Board President

Board President

Board President 150 150 ChristineRice1963
Hypertext Magazine & Studio
Published
May 6, 2021
Location
Chicago
Category
Job Type
Contact Name (not public)
Christine E Rice
Main Phone
7737327423

Description

Hypertext Magazine & Studio (HMS) Board President

Job Description

HMS MISSION: HMS empowers adults by teaching creative writing techniques; our independent press amplifies emerging and established writers’ work by giving their words a visible home.

For more information, please visit our WEBSITE.

The HMS Board President will support the work of HMS and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about HMS’ mission and who has a track record of board leadership. The Board President will have achieved leadership stature in the literary community, business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. Their accomplishments will allow them to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.

Responsibilities include:

Leadership, Governance & Oversight

    • Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings and help vet new and diverse Board members 
    • Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements
    • Serve as active advocate and ambassador for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission
    • Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve the organization’s mission
    • Give a meaningful personal financial donation
    • Help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing
    • Oversee committees

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

  • Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in the literary community, business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector 
  • A commitment to and understanding of HMS’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 HMS’ beneficiaries

Service on HMS’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties. 

Benefits 

  • Serving your community: opportunity to be a representative of the diversity and social culture of your community. 
  • Professional development: Hone the skills you currently possess, and learn new skills that you can add to your CV/Resume and LinkedIn profile; meet and collaborate with other passionate and talented professionals while serving on a board and make key contacts for the future.
  • Personal development: Build social capital to help you reach your own personal goals and to inspire your growth in the community at large. 

Overall Board Member Expectations 

    • Board Members will follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions
    • Board Members will 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
    • Board Members will maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization

Fundraising

HMS Board Members will consider HMS a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that HMS can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, HMS expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.

Board terms/participation

HMS’ Board Members will serve a two-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for two additional terms (6 years total). Board meetings will be held monthly, approximately 1.5 hours in length, and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full board meetings.

Additional Information

HMS Board Members commit to a 2-year term. Based on mutual satisfaction between the Board Member and HMS, they may be asked to serve a second term of office for two years. After that, they may be asked for a third term of two years, for a total of six years of service. Terms are one year, three years, two years. A Director who is appointed to replace another Director mid-term may serve for three additional terms. 

Ideally, there are 3-11 members of the HMS Board that includes: 1 Board President, 1 Board Chair, 1 Board Secretary, 1 Board Treasurer, and the remainder Board Directors. All members of the Board share the following commitments, responsibilities, and duties:

  • Attend monthly board meetings.
  • Possess a passionate commitment to HMS’s mission.
  • Donate an annual amount that is meaningful for each board member, with a target of $500 or more (through donation and/or soliciting contributions).
  • Support or help organize public HMS events including readings and book launches.
  • Raise awareness and visibility of the organization, via social media and in-person interactions.
  • Increase HMS funding to serve the mission and strategic plan, with focus on hiring staff, providing competitive compensation, and cultivating organizational development. Actively participate in fundraising initiatives.
  • Cultivate relationships with major donors by setting up meetings  
  • Holds the executive director accountable for the well-managed day-to-day operations and finances of  HMS, with annual review of performance and organizational budget
  • Holds in confidence any information given to the Board relating to the organization’s matters

 

How To Apply

HYPERTEXT MAGAZINE & STUDIO

Application for HMS Board President (Please copy and paste the following and use as much space as needed to respond.)

MISSION STATEMENT: HMS empowers adults by teaching creative writing techniques; our independent press amplifies emerging and established writers’ work by giving their words a visible home.

Date:  

Name:  

 

Address: 

 

Phone:  

 

E-Mail: 

 

• Why are you interested in serving as HMS Board President?

 

 

• What do you hope to gain from being a HMS Board President?

 

 

• What do you find appealing about HMS's mission statement?

 

 

• What role/part do you see yourself playing in this mission (i.e. fundraising, development, outreach)?

 

 

• What skills and experience do you possess that would aid in the development of HMS?

 

 

Please provide two professional references. If you have previous board experience, please provide at least one reference who would be willing and able to discuss your tenure at that organization.

Reference Name #1:

 

Daytime phone number:

 

Relationship to you:

 

Reference Name #2:

 

Daytime phone number:

 

Relationship to you:

 

Please also include a resume or CV that includes your:

-Education and training

-Related employment

-Management or administrative experience

-Bibliography or publications

-Awards and honors

-Volunteer and previous board experience

-Membership in other organizations

-Teaching experience, workshops, lectures, or presentations