Animal Fix Clinic (formerly Fix Our Ferals) seeks new members for our Board of Directors.

Update: Due to overwhelming positive response, we have paused recruitment for 2022. Thank you for your support of Animal Fix Clinic!

Use your professional knowledge in service to a beloved community group. Expand your knowledge of nonprofit management and animal welfare. Learn about Board service in a friendly environment: no previous experience on a Board of Directors is necessary.

Animal Fix Clinic (AFC) serves thousands of cats, dogs, and families each year at our low-cost/no-cost veterinary surgical clinic in Richmond, California. Our dedicated team of nine full-time employees is supported by our all volunteer/pro bono Board of Directors. We are a working Board, meaning each member contributes their time and skills. Joining our Board is a (flexible) commitment of time but we understand that life happens, especially in the age of COVID. Most Board members spend 2-6 hours on AFC tasks most months. Some members spend more time when working on seasonal projects such as grant writing or budget preparation.

We meet at 7:00 PM Pacific Time on the 3rd Wednesday of the month via videoconference. We plan to continue meeting this way even after pandemic restrictions lift fully – in other words, no one has to go anywhere or appear in person. We welcome prospective members from throughout the greater Bay Area.

While our staff and clients are predominantly people of color, our Board (like those of many nonprofits) remains mostly white. We are actively seeking people of color to join our Board to better reflect the community we serve. You can see our staff and Board demographics (along race, gender, and other lines) at our Guidestar profile, and we welcome any questions you may have.

We are particularly seeking a new Treasurer. We have contracted full-service bookkeepers and tax preparers; the primary tasks of the Treasurer are to: present Profit and Loss statements at the monthly meetings and help the members interpret the information; lead the data-driven aspects of the annual budget planning process; and help provide general fiduciary oversight for the organization’s financial health.

In addition to seeking a Treasurer, we seek prospective members with professional backgrounds in any of the following areas:

• Accounting - Finance (even if you don’t want to be the Treasurer!)

• Architecture - Building - Real Estate

• Database Management

• Fundraising and Development

• Human Resources

• Veterinary Practice Management

• Media Creation and Design

• Law relating to any of the fields above, to nonprofit organizations, or general business law

• Another field not mentioned that you think could benefit animals and families of the East Bay Area.

To start the conversation, complete this short form.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

EXPECTATIONS OF THE BOARD AS A WHOLE As the governance body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board is responsible for • determining the goals and purposes of the organization • selecting and evaluating the performance of the Medical Director • strategic and organizational planning • ensuring strong fiscal oversight and financial management, including creating an annual budget • fundraising and resource development • approving and monitoring the organization's programs and services • enhancing the organization’s public image • recruiting new Board members • assessing its own performance as a governing body.

EXPECTATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS Each individual board member is expected to • know the organization’s goals, policies, programs, and needs • read and understand the organization’s financial statements • prepare for, attend, and participate in board meetings.

BOARD MEMBERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO Follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions • sign a conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings • maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization.