Join The Board
Board members volunteer their time to support our mission and advocate on behalf of all girls.
Board of Directors Application
ABOUT GIRLS INC. OF THE NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY
OUR MISSION
Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
OUR VISION
Powerful girls in an equitable society.
Girls Inc.’s gender-specific programs and research-based curricula provide girls with the confidence and self-esteem to access a bright and economically-independent future. Our programs help girls form a healthy peer network, achieve academically, and begin preparing for their future through girls’ group meetings and enrichment activities.
Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley is an affiliate of the national nonprofit organization Girls Inc., the nation’s leading voice for girls. With roots dating to 1864 and national status since 1945, Girls Inc. has responded to the changing needs of girls through research-based programs and public education efforts that empower girls to understand, value, and assert their rights.
The network of local Girls Inc. nonprofit organizations serves 140,000 girls ages 6-18 annually at more than 1,200 sites in 350 cities across the United States and Canada. Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley reaches more than 300 girls annually through events and programs and, with community support, strives to reach more every day.
OUR RESULTS
Recently, Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley marked the following achievements from our programs:
- More than 500 girls served in 2023, including success in retaining girls for future programs. Providing a variety of Girls Inc. programs fulfills our goal to serve “the whole girl” with continual education and support, from elementary school into higher education.
- A continued increase in service to Tehama County girls.
- Continuing our Summer Programs across multiple sites, including our highly anticipated annual camping trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park. For many of the girls, this trip marks their first hiking or outdoor overnight experience.
- Continuing collaborations with Soroptimist International of Downtown Redding and the Society of Women Engineers, including their “Wow! That’s Engineering” event.
OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
GROWING UP WITH THE GIRLS
Since 2006, we have exposed hundreds of girls to empowering programs based on solid research and evaluation. Participating in a single program is simply not enough to create the impact our girls deserve. As the next step in our evolution, we plan to grow the programs we offer with the goal of creating a more sustained, direct and comprehensive impact on the lives of our girls and on the community as a whole. As a result, Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley began offering scholarships to local girls, through its Legacy Council, in May 2016.
GIVING VOICE TO THE GIRLS
We understand the complexity of girls’ lives and are dedicated to advancing the basic human rights of girls — the right to be respected, self-reliant, healthy, safe and challenged. We plan to renew our commitment to advocacy by helping girls find their voice in public arenas and bring their compelling perspectives to policy makers, the media and business leaders.
WHY GIRLS ONLY
Gender inequality remains prevalent in American society. Girls Inc. recognizes the unique challenges that girls face, and remain committed to providing programming that helps compensate for these inequalities.
- While society’s expectations affect both boys and girls, studies show that girls are more disadvantaged by them.
- Assumptions about the distinct abilities and interests of boys and girls can limit their opportunities.
- Simply the idea of equity doesn’t always work when girls haven’t had the same opportunities all along. Is offering a girl machine shop activities really the best way to achieve equity?
- The all-girl option allows girls to plunge into activities without worrying about whether they “belong” or not — or whether they’re more or less skilled than boys.
- A program is shaped and constrained by the ideas about gender it embodies.
- Gender-specific programming lets girls focus on their real interests, at their own pace, free from distractions and comparisons.
GIRLS INC. PROGRAMS
GIRLS INC. MIND+BODY
Girls learn a philosophy that supports and promotes the whole health of girls, recognizing that many factors, including physical and mental wellness, contribute to girls’ health. It focuses on four critical content areas: physical activity, body image, nutrition, and stress management. Mind+Body gives a consistent set of messages and outcomes for addressing major health issues confronting girls.
GIRLS INC. OPERATION SMART
Girls develop enthusiasm for and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on activities, girls explore, ask questions, persist, and solve problems. By interacting with women and men pursuing STEM careers, girls come to view these careers as exciting and realistic options for themselves.
GIRLS INC. HEALTHY SEXUALITY
Girls acquire the knowledge and skills for taking charge of and making informed decisions about their sexual health. Exploring values, practicing responses in different situations, and thinking about their futures help girls identify ways and reasons to avoid early pregnancy and prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
GIRLS INC. FRIENDLY PEERSUASION
Girls develop skills to resist pressure to use harmful substances, such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and household chemicals. After learning healthy ways to manage stress and to deflect peer, media, and other pressures that contribute to substance use, girls become peer educators (PEERsuaders) for younger girls.
GIRLS INC. LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ACTION
Girls build leadership skills and create lasting social change through community action projects. With support from women in their community, girls celebrate the heritage of girls and women as leaders and social change agents and realize their own power as community resources and trustees of the common good.
