Youth Representative, Board of Directors

Hopebound Board of Directors - Youth Representative

Location: Atlanta, Georgia metro area

Role type: Volunteer

About Hopebound:

Hopebound is a mental-health nonprofit in its 4th academic year of providing services to youth from marginalized communities who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or low-income. We exclusively utilize pre-licensed clinicians as our providers and invest heavily in their training and supervision, as we are committed to “taking care of the youth of today while training the therapists of tomorrow.” With an annual operating budget of $1.4M and a new CEO at the helm, Hopebound is well-positioned to enter its next phase of growth, continue our strong programmatic impact, and enter into the next chapter of scale and expansion. 

The role:

As a valued member of the Board of Directors at Hopebound, your involvement will influence our organization's strategic course and overall effectiveness. Hopebound is currently experiencing a distinctive phase of expansion under the leadership of our CEO, supported by a dedicated full-time team, part-time contractors and consultants, emerging clinicians, a four-member Clinical Advisory Board, and an active advisory Board of Directors. We ask that all board members dedicate a minimum of one year, with a recommended commitment of two years. The ideal candidate for the role of Youth Representative to the Board of Directors will be a young person (High School and College Students preferred) who can ensure the perspectives of the youth we serve are represented.

Not sure if you should apply?

We value people of all races, genders (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientations, disabilities, citizenships, ages, religions, and national origins and who have different marital statuses, family caregiving responsibilities, lived experiences with the criminal justice systems, and genetic information. 

We are committed to developing a culture of diversity, equity, respect, and inclusion and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the communities that we serve. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these characteristics.

Primary Responsibilities

• Participate in Board Governance, Leadership, and Compliance
• Actively participate in quarterly board meetings (one in-person and three virtual meetings), providing input and guidance on matters related to organizational governance, compliance, and policies.
• Lead and participate in board committees to address specific organizational needs and initiatives.
• Regularly assess the board's performance and effectiveness in fulfilling its responsibilities.
• Participate in annual board orientation and board development training. 
• Disclose and manage conflicts of interest to ensure decisions are made in the organization's best interest.

• Contribute to Community Engagement and Regional Representation
• Offer valuable insights and expertise regarding the community's specific challenges, resources, and opportunities, ensuring alignment within Hopebound regions of operations. 
• Leverage connections and professional networks to identify potential donors, partners, and funding opportunities within your organization and the local community to support the organization's financial sustainability.
• Offer guidance to the CEO during the strategic planning process, focusing on addressing the distinctive needs of youth from traditionally marginalized communities. 
• Champion efforts to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture and strategic approach, ensuring DEIB principles (Diversity, Equity, and Belonging) are integrated into all aspects of the organization's work.

• Serve on the Youth Advisory Committee: 
• Provide valuable perspectives and insights from the youth demographic. 
• Offer input, feedback, and recommendations to ensure that the decisions and strategies of the board align with the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the youth community. 
• The Youth Advisory Committee serves as a bridge between the board and the youth (ages 10-18 years old) it aims to serve, contributing to a more inclusive and youth-focused approach in the board's decision-making processes. 

Preferred Expertise & Skills for this role:

• Ability to provide unique insights and perspectives representing the interests and needs of young people.
• Advocacy for policies, programs, and initiatives that benefit youth within the organization's mission.
• Skill in working collaboratively with others (board members, staff, and volunteers) to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated potential for leadership and a willingness to take initiative in advancing the organization's mission.
• Capacity to balance board responsibilities with other commitments, such as school, extracurricular activities, or work.
• Ability to connect with other young people and youth-focused organizations to expand the organization's reach and impact.
• A strong commitment to the organization's mission and a willingness to actively participate in board activities.

Skills and Qualifications for all Board roles:

• Demonstrated dedication to youth-focused organizations, ideally those who work with youth who hold marginalized identities (including, but not limited to, youth who are people of color, from a low-income background, and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community).
• Commitment to high ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in all actions and decisions.
• Awareness of and commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with a track record of effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Fearlessness in fundraising, with experience diversifying funding streams and donor portfolios to include institutional and individual donors.