Board member for national civic engagement nonprofit

Do you believe the STEM community brings a valuable perspective to challenges faced by cities, counties, and states? Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) is a national, non-partisan, non-advocacy nonprofit that seeks to inspire and empower people with backgrounds in STEM to be active civic participants.

ESAL is guided by a board of directors that oversees the governance, strategy, sustainability, and reputation of the organization. ESAL relies on the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of its board members for continued success in achieving the organization’s mission. We envision a future where all individuals with backgrounds in STEM can leverage their expertise and lived experience to actively engage in civic life.

ESAL is recruiting broadly and all interest is welcome. In this cycle, we are particularly interested in board candidates with legal, accounting, strategic planning, communications, public relations, fundraising and development, and civic engagement skills and experiences.

Board Members have the following responsibilities:

• Assist the board in all leadership decisions, planning, and mission alignment.
• Oversee and participate in strategic planning.
• Help create policies that support ESAL’s mission.
• Adopt an annual budget and ask thoughtful questions during the process.
• Show due diligence in monitoring the organization’s budget, consistent with ESAL’s policies, ethical stewardship, and best practices.
• Make a financial contribution to ESAL that is meaningful for you.
• Support ESAL’s fundraising efforts for long-term sustainability.
• Join and engage during Board meetings, which are held online quarterly.
• Participate in at least one committee, which typically have monthly meetings.
• Work closely with ESAL’s executive director on strategy and policy implementation.
• Contribute to the evaluation of the executive director’s performance.
• Help other board members remain accountable to their duties to the organization.
• Be an ambassador for ESAL. Help us grow, expand, and develop a strong reputation.
• Be aware of public views of the organization and share with the board.

Board members must legally show a duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience. Board members must follow bylaws, avoid and disclose conflicts of interest, and follow ESAL policies.

Board members are elected by a majority vote of the board members. Term lengths are two years, January 2027 to December 2029, renewable for additional terms.

Ready to apply? Submit your application through this form. Applications will be reviewed in early-November. If you have any questions, please contact founder@esal.us.