2021 Board Positions - the election period ended at midnight on December 14. Thanks to all who nominated, ran, and voted! 

The results will be announced at our holiday happy hour, Wednesday, December 16. RSVP here!

Do you want to apply your talents to the growth of a membership organization? Do you want to be challenged, learn a ton of stuff, have a lot of fun, and make a significant impact?

RPCV/W is a nonprofit organization looking for stellar leaders to take on volunteer roles on committees and its board of directors. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants not just a volunteer activity, but to make a long-term commitment to empowering the RPCV and DC community, supporting returning volunteers, and building a network with volunteers from the last six decades.

Expectations:

• You should be a go-getter and self-starting strategist with an eye for detail and a willingness to support the entire Board of Directors and work collaboratively with their respective committee members.
• You must be willing to produce prompt and effective results within your role.
• You will have the opportunity to play a key role in expanding and improving the organization and should have a minimum of 10-15 hours a month to dedicate to your position on the board, committees, and mentorship. 

WHY JOIN? Why now? 2021 marks 60 years of the Peace Corps! This will be a special year to become more involved in our community as our city hosts NPCA's annual Peace Corps Connect conference and activities to honor the 60th anniversary of Peace Corps. It will also be a landmark year to rethink the Peace Corps as the organization begins to transition volunteers back into service in new and innovative ways that are responsive to the resounding calls for reform heard in 2020. RPCV/W will also continue its internal changes to become antiracist and much more inclusive of members and community partners who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Help us shape this organization to be the best it can be. 

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The RPCV/W board has 14 voting board members. Active RPCV/W members may apply for a board position. President and Vice President candidates must have already served a minimum of one year on the board.

Mission

RPCV/W will foster a collaborative, inclusive, and anti-racist community of RPCVs, family, friends, and supporters in the Washington D.C. area by providing a space for all RPCVs (including Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to engage, develop, support and connect with one another while they adapt to the different phases of life. Additionally, RPCV/W will provide professional and personal development and service opportunities for its members to give back to the D.C. community. 

Bylaws
RPCV/W's bylaws outline the rules which are used to govern the internal affairs of the organization.

Affiliations
RPCV/W is not the Peace Corps nor does it directly donate to overseas Peace Corps programs. RPCV/W is a member group of the National Peace Corps Association.

We look forward to having you join our team!

The 14 board positions are underlined followed by a description of the duties and expectations for each role.

President

Supervision: All board members and corresponding committees

Essential Qualifications: Requires the ability to implement a long-term vision for the organization through consensus building and strong managerial skills. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are important. This person should be highly detail-oriented with a proven ability to accomplish goals, meet deadlines, and create outcomes.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have prior experience on a nonprofit board of directors and a deep understanding of people management, long-term strategic planning, and relationship building. This person should have a successful track record managing people towards goals, deadlines, and outcomes.

General Operations

• Speak on behalf of the organization during RPCV/W's major programming and partner agency events.
• Ensures all board members are carrying out their responsibilities.
• Responds to press and general inquiries and speaks for the organization. If the President is not available to make a press statement, then they can assign another board member that responsibility.
• Makes arrangements for annual antiracism training.

Relationship Building

• Maintains relationships and proposes collaborations with the Racial Justice Initiative, Peace Corps, NPCA, local affinity groups, and friends of groups.
• Assumes lead role when RPCV/W is invited to participate in ceremonial events.

Event Planning

• Responsible for scheduling and conducting monthly board meetings.
• Manage event logistics of the previous and current board mixer, board appreciation dinner, and meet the board informational session.
• Plans and oversees the annual board nominations and elections.
  
  

Vice President

Supervision: Advisory Board

Indirect Supervision: All board members

Essential Qualifications: Requires a long-term vision, strategic oversight, flexibility, and attention to best practices. Requires a willingness to engage in networking activities and monthly events to engage current and potential members of all ages.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have prior experience on a nonprofit board of directors and a deep understanding of people management, long-term strategic planning, and relationship building. Will have successfully worked with a membership organization in the past to cultivate new, renewing, and returning members. Will have metrics showing successful online and in-person relationship building techniques.

