Today you take a big step toward joining out family!

Our board members are critical to the stability and longevity of the Portland Backpack mission. We are excited to potentially take these steps with you!

Portland Backpack Board of Directors Position Description

The Board will support the work of Portland Backpack leadership and staff and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While Portland Backpack’s Executive Director leads day-to-day operations, the Board-ED relationship is a partnership and the involvement of the Board is critical and expected.

  • All Board members are expected to:

    1. support and ensure all of the legal and fiscal responsibilities of Portland Backpack. 

    2. engage with, and contribute to, the funding and development activities of the Portland Backpack. 

    3. believe in, and seek to find ways to meet and excel Portland Backpack’s mission and vision. 

    4. attend 75% of quarterly meetings.

    5. be a member of at least one committee.

    6. be a Caring Neighbor Club member.

    7. be a Weekend Warrior.

    8. attend at least one packing a year.

    9. secure sponsorships for events.

    10. secure auction items for events.

    11. actively engage the community as ambassadors of Portland Backpack.

    12. recruit new qualified board members to ensure the longevity of Portland Backpack.

  • Board terms/participation

    • Portland Backpack’s Board Members will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment at the end of their first term. The Board meets once per quarter on the second Mondays in January, April, August, and November. Additionally, Board Committees will meet monthly or as needed to accomplish specific tasks.


Qualifications

Portland Backpack is a Black and Brown femme-led organization.  We are actively anti-racist and justice-focused, and all work we plan is implemented through a womanist equity lens that centers on impacted children.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual passionate about Portland Backpack’s mission and with a community service and leadership track record. Selected Board Members will be respected as equity-focused leaders in their work and community service.  They/ them focus on meaningful relationships will allow they/ them to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

  • Passion about food justice and feeding kids

  • Extensive experience with leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector 

  • A commitment to and understanding of Portland Backpack’s beneficiaries, preferably based on experience 

  • Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals 

  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of Portland Backpacks beneficiaries

Service on Portland Backpack’s Board of Directors is not reimbursed except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs for Board Members’ duties.

Application