How We Work — High Trust, Low Drama

We are a working board with real deliverables. Titles don’t do the work—people do, so we prioritize clear roles, well-structured meetings, and measurable outputs. We’ll share lightweight templates and a supportive bench so you’re never “doing it alone,” and we invite other qualified folks within our orbit to lean in with expertise and resources.

You can expect accountability with kindness, momentum over perfection, and a culture where good work gets recognized.

Please Note: Invitations are extended based on alignment and capacity; this submission expresses interest and intent to serve.

Ex Officio Directors

Ex Officio Directors are critical to MWoV’s strength and the health of its Board. They preserve continuity and institutional memory, support succession, and help prevent mission drift or loss of momentum at the end of an incumbency.

Minimum Eligibility (mirrors full Board Members)

1. Mission alignment. Candidates agree to affirm MWoV’s mission and values and understands placements are invitation-only based on alignment and organizational needs.
2. Conflicts & independence. Candidates agree to complete an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure, agree to recuse where conflicts exist, and commit to act independently (no undue influence by outside actors).
3. Confidentiality. Candidates agree to keep board materials/discussions private and sign the confidentiality & data-protection agreement.
4. Time commitment. Candidates agree to commit to no less than 75% attendance at Board meetings and at assigned committee meetings.
5. Local engagement. Candidates agree to select up to three of the Seven Cities where they can actively serve.
6. Skills signal. Candidates agree to identify up to three strengths they bring (e.g., governance, finance, fundraising, partnerships).
7. Selection standard. Candidates acknowledge that selection is based on alignment, capacity, and immediate contribution in governance, finance, development, and program oversight.

Participation & Voting

• Board meetings: Ex Officio Directors have voice and motion, but not the vote, and do not count toward Board quorum until seated as full directors per bylaws.
• Committees: Ex Officio Directors vote, count toward committee quorum and are encouraged to chair at least one committee.

Current Openings & Timeline

• Six (6) Ex Officio seats are open in the current class; this cohort attains voting status on January 22, 2027.
• Six (6) additional Preparatory Ex Officio directorships begin January 22, 2027; that cohort is intended to take full Board seats on January 22, 2028.

This structure supports staggered terms and ensures a deep bench of cross-trained leaders with institutional knowledge and warm relationships with partners, funders, and agencies—even through natural or emergency transitions.

Approx. time commitment: ~5–8 hrs/month total (Board mtg 1–2 hrs; Committee 1–2 hrs; prep/follow-up 2–4 hrs). Onboarding: ~2–4 hrs in first 30 days.

Committee Ranking Intro (Committee path only)

INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the descriptions below to understand each committee, what they are tasked with doing, their typical timing and rhythm, and the approximate monthly time commitments. 

Please use this information to decide how best you can serve, and then select and rank up to four committees where your expertise will create the most immediate gains. Put your strongest match at #1. 

Working Committee Options, What They Do, Typical Timing, and Approximate Time Comitments
(Note: The Executive Committee is also a standing working committee, but membership is limited to officers only and is not open for general selection.)

Governance & Strategic Planning — Stewards bylaws, policies, board operations, and annual planning so strategy and accountability stay aligned. Partners with Membership & Nominating on the “right seats” question.
Typical time: ~6–8 hrs/month; peaks during annual planning, policy refreshes, and board evaluations (late Q3–Q1).

Finance — Safeguards money, reporting, and internal controls; prepares/monitors budgets, reserves, grant compliance, and policy updates. Surfaces risks early and provides decision-quality dashboards.
Typical time: ~6–10 hrs/month; peaks at month-end, quarter close, budget season (Q3–Q4), and grant/reporting windows.

Membership & Nominating — Builds and vets the talent pipeline (directors/ex officios, etc.), orients newcomers, and tracks board development to strengthen culture and continuity. Manages rosters, terms, and succession readiness.
Typical time: ~4–6 hrs/month; peaks around recruitment/orientation cycles (often late Q3–Q1).

Fundraising & Development — Drives revenue via donor cultivation, stewardship, sponsorships, campaigns, and grants. Partners with Communications for message discipline and Program for impact stories that convert.
Typical time: ~8–12 hrs/month; peaks during campaigns/events and major deadlines (timing varies by funder's schedules and fiscal/calendar year beginnings and endings).

Program — Shapes and oversees pilots and legacy initiatives for alignment, compliance, and measurable outcomes. Ensures MOUs/MOAs, data/evaluation plans, and partner reporting are in place; coordinates volunteer engagement.
Typical time: ~6–10 hrs/month; peaks at pilot launches, reporting checkpoints, and evaluation milestones.

Communications — Owns story, brand, and public voice across social, web, press, and events. Produces timely materials that support fundraising and program visibility; protects message integrity.
Typical time: ~6–8 hrs/month; peaks around events, campaigns, and report releases.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Our Meeting Rhythm (what to expect) - Each meeting blends relationship-building and decision-making so we leave aligned and energized. We allow space for fellowship during check-in, move through focused work blocks with clear owners and next steps, and close with quick rounds input from all members because every voice matters.

Most committees aim for one working session per month, but may also include brief, asynchronous tasks and updates between meetings to keep us connected and on course.

If you have the desire and the capacity, this is a great outlet to move good work forward!