We are looking for a Board Chair!
NYSYLC is looking for a Board Chair!
Undocumented youth organization NYSYLC seeks a Board Chair to support our team in restructuring our Board from the ground up. The ideal candidate is someone who has experience being on grassroots boards for small organizations looking to scale up. We want to develop a new Board team that is aligned with the organization’s fundraising priorities and is equipped to support Co-Directors through high-level issues. Being a Board Member is an unpaid position.
Who We Are:
The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC, or YLC for short) is the first undocumented youth led organization in New York. We work to empower immigrant youth to drop the fear attached to undocumented status and challenge the United States’ broken immigration system through leadership development, grassroots organizing, educational advancement, and self-expression. Our goal is clear: to give undocumented youth the tools and space to organize and create change in our communities.
What We Do:
Our main programs throughout the year are:
Undocu Academy: a college access, career planning, professional development, and political education program for 10-15 immigrant high school seniors.
Dream Team Network: A network of school and campus-based advocacy hubs led by and supporting undocumented students.
Undocu Support Group: A monthly virtual talk space for gender-oppressed immigrants of undocumented experience
Undocu Adulting 101: Life skills workshops for youth without working papers
In addition, we offer trainings, workshops, and other public programming throughout the year.
NYSYLC has 4 full-time salaried employees (including 2 co-directors) and 5 part-time employees, contractors, or fellows. We frequently collaborate with the following organizations/institutions: NYU Law School’s Immigrants Rights Clinic, VOLS, John Jay College Immigrant Student Success Center, and Brooklyn College Immigrant Student Success Office. We currently work from a rented office in Midtown, Manhattan. We incorporated as a nonprofit in 2008, and our 2023 Budget was ~$700K in expenses.
Board Chair Responsibilities
Board of Directors
Leads regular quarterly board meetings and retreats
Serves as liaison between the Board and the Co-Directors of the organization
Monitors committee progress and aligns all activities to organizational goals
Develops and maintains board governance practices
Each individual on the board is expected to make a stretch financial donation in accordance with their means on an annual basis.
Strategic Planning
Plans, implements, and evaluates finance plans with necessary stakeholders*.
Plans, implements, and evaluates fundraising plans with necessary stakeholders*
Ensures sound risk management practices with NYSYLC staff
Fundraising
Each individual on the board is expected to make an ambitious fundraising commitment in accordance with their capacity on an annual basis.
Builds and maintains relationships with external stakeholders and community leaders
Plans, implements, and evaluates fundraising plans with necessary stakeholders*
Directs board involvement in all major fundraising campaigns and fundraising events, in partnership with the Development Director.
Secures external funding for the organization each year
*Necessary stakeholders include, but are not limited to, NYSYLC’s Co-Directors and Development Director
Qualifications
This is a great opportunity for an individual with prior program management and board leadership experience to help our organization achieve success within our mission. We are looking for board members who have compassionate views towards immigrants and are aligned with our mission and values. In particular, we seek folks who are brave, bold, transparent, and aware of how power dynamics impact youth. We are looking for board members who are not afraid to represent NYSYLC unapologetically and bring our work into new spaces.
Requirements
Prior experience in board leadership, fundraising, and fiscal management is mandatory
8+ years of professional experience, with at least 4 years of leadership experience
Prior experience in the nonprofit sector is mandatory
A proven track record of securing external fundraising and motivating teams to do the same
Proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (continued on next page)
Strong project management skills
Ability to build a strong team and take initiative
Deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and how to run successful organizations
Excellent presentation and verbal and written communication skills
Excellent relationship building skills
Forward thinking self-starter, able to lead a team, set clear priorities, and delegate
To apply, please send a resume/CV to donations@nysylc.org with the subject line, “Board Chair - [Your Name]”. In the body of the email, please include a brief introduction to yourself and why you are interested in this role. This can be in written or video format.