Board Member for organization serving black men

About:

(B)MEN is an inclusive group of Black men working to mobilize men towards creating and participating in support systems for black men, while addressing stigma, regardless of class, national origin, immigration status, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender expression. BMEN uses advocacy, support groups, conferences, and community action to create positive outcomes for black men while addressing stereotypes and stigma that are barriers to black male support. BMEN operates under the motto that healthy black men create healthy black communities.

What we do:

BMEN works to ensure its public narrative of black men is expansive in a way that highlights the general concerns of black men, while acknowledging the wide spectrum of Black Male existence. This incorporates various points of black men's marginalization and vulnerability that include and extend beyond the general health of black men, such as men navigating mental health concerns, the impact of racism, incarcerated/formerly incarcerated men, disability, victimization, and vulnerabilities throughout the spectrum of black male identity, etc. BMEN’s programs serve as intervention models for how support black men, while also positively impacting black community.

BMEN expanded its programmatic goals through collaborative projects, community support, and monthly support meetings since its inception in 2018. BMEN's programming includes the Black Men Monthly Support Meetings, Bridging the Gap Events, responsive COVID-19 support, as well as other programs that align with BMEN's mission.

Since its launch at the Old Oak Dojo in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, BMEN's black men support groups have met on over forty occasions supporting over 416 group members. With the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, BMEN answered the needs of its members by shifting to a virtual format. BMEN brings Black men together monthly for two hours in a supportive network where they can share mental health support and connect on various topics in the community.

In partnership with the Transgender Emergency Fund, BMEN has produced four successful Bridging the Gap Events. This one-of-a-kind series of events brings straight Black men and Trans women together to have meaningful dialogue around the stigmas and barriers that exist and inhibit their mutual understanding and impact their lives. The first event brought together twenty Black Trans women and Black men, giving space for the transwomen to share navigating life and the dangers of being a transwoman, taboos about their sexuality, and the need to live regular lives.

https://youtu.be/PTuDB9w7KuA

During 2020-2022, BMEN has supported Black and marginalized communities through providing funding for protective equipment and essential support items related to COVID-19 support. BMEN has also provided gas cards/gift cards for volunteers picking up and dropping off donations to Black and marginalized communities. 2022 saw the continuation of BMEN’s monthly support space and the Bridging the Gap program. BMEN added two additional programs in person programs in 2022 which included the BMEN Mixer, and the Unpacking: Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and the Big steppers event.

Board role

Purpose: BMEN's Board of Directors (“the Board”) partners with the Executive Director to lead in all legal, strategic and fiscally responsible ways and means. Directors assist with the general promotion of BMEN so as to support the organization’s mission, needs and strategic plan.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and regularly attend mandatory quarterly board meetings, special event planning

meetings and events

• Achieve a combined fundraising goal of $2,000 per year, which can come from

fundraising, personal contributions, recruiting another board member, securing

a sponsorship for a fundraising event, or securing cash donations from other

individuals

• Assist in promoting key BMEN news and announcements to your network, including

fundraising campaigns and organizational achievements

• Serve in leadership positions by chairing/joining a committee, joining the Executive

Committee and/or leading a special task committee

• Willingness to utilize personal and professional networks in support of board fundraising

goals

• Attend and participate in planning/hosting fundraising events throughout the year
• To know the mission, vision, strategic plan and goals of BMEN
• To understand the strengths and needs of BMEN
• enhancing BMEN’s Organization’s public image
• assessing its own performance as the governing body of BMEN Organization evaluating the

performance of the CEO/ executive director

• Collaborate to shape strategy and annual goals for the organization.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of the organization; become familiar with BMEN's

finances, budget, and fundraising needs, approving and reviewing when

appropriate

• Guard against conflict of interest, whether personal or business-related.
• Complete the annual Board of Director self-evaluation and Executive Director evaluation

within the timeframe determined by the Governance committee.

Time Commitment

• Expectations vary, but generally Board members are expected to spend 1-5 hours per month on

BMEN business.

• The Board of Directors meets quarterly during the calendar year. Meetings occur

virtually with one in-person retreat each calendar year. Regular meetings

typically last 2 hours. Additional time spent includes participation in

committee meetings.

During Board Meetings:

• Attend, be prepared, and participate fully in all Board
• meetings.
• Keep all Board deliberations and decisions
• confidential; accept and support Board decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience with leadership in community, business,
• philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
• A commitment to and understanding of Black men,
• particularly the barriers that black men encounter as well as intervention
• approaches
• Sufficient time availability for board duties.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
• Interest in addressing stigma and inclusion within the
• black male communities
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a
• passion for improving the lives of Black men

Interested?

If you think BMEN is a good fit for you, we look forward to hearing from you.

Please contact

info@Bmenfoundation.org