ACLU Board Member; Volunteer Position

The American Civil Liberties Union is the United States’ preeminent civil liberties organization, dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution and laws. We achieve this through multi-tiered advocacy, which includes litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. Our issue areas include some of the most pressing civil rights and civil liberties issues of our time, including racial justice, defending democracy, legal system transformation, immigrants’ rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ equality.

The ACLU-MD Board of Directors (the “Board”) is responsible for effective governance of the organization, ensuring fiscally sound programs across both our 501(c) 4 Union and 501(c) 3 Foundation organizations. The Board provides strategic direction for the organization, working with the Executive Director to ensure we have the greatest impact. Board members are expected to adhere to the organization’s bylaws, prepare for and participate in board and committee meetings, and serve as ambassadors to support the organization publicly.

• Active Participation: The board holds bi-monthly 2.5-hour meetings on Monday evenings via Zoom, an annual in-person all-day retreat, monthly committee meetings, and occasional Zoom meetings when quick decisions are required. These meetings require prior preparation, depending on leadership roles and special topics to be raised at the meetings. As ambassadors to the organization, we encourage board members to support the organization however they can, by attending public events, writing op-eds, participating in social events, and more.
• Ambassadorship, Fundraising, & Recruitment: Board members assist in fundraising activities and ACLU-MD membership recruitment. Additionally, board members are ambassadors for the organization with ACLU-MD members and among their own networks.
• Committee Service: To keep large meetings effective and efficient, most of our work is done in committees. Every board member must be a member of at least one committee, and committees hold virtual meetings, typically monthly for an hour at a mutually convenient time for their members. The work done for these committees averages at eight hours per month, depending on the tasks of the committee.
  
  Our board committees include Development, Finance, Governance, and Nominations.
• Fiduciary Duty: Ensure the financial health of the organization through diligent oversight of budgets and audits. Board members are expected to exercise reasonable care in all decision-making, honor their duties under the law, and avoid placing the organization under unnecessary risk.

• Current Maryland residency or within 30 days of appointment.
• Annual contribution to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland (not tax deductible) and to ACLU Foundation of Maryland (tax deductible). The contribution amount is always at the complete discretion of the board member.

• Service on a nonprofit governance board.
• Development, fundraising, or grant-writing in the nonprofit sector, or on behalf of a community-based organization.
• Documenting meetings or advising on administrative processes and decisions.
• Effective budgeting, investing, or financial planning.
• Professional or volunteer experience with an organization that prioritizes racial justice to achieve civil rights and civil liberties.

• Meaningful engagement with other Marylanders on vital civil rights and civil liberties issues.
• Opportunity to provide leadership and expertise on board committees and governance priorities.
• Professional development and training in skills such as fundraising, nonprofit budgeting, nonprofit governance, board recruitment, and others.
• Transparent, efficient meetings with agendas and materials provided well in advance to support full participation.

The ACLU-MD is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color…