“At Apple Playschools we are committed to our mission and vision, and truly believe in our play-based and child-centered approach to education. Serving on the board offers an opportunity to support this approach and mission directly! Whether you are passionate about cultural inclusion, environmental stewardship, or the building blocks of a more equitable world, serving as a board member will allow you to realize these passions every day. In addition to giving back to the community, you will have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally including developing a sharp financial mind, expanding your team building abilities, improving fundraising and development expertise, and so much more.” -Pete Blank, Interim Board President

Approximately 5 hours per month, including one 2-hour board meeting and committee work, emails, phone calls, and attendance at Apple Playschools events. This work may vary due to time of year or specific projects the board member undertakes. There is also an annual 8-hour board retreat during the summer months or two 4-hour board retreats per year (format is determined by current board members according to scheduling needs). Board meeting days/times are set each August and typically will fall on the same evening/week of month. In addition, board members are asked to do one site visit for each of our three school sites each fall, and are invited to come for “board hour” at an all-staff in-service meeting or event each year.

Board terms are two years. Officer terms are one year. Board members can serve up to six consecutive years at a time. Because there is about a 6-month learning curve for new board members to become acquainted with the full functioning of operations, it is crucial to the long term stability of the organization for board members to make a full two year commitment.

No. All board positions are 100% volunteer.

We strive to maintain a board of 9-11 members. Our maximum size is 13 board members with family representatives never comprising more than half of board membership.

2015

Yes! Our Strategic Plan includes major goals over a 5 year period and provides general direction for our decisions.

The Board oversees the governance of the organization, ensures the organization has the necessary resources to deliver its mission, and provides support to the Executive Director, including conducting the Executive Director's annual performance review. When at full capacity, Apple Playschools has approximately 120 families enrolled in total, approximately 45 employees, and an annual budget of $1.4-1.6M. Financial information, including our 990 tax returns and budget information can be found on the Apple Playschools Guidestar Profile.

As is best practice, we expect every board member to make a financial contribution to Apple Playschools at least annually. While we do not have a minimum contribution amount, we ask that a board members' contribution to our organization is one of their top three philanthropic gifts in a year. In addition, board members serve as essential ambassadors for our organization in the community and all board members actively participate in fulfilling our annual fundraising goals.

We expect board members to contribute Time, Talent, and Treasure. Many board members contribute heavily in one area and less in another. The Board Member Memorandum of Understanding is available below, and gives full details of specific expectations.

We are looking for board members with expertise in Business, Accounting/Finance, Law, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising and Development, Building and Property Development, and Commercial Real Estate. We are especially interested in board members who are bilingual in Spanish and English. Roles for board members include Executive Committee roles (President, Secretary, and Treasurer), committee chairs for Fundraising and Finance committees (and any others that are formed by the Board to meet organization needs), and members at large. The Board elects its own Executive Committee and committee chairs after each new board convenes in the Fall.

Like our organization, our board is highly collaborative, somewhat informal, and committed to equity, inclusion, feminism, and radical respect. We believe in play, gratitude, and lifelong learning. We practice honesty, fiercely advocate for our community, and wrestle with hard questions using our guiding principles and social justice branches as the frame and foundation of our work.