Join the Board
Benefits of board membership
Serving on the MassME Board of Directors is rewarding! You’ll help make a difference in the lives of thousands of people in Massachusetts and beyond who suffer from ME/CFS and related illnesses. As a Board member, you meet, work with, and learn from patients, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, educators, advocates, and government employees who have been affected by or are involved with ME/CFS and related illnesses.
The strong commitment Board members have to the organization’s mission, and their belief in the organization’s work creates a bond strengthened by differences in background and viewpoint. As a Board member, you will gain valuable knowledge about the functioning of a small but complex non-profit corporation. You will help lead an organization that continues to make significant contributions to the ME/CFS community.
Qualities
We are looking for people interested in building sustainable governance and management for this 40-year old nonprofit organization that relies on a small staff and many volunteers. We look for individuals with the following qualities:
- Passion for the mission of the Association
- Desire to engage, collaborate, and adapt
- Ability to think strategically and creatively
- Willingness to contribute personal and professional experience and expertise
- Willingness to devote a minimum of 10 hours per month
Relevant experience
All lived experience can contribute to our Association. We are especially interested in individuals with professional experience in these areas:
- Business ownership
- Non-profit management
- Communications
- Public policy
- Education
- Social services
- Fundraising
- Health care delivery
- Legal services
- Community organizing
Representation
We aspire to a board that is representative of the communities we serve. The board particularly welcomes individuals that identify as:
- Chronically ill (with symptoms mild enough to meet Board responsibilities)
- Caregiver of an individual with chronic illness
- LGBTQIA+
- Spanish speaking
- Member of a presently under-represented community including Hispanic, Asian, and African American
Our selection process
Candidates are chosen based on the following process:
- A candidate expresses interest directly or is recommended to the Board
- A Board member reaches out to the candidate to explore interest and answer questions
- An interview is held between the candidate and the Executive Committee
- A recommendation is made to the full Board to invite the candidate to the next Board meeting
- The Board votes to recommend the individual to serve on the Board
- Association members vote to accept the entire slate of board members at the next Annual Meeting of the Membership
Board member roles and responsibilities
All Board members are expected to:
- Work collaboratively with other Board members and staff to achieve the organization’s goals
- Participate in fundraising activities
- Attend all Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting
- Maintain paid membership at an amount that is significant to them
- Serve on working groups between meetings
- Promote awareness about the Association and our mission among one’s networks
- Abide by conflict of interest, anti-discrimination, and other Board policies
- Follow through on projects, tasks, assignments, and other commitments
- Represent the Association and act in its best interest
Ready to talk with us?
We would love to hear from you. Please complete the Expression of Interest form. A Board member will get back to you promptly!