BDS Associate Board

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is a public defense office whose mission is to provide outstanding representation and advocacy free of cost to people facing loss of freedom, family separation and other serious legal harms by the government. For over 25 years, BDS has worked in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality.

We represent approximately 22,000 people each year who are accused of a crime, facing loss of liberty, their home, their children, or deportation. Our staff consists of specialized attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff who are experts in their individual fields. BDS also provides a wide range of additional services for our clients, including civil legal advocacy, assistance with the educational needs of our clients or their children, housing, and benefits advocacy, as well as immigration advice and representation. 

BDS’ inaugural Associate Board will be a group of leaders and talented professionals, who dedicate their own time, talents, and networks to raise awareness and resources to support the work and overall programmatic mission of BDS. The Associate Board will be a diverse representation of the broader community, representing a variety of organizations, professional roles, and life experiences with a shared purpose to support BDS. 

BDS is seeking individuals to join its inaugural Associate Board who are passionate about social justice and about ensuring our legal system is focused on fairness, justice and making individuals and communities stronger and safer. As ambassadors and advocates for BDS, the Associate Board will support BDS by helping to raise funds and amplify its mission to prevent system-involvement, create pathways for those impacted to remain at home with their families, and increase accessibility to life-sustaining resources, support, and treatment.

Expectations and Responsibilities

● Spread and increase awareness of BDS and its mission.

● Help expand BDS’ network of supporters.

● Host, attend, and invite guests to BDS events.

● Amplify BDS’ work, messaging, and fundraising campaigns and events.

Benefits

● Become part of BDS’ network: meet with staff, BDS leadership and executive teams, and supporters.  

● Associate Board names and titles will be included on BDS’ website and event related/marketing materials. 

● Exclusive opportunities to engage with our programs and experience the work of BDS. 

● Build new relationships and expand personal and professional networks.

● Preparation for future governing board service. 

Participation 

Time Commitment 

● Associate Board meetings will occur once every quarter.

● Members are expected to attend at least 3 Associate Board meetings annually.

● Members will be expected to participate in such meetings in person or virtually.

● Additionally, smaller subsets of the Associate Board will meet more frequently depending on the project/event.

Financial Commitment 

● Members will give and/or raise monetary contributions (including event ticket sales and sponsorships) or in-kind gifts annually.

Events and Annual Campaigns 

● Members will attend a minimum of half fundraising and/or donor cultivation events. 

● Members will contribute to Annual BDS Benefit through planning and organizing, ticket sales, in-kind contributions, and securing sponsorships.

● Members will help drive contributions for our annual fund campaigns and other fundraising events throughout the year.

● Members may host small donor cultivation events (e.g. Parties with A Purpose or small events to spark donor interest for larger events).

Advocacy and Awareness

● Members will serve as thoughtful advocates for BDS.

● Members will stay up to date on BDS’ mission, programs, campaigns, events, and initiatives.

● Members will introduce the work of BDS to their networks through word of mouth, social media and/or personal meetings to help increase awareness.

Terms

● Members will serve 2 or 3 years.

● Members will be expected to recommend and assist in recruiting their own successors. 

Position Information

This is an unpaid position.

Application Instructions

Click HERE to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the board positions are filled. 

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. 

 If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.