Position Description
Position: Board Member
Organization Mission: Community Mediation Services (CMS), a 501(c)(3) organization in Clark County Washington, has a mission of empowering people to find positive solutions to conflict and a vision of a thriving community that uses mediation and civil dialogue to resolve disputes.
Position Description: The Board of Directors (board) supports and sustains the work of CMS, and provides governance, leadership, and strategic support.
Racial Justice: We are looking for individuals interested in centering racial equity and justice in all board governance, leadership, and strategic decisions. Black, Indigenous and People of Color are highly encouraged to apply.
Skill Areas: We are seeking new members with experience and interest in at least one of the following areas: legal, non-profit finance, community partnership development, and advocacy.
Qualifications to be a CMS board member:
- Commitment to and understanding of CMS’ beneficiaries and mission
- Commitment to and understanding of mediation, alternative dispute resolution, and restorative practices
- Commitment to the CMS board responsibilities. We are seeking people who can attend substantially all of the board meetings in a given year, are responsive to emails seeking input and response, and who are willing to take on additional side-projects or tasks
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and effective public speaker
- Strategic critical thinking and planning experience
- Experienced and effective collaborator, who is interested in working with the other board members to make most decisions through a consensus-based approach
- Executive leadership or board experience with other non-profit(s), or an interest and commitment to learning about non-profit board leadership and applying that learning to your board role
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of CMS’ clients
Board member responsibilities include:
- Legal and policy oversight
- Organizational planning
- Fundraising
- Financial oversight
- Community partnership development
- Advocacy for CMS and all WA dispute resolution centers
- Evaluation of CMS activities and performance
- Personnel policy development
- Hire and evaluate Executive Director
Board Terms: Board members serve a three-year term of office and are eligible to apply for re-appointment for additional terms. The current board has been holding 8-10 monthly meetings per year. Additional sub-committee meetings, board events, communication and projects typically take place in-between full board meetings. Service on the board is unpaid and without remuneration, except for possible administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to board member duties. Board members typically spend roughly 3 hours per month on board meetings and work, with additional hours spent by board members in officer positions and/or when working on special projects.
To Apply: Please complete and submit a board application on the CMS webpage: Online Application. Positions will remain open until filled.
