*Update 1/12/2023: The 2022 elections are now over.*
In preparing for the NAMI Mass fall 2022 election, the Nominating Subcommittee offers these guidelines to assist in the selection of candidates for a position on the Board of Directors.
Background: The NAMI Mass Board of Directors (NAMI Mass BOD) works collaboratively to represent the interests of the members and govern (not manage) the charitable organization, set the budget responsibly, establish priorities, values and strategies, and provide guidance around various programs and services. The expectation is that this will be done in a fair, impartial, confidential, collegial and respectful manner.
Goal: Directors should be passionate about NAMI Mass’ mission to improve the lives of those impacted by mental health challenges. Our goal in nominating potential candidates for Director is to have a diversity of lived experience and professional background that reflects the cultural, social, demographic and ideological diversity of all residents of Massachusetts. To meet these goals, we encourage certain groups to apply that have not traditionally been represented on the NAMI Mass BOD. We believe that having diversity of identities, experiences, and perspectives enriches our work and enables NAMI to serve all communities, particularly those in the most need. The following list is NOT intended to exclude any diversity group, rather it identifies some of the groups that we hope to elevate the voices of in our work: American of African descent, Latin/a or Latinx/e, Asian or Pacific Islander, Indigenous American, Autism Spectrum and/or Neurodiverse, deaf or hard of hearing, Black trans women, those with high spinal cord injury, SSI recipients/individuals with lived experience of mental health challenge living at poverty level, family partner, and/or Certified Peer Specialist working in a community mental health agency.
A candidate for NAMI Mass BOD would ideally possess the following qualities:
- willingness and ability to use their unique personal and professional skills, abilities, lived experiences (whether personal and/or as a family member or caregiver), and resources to the benefit of NAMI Mass and advance its mission (NAMI Mass BOD recognizes that potential candidates have all kinds and levels of skills and abilities that are highly valuable);
- have demonstrated (in volunteer positions or work) a reasonable level of ability and experience, integrity, good judgment, the ability to participate in and follow through on projects, and effectiveness in working within a group as a team member;
- have good interpersonal and communication skills;
- be cooperative and supportive yet respectfully assertive to express their own opinion;
- embrace and have a strong passion for and commitment to NAMI’s mission, services, policies and programs;
- adhere to NAMI Mass By-Laws (pdf);
- have enthusiasm and time/availability to attend BOD meetings as specified in the NAMI Mass By-laws (pdf) and actively participate in its activities, including fundraising;
- be open-minded to and tolerant of differing ideas and opinions, a variety of ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ interpretations and definitions, and different approaches to achieving emotional, mental, or spiritual wellness.
Nomination Process: To be considered for nomination to the NAMI Mass BOD, interested individuals should complete an online application by September 12th. For more information contact NAMI Mass Nominating Subcommittee at nominations@namimass.org. *Update 1/12/2023: The 2022 elections are now over.*
