
Board members are expected to participate in at least one board committee and take on duties chairing as needed. Board committees meet monthly.
The board committees are:
- External Affairs
- Internal Affairs
- Governance
- Race and Social Justice
