Become a Board Member
Every year, our Members participate in the important process of electing leaders to serve a three-year term on our governing Board of Directors. This is a pivotal time for our Board, as we work with Staff to build a DV community that truly represents all voices, and transform our statewide system in response to the evolving needs of survivors, families and communities.
We are presently seeking current and emerging leaders at all levels of responsibility as Board candidates who are committed to the Partnership’s mission.
We need your help finding strong leaders who are committed to the Partnership’s mission and willing to commit 6-12 hours per month toward work on the Board. Thank you for your participation in this very important process. Sharing our leadership and expertise across this big state truly make us all stronger!
Open Board Positions
Far North Regional Representative
Special Regional elections occur when a Regional Director resigns or is removed prior to completion of their term. Regional Director positions are filled every three years. Any Level 1 Partnership Member can serve up to two, 3-year terms. Regular Regional elections occur at the end of a Regional Director’s term.
- The role of the Regional Representative is a leadership position – where the representative supports and facilitates regional meetings, creates goals & objectives, and plans budget spending for their designated region. Also, regional representatives are members of our board of directors with the same voting rights as any other board member. They can help shape The Partnership’s strategic direction and serve in a governance role for the organization.
- 10/03/25: Application opens
- 10/24/25: Applications are due
- 10/31/25: Polls open
- 11/24/25: Polls close
Considerations for Applying
Our Board plays an important governance role acting as the formal representative of the public in setting strategic direction, ensuring adequate resources to support the mission, monitoring impact and dutifully executing its fiduciary responsibilities. As leaders, Board members also support the organization by contributing their time, talent and wisdom as ambassadors who represent the organization in the community raising funds and our public profile. Our Board does not get involved in programmatic decisions, operations, or direct policy or advocacy work. Instead, our Board work involves big picture governance of the organization and Board engagement and recruitment through service on committees.
Board Members must select 3 committees on which to serve. Because Regional Representatives have additional duties as part of their role, they only need to serve on 2 committees. The Board’s current committees are:
- Governance
- Finance
- Audit
- Elections
- Engagement
- Race, Power, and Privilege
- Other ad hoc committees as needed
Board Members are expected to regularly attend Board meetings and the meetings for the committees they select. Time commitments vary each month depending on the Board calendar, organizational events and fundraising responsibilities, as well how many and which committees each Board Member serves on, but in general Board Members are expected to commit 6 to 12 hours per month to fulfill their Board duties:
- Attend 1 Board meeting during months in which the Board convenes — both in-person and virtually (~4-6 hours)
- Participation in 3 or more Board committees, including committee meetings (60-90 minute monthly calls plus prep and follow-up work)
- Attendance at Partnership-sponsored events (i.e., Annual Membership Meeting; Shifting the Lens Conference; Policy Advocacy Day)
- Board retreats, planning meetings and other training sessions (as scheduled)
- Must be willing and available to travel quarterly throughout California
The Board is responsible for setting high-level strategic directions and monitoring progress toward outcomes, but our
Board does not involve themselves with programmatic implementation nor operational functions. By way of example,
here are programmatic and operational issues the Partnership Board does not manage:
- Policy/legislation positions and operations
- Social media posts and communications
- Conference workshop selections
- Human resources management
We are particularly interested in individuals who possess one or more of the following qualifications and leadership traits:
- Leadership experience in business, philanthropy, legal, government or nonprofit sector
- Understanding of the varied domestic violence issues across California, and willingness to act in service of these statewide interests
- Professional skills in finance, fundraising, government affairs, human resources management, marketing or public relations
- Ability to raise funds on behalf of the Partnership, and willingness to solicit personal and professional networks in support of annual revenue goals
- Representative of California’s rich diversity, and ability to bring underrepresented voices into the center of our work
- Network-weaver capable of fostering a positive image of the Partnership by cultivating relationships with business leaders, policy-makers, media outlets, philanthropists and the broader community
- Willingness to embrace discomfort, hear disparate viewpoints, and take informed and inspirational risks to advance the Partnership’s strategic priorities
- Active participant in Regional networks, policy committees, peer learning circles and other components of our Membership community
- Knowledge or experience related to strategic communications
- Well-informed about the Partnership’s mission, strategies and priorities
Board FAQ
Our Bylaws allow for 7 to 21 Board Members.
