Board Chair | Volunteer Leadership | Believe in Me

Board Chair Opportunity

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

Job ID: BIM-8761  •  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: Board 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

Duties

• Is a member of the Believe in Me Board of Directors.
• Is a partner with the Chief Executive Officer in achieving the organization’s mission.
• 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.
• Develop board meeting agendas in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer.
• Chairs meetings of the Board in accordance with the agenda developed with the Chief Executive Officer.
• Serves as the Chair of the Executive Governance Committee
• Facilitates Board’s role in strategic planning and implementation
• Appoints the chairpersons of committees, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and other Board members.
• Responsible for charging committees with work from Strategic and Development Plans.
• Keeps apprised of committees, their meetings, and resolutions.
• Discusses issues confronting development of the Foundation with the Chief Executive Officer.
• Helps guide and mediate Board actions with respect to organizational policies, priorities, and governance concerns to assure the Board is mission driven.
• Reviews with the Chief Executive Officer any issues of concern to the Board.
• Monitors financial planning & financial reports.

• Formally evaluates in conjunction with the Board of Directors the performance of the Chief Executive Officer of Believe in Me.
• Serve as alternate spokesperson for Believe in Me.

Overview of Role

The Chair is responsible for facilitating highly effective performance by the Board of Directors. The Chair is not an executive of the Foundation in the sense that the Chair is not responsible for the day-to-day management of the Foundation’s business. In discharging their responsibility, the Chair will,, provide leadership to the Board on specific issues, act as a servant to the Board in meeting Board requirements, at and in accordance with the direction of the Board, act as the spokesperson for the Board, at the request of the Board (add in consultation with the) Chief Executive Officer when needed, act as an intermediary between the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, and, at the request of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, provide advice and counsel to the Chief Executive Officer or other officers of the Foundation.

Responsibilities

Pre-Board Meeting Responsibilities

Scheduling: schedule an appropriate number and the timing of Board meetings each calendar year so as to enable the Board to conduct business on a timely basis assure the effective and efficient operations of the Board and the Foundation. Agendas: in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, establish the agenda for each Board meeting with a view to bringing before the Board (i) matters in respect of which the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or an Officer requires or wants Board direction or approval, and (ii) (add: other business ) matters with which the Board is obliged to oversee in accordance with state and federal laws; Meeting Materials: In a timely manner (ideally one week) provide or to cause to be provided to the Board a in advance of each Board meeting all reasonably required and available information and materials relating to each matter of business contained on the agenda for action, discussion and information sharing) by the Board at that meeting;

Conduct of Board Meetings Responsibilities

• act as the chairman of each Board meeting;
• conduct the business of each Board 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 Board 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 Board meeting in respect of which
• the Board’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 Board 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 Board 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 Board meeting, the Chair shall ask the conflicted Member to excuse himself or herself from all or a portion of the Board discussion of that matter if the Chair is of the opinion that the Board discussion of that matter would probably be enhanced by the absence of the conflicted Member; at every meeting of the Board, hold a separate in executive session with Members;

Board Culture Responsibilities

Provide leadership in promoting and supporting a Board 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 Board insistence on the highest level of integrity, accountability and honesty in the actions of the Board 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 Committees, including

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

Miscellaneous Matters

• assist the Board and Management in understanding and respecting the boundaries between the responsibilities of the Board and the responsibilities of Management;
• at the request of any Member, meet or be available for discussion with that Member between meetings of the Board;
• following each meeting of the Board, 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 Board for its approval;
• whenever necessary or desirable to facilitate the effective performance of the Board’s duties, attend meetings of other Board committees
• arrange and coordinate regular assessments of the effectiveness of the Board’s Performance;
• perform such other functions as the Board may reasonably specify from time to time.

Review of Board Chair Job Description

At least once every three years, the Nominating 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 Board at its next regular meeting.

Board 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.

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