Organization & Mission

Chainless Change, Inc (CCI) is a South Florida-Based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages justice involved people through community organizing and supportive services. We work primarily in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. We strive to create an equitable society that fosters recovery, eliminates stigma, and removes barriers to opportunity for those who are justice-involved.

Board Member Expectations

Board members are responsible for developing CCI’s strategy, ensuring it has all necessary resources, managing its financial and legal affairs, and serving as ambassadors for the organization. To satisfy these responsibilities, Board members are held to the following expectations:

• Actively participating in at least 75% of meetings.
• Participating fully on at least one committee.
• Making an annual personal contribution that is commensurate with individual capacity.
• Contributing to fundraising efforts by raising a minimum of $1,500 annually, including any personal contributions.
• Leveraging personal and professional connections to increase organizational capacity.
• Engaging actively in organizational activities, including outreach and special events.
• Ensuring unwavering confidentiality of all privileged or sensitive information, encompassing strategic plans, financial data, program participants, and donors linked to the organization.
• Disclosing any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Ensuring compliance with all federal, state, local, and organizational requirements.
• Reviewing and approving annual budgets, financial statements, audit reports, tax forms, and material business decisions.
• Acting as a representative and ambassador for the organization, collaborating with stakeholders to advance the mission and goals.
• Contributing to the development of policies and strategic plans.
• Participating in and taking responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies, strategy and other Board matters.
• Supporting the recruitment and onboarding of new Board members.
• Evaluating and supporting the President/CEO.

Incoming Board members serve an initial one-year introductory term and may be considered for re-election thereafter. Existing members serve a two-year term and are eligible for re-appointment for two additional terms (for a maximum of 7 years). Members currently spend approximately 5 to 8 hours on Board service per month. Kindly note that Board members are volunteers and, therefore, do not receive any compensation for their services.

CCI’s Commitment to Board Members

Board Leadership and the President/CEO commit to:

• Ensuring regular provision of financial reports, analyses, and updates on significant organizational and personnel activities.
• Extending opportunities for the Board to discuss important organizational issues with the Board Chair and President/CEO as appropriate.
• Making relevant professional development opportunities available for the Board
• Ensuring that CCI’s leadership and Board Members respond in a straightforward fashion to members’ inquiries.

Preferred Qualifications

As part of our continuous commitment to improving the diversity and expertise of our Board, we are actively searching for new members who can contribute to the growth and impact of our organization. Through a recent assessment of our current members’ skills, connections, and lived experiences, we have identified specific areas where we seek to expand the Board’s capabilities and enhance community representation.

We are seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise from both the private and public sectors to join our Board. We welcome applications from candidates with experience in a range of areas, including accounting/fiscal stewardship, advocacy, business, community organizing, employment, event management, fundraising, government, human resources, law, local government, marketing/public relations, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), nonprofit Board governance, nonprofit organizations, public health, or religious communities

While not mandatory, the following qualifications are highly preferred:

• Personal experience with the criminal legal system, either as justice-involved or justice-impacted.
• Residing in the United States, preferably in the southern region.
• A deep commitment to the organization’s vision, including the abolition of the criminal legal system and the adoption of transformative and restorative responses to harm.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, enabling the cultivation of relationships and consensus-building among diverse individuals.
• Willingness to actively participate in fundraising endeavors, including the cultivation and solicitation of individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Ability to attend the annual in-person Board meeting which is held in South Florida.
• Previous experience serving on a Board.

Learn More

Interested candidates are invited to attend one of two optional Board Information Sessions that will provide you with additional information about Chainless Change and Board service.

1. In-Person: Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 12 PM to 2:00 PM EST
   Please RSVP for the in-person session here no later than midnight on October 22nd.
2. Virtual: Thursday, November 8, 2023, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM EST
   Please RSVP for the virtual session here.

Application Process

All interested candidates must (1) fill out an application, (2) share their resume, LinkedIn page, or bio; and (3) complete an interview. These items are due midnight on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

Those selected for Board service will be requested to participate in a comprehensive 4-part Board orientation program before their official appointment. Each session will be conducted via Zoom and will include approximately one hour of pre-work or follow-up activities. These carefully crafted sessions are intended to provide valuable information, inspiration, and preparation for new Board members, ensuring they are equipped to actively engage in their roles immediately after being appointed.

• CCI Programs: Thursday 12/21 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM EST
• CCI Board Governance: Thursday 1/11 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM EST
• CCI Fundraising: Thursday 1/25 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM EST
• CCI Finances: Thursday 2/8 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM EST

We will offer make up sessions for those unable to attend sessions live.

CCI has engaged Dolph Goldenburg and Lexie Linger of Successful Nonprofits® to implement the Board recruitment campaign. Those interested in Board service or in nominating someone for Board service can contact them at board@chainlesschange.org.

For more information, please visit CCI’s website at www.ccifl.org/.