Youth in Focus is a small organization that offers prospective board members a chance to have extraordinary direct impact on the organization, its mission, and the students and families it serves. Board members are given the opportunity to bring their specialized skills and strengths to bear on the oversight, funding, and board governance of a program that makes an arts, visual literacy, and skills-based education curriculum accessible to 400+ students a year.

At Youth in Focus we seek to identify and engage board members who can bring new perspectives and life experiences to the team. We prioritize passion for our mission and shared values of creating safe, inclusive spaces and nurturing relationships; providing access and fostering creativity; encouraging curiosity and a growth-mindset; and building a community that welcomes all. We value our board members' time and talents and aim to provide a meaningful experience by engaging board members in the areas they want to contribute.

The ideal candidate is passionate about our work of changing the trajectory of young people's lives through photography and equitable access to opportunity. We seek candidates whose lived experience reflects that of the students we serve, including students of color, those facing poverty/housing insecurity, English language learners, and LGBTQ+ youth. We are looking for board members who have capacity to volunteer their time and leverage their networks to grow our advocates and supporters.

Based on our strategic priorities for 2025, we are specifically seeking candidates that bring the following skills and experiences:

• Relational – able to draw people into the organization to expand our network of funders, board members, and partners
• Fundraising Experience and Connections
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice to ensure we are accountable to and appropriately serving our students and the larger community
• Professional nonprofit experience

Expectations:

• Prepare, attend, and conscientiously participate in at least 75% of Board and Committee meetings. Members are elected for 3-year terms, and those who actively engage and attend board events are eligible to be elected for additional terms, up to a total of 3 terms or 9 years.
• Attend one or more Student Showcases each year.
• Contribute to YiF fundraising success in an individually meaningful and appropriate manner.
• Follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions.Avoid conflict of interest in roles and business with the organization.Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of Youth in Focus.
• Note: While Board Members contribute directly to the impact of the organization, contact with programming and youth is limited to attending Student Showcases and engagement with the Youth Advisory Board.
  

Time Commitment:

When does the Board Meet?

• Board Meetings occur bi-monthly, usually on the last Tuesday of alternate months from 6:00-8:00pm (January, May, July, September, November)
• Annual Board Retreat one Saturday in March
• Board Committee meetings set their own meeting times and schedules

How many hours of service per month are expected from a board member?

• 5-10 hours/month
• Attend Board and Committee Meetings
• Review materials and prepare for meetings
• Advocate for Youth in Focus

2025 Board Recruiting Timeline

• Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
• Interest Conversation with Executive Director and Board Member: January 15-26, 2025
• Candidates Invited to Interview with Governance Committee: January 27-February 7, 2025
• Board Approves New Board of Directors, February 18, 2025
• Candidates Notified by February 21, 2025
• New Board Member Orientation: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
• First Board Meeting: Annual Retreat on Saturday, March 15, 2025 (location and time TBD)