Board Member Service

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Des Moines

The National Alliance on Mental illness of Greater Des Moines has a vacancy. The NAMI GDM board will be looking for individuals who bring passion and dedication as well as experience and skills that will augment those already serving on the board.

The NAMI GDM Board is a working board whose members play active and important roles in advocacy, support and education. To best serve the board role, board member expectations are:

Required:

  • Be committed to NAMI National’s four pillars of education, support, advocacy and research for individuals with mental illness and share NAMI Greater Des Moines’ vision of “Empowering individuals, families and community by providing hope and education about brain disorders.”
  • Be a NAMI member in good standing
  • Be able to dedicate 2 – 6 hours per week for board activities. Some positions may require more.
  • Have daily access to a computer for receiving and sending emails and calls for votes; be comfortable creating Word reports and spreadsheets as email attachments for monthly

meeting agendas.

  • Make a financial contribution to our NAMI Greater Des Moines affiliate annually, with no required minimum.
  • Attend and participate fully in all bi-monthly Board meetings, lasting about 2 hours each, unless the president has been notified. Members shall miss no more than two meetings per year unless The Board accepts an extenuating circumstance for the absences.
  • Be a member of at least one committee.
  • Adhere to ethical standards of conduct and avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflict of interests.
  • Understand and protect the fiduciary health of the organization.
  • Understand and adhere to the democratic process of a non-profit Board.

Desired:

  • Understand, promote and participate, as relevant, in the Board’s educational and

support programs.

  • Be willing and able to participate in fundraising, community event, advocacy and

grassroots endeavors.

  • Be willing and able to regularly meet NAMI Greater Des Moines members and service providers, potential funders, community leaders, or agency directors.
  • Respond promptly to email requests, internal and external, giving special attention to

calls for votes.

  • Be willing and able to share answering NAMI Greater Des Moines’ telephone and emails.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grassroots organization, with state affiliates, and local affiliates within each state affiliate. See organization chart. Greater Des Moines is one of the three largest local affiliates in Iowa. We welcome anyone who shares our mission and vision.

Bd. approved 1/11/2012