Executive Governance Committee Chair | Volunteer Leadership | Believe in Me

Governance Committee Chair Opportunity

Governance Committee Chair opportunity with Believe in Me offers meaningful responsibility, flexible collaboration, and a direct connection to better outcomes for young people.

Job ID: BIM-8768  •  Workplace: Remote / Hybrid / Seattle, Washington  •  Time: Part-Time; flexible schedule  •  Posted: July 28, 2026  •  Valid through: July 28, 2027

Here’s What Happens Next

1. Apply: complete the application form on this page.
2. Review: our team evaluates your experience and alignment with the role.
3. Conversation: selected applicants are invited to discuss expectations and fit.
4. Onboarding: successful applicants receive role, systems, and safety guidance as applicable.

About Believe in Me

Believe in Me empowers marginalized children by expanding access to safe environments, educational resources, and opportunities to learn and grow. Our work is grounded in care, trustworthiness, innovation, fairness, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Learn more about Believe in Me, explore current opportunities, or discover ways to volunteer.

Quick Facts

• Role: Executive Governance Committee Chair
• Type: Volunteer Leadership
• Category: Strategy | Research | Special Projects
• Workplace: Remote / Hybrid / Seattle, Washington
• Time: Part-Time; flexible schedule

TERM: One year; Maximum of three (3) consecutive terms TYPE: Elected ADOPTED: March 29, 2007, Updated February 2013, REVIEWED: December 2021

Role-Specific Duties

• Reviews legislative initiatives that affect the mission of Believe in Me.
• Ensure the continuation of status within the 501(c)(3) regulations are followed.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director; develops, reviews and reports annually regarding policies/procedures of Believe in Me.
• Conducts an annual review of the Board of Directors and our seven committees.
• Ensure that Believe in Me functions effectively, interacts with management optimally, and fulfills all of its duties in accordance with Believe in Me’s Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, and the Foundation’s Policies and Procedures.

Description

The Chair is responsible for facilitating highly effective performance by the Executive Governance Committee. The Chair is not an executive of the Foundation in the sense that the Chair is not responsible for the management of any aspect of the Foundation’s business. In discharging their responsibility, the Chair will, from time to time, provide leadership to the Committee on specific issues, act as a servant to the Committee in meeting Committee requirements, at and in accordance with the direction of the Committee, act as the spokesperson for the Committee, at the request of the Committee or the Chief Executive Officer, act as an intermediary between the Committee and the Chief Executive Officer, and, at the request of the Committee or the Chief Executive Officer, provide advice and counsel to the Chief Executive Officer or other officers of the Foundation.

Responsibilities

Pre-Committee Meeting Responsibilities

Scheduling: schedule an appropriate number and the timing of Committee meetings each calendar year so as to enable the Committee to deal on a timely basis with all matters for which the Committee is responsible; Agendas: in consultation with the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or other Officer (as appropriate), establish the agenda for each Committee meeting with a view to bringing before the Committee (i) matters in respect of which the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or an Officer requires or wants Committee direction or approval, and (ii) matters with which the Committee is obliged or wishes to deal; Meeting Materials: use their best efforts to provide or to cause to be provided to the Committee a reasonable time in advance of each Committee meeting all reasonably required and available information relating to each matter to be dealt with by the Committee at that meeting;

Conduct of Committee Meetings Responsibilities

• act as the Chair of each Committee meeting;
• conduct the business of each Committee meeting in a manner which will normally result in all matters on the meeting’s agenda being dealt with effectively and appropriately;
• propose the termination of discussion on any matter at a Committee meeting when they are of the opinion that the matter has been thoroughly canvassed and discussed and that no new points of view or information are being presented, with the understanding that the Chair’s discretion in such cases will be exercised so as to err on the side of allowing full discussion rather than limited discussion;

• attempt to achieve resolution of all issues discussed at a Committee meeting in respect of which
• the Committee’s decision, views or advice has been requested or is required,
• members express conflicting positions, views or advice, but such attempt should in no way inhibit a member from maintaining a different position, view or advice;
• ensure that all Members who wish to address a matter at a Committee meeting are afforded a reasonable opportunity to do so;
• in any case where a Member (“conflicted Member”) has an interest or potential conflict in or in respect of a matter to be discussed at a Committee meeting, and as any Member has a duty to declare an interest or potential conflict in or in respect of a matter to be discussed at a Committee meeting, the Chair shall ask the conflicted Member to excuse himself or herself from all or a portion of the Committee discussion of that matter if the Chair is of the opinion that the Committee discussion of that matter would probably be enhanced by the absence of the conflicted Member; at every meeting of the Committee, hold a separate in camera session with Members;

Committee Culture Responsibilities

Provide leadership in promoting and supporting a Committee culture characterized by

• the acceptance by each Member of their responsibility to use their best efforts in carrying out their duties as a Member;
• the Committee’s insistence on the highest level of integrity, accountability and honesty in the actions of the Committee and of the Chief Executive Officer and Officers;
• respect and trust amongst Members;
• the open and timely sharing of all relevant information amongst all Members;
• acceptance by all Members of the right of every Member to hold and express dissenting opinions;
• a genuine commitment by Members to good governance practices; and
• a willingness on the part of Members to function in a collaborative manner;

Committee Structure Responsibilities

Assist the Board in establishing the composition of the Committee, including

• Designating the Chair, and approving any changes thereto;
• assist the Committee in regularly reviewing the charter of the Committee with a view to recommending to the Board appropriate amendments to the Committee’s charter;

Miscellaneous Matters

• assist the Committee and Management in understanding and respecting the boundaries between the responsibilities of the Committee and the responsibilities of Management;
• at the request of any Member, meet or be available for discussion with that Member between meetings of the Committee;
• following each meeting of the Committee, review the draft minutes of the meeting with the secretary of the meeting, make any amendments that may be required, and approve the final draft before it is submitted to the Committee for its approval;
• whenever necessary or desirable to facilitate the effective performance of the Committee’s duties, attend meetings of other Board committees, subject to paragraph
• arrange and coordinate regular assessments of the effectiveness of the Committee’s
• Performance;
• advise the Chief Executive Officer of each decision made by the Committee (or by the Board on the advice or recommendation of the Committee) which requires implementation by Chief Executive Officer and, together with the Chair of the Board, monitor the Chief Executive Officer’s implementation of that decision; and
• perform such other functions as the Board may reasonably specify from time to time.

Review of Executive Governance Committee Chair Job Description

At least once every three years, the Nomination Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this job description and approve changes thereto, except for minor technical amendments, authority for which is delegated to the Secretary of the Foundation to make. The Secretary shall report all minor technical amendments to the Committee at its next regular meeting.

Governance Committee Chair Impact

First, you will learn the team’s priorities. In addition, you will coordinate practical next steps. For example, you will turn plans into clear actions. Therefore, colleagues can make timely decisions. Meanwhile, you will communicate progress and resolve questions. Finally, your work will help Believe in Me serve young people more effectively. Review National Council of Nonprofits resources for additional context.

Additionally, you will help the team stay organized. Consequently, priorities will remain visible. However, you will also adapt when needs change. As a result, partners can respond with confidence. Ultimately, this role strengthens reliable support for young people.

How to Apply

Use the application form on this page to share your experience and interest. Believe in Me welcomes qualified applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions