About NAMI 

NAMI San Francisco helps families and individuals affected by mental health conditions build better lives through education, support, and advocacy. We are an affiliate within a nationwide network of over 600 organizations that provide community-based and volunteer-led support groups, classes, outreach, and events to bust stigma, build knowledge, and provide resources to help people living with mental health conditions and their family and friends get the support they need. 

 

Board of Directors 

Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Directors! The Board is a “working Board,” meaning that we do much more than meet periodically and vote on initiatives to be carried out by other people. Instead, as a Board, we are also responsible for carrying out some of the work of the organization. This document provides an overview of the commitments, responsibilities, and expectations of serving on the Board. 

 

Commitment 

Overall, expect to spend 6 hours/month serving in your role on the Board of Directors, which fluctuates throughout the year. This includes: 

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• Bi-monthly Board meeting, 1 ½ hours long 

• One or two monthly committee meetings between 1 to 1 ½ hours long (2 to 3 hours total) 

• Regular time speaking at events or representing the organization in public meetings or through networking 

• Tasks outside meetings, averaging 1 to 3 hours/month 

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In addition to time commitments, all Board members must be committed to our values: 

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• Improving the world for people living with mental health conditions and their communities without contributing to stigmatization or marginalization; 

• Using language and showing up in a way that leads to a welcoming and collaborative environment for all people regardless of mental health condition, race, ethnicity, gender identity, economic status, or any other identities that are often excluded or marginalized in society. 

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Board Responsibilities 

The Board holds overall legal and fiduciary responsibility for the organization. Our role is to work collaboratively with staff, mostly the Executive Director, to maintain the organization’s healthy financial standing and to carry out activities that strategically grow the organization’s financial capacity and visibility in the community so NAMI SF can carry out its mission. 

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These responsibilities are divided into three committees: (1) Governance and Finance: Focused on the overall functioning of the Board through its structure, roles and recruitment, and individual accountability; staff needs for success and well-being; and, financial health through overseeing the budget and budget processes; (2) Fundraising: Collaborates with Executive Director and staff to produce the Fundraising Walk and provides the resources for the full Board to be involved; and, (3) Community Engagement: Ensures NAMI Board members identify strategic opportunities to be visible in the community and hosts or collaborates on events that connect donors, volunteers, and participants to the organization. 

 

The Board does not deliver NAMI programs or services. The focus is on the internal workings of the organization and fundraising, so that staff and other volunteers have the resources to deliver NAMI programs and services. 

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Expectations 

As a working Board, we expect the following of each individual Board member: 

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• Serve a 3-year term, unless significant life changes intervene; 

• Attend bi-monthly Board meetings (usually virtual), participate in discussion, show up on time;

• Serve on at least one committee, taking on tasks and projects at an equal rate as other members;

• Participate in tasks and responsibilities presented by other committees, such as supporting outreach or fundraising for an event, recruiting new Board members, speaking at a public event that has strategic value for the organization, etc. 

• Support the annual NAMI Fundraising Walk through planning, personally giving, and/or soliciting donations from personal networks. Each Board member is expected to give or raise $1,000, or give an equivalent amount of additional time to planning for fundraising activities (approximately 10 - 12 hours);

• Treat each Board member with respect, seek to problem-solve, support one another, and step in as needed. 

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Skills, Experience, and Qualifications 

You would make a good fit for the NAMI San Francisco Board if you are able to do the following:

• Commit to the mission of the organization with preference for the ability to speak to our mission as a person with a mental health condition or a person whose loved one lives with a mental health condition;

• Work in diverse, interdisciplinary teams;

• Donate to the organization.  When we apply for grants, foundations often confirm that 100 percent of the Board has made a financial contribution to the organization. For this reason, we ask each Board member to contribute something personally meaningful. 

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In 2025 we are eager to interview Spanish- and Cantonese-speaking candidates so that our board reflects the communities we serve, but we welcome all candidates. Especially useful is a background in one or more of the following areas: 

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• Fundraising and donor relations; 

• Legal experience or operational expertise; 

• Event and project management; 

• Financial and data analysis; 

• Connections to different networks in San Francisco, including communities of diverse constituencies, local government or education networks, professional networks, or faith-based networks; 

• Mental health personal experience. 

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Application Process 

We have developed a robust application process in order to build a Board that is reflective of the diverse community of San Francisco and meets the needs of a growing organization. Here are the important dates: 

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• Friday, November 15: Applications Due ​

• The brief application has five total parts, asking for your contact information, optional demographics information, relevant experience and qualifications, and a short statement of interest. We also request that you confirm your ability to commit to the Board. 

• Emailing a resume is optional. 

• We are more interested in your skills and interests than in perfectly crafted sentences and grammar. In other words, don’t feel the need to spend a lot of time word-smithing. 

• We anticipate that completing the application will take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. 

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• Final candidates will be invited to participate in an interview with staff and members of the Board between December 1 and December 12. This is as much an opportunity for you to get to know us as it is for us to get to know you!

 

• All candidates will be notified no later than December 20th. 

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Thank you for your interest in joining the NAMI San Francisco Board! We are excited to get to know you.

 

If you have any questions, please email board members Kate Brady (bradyc@usfca.edu)  orCharles Reader (Creader@chcf.org).