BOARD MEMBERSHIP | michshakesfest

Thank you so much for your interest in being a part of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival Board of Directors.We appreciate your time.

We are looking for people who believe in the importance of professional repertory theatre and the arts in Michigan and who want to play an active role in helping the Festival thrive.

The primary purpose for the board of a non-profit arts organization is to ensure that the mission and goals of the organization are achieved; this mainly concerns fiduciary responsibilities and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. The Board is accountable to the stakeholders of the organization including funders, donors, and the community.

What Does Being an MSF Board Member Mean?

MSF Board members provide governance and oversight while also helping the Festival build the relationships and resources it needs to succeed. Board members serve three-year terms and participate in regular Board meetings, generally held monthly by Zoom.

Because MSF operates with a small professional staff, we ask Board members to be active participants. Depending upon your interests and abilities, that might mean helping to:

Build relationships with donors, sponsors, businesses, foundations, and community leaders.
Introduce new people and organizations to the Festival.
Assist with fundraising, sponsorships, grants, marketing, publicity, or audience development.
Provide professional expertise in areas such as finance, law, business, nonprofit management, education, communications, technology, or human resources.
Attend performances and special events and serve as an ambassador for MSF in the community.
Participate in Board projects and follow through on commitments.

Financial Commitment: Each Board member is expected to give or get $5,000 each year in support of the MSF. This does not mean that every Board member must personally contribute $5,000. The commitment can be fulfilled through a combination of personal giving, securing business sponsorships, introducing new donors, obtaining grants, organizing fundraising opportunities, or other Board-approved approaches.

We recognize that people bring different combinations of time, talent, connections, and financial resources. We want to discuss openly how you see yourself contributing.

Beyond the hiring of the C-level leadership of the organization: Producing Artistic Director, Managing Director, Development Director, etc, and the approval of season selection and new programming, the Board is not involved in the day-to-day artistic workings of the organization.

Please fill in the following form for our Executive Committee. Response time is usually a couple of days.

Name

Phone

Where do you live? City/State

Current or most recent professional role/organization

Tell us why you are interested in joining the MSF Board

What talents, skills, passions, or professional expertise could you bring to the MSF?

Tell us about your community connections: local, business, educational - whichever are important to you.

Tell us about yourself: Career? Skills? Hobbies? Interests?

Do you have experience on a non-profit board? Which one (s)? Tell us about that experience

What questions do you have for us?

Board Members are required to "Give or Get" $5000 each season for the general operations of the Festival.

This can be through a donation, the finding of a business sponsorship, the bundling of new donations, a written and received grant, or other possibilties.

Is this acceptable?