Board Member

About Us

Our Vision: We envision a world in which all children have the opportunity to see themselves in the books they read and are inspired to become lifelong learners.

Our Mission: Wondermore connects Boston-area students to authors and illustrators who reflect our diverse and vibrant communities.

Our Authors-in-Schools program brings acclaimed authors and illustrators directly into Title 1 K-12 schools in greater Boston to inspire a love of books and reading. By working closely with teachers and librarians to connect the work of the author or illustrator to classroom studies, Wondermore-sponsored presentations enhance school curriculum. We prioritize diversity in the selection of our authors so students can see themselves reflected in the pages of books. Each student who attends a Wondermore presentation receives an autographed book by the author.

Impact

Research shows the positive impact of author visits and culturally representative books on students’ enjoyment of reading, test scores and sense of belonging. Wondermore surveys of the librarians and teachers with whom we partner attest to the power of our work.

• 100% said that students are more motivated to read after author visits
• 92% said that after a Wondermore visit students are more likely to take books out of the library.
• 100% said that Wondermore is a critical component of their literacy programming and that indicated they wanted to continue partnering with us in the new schools year.

Board Position

The Board supports Wondermore’s work and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by Wondermore’s Executive Director, the Board-Executive Director relationship is a partnership and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected.

Specific Board member responsibilities include:

Leadership, governance, and oversight

• Assist the ED with the development and implementation of Wondermore’s strategic plan
• Review outcomes and metrics created by Wondermore for evaluating its impact and regularly measure its performance and effectiveness using those metrics
• Attend all board meetings and the annual retreat
• Review the agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
• Serve on at least one standing committee and/or task force and actively participate in committee work. Current committees are Governance, Development and Finance.
• Assist the ED and the board chair in identifying and recruiting new board members
• Partner with the ED and the board chair to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Act as ambassador for Wondermore
• Promote Wondermore’s commitment to a diverse board that reflects the communities that Wondermore serves

Fundraising

• Wondermore expects 100% of Board members to make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity
• Wondermore Board members consider Wondermore a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority
• Wondermore board members are expected to actively participate in the Annual Appeal (in the November-December timeframe). Participation includes providing a list of potential donor contacts, distributing Annual Appeal materials to those contacts, and otherwise helping and advising with the Appeal campaign.
• In the event Wondermore plans fundraising events, board members are expected to assist in planning and organizing, and to attend one Wondermore fundraising event every year.

Board Qualifications & Skillset

We strive to maintain a well-rounded and capable board that is motivated to support Wondermore’s success and growth. We currently have 3 board positions open and would like to fill two of those positions with people who have strong experience in financial management and/or governance. Other skillsets/capabilities/knowledge that are important to us are:

• Legal issues related to nonprofits
• Equity and Diversity
• Marketing
• Social Media
• Public Schools/Literacy initiatives
• Nonprofit management and fundraising

Additional Qualities

• Connected to racially and culturally diverse communities in the greater Boston area
• Acknowledged community leaders in the greater Boston area
• Connected to publishers
• Knowledge of childrens' and YA literature
• Ability to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

To fully achieve our mission, and realize our vision, our board must be composed of individuals with perspectives drawn from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, skill sets, areas of expertise, and lived experiences.

We are committed to creating a board that is diverse in its composition, inclusive in its culture, and equity-focused in its approach to how it views its mission, its work, and the communities it serves.

Board Terms and Attendance

Wondermore’s Board Members will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Board meetings are held monthly during the school year. Currently, the board meets in person 4 times a year at our Dedham Office and 6 times per year online virtually. (Meetings are not held in July and August.) There may also be an annual retreat or an orientation for new members. Committee meetings are held at the discretion of the committee chairs and are typically convened virtually.

Board Member Time Commitment

Standard Time Commitment: 3-5 Hours per month

• 2 hours per board meeting; roughly 9 per year.
• 1 hour for a committee meeting
• 2 hours working with the committee or Executive Director to accomplish the committee or Board's work.

Additional commitments

• 5-10 hours in November/December to assist with the Annual appeal
• 2-4 hours for 1-2 author visits

Service on Wondermore’s Board of Directors is without remuneration.