Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.

–The National Council of Nonprofits 

 

Mission

The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan’s (“BCFM”) nonprofit mission is to ensure the emotional, social and financial stability of Michigan patients and families as they navigate their blood cancer journey.

Board Position

Members of the BCFM Board of Directors provide ethical, mission-based leadership and strategic governance to the organization. While BCFM’s President/CEO directs day-to-day operations, the Board Member-President / CEO relationship is an important partnership, and the appropriate involvement of Board Members is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

Leadership, Governance and Oversight

  • Board Members serve as trusted advisors to the President/CEO as they develop and implement BCFM’s strategic plan
  • Review outcomes and metrics created by BCFM for evaluating its impact, and regularly measure its performance and effectiveness using those metrics
  • Attend BCFM Board and Committee Meetings prepared to engage in meaningful discussion, having reviewed the agenda and supporting materials in full, prior to each
  • Approve BCFM’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions
  • Stay informed of, and meet all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
  • Actively engage on at least one committee
  • Assist in BCFM’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities that we serve
  • Contribute to an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Board of Directors, as well as periodic skills assessment
  • Contribute to an annual performance evaluation of the President, as invited by the Board Chair or Executive Committee

Fundraising and Advocacy

Board Members are a crucial part of BFCM’s fundraising strategy. Their advocacy, engagement and 100% philanthropic commitment to the organization allows BCFM to be best positioned to cultivate and credibly solicit resources from foundations, corporations, organizations and individuals. To ensure this commitment, BCFM board members will make BCFM a philanthropic priority on an annual basis through a proud and personal donation to the operations of the agency. While individual capacity will vary, all BCFM Board Members must make a donation that is commensurate with their capacity to give and the primacy of BCFM among their philanthropic causes.

Board Members will vote on an annual basis to establish an acceptable and expected fundraising goal by each member and/or by the Board of Directors as a whole. These funds may be raised by creating outside relationships on behalf of BCFM for the purpose of furthering the financial goals of the agency.

In addition, Board Members can support the BCFM fundraising strategy by:

  • Understanding the fundraising strategy and embracing their role in its successful execution
  • Assisting in furthering the networks and financial goals of the agency through partnering with staff to strategically identify, cultivate and solicit corporate, individual or foundation relationships on behalf of BCFM
  • Attending and promoting BCFM events and participating in campaigns when possible during their term, and beyond it
  • Being a proud advocate for the work and growth of the BCFM mission

Board Terms and Participation

BCFM’s Board Members will serve one three-year term and may be eligible for re-appointment to additional terms. Board meetings are quarterly unless otherwise requested and agreed upon by the Board, Executive Committee or President / CEO and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full board meetings and as workload requires.

Qualifications

This is an opportunity for an individual who is passionate about BCFM’s mission and who has a successful record of accomplishment of board leadership and community engagement. Selected Board Members should have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, and/or the nonprofit sector. Board Members’ accomplishments should also allow them to attract other qualified, high-performing Board Members.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

  • A commitment to and understanding of BCFM’s patient and family population
  • Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, ethical practice and a passion for improving the lives of BCFM’s patients and families

Service on BCFM’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support in relation to Board Members’ duties.