Join Roots. Wounds. Words.

RWW Seeks Board Members

Roots. Wounds. Words. is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that offers visionary literary arts programming including educational workshops, storyteller performances, publication opportunities, and a writers’ retreat for Us BIPOC literary artists. Especially Us BIPOC literary artists who are also Us Queer, Us Trans. Us Gender Nonconforming. Us Justice-Involved. Us poverty-born. Us disabled. Us neuro-divergent. Us made of intersectional identities. Us Brazen. Us. RWW ensures that Black, Latinx, Indigenous American, Asian, Southeast Asian, and all People of the Global Majority have a safe, inclusive, space to craft and tell our stories.

RWW is currently undergoing a period of tremendous growth and possibility. We seek to expand our board of directors and are recruiting individuals with experience and knowledge of working non-profit boards. We are looking for board members who have experience in development, financial planning, marketing, legal, and the arts.

The Role of the Board 

The board serves as the leadership body of the organization that must satisfy its legal and fiduciary duties. The board is responsible for:

·  Determining the mission and purpose(s) of the organization.

·  Ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management in protection of the organization and its integrity.

·  Strategic and organizational planning.

·  Fundraising and resource development.

·  Approving and monitoring the organization’s programs and services.

·  Enhancing the organization's reach to the community it seeks to serve.

·  Developing and adhering to board policies cohesive with the bylaws.

·  Assessing its own performance as the governing body of the organization.

The Role of Individual Board Members 

Each individual board member is expected to:

·  Know the organization's mission, policies, programs, needs, and identify areas of growth.

·  Read and understand the organization’s financial statements.

·  Serve for a term of two years.

·  Understand that this is a non-paid volunteer position where you are serving the organization.

·  Serve as advocates and ambassadors for the organization and actively engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization. Attend events relevant to this cause.

·  Build connections, networks, and resources that support RWW’s work.

·  Commit to spending 20 hours per month to promote, enrichen, and grow RWW.

·  Contribute $500/year to the organization.

·  Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in monthly board meetings.

·  Participate in one or more committees.

·  Follow the organization's bylaws, policies, and board resolutions.

·  Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year, if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings.

·  Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization.

·  Embody and collaborate in maintaining the culture of Roots. Wounds. Words.

Benefits of Board Membership

In addition to the satisfaction received by serving RWW’s mission and uplifting the literary art of BIPOC poets and writers, board members may attend select Roots. Wounds. Words. programming (e.g., workshops and craft talks) for free. Past faculty include Jesmyn Ward, Ken Liu, Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, Deesha Philyaw, Fariha Roisin, Kiese Laymon, K-Ming Chang, Roxane Gay, and many more. Board members are also encouraged to participate in as much programming as possible to experience our work on the ground.

Open Board Officer Roles

Chair:

·  Oversees the Board

·  Works closely with the Executive Director of RWW

·  Helps to support and guide the strategy and vision for RWW

·  Helps fundraise and network to move RWW’s vision and strategy forward

Treasurer: 

·  Oversees the finances of RWW and keeps thorough records of all financial transactions.

·  Helps identify RWW’s budgetary needs and financial challenges.

·  Upholds financial transparency and accountability.

·  Helps plan and develop financial strategies to secure RWW’s sustainability.

• Works with the RWW accountant

Secretary:

·  Keeps minutes of board meetings and manage records

·  Coordinates meeting schedules

·  Ensures the organization remains in compliance with all state and federal laws and mandates.

How to Apply:

To express interest in joining the RWW board of directors, please send a cover letter and resume to

RWW Board of Directors

Board@rootswoundswords.org

Board of Director Applications are due by March 7th, 2024.