General Operations

• Presides in the absence of the President.
• Oversees the Strategic Plan and assists directors with the development of aligning programming.
• Assists directors with committee development and recruitment.
• Oversees the development and execution of the annual membership survey.

Relationship Building

• Point of contact for Partnership for Peace program.
• Assist President with maintaining relationships and proposes collaborations with the Racial Justice Initiative, Peace Corps, NPCA, local affinity groups, and friends of groups.

Event Planning

• Responsible for scheduling, planning and conducting board retreats.
• Manage the Advisory Board and any relevant meetings.
• Leads and organizes training sessions for board professional development.
  
  

Treasurer

Essential Qualifications: Requires strong accounting expertise, QuickBooks database management, budgeting expertise, nonprofit tax filing, investment management, and bill paying.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have prior experience on a nonprofit board of directors and a deep understanding of nonprofit financial management and IRS guidelines. Should have a successful track record creating budgets, filing nonprofit taxes, paying bills, and basic accounting.

General Operations

• Works with President and VP to ensure taxes and paperwork are filed.
• Works with President and VP to maintain internal financial controls.
• Drafts yearly budget for board approval and works with individual directors on budget management.
• Reports on monthly P&Ls and year-to-date financials at every board meeting.
• Ensures that bills are paid and taxes are filed.
• Invests and manages RPCV/W’s assets to ensure the value of the portfolio grows.
• Compiles historical spending by board director roles before the retreat and at the end of the year by spending class.

Event Planning

Responsible for payment (Venmo, Square, PayPal, etc) at RPCV/W paid events (BBQ, holiday party, etc).

Secretary

Essential Qualifications: Requires a strong understanding of board governance, leadership development, and training. Must be committed to attending all board meetings in order to take meeting minutes.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have prior experience on a nonprofit board of directors and a deep understanding of board governance and building a leadership pipeline. Should have a successful track record leading trainings and mentoring individuals.

General Operations

• Takes minutes at board meetings and keeps organizational records.
• Ensures other board members document their activities over the year and compiles them into an annual report - works with Analytics and Knowledge Management Director to compile information over the course of the year and finalize the document.

Relationship Building

Helps build a diverse board and volunteer recruitment pipeline for future board leadership.

Governance

• Supports governance, responsibilities and accountability for board members.
• Support the President in defining board oversight, responsibility, performance, and accountability.
• Lead training for board and committee members on board roles and responsibilities, successful fundraising techniques, and creating equitable practices in our board structures.

Marketing and Member Engagement

• Approves and greets new members on FB and follows up on any email or online member communications, member facing communication.
• Supports Communications and Community Engagement Directors to moderate social media platforms.
• Responsible for executing recruitment and retention strategies, and working closely with other directors as necessary, such as Analytics, Development, Social, Professional Development and Community Service Directors to plan events geared towards different types of members.
• Supports Development in relationship building to external partners and sits on the Development committee.
• Point of contact for $100 Friends of RPCV/W.
• Acts as ambassador to medically evacuated RPCVs in Washington.
• Manages follow up emails to members who express interest in volunteering and connect them to the appropriate directors.
  
  

New! Community Outreach and Engagement

Essential Qualifications: Must have social media experience (including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter), strong writing and communication skills, and demonstrable understanding of issues that are important to RPCVs in the DC area. Should have previous experience with grassroots engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, membership organizations and/or public/customer relations. 

• Creates safe spaces and conversations primarily via in the organization's digital platforms. Creates opportunities for healing within our community following the challenges of 2020.
• Develops and manages relations and dialogue with COVID evacuees. Works with other directors to create programming and curate resources specific to this group.
• Manages at least 1x weekly post on Facebook to stoke conversation or raise important topics. Helps our online community strike balance between deep, meaningful conversations and basic support for housing, jobs, etc.
• Supports VP to develop annual member survey.
• Manages informational campaign to increase understanding of the RPCV/W organizational tenets, board of directors, and capacity/role.
• Creates genuine understanding, connection, and partnership between board and RPCV/W members.
  
