We’re excited to announce that SustainUS is currently accepting applications to serve on our Board of Directors starting in Summer 2021. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about the vision and mission of SustainUS and wants to take a role in supporting the organization to thrive. Does this sound like you or someone you know? 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We’re particularly interested in welcoming applicants with experience and expertise in legal work, human resource management, advocacy, media/messaging/storytelling, and fundraising (see individual position descriptions below). Alumni and non-alumni are encouraged to apply. 

Position

The Board of Directors supports the work of SustainUS by providing mission-based leadership and strategic governance, including legal and financial oversight and long-term visioning. While day-to-day operations are run by 10-20 youth leaders, who are mostly volunteers with some part-time paid staff, the Board-Leadership relationship is a partnership.  We are a working Board, and the appropriate involvement of the Board members is critical and expected.

Each Director contributes specific roles and responsibilities to the Board, as well as supports the overall operations of the Board.

Overall roles include:

Governance and oversight

  • Approve the annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
  • Review measures for evaluating SustainUS impacts, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness
  • Serve and contribute actively to work of 1-2 standing committees
  • Provide skill-specific mentorship to Leaders, as needed;
  • Ensure SustainUS’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities SustainUS represents
  • Contribute to the development of board meeting agendas and reviewing documents and committee notes before each board meeting, and helping ensure that board resolutions are carried out
  • Serve as a mentors and trusted advisors to the Executive Coordinatorand other leadership as they implement SustainUS’s programs
  • Represent SustainUS to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization;

Fundraising

SustainUS Directors will consider SustainUS a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. That said, SustainUS welcomes Board members regardless of income, and as such, does not have a minimum annual giving requirement for Directors. So that SustainUS can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, SustainUS expects to have 100% of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity. 

Additionally, the board collectively pays for the Directors & Officers insurance for SustainUS. The exact contribution varies from year to year, but is typically $100-150 per director per year.

Board terms/participation

Directors make a three-year commitment and commit to contributing at least 5 hours per month. Directors are eligible to be considered for two additional three-year terms, consecutively or non-consecutively, after their first term. Depending on needs and vacancies, board members may be asked to chair no more than 1 committee and serve in no more than 1 officer role;

Directors are expected to participate actively in all board meetings, which are currently held every 2 months and include one in-person meeting per year. Directors are expected to communicate and make decisions regularly in between board meetings and check email at least weekly.

Qualifications

SustainUS welcomes diverse candidates who exhibit the following qualifications:

  • Demonstrated passion for youth empowerment and/or justice & sustainability
  • Experience executing the functions described in Leadership, Governance & Oversight
  • Demonstrated capability in any specific skillsets below – please see the individual position description for details
  • Prior experience serving on a nonprofit board of directors is an asset, but is not mandatory
  • Experience in the movements or coalitions/networks addressing social justice and climate change issues  is a part of is valuable, but is not required
  • Sufficient time, and a willingness to dedicate that time, to the fulfillment of the duties described here
  • SustainUS seeks both directors with experience or prior involvement in SustainUS, as well as directors with no prior involvement or knowledge

Individual Position Descriptions

Wellness and Mental Health (highly desired) 

SustainUS has identified wellness and mental health as an organizational priority. We are seeking candidates who have experience cultivating care-based community culture to support frontline youth organizers and program participants. This is a new Board position for SustainUS, so we are seeking directors who can propose and help implement strategies for SustainUS to better support wellness and healthy organizational culture. This director should have experience with building supportive organizational culture, working with youth, and/or engagement within social and climate justice movements or coalitions. Social work or therapy experience is welcome, but not required.  

Finance (highly desired)

This director will possess a background in areas of finance related to nonprofit management. The director does not necessarily have to be an accountant, although they could be, but would at the minimum have significant experience. Key areas of support include: financial reporting, payroll, donation management, and taxes.

Legal/Risk Management (highly desired)

The director will possess a background in areas of law related to SustainUS’s mission. The director does not necessarily have to be a lawyer, nor possess a law degree, although they could, but would at the minimum have significant experience in legal issues. Key areas of the law include: nonprofit, federal advocacy/lobbying, international, risk management, and protest law. 

Human Resources

The director will have experience in human resources issues related to the hiring and employment of part-time and full-time employees, contractors, and volunteers. Working with the directors specialized in legal and risk management, the director will provide advice on the recruitment, onboarding, support and management of SustainUS’s human resources. The director will help SustainUS to both effectively support its existing talent and plan for future leaders.

Advocacy

The director will have a background in forms of advocacy common to nonprofits, especially national/federal and international advocacy. The director will help to advise SustainUS leaders on issues such as: advocacy profile, forms of advocacy, nonprofit lobbying regulations, advocacy strategies, and trends/opportunities in advocacy. Experience with multi-year advocacy campaigns is a plus.

Public Relations, Media, Messaging, and Storytelling

The director will have a background in earned media, campaign messaging, and/or developing and telling stories to influence media narratives. The director will ideally have this experience on national or international issues. Experience working with, or contacts with, national and international media is desired but not required. The director will ideally have experience with a variety of storytelling media, including print, video, television, radio and various social media.

Fundraising/Development

The director will have experience with various forms of nonprofit fundraising, such as grants, individual donors, major donors, corporate sponsorships, fee for service and merchandise. Typical support activities may include: helping to develop fundraising plans, reviewing grant applications, evaluating grant prospects, reviewing and supporting the development of fundraising campaigns, and supporting corporate sponsorship outreach. The director will be part of the Development Team, which is a combination of Leadership and Board members.

Service on SustainUS’s Board of Directors is without compensation, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs related to Board Members’ duties. Service on the Board of Directors is an equal opportunity position. Individuals from identities traditionally underrepresented on nonprofit boards of directors are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application

To apply, send your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and experience to boardrecruitment@sustainus.org with “Board of Directors” in the subject line. Please indicate which individual position(s) you are interested in applying to your email and cover letter.