Board of Directors (Volunteer Position)

Imagine Black · Portland

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Position: Board of Directors
Position & Status: Volunteer, 10-12 hrs per quarter

Term Limit: Three Years

ABOUT IMAGINE BLACK

Imagine Black (formerly known as PAALF Action Fund) helps our Black community imagine the alternatives we deserve and build our political participation and leadership to achieve those alternatives. Since our start in 2009, we have envisioned a world where people of African descent enjoy the rights, resources, and recognition to be a thriving, resilient, and connected community.

At Imagine Black, we have strengthened our commitment to a Black Queer Feminist (BQF) theory and practice. BQF provides a more holistic understanding of our conditions and connectedness as Black people. As a result, we understand that liberation for all Black people can only be realized by lifting up the voices and experiences and prioritizing the issues of historically silenced and vulnerable groups within Black communities – specifically, queer, trans and gender non-conforming (GNC), femme, poor, disabled, working and undocumented people (adapted from BYP100).

Imagine Black is a 501(c)(4) multi-issue grassroots organization in partnership with our sibling 501(c)(3) organization, Imagine Black Futures. We are a staff of six with an operating budget of around $3.5M.

More information about Imagine Black can be found at imagineblack.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Board of Directors serves as the backbone of our organization, providing guidance, governance, and strategic direction. Serving on the Board requires a deep understanding of our mission and a commitment to promoting progressive principles, inclusivity, diversity, and social justice.

As a Board Member, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organizations and the communities we serve. You will participate in crucial decision-making processes, ensuring our actions align with our mission and values. You will also contribute to building financial sustainability by participating in fundraising efforts and identify potential donors, grants, partnerships, and recruit for Imagine Black events and operations.

EXPECTATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS

Each individual board member is expected to;

• know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs;
• faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements
• serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for Imagine Black/Imagine Black Futures to advance its mission;
• leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve Imagine Black/Imagine Black Futures’s mission;
• give a meaningful personal financial donation to both Imagine Black and Imagine Black Futures;
• help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing, and can influence public policy;
• follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions;
• sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings;
• sign an annual confidentiality agreement and maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of Imagine Black/Imagine Black Futures;
• prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meeting; and
• participate fully in one or more committees.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Determine mission and purpose. It is the board's responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the organization's goals, means, and primary constituents served.
2. Select the chief executive. Boards must reach a consensus on the chief executive's responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.
3. Support and evaluate the chief executive. The board also should ensure that the chief executive has the moral and professional support needed to be successful in the position.
4. Ensure effective planning. Boards must actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the goals, including strategic, programmatic, financial, and fundraising.
5. Monitor and help strengthen programs and services. The board's responsibility is to determine which programs are consistent with the organization's mission and monitor their effectiveness.
6. Ensure adequate financial resources. One of the board's foremost responsibilities is to secure adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.
7. Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.
8. Build and maintain a competent board. All boards have a responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate their own performance.
9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity. The board is ultimately responsible for adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.
10. Enhance the organization's public standing. Board members should serve as ambassadors of the organization and be able to clearly articulate the organization's mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.

TIME COMMITMENTS

• Quarterly Board Meetings, two hours per quarter
• Quarterly Board Meetings Prep, two hours per quarter
• Quarterly Kinfolk Meetings, two hours per quarter
• Political Education and Board Training, two to four hours per quarter
• Senior Leadership Thought Partnership, TBD as needed.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to the Imagine Black/Imagine Black Futures’ vision, mission, and values.
• Demonstrated commitment to self-determination and how radical Black imagination can directly influence policy and advocacy.
• Lived experience with Black community issues, particularly in Oregon.
• A commitment to a Black Queer Feminist lens.
• Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with people from all backgrounds and willingness to promote equity actively.
• Availability to attend regular quarterly board, committee, and strategic planning meetings and events and contribute an average of five hours per month to fulfilling board member responsibilities. (Assistance is provided to board members as needed for transportation, accessibility, child care, etc.)
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite, as well as ability to work with online forms and systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven skills working and communicating with communities within the African diaspora, especially with descendants of enslaved Africans, African immigrants and refugees, and Caribbean immigrants and refugees;
• A large network of personal and/or professional connections and willingness to tap into those connections to support the organization’s mission and programs financially and/or in terms of donated goods or time.
• Willingness to raise money and resources for the organization through personal asks, events, and other activities.
• Experience serving on a nonprofit board of directors.
• Familiarity with Asana, Slack, Zoom, or similar systems.
• Lived experience with or intimate knowledge of Black community issues, particularly in Oregon. Bi- or multi-lingual (Arabic, Amharic, Swahili, and Somali-speaking applicants are encouraged to apply).
• Professional expertise in one or more of the following areas:
• Advocacy
• Civic Engagement
• Electoral Justice
• Strategic Planning
• Fundraising
• Marketing / Communications / Social media
• Creative / Design/ Technology
• Accounting / Financial management
• Human Resources
• Equity and Inclusion
• Nonprofit Management
• Event Design and Implementation
• Employment Law
• Acquisitions
• Corporate / Nonprofit Law
  

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, highlighting experience and competencies that meet the role’s requirements.

For this role, we are not concerned with typo-free writing or aesthetically beautiful materials -- our main concern is understanding how well you meet the stated qualifications and any other information that will help us understand how you might be a good fit for Imagine Black and vice versa. You’re welcome to also include anything else you feel is pertinent for us to have in your application materials, though this isn’t necessary.

Racial equity is of utmost importance for our search. If you do not meet all of the required qualifications for this role but feel you can be a great addition to our team, please apply and let us know why we should meet you!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by August 31, 2025.

Imagine Black embraces diversity in a profound way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool - because we know the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Benefits

N/A

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