Gearing Up – Call For Board Members

Posted by on June 17, 2013

Gearing Up provides women in transition from abuse, addiction, and incarceration with the equipment, guidance, and skills to ride a bicycle for exercise, transportation and personal growth. Currently, Gearing Up operates programs out of 3 recovery programs in Philadelphia, as well as indoor cycling classes at Riverside Correction Facility, Philadelphia’s women’s prison. Gearing Up is seeking new Board members!

Board Responsibilities: Gearing Up Board members are expected to be familiar with and involved in every facet of Gearing Up: mission, goals and objectives, programs, governance, and finances. Board members are expected to promote Gearing Up in the community and provide ideas and energy to grow and sustain the organization. Additionally, Gearing Up Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to exercise control over the finances of the organization and ensure that it is well-managed and transacts all business legally. It is expected that Board members will act in good faith and fulfill the duties of care, loyalty and obedience:

DUTY OF CARE – Make Informed Decisions

– Regularly attend and participate in Board meetings and committees, ask timely and substantive questions, and demonstrate willingness to expand their knowledge of Board responsibilities.

DUTY OF LOYALTY – Maintain Accountability

– Act in the best interests of Gearing Up to ensure its affairs are conducted legally and responsibly, in confidentiality and without conflicts of interest (financial or political).

DUTY OF OBEDIENCE – assuring health and growth

– See that Gearing Up complies with its articles of incorporation, bylaws and applicable state laws in conducting its activities.

Additionally, a Board member of Gearing Up is expected to:

– Attend 80% of Board meetings annually

– Take an active and concrete role in fundraising

– Serve actively on at least one Board committee , or accept an assignment requiring personal expertise

– Remain well informed about Gearing Up affairs, including fiscal matters

– Support the organization thorough attendance at fundraising and program events with Gearing Up clients

Fundraising: It is important for Board members to contribute to Gearing Up’s fundraising by:

– Making an annual financial contribution of personal significance. This contribution may be divided among events and appeals throughout the year.

– Provide personal, professional and social contacts for Gearing Up events and appeals.

– Collaborate in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of appropriate corporate, foundation or individual donors.

Board Committees: Actively participate on at least one committee. Currently, Gearing Up committees consist of the following: Governance and Nominating Committee, Finance Committee, Resource Development Committee and Program Committee.

Finances: Our funding comes from a variety of streams and we strive to continue this diversification of revenue.

Gearing Up’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013 is approximately $200,000.

If you are interested in learning more about a Board position with Gearing Up, please send a biography or resume and a statement about your interest to Gearing Up Board Member and Governance and Nominating Committee Chair, Laura

Schwartz at lauraschwartz2@comcast.net.

To learn more about Gearing Up visit www.gearing-up.org.