Our Bylaws indicate there shall be three (3) types of Directors:
- Regional Directors (elected regionally, must be representative of a Level I Member)
- Member-elected At-large Directors (elected at Annual Membership Meeting, must be Member in good-standing)
- Board-appointed Directors
Once seated on the Board, all Directors share the same power and responsibilities (with the exception of Regional
Directors who assume additional duties).
Board terms are for three (3) years, and each Director may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. At-large Board terms run July 1 – June 30. Regional Representatives are elected as needed to fill any open Regional Director seat. Each Director must run for re-election in order to serve a second term. Board Appointments are made on an as needed basis, and the term for an Appointed Director will be set by the Board at the time of appointment.
Previous board experience is not required. All new Board Members will receive a board orientation outlining board governance, agreements and culture, committees, and Partnership activities. New Board Members will also be assigned a Board Buddy for the first year.
The Partnership’s Board is made up of a diverse group of leaders including those from the domestic violence field, some from related social justice movements, as well as dedicated professionals from other sectors. Individuals hail from the varied geographic regions across California, coming together in a shared commitment to center diversity and address the broader needs of the State.
As such, this hard-working group maintains a collegial tone supported by established group agreements, intentionally strengthening relationships and embodying the Partnership’s values and guiding principles. Overall the Board aims to find consensus on strategic issues, although respectful differences of opinions are healthy and welcomed.
The Board is led by four officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Committee Chairs are appointed to lead the work of each committee. Substantive work, discernment and development of proposals are handled in Committees. The Board and Committees utilize technology to support their work (i.e., web-based Board portal, shared online documents, conference calls, listserv and web-conferencing).
Board Meetings are generally held the 4th Monday of the month, but the Board may choose not to meet every month. The Board currently alternates between meeting in person and remotely by Zoom. Travel expenses are reimbursed for in-person meetings. Committees set their own schedules and generally meet for 60-90 minutes every month or as needed.
Like other nonprofits, service on our Board is on a volunteer basis — which means Board Members do not receive any compensation from the organization except for administrative support, travel and accommodation costs in relation to Board duties. Such Board-related expenses are generally compensated on a reimbursement-basis (although payments may be adjusted on an as-needed basis).
Board Members are expected to make reasonable efforts to attend Partnership-sponsored events. The Board’s role at our three major events is shaped by the Board Governance and Support Model factoring in: (a) The degree to which there is a significant Board business role/function at the event, and (b) Whether or not individuals receive personal benefit (which is considered a form of compensation by the IRS). Therefore, Board Members generally receive travel and accommodation reimbursement for the Annual Membership Meeting and Policy Advocacy Day, but not for the Conference. However, when expenses are not covered specifically for Board Members, Board Members can still apply for travel assistance the same as all members when offered to our Membership-at-large.
No, the Executive Director works closely with the Board leading it in fulfilling its governance duties, but is not a voting member of the Board. The Board is responsible for selecting the Executive Director, supporting & evaluating this leader, and ensuring they have the moral & professional assistance they need to further the goals of the organization.
As a Board Member, you will have a fiduciary responsibility to the Partnership. As required by the Board Governance, all Board Members must adhere to the duties of care, loyalty and obedience. The Partnership periodically provides training to support Board Members’ adherence to best practices with regards to their governance and due diligence responsibilities. We employ Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure sound, legal functioning. The Partnership also maintains D&O insurance, a type of liability insurance for Directors and Officers should legal action be brought against them for alleged wrongful acts while serving on a Board.**
** Note, individuals concerned with understanding the full scope of nonprofit Board liability, including any potential
personal liability, should consult independent sources of advice.