Are you interested in serving on the NOAH Board of Directors?

Applications have closed for available positions on the NOAH Board of Directors. If positions become available at any point in future, the community will be notified and potential new members will have the opportunity to apply.

Prospective Board Member Information

Informational Call for Prospective Board Members:

Tuesday, February 21st ~ 8pm ET // 5pm PT

Interested in serving on NOAH’s Board of Directors? Attending the informational call is strongly recommended!

Introduction

The material contained herein is intended to provide information to those individuals considering applying to join NOAH’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). This is intended to be a high-level overview of certain aspects of the Board and Board service, and more detailed information will be provided to those ultimately selected to join the Board. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email at nominations@albinism.org.

Reasons to Serve

Serving on the Board can be meaningful and impactful in many different ways. Here is what two of our former Board members said:

Kelsey Thompson
“I first chose to run for the NOAH Board, because it felt like time to give back. My family had been involved with NOAH since I was a kid, and having my extended NOAH family during my childhood and young adult life meant so much to me. Because of NOAH, I gained confidence and perspective, not to mention a loving network of friends, mentors, and confidants. As I grew older, I realized that I may not personally need NOAH as much as I did when I was a teenager, but NOAH needed me. Serving on the Board felt like the best way for me to step up and take a leadership role in the albinism community. As a NOAH director, I was welcomed aboard a dedicated and dynamic team that has shaped organizational policy, set priorities and strategic goals, and supported the NOAH family through some pretty amazing milestones. I also feel like my NOAH service has helped me to grow as a professional and a citizen. It’s an honor to serve as a NOAH leader.”

Sheila Adamo
“Being on the NOAH Board has provided me an outlet to empower myself and my family to become advocates for the albinism community. It has enabled me to utilize my skills and training while being a positive role model for my family. The Board is a very dynamic and dedicated board that provides the members a place to channel talents while serving a community that has given so much to so many. I have gained perspective and skills while serving on the Board. My ideas have been welcomed and supported so that many of them have become a reality. I have met great friends and will always treasure my time as a NOAH Board member.”

NOAH’s Mission, Vision, and Organizational Values

Mission
NOAH’s mission is to act as a conduit for accurate and authoritative information about all aspects of living with albinism and to provide a place where people with albinism and their families in the U.S. and Canada can find acceptance, support, and fellowship.

Vision
NOAH envisions a world where people with albinism are empowered to be fully functioning members of society, where barriers and the stigma of difference no longer exist, and where people with albinism have a quality of life that is rewarding, dignified, and fulfilling.

Organizational Values
Every organization has its own culture and set of values that drive the organization. The following are NOAHs core values:

Positive attitude
Committed to families
Supportive and compassionate
Acceptance and adaption
Diverse and inclusive
Welcoming and open
Focused on maximizing opportunities
Self-directive
Flexible and non-judgmental

Strategic Direction

NOAH has been working to transform itself from a grassroots group into a self-sustaining organization. The self-sustaining not-for-profit organization we envision will have the wherewithal to raise the money necessary to
support a small paid staff to direct and provide support for volunteer committees, task forces, and project teams to consistently deliver programs and services to the albinism community. Further, the staff would work to
increase outreach to the albinism community and work to expand programs and services.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the Board if you are a member of the albinism community looking to take on an active leadership role within NOAH. In particular, we seek applicants who embody the core values set forth above.

For those looking to get more involved with NOAH but for whom Board service is not the right option, please consider volunteering for the organization or hosting a fundraiser.

Qualifications

All new members should come to Board service with the following
qualifications:

A deep understanding of albinism;
An understanding of, and commitment to, the shared vision and goals for NOAH; its growth, and organizational development;
Knowledge and passion for resource development on behalf of NOAH; including understanding of the role resource development plays and the effect it will have on the organization;
A level of comfort in cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations on behalf of NOAH;
Basic knowledge of how to read financial reports (income statements, balance sheets, audits); and
Experience and involvement in NOAH’s programs and events.

Board Term

Board members are appointed to serve a four-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms a Board member may serve; however, after two terms, equally capable, qualified and experienced nominees who have not served will be given preference. The Board operates with staggered terms, meaning that, each year, only a portion of current Board members will be ending their terms.

Board Duties

The Board propels NOAH’s mission and ensures NOAH’s organizational health. The Board also advises, governs, oversees policy and direction, and assists with the leadership, resource development, financial management, and general promotion of NOAH to support the organization’s mission and needs. In general, the Board focuses on the governance and direction of the organization, rather than its day-to-day operations.

Board Responsibilities

NOAH Board members are expected to:

Support NOAH’s vision and mission;
Assist in whatever way is necessary to help NOAH carry out its work;
Be knowledgeable on all matters coming before the Board for action or determination;
Ensure that the organization does the best work possible in pursuit of its goals;
Prepare for and regularly attend board meetings (up to two in-person meetings per year, plus an optional monthly phone/Zoom call);
Serve on at least one board committee (see list below);
Actively develop the organization’s financial resources by:
- Making a personal gift commensurate with your ability to give;
- Helping staff and the Board identify, cultivate, and solicit donor prospects; and
- Ensuring the success of fundraisers;
Represent the organization in the community; and
Adhere to the organization’s policies.

Board Committees

Each Board member is expected to serve on at least one of the following committees:

Finance Committee – Oversees all financial aspects of the organization
Resource Development Committee – Oversees overall fundraising, including fundraising by the board of directors
Board Development and Governance Committee – Oversees selection of new Board members and general growth and training of the Board, plus other matters relating to governance
Executive Committee – Provides additional support and guidance to NOAH and its staff, including between full Board meetings

Board Service