Board of Directors: Community Advisor

About the Role The FACTS Initiative is seeking a passionate, well-connected local advocate to join our Board of Directors as the Community Advisor.

Please note: While we operate with a working board due to our organization’s size, this is strictly an advisory and governance role, not an operational staff position. You will not be expected to execute daily operational tasks. Instead, you will offer high-level guidance, review policies, and provide strategic recommendations to ensure professional oversight and informed decision-making.

As the Community Advisor, you will serve as a strategic liaison between The FACTS Initiative and the local community. Your primary focus will be gathering community input, assessing program effectiveness, and ensuring that our programs and services align perfectly with the real-world needs of the people we serve.

What You Will Do (Governance & Oversight)

• Community Engagement & Advocacy: Actively participate in board meetings to ensure community perspectives are always represented. Identify areas within the city with unmet mental health needs and provide strategic recommendations to the board.
• Program Assessment: Assess existing programs to ensure they effectively meet community needs, and recommend adjustments based on direct community feedback rather than solely professional or data-driven perspectives.
• Partnership & Policy Guidance: Identify potential community partnerships to strengthen organizational impact. Provide input on policies that impact service delivery, and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated into all board-level discussions.
• Collaborative Advisement: Serve as a bridge between the community and board-level decision-making. Work closely with the Executive Team to ensure programming remains community-driven, and communicate significant community concerns directly to the board.

Who We Are Looking For

• Residents of Mecklenburg County with exceptionally strong ties to the local community.
• Advocates with proven experience working with local government, community organizations, or advocacy groups.
• Individuals with a deep passion for community advocacy, social impact, and empowering diverse populations.
• Excellent communicators capable of engaging collaboratively with both community members and executive leadership.

Time Commitment

• Approximately 2 hours per week.
• Attendance and active participation in quarterly board meetings.
• Occasional additional time may be required during major community events, outreach initiatives, or strategic partnership meetings.

Why Join Us? The Community Advisor ensures that The FACTS Initiative remains truly responsive to the communities it serves. By acting as a bridge between our organization and the local population, your guidance will directly enhance our program effectiveness and uphold our commitment to community-driven, trauma-informed mental health care.