Board of Directors - Recruitment

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WHO WE ARE

Hands Together was founded in 1999 with the mission to provide the highest quality early childhood education and care to low-income families who are striving to gain stability, improve their lives in the community. The goal is to prepare children to enter school with a quality early education.

Hands Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates in downtown Santa Ana. The Center offers two distinct programs to families. The first program is the Preschool. Noted for its comprehensive multi-faceted curriculum, this licensed program includes parenting, literacy, and health and developmental screening, in addition to childcare. Primary curriculum goals focus upon cognitive skills, and language, plus physical, social, emotional, and aesthetic development. Additional components include enriched English literacy, extended family support, and continuing professional development of teachers and operations staff.

The second program is Morning Garden - a workforce development program for low-income mothers and an early childhood education program for their preschool-aged children. The children’s program includes early literacy and structured activities that are developmentally appropriate. The adult curriculum includes English learning, financial literacy in both English and Spanish, vocational skills, job readiness skills, parenting skills, and a social enterprise.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hands Together Board of Directors is responsible for selecting and supporting the Executive Director, providing financial oversight, ensuring the organization has adequate resources, enhancing the organization’s public standing, setting the mission and purpose, and assisting in monitoring its strategic plan.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS | WHO YOU ARE

Hands Together is looking for passionate volunteer leaders to be a part of our Board of Directors. Does this sound like you?

Desired qualities include:

• Commitment to excellent early childhood education and care to low-income families
• Ability to move the organization forward with solid business judgment
• Interest in developing and/or leveraging philanthropic relationships
• The financial acumen to read and understand our financial statements and to help the board fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities
• Understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Initiative and follow through to ensure successful results
• Ready for leadership opportunity and responsibilities
• Represents Hands Together in a professional manner
• Communicates effectively and transparently
• Responsible, ethical, and accountable
• Solutions and goal-driven

Desired professional or volunteer experiences:

• Fundraising
• Budgeting and financial comprehension
• Attorney or legal background
• Social media
• Human resources

Prior board experience would be helpful but is not required.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

To best support the organization, Hands Together board members are expected to:

1. Complete the current Live Scan background check process;
2. Attend a Board Orientation (typically one hour);
3. Attend eight (8) board meetings per year out of 11 total meetings; board meetings take place the last Tuesday of the month (except in November, when the meeting is moved to the first Tuesday in December). Meetings are held from 7:00-8:30pm over Zoom, with occasional in-person meetings possibly in conjunction with a family event at the preschool;
4. Read board materials in advance of board meetings and come prepared to ask questions and participate in discussions;
5. Make a meaningful personal contribution to the organization;
6. Adequately prepare for meetings, and review and comment on minutes and reports;
7. Get to know other board members and Hands Together staff, building a collegial working relationship that contributes to in-depth knowledge of issues and the ability to come to consensus as a board;
8. Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments, complete them thoroughly and on time;
9. Evaluate the performance of the Executive Director on an annual basis; and
10. Play an active role in securing the financial resources necessary for Hands Together to achieve its mission.

Board terms last three years and Hands Together board members can serve up to two consecutive terms. Reappointment may be extended by the board based on organizational needs.

Service on the Hands Together board of directors is without renumeration.

If you have an interest in learning more and/or joining, please email a bio/resume to Ellen Mogasemi at ellen@handstogether-sa.org.