Position
The Board will support the work of GPS and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by GPS’ executive director, the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:
Leadership, Governance, and Oversight
- Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as s/he develops and implements GPS’ strategic plan
- Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by GPS 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 GPS’ 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 Executive Director
- Assisting the Executive Director and board chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
- Partnering with the Executive Director and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
- Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
- Representing GPS to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
- Ensuring GPS’ commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities GPS serves
Fundraising
GPS Board Members will consider GPS a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that GPS can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, GPS expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
Board terms
GPS’s Board Members will serve a two-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Board meetings will be held every other month on the 3rd Tuesday from 4-6pm, and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full board meetings.
Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the success of GPS’s beneficiaries and who has a track record of board leadership. The selected Board Chair will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high-performing board members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
- Demonstrated success as a nonprofit board member or board chair
- Track record of building credibility in the funding community that has resulted in major gifts to a nonprofit
- A commitment to and understanding of GPS’s beneficiaries and mission preferably based on experience
- Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
- Excellent written and oral communication skills coupled with natural affinity for public speaking
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of GPS’s beneficiaries
Service on GPS’s board of directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to board members’ duties.
