Be the change you want to see in the world. Join our Board of Directors.
Gender Justice has been fighting for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights—especially trans inclusion—for years.
As state legislatures around the country churn out harmful policies to deny full personhood and bodily autonomy to women and LGBTQ people, action on the state level by proactive, courageous leaders becomes even more important. That’s why Gender Justice is energetically continuing our expansion into North Dakota, and next year, South Dakota, bringing our proven model of fighting attacks on gender equity on the state court level, using state laws and state constitutional protections. And in Minnesota, we are continuing to educate, advocate, and expand protections.
As this new chapter begins, we are seeking 2-4 new board members to join our stellar Board of Directors. The volunteer board provides fiduciary oversight of our organization, mission-based leadership, fundraising support, strategic governance, and advice to the Executive Director.
If you’re interested and want to learn more, join us at one of our two upcoming meet-and-greets. We’ll share more about the organization and what it’s like to be a board member, and you can ask current board and staff any of your burning questions. Register for one of our meet-and-greets in-person or via Zoom today!
- Thursday, October 5, at 5:30 p.m., in-person in at Mitchell Hamline in Saint Paul, MN. Register in advance here.
- Friday, October 20, at 8:30 a.m., via Zoom. Register in advance here.
To apply please review the full job description below and complete this application form.
Process and timeline:
- October 5 (in person) and 20 (virtual) – Information Meet and Greet with board and staff
- Complete an application by Wednesday, October 24
- New members will be voted in on December 19 and notified shortly after
- New members’ terms begin January 1, 2024
Volunteer Board Member Role and Responsibilities
About Gender Justice:
Gender Justice is a 501(c)3 nonprofit legal and policy advocacy organization working to advance gender equity through the law. We envision a world where all people can thrive regardless of their gender, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Our work is to dismantle the legal, structural, and cultural barriers that contribute to gender-based oppression and to ensure people of all genders a right to bodily autonomy, safety, health, and opportunity. Our approach reflects intersecting identities and experiences, and an understanding of gender, racial, reproductive, and economic justice. We do this work through impact and strategic litigation, policy advocacy, legal analysis, public education and training, and building strategic movement partnerships.
About the Board of Directors:
The Gender Justice Board of Directors provides fiduciary oversight, mission-based leadership, strategic governance, and advice to the Executive Director who manages day-to-day operations.
The average monthly board member commitment is 5 hours per month—which includes five Board meetings per year, committee participation, new member orientation, and a retreat.
To their best of their abilities, Board members deliver:
Leadership
- Ensure the mission of Gender Justice is well understood and embraced by the board, management, and other key stakeholders, and ensure congruence between decisions and core values
- Focus on organizational strategic priorities and dedicate resources to achieve goals
Honor Gender Justice’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities GJ serves, and ensure that board recruitment meets the needs of the organization
Represent Gender Justice to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
Participation
- Take part in the oversight of management and operations of the organization
- Prepare in advance and attend meetings of the board; ask questions, exercise independent judgment, and request information to take responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies and other board matters
- Contribute to the hiring and the ongoing evaluation and annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as they lead the organization and implement Gender Justice’s strategic plan
- Evaluate board member needs and effectiveness of working together to meet board development, recruitment, and orientation needs
- Participate in recruiting board members to meet the goals and objectives of the organization
Planning & Committees
- Help set long-term and short-term goals for the organization that align with mission and vision of the organization in partnership with the Executive Director
- Maintain Gender Justice’s Board and Committee work plans
- Follow the governing documents of the organization, which include articles of incorporation, bylaws, constitution, code of ethics, and other documents governing the organization
- Develop performance measures for the organization and effectively use those measures to evaluate and execute corrective action plans when needed
- Establish and monitor committees having the authority of the board and provide well-defined responsibilities and authority for each committee
- Participate on at least one board-established committee
Finance & Fundraising
- Provide oversight and support for the Finance Committee of the organization including oversight relating to audits of Gender Justice financial statements and internal controls, ensuring federal and state reporting compliance
- Oversee financial performance and provide for risk management through monitoring financial results, operational liability, and organizational reputation within the community
- Verify that published reports and financial reports provided to the board are transparent and properly reflect the operating results and financial condition of the organization
- Approve the annual budget of the organization including setting target for reserves
- Support organizational fundraising efforts and actively participate through personal contributions and/or by generating support for the organization
- Make a meaningful annual contribution that is commensurate with the member’s financial capacity
Conflicts of Interest
- Ensure that management has established appropriate policies to define and identify conflicts of interest throughout the organization, and is diligently administering and enforcing those policies
- Follow conflict of interest policy requirements regarding excusing themselves from discussions, decisions, and votes where a perceived or substantive conflict of interest exists
- Sign the Annual Statement – Conflict of Interest document for board members
Board Terms
- Gender Justice Board Members serve three-year terms for no more than two consecutive terms (six years)
- Gender Justice Board Officers serve a one-year term, eligible for re-appointment for additional terms
- Gender Justice Board Members serve on Committees for one-year terms with continued participation evaluated annually by the Board as part of its regular planning process
Gender Justice is committed to building a board of directors that reflects our values of equity and inclusion with regard to race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability, age, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. As an organization working in solidarity with the reproductive justice, economic justice and racial justice movements, Gender Justice is committed to fostering the leadership of women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, LGBQ and trans people, immigrants, and others living in marginalized communities.
Board Recruitment Meet and Greet: In-Person