Connecting individuals and families with mental health resources, development, and community in the Antelope Valley and beyond.
We're growing our Board!
Live Oak Mental Wellness Project is seeking dynamic, passionate board members to help us grow our fledgling nonprofit organization into a life-changing resource for residents of the Antelope Valley.
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Co-Founded by Michelle Pendergast and Monica Olsen as a result of their families’ struggles with mental illness, Live Oak’s mission is to connect individuals and families with mental health resources, development, and community in the Antelope Valley and beyond.
Our earliest public-facing goal is to be able to provide person-to-person referrals to mental health supports as well as organizations that will meet a variety of other needs.
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Incorporated in October 2022 with three members on the Board of Directors, Live Oak is looking to grow to a minimum of 5 Board members by the end of 2023 and 7 Board members by the end of 2024.
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A startup organization is a lot of hard, detailed work, and we need informed, committed Board members working alongside us to be successful!
We are now accepting applications for the positions of:
What does a
Board Member do?
“A board of directors does not exist solely to fulfill legal duties and serve as a fiduciary of the organization’s assets. Board members also play very significant roles providing guidance to nonprofits by contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates.” (councilofnonprofits.org)
Our Goal:
To increase the diversity of our board in the areas of
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race/ethnicity and gender
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professional backgrounds, skills, and experiences necessary to meet our strategic and operating needs
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views, perspectives, and approaches to problem solving.
(Harvard Business Review)
An Ideal Candidate will
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be a champion for Live Oak Mental Wellness Project in the Antelope Valley and beyond.
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dedicate time, resources, and fundraising efforts to aid us in our mission.
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be respectful of the input of others.
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be willing to evaluate and overcome any latent biases to ensure strongest growth of our organization and support of our clients.
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listen closely and ask hard questions that will make us better equipped to further our mission.
Commitment:
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5-10 hours per month, including:
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one regular monthly Board meeting, approx 1 hour,
using Robert’s Rules of Order -
Special Board Meetings and/or Committee Meetings
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Self-driven and group-based professional development
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Preparing for all meetings in advance by reading agendas and supporting materials
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Willingness to actively fundraise with the Board of Directors with the goal to raise $25k or more annually per board member to increase the impact of Live Oak Mental Wellness Project
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Foster community connections to further the mission of our organization
Governing
Board
Responsibilities
Leadership, governance, and oversight
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Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by Live Oak Mental Wellness Project for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
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Approving Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
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Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director
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Assisting the Executive Director and Board of Directors in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
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Partnering with the Executive Director and other Board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
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Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
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Representing Live Oak Mental Wellness Project to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
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Ensuring Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s commitment to a diverse Board and Staff that reflects the communities the organization serves
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Fundraising
Live Oak Board Members will consider Live Oak Mental Wellness Project a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that Live Oak can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, the organization expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
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Board terms/participation
Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s Board Members will serve a two-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Board meetings will be held monthly and special and committee meetings will be scheduled by the members thereof.
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Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s mission. Selected Board Members may have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. Their accomplishments will allow them to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
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A commitment to and understanding of Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s beneficiaries, preferably based on experience
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Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
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Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s beneficiaries
President
The Board President will support the work of Live Oak Mental Wellness Project and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by Live Oak’s Executive Director, the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board President is both critical and expected.
Specific Board President responsibilities and qualifications include:
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Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director to develop and implement Live Oak Mental Wellness Project’s strategic plan
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Creating Board Meeting Agendas together with the Board Secretary and Executive Director
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Having extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
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Having experience with or willingness to learn and implement Robert’s Rules of Order
Treasurer
The Board Treasurer will support the work of Live Oak Mental Wellness Project by keeping accurate records of income and spending in addition to general Board duties.
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Specific Board Treasurer responsibilities and qualifications include:
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Tracking donations, grants, and expenditures using Quickbooks
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Having professional experience or training with accounting/bookkeeping
Secretary
The Board Secretary will support the work of Live Oak Mental Wellness Project by keeping accurate records for the organization.
Specific Board Treasurer responsibilities and qualifications include:
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Creating Board Meeting Agendas together with the Executive Director and Board President
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Taking notes throughout each Regular and Special Board Meeting
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Preparing minutes from completed meetings to be approved in the following Board Meeting
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Having high proficiency in typing/notetaking, organization, and written and oral communication
Apply
for our Board!
Please take the time necessary to answer these questions thoughtfully.
We will reach out soon to schedule your interview.
Thank you for your interest in supporting our fledgling organization in this critical way; we look forward to getting to know you!