SpeakOUT Boston Looking for New Board Members

Looking for a way to give back to the LGBTQIA community? SpeakOUT is looking for interested board members who would like to help guide the organization in its next phase. We are currently hosting our board meetings through Zoom meetings and will be doing so until considered safe to meet again in person.

SpeakOUT is the oldest LGBTQIA speakers bureau in the nation, established in 1972. We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. We train members of the LGBTQIA and allies community to tell their personal stories as a form of activism to audiences in schools, colleges, faith communities, service organizations, workplaces, and government agencies. Our community of speakers works to create a world free of homo-bi-trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice.

Responsibilities of board members:

• Understand the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs, and inform others about the organization.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives.
• Support the organization financially either through donations and/or through helping with fundraising activities.
• Help to enhance SpeakOUT’s public profile and network within the Greater Boston nonprofit, LGBTQIA, and business communities.
• Regularly attend monthly board meetings.
• Serve on at least one committee or task force.
• Be available to offer assistance for special projects when applicable.
• Actively recruit, orient, and train new board members.
• Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.

We are seeking to recruit several talented members to our board for 2026 and we are looking for individuals who are passionate about our mission and ready to help us succeed and thrive in the coming years. We particularly encourage people of color and transgender and non-binary folks to apply. We have an affinity group for speakers of color within the organization that meets regularly and which seeks to bring more people of color into the organization. We are looking for candidates with communications, finance, fundraising, networking, legal, and organizational development skills.

How to Apply: If you are interested in learning more about SpeakOUT board service, please contact Ellyn Ruthstrom, Executive Director at Ellyn@speakoutboston.org or call 877-223-9390. Please supply a resume and references.