  

Communications

Essential Qualifications: Requires strong marketing and communications skills with an understanding of social media channels, website management, and team management. You should have strong writing skills and basic graphic design skills. An understanding of nonprofits and membership organizations’ communication styles is strongly encouraged.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully built social media campaigns to garner new members, followers, sales, and donors. Will have evidence of successfully meeting or exceeding communications goals for an organization.

Marketing

• Operates and manages the website, social media, blog, and other online services.
• Troubleshoots technical issues to keep web content functional, current and fresh.
• Works with other directors to promote their materials across all platforms.
• Works with the President in response to press inquiries.
• Editor-in-Chief of RPCV/W’s weekly newsletter; innovates content for newsletter.
• Works closely with Analytics and Knowledge Management Director to assess existing assets and develop new resources for the board and members.
• Supports Secretary and Community Outreach and Engagement in outreach duties as bandwidth allows.

Event Planning

• Facilitates and works to improve internal communications regarding events across all program areas.
• Supports Community Outreach and Engagement with social media and Special Events Director with advertising and ticket sale promotion for the Summer BBQ, Holiday Party, and other major events. Sits on the Special Events committee.
  
  

Development

Essential Qualifications: Requires an understanding of basic fundraising knowledge including sponsorships, advertising, fundraising sales, donor engagement, stewardship, etc. Must be willing to help raise $20,000 a year to reach the RPCV/W Endowment goal of $100,000.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully fundraised gifts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 on behalf of an organization and built relationships with donors from cultivation to ask to stewardship.

Fundraising

• Use fundraising strategies to help raise $20,000 a year towards the endowment fund to create long-term sustainability for the organization.
• Negotiates and is the primary point of contact for sponsorship agreements and advertising contracts.
• Supplements RPCV/W revenue through various channels, including sales of t-shirts, yoga mats, etc.
• Supports Secretary and Professional Development in relationship building to members and external partners and sits on the Special Events and Professional Development committees.

Event Planning

• Plans and solicits donations for silent auction and other fundraising activities at the annual Holiday Party and BBQ.
• Works closely with other directors as necessary, such as Social, Special Events, Professional Development, and Community Service directors to plan events geared towards different types of sponsors and advertisers.
  
  

Special Events

Essential Qualifications: Requires a strong understanding of event planning for large groups, budgeting, rate negotiation, advertising, volunteer management, and logistical coordination. Exceptional attention to detail, team management, and delegation, as well as, ability to thrive in high pressure situations, are necessary. You will be the primary point of contact for our major events and required to be on duty to make sure that they run successfully.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have planned a major fundraising event on behalf of an organization with evidence of success from metrics such as budget, attendance, ticket sales, fundraising, attendee feedback, etc.

Event Planning

• [typically] Plans JFK Wreath Laying Ceremony (May), Fallen PCV Memorial Service (March), Holiday Party (December), and Summer BBQ (June/July). Planning processes begin 4-6 months prior to each event.
• Supports Development during event planning by soliciting silent auction/event items, and relationship building to external partners. Sits on the Development committee.
  
• Leads planning with other event directors to adapt event strategy for the year pending unknown circumstances (e.g. Pandemic).
  
  

Analytics and Knowledge Management

Essential Qualifications: Evaluates existing RPCV/W information systems and organizes knowledge and information assets in an easy-to-use way to improve efficiencies and facilitate forward movement for RPCV/W. Requires technical and analytical skills with an understanding of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software or interest in learning. RPCV/W currently uses NationBuilder (campaign software) for member and website management. This position should build up the board’s capacity to collect and use data, clean and maintain member data within NationBuilder.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully worked in KM, monitoring and evaluation, data management and/or has extensive report writing experience. 

Knowledge Management

• Collaborates with each director to identify their informational and organizational needs.
• Following initial assessment, establish KM plan to begin implementation by mid-year.
• Works with Communications Director to develop resources based on gaps identified in assessment. 
• Supports creation of robust annual report and public-facing archive of historical information for members.

Marketing

• Manages member accounts and other data in back-end of the website.
• Cleans and maintains the membership database and inputs monthly due payments. 
• Troubleshoots technical issues with member accounts. 
• Works with other Directors to promote the collection and use of data.
• Manages the database and website processes.

