Join Our Board
Serving on the BISNF Board is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact in the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Board members play a vital role in shaping our vision, guiding our growth, and championing inclusion in our community.
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Board service also offers a unique opportunity to connect with others, foster new partnerships, and contribute to the positive change that benefits both BISNF and the wider community.
Board Member Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Policy Adherence
Board members play a crucial role in strategic planning, guiding the organization's direction and future initiatives. Effective governance involves active participation in policy-making, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and goals.
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Fundraising & Grant Support
Fundraising is essential for ensuring the sustainability and growth of BISNF's programs and initiatives. Board members play a critical role in fundraising by actively engaging in efforts to secure necessary resources, including grant acquisition and community support.​
Community Representation and Advocacy
Engaging with stakeholders is essential for board members to build relationships and foster support for organizational initiatives. Raising awareness on issues affecting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a primary responsibility of board members to promote inclusion and understanding.
Board Member Skills and Qualities
Strategic Leadership
Strategic leaders are essential for guiding organizations through challenges and maintaining focus on their mission. Effective leadership enables organizations to navigate challenges and adapt to changing environments successfully and ensures that the organization remains aligned with its mission and vision, driving success.
Value of Diverse Experiences
We emphasize the importance of diverse candidates who can contribute unique insights and experiences to the board. Candidates with fundraising experience and/or grant writing experience bring valuable skills that help secure and support organizations like BISNF. Experience in neurodiverse advocacy helps the board understand and address the unique challenges faced by the community. Individuals with Human Resources and/or Legal experience ensure that our policies and actions are ethical and aligned to legal standards.
Strong Network & Relationship Building Skills
Strong networking skills enable candidates to build relationships and connect with potential donors and partners effectively. Building relationships through effective networking is essential for long-term success and resource generation in any organization.
Available Board Positions
Vice President (Leadership Role)
As Vice President of the Board, you’ll play a key leadership role in supporting the President and serving as a liaison between the board and Executive Director. You’ll help guide strategic direction, lead board meetings in the President’s absence, and ensure strong governance practices are upheld. The Vice President also plays an important part in building board engagement and fostering collaboration to keep the organization moving forward.
Legal Advisor
We are seeking a board member with legal expertise to help guide our organization as we grow. This role is ideal for someone with a background in law who is passionate about community service and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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As our Legal Advisor, you would provide general legal insight on contracts, leases, and other organizational matters, helping us ensure that our operations remain compliant, ethical, and in the best interest of those we serve.
Your knowledge will be an invaluable resource in safeguarding our mission and supporting sound decision-making at the board level.
Human Resources
We are looking for a board member with experience in HR to support the wellbeing and growth of our staff and volunteers together with the Executive Director. This role involves helping oversee staff contracts, onboarding processes, HR policies, payroll review, and ensuring our employee and volunteer handbooks reflect our current best practices. Your guidance will help us maintain a supportive, professional environment for the entire team.
Grant Writing Chair
Are you skilled at storytelling and strategic thinking? Join our board as the Grant Writing Chair and lead the charge in identifying and securing funding opportunities that align with our mission. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with the Executive Director and lead a small committee to research potential grants, manage deadlines, and write compelling proposals that support program growth and sustainability.
Fundraising Chair
We’re seeking a dynamic leader to help shape and drive our fundraising efforts. As Fundraising Chair, you’ll lead the fundraising committee in planning, executing, and evaluating fundraising campaigns, events, and donor outreach. Your creativity, organization, and passion for our cause will help us build a stronger foundation and reach more members of our community.
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Apply Today
To apply, please email our Board President Lori Marten at lori@thestephenshouse.org with a brief introduction, a summary of your background, and why you are interested in serving.
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We look forward to connecting with you!