The First Step Family Support Center Board of Directors is a group of energetic
community members that are passionate about supporting families and children on
the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Board of Directors can have up to 20 seats, each seat has a three-year term
with the option to extend their term indefinitely. We are looking for community
supporters that represent the community we serve. We seek to have
representation from all geographic areas we serve, including Jefferson County,
Sequim / Port Angeles, and the West End. Additionally, skills or experience in
the following areas provides helpful insight into our work: Parenting, Early
Childhood and K12 Education, substance use professional, Child Welfare, Human Resources, Marketing, Fundraising, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Nonprofit Management.
Meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday of each month for approximately 2 hours. Committees
meet as needed for 1-2 hours with occasional additional meetings. Directors
can expect 4-10 hours of time commitment each month.
Applicants are expected to attend at least one meeting prior to joining where they will be
asked to give a brief summary of their background and tell why they are
interested in joining the First Step Family Support Center Board of Directors.
After that, an interview with the Executive Committee will be scheduled.
If you are interested in serving our community, with excellence, we would love to
hear from you.
Responsibilities of the First Step Family Support Center Board of Directors
The First Step Family Support Center Board of Directors is a
group of volunteers that is legally responsible for governing First Step Family
Support Center. Like any non-profit board, the First Step Family Support Center
Board provides guidance and oversight to the executive staff of the
organization, who are responsible for carrying out the organization’s work.
Generally, the Board’s three biggest duties are:
- Govern the organization and oversee that it is
meeting its legal and fiscal requirements
- Steward the mission and determine the
organization’s future
- Be the link to the larger community, as
ambassadors and fundraisers
More specifically,
the Board’s primary responsibilities include:
- Governance and
Planning
- Determining the mission, vision, and purposeful
direction of the organization
- Selection, supervision, and evaluation of the
Executive Director
- Strategic planning for the organization’s future
- Monitoring and evaluating the organization’s
programs and operations on a regular basis
- Recruiting and maintaining an effective Board of
Directors Outreach and Fundraising
- Ensuring adequate resources to achieve the
organization’s mission and implement its programs and projects
- Actively participating in fundraising activities
that match abilities and economic resources
- Enhancing the organization’s public image by
acting as an ambassador in the community
- Finance
- Fiscal oversight of the organization, including
ensuring financial accountability
- Overseeing an ongoing process of budget
development, approval, and review
- Expert Advice and
Council as Needed
Board Expectations
and Time Commitment: Directors are expected to contribute five to ten hours
per month on board work, including time outside of scheduled meetings. Directors are expected to:
- Attend full board meetings (12 per year)
- Participate in at least one board committee as
needed
- Respond in a timely way via phone or email in
between meetings as needed
- Read materials to prepare for meetings and
complete other assigned tasks
- Engage in outreach and/or fundraising activities
- Make a financial gift to the organization in an
amount that is meaningful to the director
- Participate in board development activities,
including orientation, training, an annual retreat, and year-end evaluation
- Most importantly: Directors are expected to work
respectfully, cooperatively, and collaboratively with others, including diverse
groups of people. New directors will bring their individual skills and
abilities to help us become better and stronger together in service of the
mission of First Step Family Support Center. Plus, we like to have fun!