Event Planning

• Supports the Special Events Director with data and information to promote the Summer BBQ, Holiday Party, and other major events. Sits on the Special Events committee.
  
  

Community Service

Essential Qualifications: Requires strong networking skills with local nonprofits, event planning, and volunteer management.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully worked with nonprofit organizations to plan volunteer events with 8-10 attendees per activity.

Event Planning

• Plans and carries out monthly community service projects.
• Point of contact for local organizations in need of volunteer assistance.
• Maintains relationships with socially minded organizations.
  
  

Professional Development

Essential Qualifications: Must have a basic understanding of HR, a strong network of diverse employers (nonprofits, international development, corporate, consulting, etc.) and a willingness to proactively connect job seekers with job opportunities and recruiters. You should be willing to attend monthly networking events in the community that may be of interest to our job-hunting members.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully worked with job seekers to set up initial interviews, successfully negotiate in their job, or participate in effective job networking due to updated resume/cover letter/interview skills.

Career Services

• Meets with job-seekers, reviews resumes, and provides basic job interviewing services
• Work closely with Mentoring and sit on the Mentoring committee.
• Moderates LinkedIn page (with the support of the Communications Director and Secretary) for individuals to share jobs and other professional opportunities.
• Manages 1x weekly post for individuals to share jobs on Facebook (moderates FB and LinkedIn posts with the support of Communications and Community Outreach and Engagement).

Event Planning

• Plans quarterly Career Panel and Networking events bringing together professionals and job seekers.

Relationship Building

• Supports Development in relationship building to external partners and sits on the Development committee.
• Works with Development to encourage hiring managers to potentially sponsor or advertise when filling RPCV-friendly jobs.
  
• Works with Community Outreach and Engagement to identify needs of community and develop programming based on those needs.
  
  

Social

Essential Qualifications: Requires strong networking skills, a basic understanding of event planning, logistical coordination, rate negotiation, and advertising.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully worked with local businesses to plan inclusive and diverse (including some that are family-friendly!) social events with 20-30 attendees per activity.

Event Planning

• Plans monthly happy hours and at minimum semi-annual recreational events (e.g. Wine tour, River rafting, etc.).
• Maintains points of contact list with bars, RPCV-friendly businesses, and other venues.
• Negotiates group rates and promotions to support the Development and Special Events Directors.
• Executes elements of the strategic outreach/recruitment vision of the Secretary.
• Aids in planning the Courtney Dunham Memorial Thanksgiving Dinner.
  
• Works with Community Outreach and Engagement to identify needs of community and develop programming based on those needs.
  

Cultural Events

Essential Qualifications: Requires strong networking skills, a basic understanding of event planning, logistical coordination, rate negotiation, and advertising. Basic knowledge of diplomatic protocol is preferred.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully worked with local businesses or venues to plan cultural events with 10-20 attendees per activity.

Event Planning

Plans quarterly events that celebrate or educate on different cultures, which may include plays, concerts, dinners, film screenings, and embassy tours.

Relationship Building

• Acts as point of contact for embassies, builds relationships with embassy staff, and extends invitations for special events.
• Partners with the Community Service Director to build connections with international organizations and communities for shared volunteer initiatives. Sits on the Community Service committee.
• Works with President and VP on connecting with local ‘Friends of’ groups.
  
  

Mentoring

Essential Qualifications: Must have a basic understanding of HR, a strong network of professionals for mentorship in a range of career fields (nonprofits, international development, corporate, consulting, etc). You should also possess strong networking skills, a basic understanding of event planning, logistical coordination, rate negotiation, and advertising.

What a successful candidate looks like: Will have successfully worked with a mentor/mentee program that shows long-term outcomes for both participants.

Event Planning

• Plans monthly mentoring events.
• Organizes events to train mentors, make matches and expand the program.

Career Services

• Helps interested members find mentors whose experiences compliment their interests.
• Manages the mentoring listserv.
• Recruits and instructs mentors.
• Collaborates with the Professional Development Director. Sits on the Professional Development committee.