Board of Directors Member (Volunteer)

For more than 45 years, McClendon Center has provided critical behavioral health services to some of Washington, DC's most vulnerable residents. Through policy changes, funding shifts, and growing community need, we have remained a steady, trusted presence in the District that our clients can depend on. McClendon Center was the first Joint Commission-accredited behavioral health agency in DC and is a proud 2026 recipient of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation’s Advancing Minority Mental Health Award . We serve thousands of DC residents every year, more than 90% of whom are African American, 75% who are below the federal poverty line, and nearly one in three of whom are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This is the work. And we are looking for board members who are energized by it. WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR Above all else, we are looking for people whose values align with ours: a deep belief in human dignity, a commitment to equity, and a genuine passion for the communities we serve. Everything else follows from that. We also believe our Board should reflect the breadth and diversity of the city we serve. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to building a board whose composition mirrors the community at the heart of our mission, and who have a real investment in the well‑being of Washington, DC residents. We’re especially interested in leaders who bring experience and networks in: Healthcare & Behavioral Health — Clinical leadership, public health, managed care, or health policy expertise that strengthens our programs and elevates our advocacy. Government, Policy & Advocacy — Experience navigating DC and federal health and human services policy. We need people who know how to work those rooms and aren’t afraid to speak up for our clients. Philanthropic Networks & Major Giving — Relationships with individual donors, family foundations, and giving communities who believe in equity‑centered care and can help us grow our philanthropic base. Community & Professional Networks — Broad connections across DC’s civic, corporate, and nonprofit sectors that can open doors, build partnerships, and extend our reach as we continue to grow and expand our work. We want people who bring energy to this work , who will invite others in, champion our mission in their circles, and help us build the relationships that sustain and strengthen McClendon Center for the next generation. WHAT BOARD SERVICE LOOKS LIKE McClendon Center’s Board is a working board. We take governance seriously, and we ask members to as well. Attend quarterly Board meetings Serve on at least one committee — Finance, Governance, Personnel, Resource Development, or Compliance & Quality — with quarterly committee meetings Make personal charitable contributions and prioritize McClendon Center in your philanthropic giving Serve as an ambassador: share our story, connect us to partners and resources, and help recruit future board members who reflect this community WHY THIS BOARD, WHY NOW Behavioral health is at a pivotal moment. Across the country, and right here in the District, public support for the communities we serve are drawing back. Federal and local funding for behavioral health, housing, and human services is under pressure, and the people who depend on those systems feel it most. That reality makes our work more urgent, and our board more essential. At the same time, we remain resilient.McClendon Center's leadership team brings something precious: decades of shared history, hard‑won expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the people we serve. The people around this table are committed, clear‑eyed, and genuinely invested in this mission. We’re looking for individuals ready to join them, and to help shape what McClendon Center becomes in a moment that demands it. #J-18808-Ljbffr