About HER
HER Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, groundbreaking research, advocacy, and education on hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease that causes weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and/or vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mother and baby(ies). We are currently seeking a new Chairperson for our Board of Directors who is experienced, dedicated and highly involved for our 21st operational year as we embark on Program Expansion and Organizational Capacity Improvement.
Since 2000, we have been the leading source of information on HG and have helped hundreds of thousands of families across the globe. Our mission is finding a cure for hyperemesis and its complications through advanced research, and providing medical providers and expectant mothers with support and treatment resources to improve outcomes. As such, we are interested in Board members from a diversity of industries and backgrounds to help us grow and develop our contacts, fundraising, and program priorities.
Required Commitment
Board Members will serve minimum 1-year terms. Suggestions for desirable industries and skillsets are below:
- Legal
- Financial
- Nonprofits
- Healthcare
- Marketing/PR
- Politics/Advocacy
- Medical Professionals in Maternal Health, Public Health, or Women’s Health fields
Nonprofit Board of Directors Job Description
Serving on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization requires a willingness to attend Board meetings, stay informed about the affairs of the organization, and make decisions that you believe are in the best interest of the organization. It is a serious matter, and at the same time, it is only a part-time, volunteer commitment. Boards will meet at least once each quarter to hear a report on the organization’s financial affairs and its programs and activities and to make Board-level decisions. A director can generally perform his or her required Board duties in just 2-3 hours per month.
Board members have three legal duties: 1) the duty of Diligence or Due Care, 2) the duty of Loyalty to the organization, and 3) the duty of Obedience to the Law, to make sure that the organization is always operating in compliance with the law.
No Board member is responsible for individually fulfilling the following responsibilities; it is the job of the Board as a whole, working in collaboration with the organization’s workers, whether they are volunteer workers, contractors or paid employees.
Further, in performing their duties Board members have the right to rely on the advice, information and assurances of the organization’s officers, staff, advisers, bookkeepers, accountants, attorneys and other advisers.
Following is a list of potential roles and responsibilities you may be asked to fulfill during your tenure on the Board of Directors.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
- Determine the organization’s mission and objectives and see that the organization’s programs accomplish its mission.
- Support and supervise the work of the Executive Director and conduct performance evaluations.
- Determine, monitor, evaluate, and refine the organization’s programs.
- Ensure effective strategic planning for the future.
- Approve the organization’s budget and expenditures.
- Exercise financial oversight and see that proper financial controls are used, proper records are kept and necessary reports are filed to minimize the risk of theft or embezzlement of the organization’s funds and assets.
- Ensure that adequate funds and resources are available for the organization to accomplish its mission and objectives.
- See that financial assets and non-financial resources are managed effectively.
- Establish the organization’s formal policies, review them regularly and improve them as needed.
- Assist with Board development, including identification and recruitment of potential new Board members, orientation, ongoing training of Board members and assessment of Board performance.
- Enhance the organization’s public image and connection with its community, donors, members, and volunteers.
- A commitment and intention to serve on the Board for at least 1 year.
- Attend at least four Board meetings per year, which should include at least one meeting per quarter that will last at least one and one-half to two hours.
- Participate and show commitment to Board activities.
- Willingness to serve on a board committee as needed, that could include: Program committee; Public Relations; Fundraising; Finance; Board Development.
- Represent the nonprofit to the public, the business community and the community as needed.
- Make a personal donation of an amount that is significant to the individual Board member but a minimum of $500.
Those interested may submit a letter of interest and resume to Kimber MacGibbon, RN, Executive Director and Co-founder: Kimber@Hyperemesis.org.
