Join our Board!

The Board of Directors of Committee for a Better New Orleans is accepting new applicants for the 2024-2026 term.

We’re a diverse group of community leaders who work to ensure CBNO has the resources needed to be impactful; playing a crucial role in organizational strategy, fundraising and financial oversight, and ensuring our programs, events, and advocacy initiatives are successful. 

To apply: Send your resume and a brief letter of interest at to apply@cbno.org by Monday, August 12th.

Timeline:

• Application deadline: Monday, August 12th

• Approval vote: August 24th, 2024

• New Member Orientation: Mid-September 2024

• First Board meeting: Wednesday, September 25th 2024, 12-1pm via Zoom

• Term: September 25, 2024-December 31, 2026

Qualifications:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Live, work, worship or have significant community ties within Orleans Parish

• Believe in New Orleans ability to thrive, and in supporting civic leadership within New Orleans;

• Align with CBNO’s organizational values.

• Exclusions: Individuals may not campaign for or hold an elected position while serving on the board of Directors.

Responsibilities

For their 2-year term on the Board of Directors, Board Members agree to:

1. Commit ~5-10 hours per month to CBNO Board Responsibilities: We are a working board, and everyone has a role to play in the organization’s success! This includes attending board and committee meetings, helping advance the work of the organization between meetings, making introductions to potential donors, volunteers, and supporters, and other tasks as needed. Board members will always be given the opportunity to proactively sign up for tasks; and are encouraged and expected to do so.

2. Actively Participate in Meetings 

• The board meets 8 times per year. Members agree to attend a minimum of 75% of Board meetings each year, and review the agenda, previous minutes and supporting materials prior to Board meetings.

• Actively participate on at least one Board committee or serve as a coalition liaison. This includes attending monthly meetings and committing roughly 5 hours/month to CBNO activities outside of the regularly scheduled meetings. Coalition liaisons actively participate in an external coalition on behalf of CBNO, and share regular updates with staff and the board. Review agenda, previous minutes and supporting materials prior to Committee meetings.

• Share your perspective! Express viewpoints and perspectives constructively and positively during Board and committee meetings, and listen respectfully while other members do the same.  CBNO brings together many different viewpoints, and always seeks first to find common ground among them.

3. Review and understand CBNO’s budget and financial statements. The board is responsible for the organization’s fiscal oversight, so it’s important for each board member to be aware of the organization’s financial position. Board members will receive training on our financial reports at the beginning of their board service, and monthly reports at each board meeting. Board members are encouraged to reach out for additional support if they do not understand the reports, and to actively engage in conversations about organizational financial health.

4. Actively Participate in Fundraising  CBNO has a culture of fundraising, meaning that fundraising is a constant part of our work, and everyone in the organization contributes meaningfully. This includes: 

(a) Personal Giving - Make a meaningful personal financial contribution each year. Each board member will set an individual “give” and “get” pledge at the beginning of each calendar year.

(b) Donor Cultivation & Stewardship  

• Work with the Development team to identify potential funding sources, from family foundations to corporate and individual supporters; making introductions as appropriate. Help request a contribution from your workplace if appropriate.  

• Support donor stewardship by keeping your contacts up to date about CBNO’s work, and making new connections feel valued and included in our work and our impact.

• Understand and help to market our earned revenue streams.

(c) Participation in Fundraising Events - Attend and help sell tickets and sponsorships for our annual fundraising events like the Better New Orleans Block Party

5. Represent CBNO in the community - Be informed about CBNO’s mission, initiatives, policies, and programs. Be willing and able to promote our work, and seek out opportunities to connect the organization with people, knowledge, and other resources that will help achieve our mission.

6. Adhere to the organization’s conflict of interest policy. Provided to board members, and signed by members annually.