Board of Directors Applications - Now Open!
We’re continuing to grow and are excited to share we’re establishing our Board of Directors with applications now open to join our Board! This is another major milestone in Welcome to Chinatown’s story, building upon the momentum of our recently opened Small Business Innovation Hub in Chinatown, and it’s in many thanks to you, our supporters, for investing in Chinatown as a neighborhood that has been so influential in championing our mission to keep Chinatown open for generations to come.
Are you passionate about investing in a beloved community of entrepreneurial grit, neighborhood preservation and cultural vibrancy? A seat on our Board of Directors might be for you. We are seeking individuals who can help us amplify our mission and serve as a partner and advisor as we grow our organization into a sustaining, innovation-forward and lasting entity for the community.
We hope you’ll consider joining us in this next chapter of our story and be a part of the solution to support, sustain, and preserve the neighborhood that has shaped the narrative of today’s entrepreneurial and resilient AAPI identities.
Apply by September 22, 2023 through the link here (full position description below):
Welcome to Chinatown Board of Directors Application
Welcome to Chinatown, is a non-profit established in March 2020 in response to the xenophobic rhetoric, decreased foot traffic, and lack of government support from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to amplify and address the critical needs of the Manhattan Chinatown community and its entrepreneurs. Together, we will help keep Chinatown open for generations.
To date, the organization has raised $4M+, developed three cornerstone initiatives, and gained national recognition as a trusted partner who provides impactful programming to support the neighborhood. We are seeking to establish our Board of Directors as part of our deep commitment to invest in this ethnic enclave and the people who live, work, and rely on the services provided by POC, immigrant, and multigenerational businesses.
Mission of the Board of Directors
Welcome to Chinatown has the foresight, dedication, and talent needed to make a transformational difference in the resources provided to underserved communities.
The Board of Directors will provide leadership and counsel to Welcome to Chinatown (WtC) and its Leadership Team and Associate Board as it progresses from a newly formed 501(c)(3) organization into a sustainable entity. The Board of Directors, led by the Board Chair, will support the work of Welcome to Chinatown, and provide counsel and strategic fundraising support.
Responsibilities:
The Board’s responsibilities include:
Ensure Welcome to Chinatown’s programs are consistent with the organization’s mission and monitor their effectiveness.
Assist in implementing and monitoring WtC’s organization goals, including supporting and evaluating the chief executive.
Ensure adequate financial resources for WtC to fulfill its mission and vote on approving the annual budget.
Ensure legal and ethical integrity. The board is responsible for adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.
Each individual board member is expected to:
Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs.
Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization; create and expand public awareness of the mission, vision, programs and activities of WtC.
Fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission.
Serve a two-year board term with the option of renewal for 1 additional year.
Stay informed about Board matters, prepare themselves for meetings, and review and comment on issues of importance.
Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements.
Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in bi-annual (2 times a year) board meetings, one of which will take place in-person in New York City.
Participate in at least one cultural immersion or exploration of innovation opportunity per year as part of the Board’s continuous commitment to listening to the community (Board Chair to provide resources for such opportunities).
Philanthropic Commitment:
Commit to an annual philanthropic commitment of $20,000 per year of service. Method of philanthropic contribution is at the discretion of the board member (eg - personal donation or via fundraising efforts).
Thought Leadership:
Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing and can influence public policy.
Commit to serving as an advisor and provide guidance, insight and mentorship to WtC Leadership Team and Associate Board.
Membership Benefits
Opportunity to partner and collaborate with community members and entrepreneurs through annual board meetings and events.
Opportunity to meaningfully impact advancements in providing resources and building sustainable opportunities for small business owners in Manhattan’s Chinatown, while also actively preserving culture from rapid gentrification
A chance to give back to a female-led, POC organization making great strides in protecting a beloved neighborhood.
