Help Shape the Future of Adult Literacy—Board Leadership Opportunities Available

Are you passionate about changing lives through literacy and opening doors to opportunity in our community? As a Board Director with Literacy DuPage, you will help lead a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults who are striving to improve their English, build confidence, and move forward with dignity. For many learners, everyday tasks—reading a bus schedule, completing a medical form, supporting a child’s education, or succeeding at work—can feel overwhelming without strong language skills.

By contributing your leadership, expertise, and perspective at the board level, you play a powerful role in shaping programs that break down language barriers and create pathways to independence and belonging. Together with fellow board members, staff, and volunteers, you will help guide an organization that believes in the transformative power of literacy.

About Literacy DuPage

Literacy DuPage is a nonprofit organization serving low-income adults in DuPage County who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level. We help learners improve their speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills so they can achieve their personal, educational, and workplace goals.

We recruit, train, and support volunteer tutors who provide customized, one-to-one instruction. Many learners face barriers to traditional education, including limited transportation, childcare responsibilities, work schedules, or challenges succeeding in a classroom setting. Tutor-learner pairs meet for up to two hours each week at a public library.

You can learn more about Literacy DuPage at www.literacydupage.org.

Position Summary:

We are seeking dynamic and engaged individuals to join our Board of Directors. As a volunteer Board Director, you will play a critical role in steering Literacy DuPage toward achieving its mission of helping DuPage County adults achieve their life goals through accessible and customized tutoring that improves their English-language speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. This is an extraordinary opportunity to leverage your skills, expertise, and networks to make a meaningful impact in the lives of English language learners and the broader community.

The day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Director, the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is critical in achieving organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Actively participate in setting organizational direction and ensuring alignment with our mission and values.
• Resource Development: Support fundraising initiatives, secure resources, and cultivate relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
• Advocacy: Enhance the public image of Literacy DuPage and advocate for the importance of adult ESL and English-language tutoring within your networks and the community.
• Governance: Ensure fiscal responsibility, legal compliance, and effective organizational policies through active oversight and informed decision-making.
• Commitment: Attend board meetings, participate in committee work, and engage in special events and initiatives.

Other responsibilities

• Follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions.
• Select, support, and evaluate the performance of the Executive Director.
• Approve and monitor the organization’s programs and services.
• Assess your own performance as the governing body of the organization.
• Engage in learning opportunities to better understand the community we serve.
• Respect the experiences of all who bring their voices and lived experiences into the boardroom and the organization.
• Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and disclose potential conflicts during meetings.
• Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about our mission. Experience in human resources, legal, or finance is a plus and will help strengthen our board’s collective expertise.

We seek individuals who:

• Reflect the diversity of our adult learners to better serve and understand their needs.
• Are eager to contribute time, talent, and treasure to further the mission of Literacy DuPage.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
• Have expertise in areas such as nonprofit governance, finance, marketing, fundraising, or community engagement.
• Can volunteer 2-4 hours a month on Board/Committee/Task Force work – in addition to Board Meetings.
• Make an annual financial contribution to Literacy DuPage that is personally meaningful and reflects your ability to give, with the understanding that board members are among the organization’s leadership donors.
• Commit to a two-year term and complete a background check.

What You Will Gain:

As a volunteer Board Director, you will:

• Receive an in-depth orientation about Literacy DuPage
• Network with other passionate leaders and professionals in the community.
• Gain personal fulfillment by advancing the cause of adult literacy and supporting transformational change.
• Develop governance and leadership skills through board service.

How to Apply:

If you are ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply!

• Please complete the application online at https://forms.gle/kzSrP6zYpTzFHTUE6
• Send your resume and a brief statement of interest to Kristin Chmiel, Executive Director at kchmiel@literacydupage.org.

The Nominating Committee will review applications on a rolling basis. If you are selected to move forward, a member of our nominating committee will contact you and schedule a meeting to discuss your interest and experience to ensure this opportunity is a mutual fit for both you and the organization.