Care about Bloomfield? The Bloomfield Development Corporation (BDC) is now accepting applications for new board members! Applications are due June 1st. To apply, send a resume and brief bio to [email protected].
Made up of residents, business owners, community stakeholders, and at-large members, BDC’s board members are responsible for governing the organization and have a commitment to transparency and diversity.
All community members are welcome and encouraged to apply! BDC is particularly interested in residents who are Pittsburgh Public Schools parents, individuals of diverse age, race, and gender identities, and those with experience in legal or fundraising fields.
BDC works for a Bloomfield where everyone can build a home, a business, and a future. We accomplish our mission through small business support and promotion, housing support, mobility and infrastructure planning, and the Bloomfield Saturday Market. As the Registered Community Organization for the neighborhood, we host Community Meetings about different developments and city-led projects.
A meet-and-greet with current board members will be held outside at the Bloomfield Saturday Market on Saturday, June 10, from 9am-1pm. Our tent will be located in the middle of the market – if you can’t find us, stop at the information tent and they’ll point us out.
Board Member Job Description
Background
Bloomfield Development Corporation (BDC), a nonprofit community development corporation serving the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, builds a thriving, diverse community through equitable engagement. With our values of inclusion, livability, stewardship, transparency, equity and sustainability, BDC works toward a Bloomfield where everyone can build a home, business, and future. We achieve our vision through our programs: Housing, Mobility & Infrastructure, Business District, and the Bloomfield Saturday Market. BDC is committed to principles of anti-racism and equity and is continually working internally and within the Bloomfield community to pursue an end to white supremacy.
The board of directors is a 15-21-member group composed of Bloomfield business owners, Bloomfield residents, neighborhood stakeholders, and a select number of at-large members with ties to the neighborhood.
Position
The BDC Board is a working board. The Board supports the work of BDC and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance.All members are encouraged to actively participate in and occasionally lead projects. While day-to-day operations are led by BDC’s Executive Director (ED), the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. The typical commitment for a fully contributing board member is 4-5 hours per month, which includes 2-3 hours of meetings per month and 2-3 hours of work outside meetings.
Specific Board Member responsibilities include:
Leadership, governance and oversight
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the ED as they develop and implement BDC’s strategic plan
- Review outcomes and metrics created by BDC for evaluating its impact, and regularly measure its performance and effectiveness using those metrics
- Review agenda and support materials prior to board and committee meetings
- Approve BDC’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; be informed of, and meet all legal and financial responsibilities
- Act as a fiduciary of the organization
- Fiduciary responsibility includes, but is not limited to: understanding the financial position of the organization, working in the best interests of the organization, and meeting duties of ethics, good faith, and trust in all dealings with and on behalf of the organization
- Contribute to an annual performance evaluation of the ED
- Assist the governance committee in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
- Partner with the ED and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
- Serve on committees or task forces and take on special assignments
- Represent BDC to stakeholders, interpreting the organization’s work and values to the community; act as an ambassador for the organization and understand all programs
- Ensure BDC’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities BDC serves
Fundraising
BDC Board Members should consider BDC a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts to the extent that they are personally able to do so.
Individual giving is a primary responsibility of the board of directors. Under the direction of the Fundraising Committee, the board will work together with staff to meet fundraising goals.
Board terms/participation
BDC’s Board Members will:
- Serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term
- Regularly attend monthly board meetings or give notice prior that attendance is impossible
- Serve on at least one committee
- Complete a minimum of four hours of volunteering at the Bloomfield Saturday Market each year
- Service on BDC’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties
Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about BDC’s mission. Their accomplishments will allow them to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Lived experience relevant to BDC’s mission and/or professional experience with leadership accomplishments in business, law, fundraising, or the nonprofit sector.
- A commitment to and understanding the needs of the Bloomfield community and neighborhood.
- Commitment to community building, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
- Personal qualities of integrity and credibility
- Responsive to communications and a willingness to use email, shared digital documents and videoconferencing as primary forms of organizational communication. BDC is committed to providing accommodations that will allow Board members with varying needs to contribute fully
- Commitment to, and/or experience with, racial justice and/or equity and diversity in organizations
BDC does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or economic background. Further, we strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented identities to apply, including identities not explicitly named above. If there are any considerations or qualifications not acknowledged in our job description that you feel are important and relevant to this position, we encourage you to bring them to light in your application.