Make a difference in the lives of Iowans with disabilities!
Apply if you are interested in the opportunity to create change in the lives of Iowans with disabilities by working with a passionate and committed Board on advancing Disability Rights Iowa’s mission of Advocating for justice. Advancing human and legal rights. Protecting Iowans with disabilities. The term of Board members is 3 years with the option serving an additional second term of 3 years. Board members are volunteers and may resign before the end of their term for any reason.
Board member Eligibility:
- Resident of Iowa
- A majority of the members must either have a disability or have a family member who has a disability.
Board member criteria:
The Board will seek to represent the diversity of the disability community in Iowa and will consider criteria including;
- A sincere awareness of and interest in protecting the legal rights of Iowans with disabilities.
- A desire to promote DRI’s mission, vision, and core values statewide.
- Geographic diversity representing all regions of Iowa
- Representation of historically marginalized groups
- Skills and an interest in areas helpful to DRI, such as resource development, fiscal, management, public relations, law, etc.
- A commitment to participate in efforts to increase DRI’s capacity to complete its mission.
Application Process:
DRI has a short application on its website. The applications received will be reviewed against current Board composition requirements. Applicants that meet current Board composition requirements will be interviewed by a member of the Board. Recommendations will be submitted to the Board for full Board consideration. In the selection process the Board will make decision based off of the eligibility and criteria outlined above.
DRI Board’s duties:
Board members act as trustees of the organization’s assets and must exercise due diligence and oversight to ensure that the organization is well-managed and that its financial situation remains sound. The Board is responsible for review and approval of quarterly financial statements, review and approval of the annual budget, review, and approval of agency annual 990 tax return, review and approval of DRI’s short and long-range goals. The Board is responsible for final review of agency grievances. The Board is responsible for conducting an annual evaluation of DRI’s Executive Director. The Board is also responsible for developing DRI’s annual areas of focus and policies, jointly with DRI’s mental health advisory council. The Board is responsible for participating in DRI’s Strategic Plan and efforts to increase agency capacity.
Individual Board member duties and obligations:
- Comply with DRI Bylaws, Confidentiality and Conflict Policies
- Attend quarterly Board meetings- Quarterly Board meetings are at least one full day.
- Be a member of at least one sub-committee, attend sub-committee meetings quarterly between Board meetings-Committee meetings and associated functions require an average of two to three hours each month.
- Board members must provide notice to DRI Board Liaison and/or committee chairs when they are unable to attend a meeting.
- Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the Board members. Travel support and reimbursement shall be provided to the Board members pursuant to the Board’s Bylaws.
- Participate in Board orientation prior to assuming role on the Board.
- Make a firm commitment to achieve the Board’s goals and objectives.
- Facilitate the Board members in reaching group decisions.
- Maintain an awareness of changing needs in his/her/their community.
- Actively engages in resource development activities, through financial commitment and/or time commitment.
- Participate in DRI’s Strategic Plan
- Use your unique skills and connections to advance DRI’s mission. (resource development, community service, connections, etc.)
