NOTE: This position is a volunteering position only!
Free Geek Director’s Agreement
This document is intended as a “job description” for members of the Board of Directors of Free Geek. Directors have certain responsibilities under federal and state law, as well as under the Free Geek bylaws. This document is not intended to--and should not be construed to--create additional legal obligations or duties for Directors. Instead, it is intended to describe the expectations of the Free Geek community as to the manner in which those responsibilities should be accomplished, to be consistent with the values of Free Geek.
This is the baseline agreement for all Directors. Specific seats and positions may have further responsibilities.
Candidates for Board membership should be familiar and comfortable with the activities outlined in this document prior to accepting a nomination for election to the Board. To this end, this document should be referred to when making announcements of Board position vacancies or discussing nominations for those positions.
Agreement
1. I understand that I and the other Board members are responsible for the legal, financial and organizational health of Free Geek. It is my responsibility to remain informed of and involved in the programs, policies and finances of Free Geek.
2. My focus as a board member is to promote Free Geek's mission:
Free Geek’s mission is to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential.
3. While promoting the mission of the organization, I will do my best to uphold values which reflect positively on Free Geek, and demonstrate these values whenever representing the organization.
4. I understand that a pillar of Free Geek’s mission and values is DEI - diversity, equity, and inclusion. My service as a director will be characterized by active support for DEI initiatives, treatment of others as individuals and not classes, openness to recognition that my own background and biases may impede empathy with the experiences of others, and a willingness to listen and learn.
5. I understand that each Director is expected to make a meaningful contribution to support Free Geek. This contribution may take the form of:
a. Social Capital – bringing and representing the perspective of a constituency served by or partnering with Free Geek,
b. Personal Service Capital – providing significant and effective volunteer service to the organization outside of Board activities,
c. Financial Capital – making what for me is a significant financial donation to the organization annually or connecting Free Geek with others who can do so
6. My commitment to the Board is for a 2-year term, which I understand can be renewed twice, for up to six total years of board service. I will manage my time so as to give priority to attendance and participation in scheduled Board activities, including Board meetings, trainings, and Free Geek community events.
7. I will come prepared to meetings by following through on my commitments and reading any pertinent materials.
8. I understand that Free Geek is an organization that emphasizes consensus-based decision making. I will work to be a consensus builder, exercising diplomatic skills, creating relationships, and building consensus among diverse individuals. I will respect the views and contributions of others as I extend contributions of my own to carry out the mission.
9. As a Director, I understand that I will be responsible for creating strategic plans for the organization. Visioning work will be conducted on a regular basis, with results presented in a timely manner.
10. To the best of my ability, as a Director, it is my responsibility to ensure that Free Geek adheres to all local, state, and federal laws. I will exercise care and diligence when it comes to dealing with legal issues. Should I become aware of any legal problem, I will do my best to see that it is addressed promptly.
11. I will inform the Board of any conflicts of interest, either actual or perceived. The focus of my involvement on the Board is to further our mutual mission rather than any personal agenda. 12. I will take time to enjoy the Free Geek community, and will strive to make Board participation a fun and fulfilling project for myself and others.
13. I will participate in at least one of the Free Geek building tours to learn more about and have a better understanding of the daily operations of Free Geek.
14. As a Director, I understand that the Board's sole direct oversight role is over the Executive Director. All other employees are managed by the Executive Director and the rest of Free Geek’s management team.
15. I understand that Free Geek's leadership will ensure appropriate standards and practices for board governance, including Board & Officers Insurance, appropriate record-keeping, auditing, and other regular practices.
No quotas have been set; no rigid standards of measurement and achievement have been formed. We trust each other to carry out the above agreements to the best of our ability, each in our own way, with knowledge, approval and support of all.
As a member of the Free Geek Board, I agree to the above.
Extra Information
- This job is a volunteer opportunity.
- There is a minimum 1-4 hours a month commitment for meetings.
- You must agree to the Free Geek Director’s Agreement “job description”.
- You must be willing to contribute to Free Geek’s fundraising and digital equity initiatives.
We are prioritizing lived experience with digital inequality, Black, brown and indigenous leaders in tech, fundraising, e-waste sustainability, IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and digital equity practitioners who can help us fling Free Geek’s Digital Equity Action Plan into life. We are leading through a restorative justice in the workplace lens and we are building a board that understands or is willing to learn how to lead radically.
We will keep this position open until we find the right candidate. If interested in applying, use this link.