Doyon Foundation is seeking interested and qualified candidates to serve on our board of directors. Board service is on a volunteer basis. The deadline for candidates to apply has been extended to Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 5 p.m. AKDT. The online application is available at www.doyonfoundation.com.
Members of Doyon Foundation’s all-volunteer board serve an important role, guiding our efforts to provide educational, career and cultural opportunities to enhance the identify and quality of life for Doyon shareholders. Many of our board members are previous scholarship recipients who find board service to be a fulfilling way to give back, express their gratitude in a tangible way, and support the efforts of the current generation of students working toward their goals for the future.
“I received Doyon Foundation scholarships during my undergraduate and graduate education. Doyon Foundation is one of the main reasons that I was able to continue my education all the way to the PhD and I want to give back and help other Doyon shareholders reach their goals,” shares Matt Calhoun, one of our board members.
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, which are detailed on our website
- Committed to carrying out the roles and responsibilities of a board member, which are detailed below
We are 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.
“After many years of school and working, I felt that it was time for me to serve on a volunteer board in order to give back to the Foundation that has helped me so much as I was earning my degrees,” shares Jennifer Adams, secretary/treasurer of the Foundation board.
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.
“I was a recipient of the Doyon Foundation scholarships while I was completing my undergraduate degree,” shares Sonta Roach, vice president of the Foundation board. “Now, I feel a strong desire to give back and contribute as a board member.”
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
- 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
“Education fuels our future opportunities,” shares Jennifer Fate, Foundation board president. “It provides the tools to build individual as well as community and cultural strength. I am honored to serve our shareholders on the Doyon Foundation board and work to increase their opportunities.”
Application Instructions and Deadline
Applications are accepted using an online form, accessible at doyonfoundation.com. 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 our 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 has been extended to Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 5 p.m. AKDT.
“I am very grateful for the support that the Foundation gave me when I was pursuing higher education,” shares board member, Aaron Roth. “Serving on the board is a way of giving back and giving thanks for that support.”
For more information, please visit doyonfoundation.com or contact Tiffany Simmons, Doyon Foundation executive director, at 907.459.2048 or [email protected].