Volunteer Board Member

About the RoleFounded in 1993 in partnership with MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Mentoring Partnership (VMP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves individuals, organizations, and communities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia that engage in youth mentoring. Now operating as MENTOR Virginia, it is the only organization in Virginia partnering with programs to a) identify existing quality practices and areas for improvement, b) develop action plans to meet national standards, and c) provide ongoing training and support to achieve goals through training, program assistance, quality assessment, and advocacy.Mission & VisionMENTOR Virginia fosters quality mentoring relationships that empower, elevate, and encourage young people. Our vision is that every young person who needs a mentor will have a trained mentor. MENTOR Virginia seeks board members with a personal commitment to fulfilling our mission.Volunteer Board Member Role DescriptionMENTOR Virginia is committed to its mission and activities at all levels of the organization, including its Board of Directors. We recognize the importance of supportive relationships in empowering young people, and we believe that varied perspectives and experiences are critical in our mission to close mentoring gaps (the difference between the number of youth desiring a mentor and the number of trained mentors available).Our board members champion the importance of exceptional board leadership and believe that every organization needs a strong and effective board to fully realize its potential for good. In addition to the standard roles and responsibilities of a board member, our board members are active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and are fully engaged in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for MENTOR Virginia to advance its mission.The board of MENTOR Virginia is a volunteer board. Members are not paid and dedicate their time and expertise to support MENTOR Virginia and its mission.We expect each board member to:Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs.Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements and board materials in advance of meetings.Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary to advance its mission.Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to achieve MENTOR Virginia’s mission.Give a meaningful personal financial donation.Help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising, reputational standing, and influence public policy.Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings.Participate fully in one or more committees or task forces.Engage in learning opportunities to better understand the community that the organization serves.Respect the experiences of all who bring their voices and lived experiences onto the board and the organization.Honor the organization’s values.We are looking for mission-aligned individuals with strong collaboration, communication, implementation, and strategic skills in the following areas of expertise:LegalAdvancement, notably Fund DevelopmentStrategic PartnershipsValuesMENTOR Virginia embraces individual differences and celebrates our common humanity in advancing the need and transformative power of supportive relationships for young people. We believe that varied perspectives, experiences, and opinions are central assets in our mission to close mentoring gaps. As leaders, we activate gifts, skills, time, and networks to empower others. We believe that respect and trust create a holistic environment where we all thrive.Learn more about our organization at mentorva.org.How to ApplyInterested candidates should apply through this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce0ZFH8MynefXmTgcMVW1Zu5NgjXCoyM3oFWCEtyMdnJLc2g/viewform.Completing this application and participating in an interview will help the Board of Directors identify the right fit for both the candidates and the organization. All new directors are elected by a majority vote of current board members.