Director position on Board of Directors

Mediation Services of North Central MA (MSI), a non-profit Community Dispute Resolution Center is seeking dynamic board members who live or work within our service area in North Central MA (see our website for all cities/towns we serve) to join our organization. MSI's mission is to empower people to resolve conflicts peacefully through mutual understanding and respect. MSI provides mediation services to the district courts of Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster as well as the surrounding communities. We also work with courts, schools, local agencies, and individuals to provide a range of Conflict Resolution Services and Education to the people of North Central MA. We are one of 12-funded mediation centers of the MA Office of Public Collaboration; additional funding is provided by the MA Attorney General's Office and the Department of the Trial Court and private grants. We are seeking to expand our organization's impact by helping more people get their conflict resolved quickly and fairly, regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, and life experiences. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative environment that delivers better results for our clients, future clients, and the communities we serve. To that end, we are working to ensure that our staff, board and volunteer mediators reflect the diversity in age, languages, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and perspectives of the communities throughout North Central Massachusetts. You do not need to be trained as a mediator to become a board member, but you should understand and support our mission.

Collectively the Board of Directors has supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the Corporation and determines its policies or changes therein within the limits of the By-laws, actively prosecutes its purposes and has discretion in the disbursement of its funds. The Board adopts such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and may, in the execution of the powers granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary. The term of all Directors elected by the Board shall commence at the meeting date following acceptance as a Board member and shall terminate four years from their date of election, or upon the election of their respective successors if such election shall occur thereafter.

Nomination Process - Before accepting a nomination for the Board of Directors, the nominee shall submit a resume in writing to the Executive Director (info@mediationncm.org). Prospective Board members shall meet initially with the Executive Director (remotely via video conference). At a Board meeting, the resume, qualifications, experience and any other relevant matters will be shared and discussed by the nominee and the Board. The Board shall not vote on the nominee at this first meeting with the nominee. The vote to reject or accept the nominee as a new member of the Board may take place at any meeting after this first meeting during which the Board may interview the nominee.

Compensation - Board members as such shall not receive any compensation for their services, but the Board may by resolution authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Such authorization may prescribe procedures for approval and payment of such expenses by designated officers of the Corporation. As the governing body of a not-for-profit organization, the board of directors has the ultimate authority to set policy and carry out the functions of the agency.

The board's responsibilities include the following:

º Attend all Board meetings throughout the year (note, the Board does not regularly meet in July or August). Absence- Any member of the Board of Directors unable to attend a meeting shall notify the Executive Director. If a Board member is absent from three (3) meetings in the course of the year, without good reason as determined by the Board, the Board may declare their resignation and it shall be deemed to have been tendered and accepted.

º Fiscal Oversight - Review/ Approve of yearly budget. Any appropriations to be made that do not fall within the budget shall be approved by the Board.

º Determines the organization's mission- Periodically reviews mission and purpose; is committed to preserving that mission.

º Ensures effective strategic and operational planning- The executive director takes the initiative in strategic and operational planning. The board approves the process, participates in its execution and approves the results.

º Ensures that the organization fulfills its legal requirements for the conduct of its business as set forth in the organization's Articles of lncorporation and Bylaws; the Board must also assure compliance with any Federal, State or Municipal applicable statutes and regulations.

º Ensures effective top management. The board selects the executive director and defines expectations and working relationships; determines/approves appropriate salary of executive director.

º Ensures adequate resources through fundraising efforts.

º Evaluates organizational effectiveness, monitors results against plans. The board keeps informed as to the organization's performance and major projects. Emerging problems are aired so there are no bad surprises.

º Ensures effective board operations. Board members have a clear definition and understanding of the responsibilities of the board, the President and individual members. The President and the executive director ensure effective board meetings through good agenda planning, appropriate advance information, guiding discussion of issues, assuring conclusions on next steps providing useful minutes.

º Assists with community connections and promotes our agency within service area communities

º Assists with outreach events, as available

At Mediation Services of North Central MA, Inc. we take the broadest view of diversity. We value what you bring to our organization inside and out. We believe that staff, board, and volunteers from varying backgrounds and life experiences all have assets that are valuable to help with our mission of empowering the people of North Central MA to resolve conflict in a peaceful way. We strive to include everybody in our daily work and value the uniqueness that people bring to the discussion, regardless of race, color, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical abilities, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, socio-economic status or criminal history.