Apply by October 9, 2020
Doyon Foundation is currently seeking candidates for three open seats on its board of directors. The seats are for three-year terms, expiring in 2023. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 9, 2020, at 5 p.m. The online application is available at www.doyonfoundation.com.
“I serve on the Doyon Foundation board to give back to the organization and my community,” shared LaVerne Demientieff, who serves as vice president of the Foundation board. “I received numerous scholarships from Doyon Foundation during my many years of schooling and I am extremely grateful for their support. I also am an educator and work closely with students and I want to advocate and support them the best I can and Doyon Foundation aligns with this goal nicely.”
Qualifications
Candidates seeking election to the Doyon Foundation board must be:
- A Doyon, Limited shareholder
- 18 years of age or older
- Familiar with the Foundation’s vision, goals, mission and purpose
- Committed to carrying out the roles and responsibilities of a board member, which are detailed below
Doyon Foundation is specifically interested in candidates with experience in accounting, higher education, information technology, language revitalization, nonprofit governance and operations, portfolio management, vocational education, and/or workforce development. While these skills are preferred, candidates are not required to have experience in these areas, and all qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Additionally, candidates residing in a rural community within the Doyon region are especially encouraged to apply. Please note that, as some board work is conducted remotely, computer and online access is strongly encouraged.
“I think it is important to give back to the organization that provided scholarships that enabled me to finish both of my degrees while I was a single mom,” shared Jennifer Adams, Foundation board member. “I most enjoy the development of Doyon Foundation’s language revitalization programs. Doyon Foundation is doing important work to preserve our Native languages, which in turn helps us preserve our cultural knowledge. Preserving and furthering our cultural knowledge helps us all be healthy Native people who are grounded, healthy, proud and strong.”
Important Notice
Please note that, under federal laws governing private foundations, family members of Doyon Foundation board members are NOT eligible to receive a Doyon Foundation basic or competitive scholarship during their term on the board. Family members are defined as the board members’ spouse, ancestors, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the spouses of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Current Doyon Foundation scholarship recipients are also not eligible to serve on the board.
Role and Responsibilities
The role of a Doyon Foundation board member includes:
- Defining and overseeing the Foundation mission and keeping it relevant to the needs of our community
- Approving programs and services and monitoring their effectiveness
- Providing strategic guidance to the organization and the executive director
- Ensuring financial solvency and helping raise resources
- Selecting, supporting and annually evaluating the executive director
- Ensuring continuous board improvement
- Upholding the mission, vision and values of the Foundation
- Contributing skills that help the Foundation make progress on planning
- Consistently working toward and producing results related to the Foundation’s strategic focus areas, which include providing consistent measurable results, diversifying and growing revenue streams, increasing shareholder educational opportunities, enhancing operations, and revitalizing languages and traditional Native values
Foundation board members commit to:
- Attend quarterly board meetings
- Participate in the board’s annual retreat
- Help to organize and participate in a staff recognition event
- Attend the annual membership meeting
- Participate in at least one board training event and an annual evaluation to identify ways in which the board can improve its performance
- Serve on two board committees (standing or ad hoc)
- Complete committee and board work outside of meetings
- Represent the Foundation at various events
- Speak on behalf of the Foundation at events, if asked
- Make an annual personal gift that is meaningful and significant
- Understand the board member roles and responsibilities and become sufficiently knowledgeable about the organization and its operations to make informed decisions
- Read the materials sent to the board and come prepared to board and committee meetings
- Arrive at meetings on time and stay for the full agenda, unless the board or committee chair has been notified in advance
- Ask for clarification on any matters or material, as needed, before making a decision
- Listen carefully to other board members and staff with an open mind and an objective perspective
- Actively work toward decisions and solutions that are in the organization’s best interests
- Respect the confidentiality of the board’s business
- Make an effort to regularly check in with the executive director
- Read the board manual and be familiar with its contents
- Commit to one of three optional responsibilities, including volunteering at a Foundation fundraising or outreach event; being an ambassador and speaking at a community engagement; or attending a Foundation-hosted event
“I love the mission of the organization,” Demientieff said. “It aligns with my goals to increase individual, family and community well-being. I also am grateful to be a part of decision-making processes that are based on our traditional values and ways of life.”
Application Instructions/Deadline
Applications are accepted using an online form. The form does not take long to fill out and candidates are able to upload resumes and/or other materials.
Please note that candidates are required to submit an updated resume along with their completed application.
It is highly recommended that candidates familiarize themselves with the Foundation and its work by reviewing the Foundation’s website, blog and social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn, prior to submitting an application.
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 9, 2020, at 5 p.m.
For more information, please visit doyonfoundation.com or contact Doris Miller, Doyon Foundation executive director, at 907.459.2048 or millerd@doyon.com.