Volunteer

Hello interested volunteer,

Thank you for contacting LYRIC about volunteer opportunities.

Interested volunteers should send name, email and phone number to jodi@lyric.org. Please put VOLUNTEER in the subject header.

Currently, LYRIC counts on volunteers in three ways: to support events - either beneficiary events for LYRIC, e.g. Castro Street Fair, or youth events, e.g. dances; to provide expertise for specific time-limited projects; and as members of our board of directors (see below for more information about applying to be a member of LYRIC's board).

It is possible that we may not be actively recruiting volunteers at this time, however, your name will be maintained on our "volunteer list" and you will be contacted when opportunities develop.

While we greatly appreciate the commitment shown by the community's desire to volunteer with LYRIC, without a volunteer coordinator, our capacity is limited.

As such, as part of our ongoing strategic planning, we are looking at how to include community members as part of the work we do at LYRIC so it works for the youth we serve as well as the volunteer.

Thank you for your interest and thank you for your patience while LYRIC looks strategically at incorporating volunteers into our work.

If you are 24 years or younger, please remember that LYRIC is available for you - contact our Youth Advocates, Kyle Kitson (kyle@lyric.org) or Jess Arevalo (jessica@lyric.org) to find out more.

Jodi L. Schwartz
Executive Director
LYRIC

Interested in applying to be on our Board of Directors?

See who is currently on our Board of Directors.

What does it mean to be a LYRIC Board Member?

1. Legal Duties: It is the Board's and each Director's legal responsibility to assure that LYRIC is functioning within the law and within its mission and bylaws. Although the Board may delegate certain managerial responsibilities to the LYRIC's staff, the Board has ultimate legal responsibilities for the organization's operations.

2. Role: The Board's role is to assure that LYRIC is working toward its mission, vision, and making decisions and taking actions that are financially and legally sound.

3. Responsibilities: Board responsibilities include but are not limited to: evaluating the effectiveness of programmatic efforts to achieve the organization's mission and vision, providing financial and legal oversight, assuring adequate resources of the organization, overseeing the work of the Executive Director, assuring Board continuity, and communicating with the community about LYRIC. All Directors should have a working knowledge of the organization and work collaboratively with LYRIC staff, volunteers and other Directors toward achieving the organization's goals. And as a Director, expect regular reports detailing the organization's finances and programs, among other updates. Only the full Board, not individual Directors, has authority over agency staff. Outside of specific Board Committees which are collaborations between the Board, staff, and community members, if projects require work with staff, Directors should work primarily through the Executive Director unless otherwise directed by the Board.

4. Fund Development: All Directors are expected to make an annual financial gift to LYRIC that is personally significant and meaningful. The amount of this gift is confidential and will not be shared with the Board, with the exception of the Board Co-Chairs and Development Committee Chair. Directors who are youth (24 years of age and younger) are asked to give a minimum annual financial gift of $10. Beyond personal contributions, Directors are expected to support LYRIC development efforts. This includes building the organization's donor program through individual networks, enlisting friends and associates to contribute to the organization, attending events, and promoting LYRIC in the community.

5. Term: All Directors are elected for a three-year term, except Directors who are youth have the option of committing to a one-year, two-year, or three-year term. Directors may be elected for more than one term, but are encouraged to limit their service to a period of no more than six years. A Director must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors to be re-elected for another term.

6. Meetings: General Meetings are held the first Tuesday evening of each month unless otherwise specified by the Board.

7. Attendance: Directors are expected to attend all meetings and will be removed from the Board for missing, without being excused, three meetings in a calendar year, or one-half of a Director's Committee meetings, unless the Board votes to forgo such removal. Directors are also expected to attend three mandatory LYRIC events during the year: 1) the Annual Board Retreat; 2) the annual Champions event; 3) the LYRIC Open House - if any of these events are not held during a given year, the three event minimum can be met by volunteering at any of the various large youth events held through out the year (e.g. dances, youth conference, family picnic). Directors are encouraged to attend other agency and community events as appropriate and if available.

8. Leaves of Absence: The Board may grant a Director a leave of absence for up to six months. Leaves of absence must be requested in writing and approved by a majority of the Board.

9. Committees: Every Director is expected to serve on at least one Board Standing Committee or Ad-Hoc Committee. Committees ordinarily meet once per month. The Board Standing Committees consist of: 1) Board Building & Governance, (2) Development, and (3) Finance & Human Resources. Board Co-Chairs are exempt from committee membership to allow for participation n all committees on a rotating basis.

10. Resignation: Any Director may resign at any time by giving a written notice to the Board Co-Chairs.

11. Compensation: Directors receive no compensation for their services, except for Directors who are youth who will receive a Leadership Stipend of $850 over the course of a year in exchange for a one-year commitment and service. Allocation will consist of $100 when joining the board, $300 at the 6-month point, and $450 at the end of the year. Compensation increases each additional term up to a set maximum per policies set by the board. Travel costs related to LYRIC director activities can also be compensated upon written request by any member who is defined as a youth board director.

12. Policies: The Board may enact policies from time to time that govern the operations of the organization, the Board, and individual Directors. All the Directors are expected to comply with such policies as well as the requirements of the organization's bylaws.

13. Confidentiality Agreement: As a Board Director of LYRIC, I agree that for and during my entire term and thereafter as long as necessary to assure confidentiality, that any financial data, personal files of staff, interns, volunteers, donors, participants, clients, and board members, and any information obtained through professional interactions on behalf of LYRIC shall be considered and kept as the private and privileged records of LYRIC. This information shall not be divulged to any person, firm, corporation or other entity except on the direct authorization of the Board of Directors of LYRIC.

14. Teamwork & Ethics: I understand that I am part of a team. Board members are expected to carry out the above agreements to the best of their abilities. I pledge to act in good faith, to uphold the highest ethical standards, state ahead of time any conflicts of interests, and to be supportive of my fellow board members and LYRIC staff.

Interested? Print a copy of the Board of Directors Application here.