Board Member for Psychologists of Color, Inc.

About Psychologists of Color, Inc.

Psychologists of Color, Inc. (POC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization at the forefront of promoting racial justice and equality within the field of psychology. POC is a proactive solution to the gap between the number of individuals of color needing mental health support and psychologists of color accessible to them. The mission of Psychologists of Color, Inc. is to decrease stigma and increase access to mental health services within racially and ethnically diverse communities by significantly increasing the number of psychologists of color.

Position Title

BOARD MEMBER

Position Reports To 

President of the Board; Board Committee Chairs

Summary of the Job 

The Board Member is a voting member of the Board of Directors. Even if not in a position of leadership on the Board, they absolutely must make a steadfast commitment to getting involved at the committee level, make a concerted effort to attend every Board meeting and any follow-up events, proactively volunteer for assignments as they become available, and complete tasks thoroughly, on-time, and with the best interests of the organization in mind. 

It is critical that every Board Member has a vested interest in the mission and shares the values of the organization, takes an active role in annual strategic planning, Board Members are the eyes and ears of the organization’s leadership, and should have a finger on the pulse of the constituency at all times, looking for instances where the Board’s potential action or oversight could produce tangible improvements for all. 

Lastly, each Board Member must take an active role in the organization’s fundraising efforts, setting an example by making a capacity gift every year, and by soliciting donors in and out of the immediate circle of constituents of the organization. 

Who is Best Suited to Do This Job?

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the mission of Psychologists of Color, Inc. to promote racial justice and equality within the field of psychology.

Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.

• The ideal Board Member possesses the 4 T’s:
• Time (to give)
• Treasure (to donate)
• Talent (to employ)
• Tentacles (of connectivity and influence)
• They understand the unique mental health struggles faced by individuals of color as a result of discrimination, racism, reduced healthcare access, and stigma surrounding the use of mental health services and want to proactively do something about it. 
• They will leverage connections, networks, and resources to drive forward the organization’s mission.
• They are good listeners, able to respectfully consider divergent points of view, able to work in a collaborative environment, and know how to effectively prepare to be useful in meetings.
• They often, but not always, have a long-standing personal relationship with the organization, volunteering for many duties as a layperson prior to accepting a Board seat.
• They have a firm understanding of and a direct, personal, vested interest in the organization’s mission and values, and seek to put the best interests of the organization first in everything that they volunteer for while holding a Board seat.
• They are well regarded by the organization’s major stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, the congregation or those served by the mission of the organization, and the funding community. 
• They will educate community members on the importance of the mission.
• They have extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.

Board Member Expectations:

In addition to regularly attending POC Board meetings, Board members are expected to participate in several of the following ways:

Give (Donations):

• Contributing monetary donation(s)
• Contributing In kind donation(s)

Get (Fundraising):

• Writing/sending Thank You notes/letters
• Making Thank You phone calls
• Inviting others to attend POC events or programs
• Hosting a fundraising event
• Planning a fundraising event
• Soliciting donations from individuals in their own network
• Soliciting donations from individuals outside of their own network

Serve (Volunteer):

• Serving on the Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer)
• Serving as the Chair of a standing Board Committee (Finance, Programming, Fundraising, Nominating)
• Serving on a standing Board committee
• Serving as the Chair of a temporary committee (ex: Bylaws, Governance)
• Serving on a temporary Board committee