GIRLS INC. ECONOMIC LITERACY
Girls learn about money and the economy, including how to manage, invest, and save money and how to help others through philanthropy. As girls explore how the economy affects everyone locally and globally, they develop skills critical to being financially savvy and to becoming economically independent adults.
GIRLS INC. MEDIA LITERACY
Girls increase their awareness of the scope and power of the media and the effects of media messages on girls and women. They learn to analyze what they see and hear in the media and advocate for change in entertainment, news, and advertising. As girls create media that are more realistic and reflective of their lives, they learn about careers and the positive use of media.
GIRLS INC. PROJECT BOLD
Girls learn skills and strategies to lead safer lives in their homes, in relationships, in their communities, and online. Girls learn specific self-defense techniques and how to seek out and talk to caring adults about personal violence. Older girls also take on a community action project to advocate for a safer world for all women and girls.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Our continued ability to empower future generations of healthy, hopeful, girls and women depends on the personal commitment and active involvement of a select group of women and men who embrace the privilege to serve and the responsibility to lead. Board members are expected to be zealous advocates on our behalf, enthusiastic communicators of our vision, and to play an integral role as leaders in fundraising activities.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
1. Be informed about and support Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s mission, vision, policies and program.
2. Attend activities and events sponsored by Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley whenever possible.
3. Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley.
4. Serve on committees and volunteer to take special assignments.
5. Inform others about the organization and serve as a Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley ambassador to the public.
6. Keep current on girl-related issues.
7. Refrain from representing Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley in lobbying or other political activity without the prior written consent of the board.
8. Make a commitment to include preparation for and attendance at Board meetings, service on at least one Board committee, and support for/attendance at all Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley events.
9. Participate in two annual reviews with the Executive Director and Board Chair to set personal Board contribution goals and then self-assess at the end of the year.
10. Contribute to the performance review and/or selection of Executive Director position.
11. Participate actively in assessing and developing Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s organizational strategies, goals and objectives.
12. Abide by a two-year term, as written in the by-laws.
MEETINGS
1. Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
2. Attend board and committee meetings. Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley expects that a Board Member will not miss two consecutive Board or committee meetings without good reason.
3. Actively participate in meetings by asking questions consistent with personal conscience and convictions, while supporting the majority decision on issues decided by the board.
4. Maintain confidentiality of the board’s deliberations.
5. Speak for the board only when authorized to do so.
6. Make suggestions for agenda items to ensure that significant policy-related matters are addressed.
AVOIDING CONFLICTS
1. Review Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s Conflicts of Interest Policy as noted in the by-laws under Article II, Section 7.
2. Serve the organization as a whole rather than any special interest group or constituency.
3. Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest that might compromise Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s mission.
4. Disclose any possible conflicts to the board in a timely fashion.
5. Never accept (or offer) favors or gifts from (or to) anyone who does business with the organization.
FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY
1. Protect Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s assets and oversee their productive use.
2. Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, including review of Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s financial statements.
3. Review and approve annual budget.
FUNDRAISING
1. Contribute a suggested annual Give-Get gift of $1000 to Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley, with at least $250 from personal means. Corporate sponsorships and employer generated matches are considered and applied towards the suggested annual gift. Girls Inc. NSV recognizes that time and talent are just as valuable as treasures. If the suggested board dues are holding you back from joining, please speak with the Executive Director. Your contribution, whether through time, talent or financial support, is highly appreciated, and we want to ensure that all barriers are addressed to enable your participation on the board.
2. Participate actively in fundraising events and activities including Girls Inc. of the Northern Sacramento Valley’s annual Girls Inc. Gala through procurement of silent auction donations, attendance and sponsorship support.
3. Assist the organization by implementing fundraising strategies and resources through personal influence with others.
4. Actively participate by providing names and contact information for prospective organization partners, volunteers and donors.
HOW TO JOIN
BECOME A BOARD MEMBER AND MAKE A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE IN LOCAL GIRLS’ LIVES
STEP 1: Contact the organization and request an application.
STEP 2: Review materials and submit application.
STEP 3: Upon review of your submitted application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Executive Director and one to two board members.
STEP 4: References will be contacted (one personal and one professional).
STEP 5: A criminal background check will be conducted.
STEP 6: You will be invited to participate in an introductory orientation opportunity to the Board.
Options include:
a. Attending a board, committee, or task force meeting
b. Attending a fundraising event
c. Sitting in on a girls’ program
d. Meeting staff/visiting the office
STEP 7: The Nominating Committee will present each candidate to the board for a vote. Candidates will be notified of the outcome. If approved, the Chair of the Nominating Committee will extend an official invitation to join the board.
STEP 8: Accept the invitation, at which time you will be asked to sign the board member expectation statement, conflict of interest form, and fill out all necessary paperwork.
Board of Directors Application