Position Profile

BOARD MEMBER

THE ORGANIZATION

The organization's mission is "to assist people affected by, or at risk for, HIV/AIDS, through culturally appropriate counseling, education and advocacy in making informed choices that maximize available benefits and employment opportunities." What this means in actual practice is that The Organization opens doors for people who are too sick to work by assisting its clients in securing health benefits and disability income to contribute toward or cover expenses for medical care, food and housing. And for those persons well enough to work or return to work, The Organization offers an impressive array of employment support services so that clients can maximize employment opportunities. These programs offer tangible improvement in the quality of life and reduce the economic impact of HIV/AIDS on the community. Statistically, this represents almost $2.5 million annually in economic stimulus for the community. The Organization's ability to meet and support its clients whatever their health status may happen to be makes it completely unique among all non-profits in America.

The Organization is recognized as a preeminent provider of benefits counseling and employment services in Northern California. It serves as a primary trainer to other organizations in the region and dispenses technical assistance nationwide. The organization currently serves 2,000 people annually, maintaining a 90% success rate in benefit claims. For example, in 2004, The Organization made 368 job placements, 119 of them long-term.

Longer life spans of HIV-infected persons coupled with an upturn in new infections and with HIV spreading beyond its traditional populations make The Organization more relevant and important than ever. HIV has become a deeper, broader social problem resulting in a dramatic increase in the need for The Organization's services especially among the community's underserved population.

THE POSITION

To address these increasing needs, The Organization has developed strategies that will take the organization to the next level, i.e., to bring systems, people and programs to the task. The Organization seeks to add members to its Board who will compliment the backgrounds of the existing eleven members and who will strengthen the organization in its Board development practices, fund-raising processes and ties with political constituencies. Board members will work toward attaining the following goals that The Organization has set to reach by 2007. That is to:

Effectively deliver employment services and benefits counseling programs in order to improve the quality of life of people affected by or at risk for HIV;

Ensure that the organization and clients served continue to reflect populations affected by or at risk for HIV;

Continue to diversify funding to support the agency and its programs;

Maintain commitment to staff excellence;

Increase The Organization's profile in the community;

Increase effectiveness of the Board in governing and supporting The Organization;

Continue to improve agency procedures, infrastructure and systems required to support The Organization's delivery of quality services.

THE REQUIREMENTS

New Board members will bring to the table experience as a board member, skills and contacts to help The Organization in realizing its goals as stated above.

Additional characteristics of these individuals include:

Excellent communication skills at all levels; adept at consensus building.

High integrity. Ethical, honest in personal practices as well as in dealing with people at all levels. Easily establishes personal and business relationships that reflect commitment and trust.

Sets very high standards for self and others; demonstrates by hands-on example; thinks things through and brings projects to completion in a timely fashion. This individual has a real sense of urgency when it comes to execution.

Team leader, player, builder and supporter. Strong Board development skills. Organizations he/she manages exhibit high professional conduct, high output, enthusiasm, teamwork and trust.

Excellent strategic thinker with vision. Good analyst. Good at both strategy and tactical execution. A conceptual thinker with the ability to communicate concepts simply and concisely.

Displays a passion for service and believes in the mission of The Organization.

THE REWARDS

The opportunity to take part in the further development of an organization that has provided critically needed services to its HIV/AIDS constituency, i.e., to help people and bring greater good to the community. Additionally,

The Organization is a nationally recognized leader on the forefront of the response to the ever changing demands of the HIV/AIDS epidemic;

The opportunity to help direct an agency that has a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people with HIV/AIDS;

Being a part of a dynamic agency that is seeking a greater role at the local and national levels in meeting the challenges of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

This is a Volunteer, non-paid position.

Lisa