Board of Directors

Make a Difference—Become a Board Member for Helping Link/Một Dấu Nối.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities? If so, consider joining our team as a member of the Board of Directors. You will play a crucial role in guiding our organization’s strategic direction, overseeing operations, providing fiscal oversight and ensuring the fulfillment of our mission. Your valuable expertise and unique perspectives will help shape the future of Helping Link and create a lasting impact in our community.

Board Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide overall policy guidance
• Ensure sound agency management
• Establish strategic goals and objectives
• Set major policies and standards
• Ensure program quality through effective evaluation
• Budgeting and financial oversight
• Plan and implement fundraising strategies and campaigns
• Hire and supervise the Executive Director
• Approve organizational structure including salaries and benefits
• Establish, maintain, participate on and evaluate Board committees
• Represent the agency to the community

General Expectations

• Know Helping Link’s mission, goals, policies, programs, strengths and needs
• Be knowledgeable about Helping Link’s financial status, review the budget and otherwise help the board maintain fiscal accountability
• Serve in leadership positions or undertake special assignments willingly and enthusiastically
• Speak for the board or organization when authorized to do so
• Dedicate 10-12 hours per month

Fund Raising

• Give an annual financial gift in an amount that is significant to you
• Participate in fundraising, including encouraging friends and colleagues to support Helping Link including filling seats at our annual fundraiser

Meetings

• Prepare for and participate in monthly board meetings.
• Participate actively in one standing committee
• Participate as an ad hoc committee member, if appointed
• Ask timely and substantive questions at board and committee meetings consistent with your conscience and convictions, while supporting the majority decision on issues decided by the board.
• Suggest agenda items for board and committee meetings to ensure that significant policy related matters are addressed.
• Listen respectfully to other points of view
• If unable to attend a board or committee meeting, notify the chair in advance.
• Attend Board retreats, in-service workshops and other Board development activities.
• Attend and participate in special events as needed, networking and representing Helping Link in a professional manner.

Benefits of Board Service

• Impact positive change for individuals and the Vietnamese community as a whole
• Network with community leaders, non-profit agencies, and our diverse volunteer base
• Learn about the rich history and culture of our Vietnamese clients and supporters
• Develop and demonstrate leadership skills

Length of Service: Two-year minimum term

Application Process

To begin the application process, please express interest to Minh-Duc Nguyen, Helping Link’s Executive Director. Each candidate will be asked to complete a brief written application, and a board member will contact you for a short interview to learn more about your interests and the talents you can contribute to our board.

Please use the online application form to apply. Helping Link Seattle/Một Dấu Nối is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board of Directors. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Download/View the job application in PDF form

Quotes from the Board

In 1993, my family packed our belongings in five oversized suitcases and left Hong Kong for Seattle. I was ten at the time. I recall my mother spending much of my childhood planning for the move. From what I gathered, she feared what the 1997 handover from Great Britain to China would mean for our future. Upon arrival to the US, I was blessed with a lot of help from family to make the transition less abrupt. Nevertheless, the language and culture barrier impacted our lives in many ways. Little did I know, years later, I would have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Helping Link and give back to the immigrant community. I have met some amazing clients and volunteers along the way too!

Mary S., Board Member

Whether a family chooses or is compelled to relocate to a foreign land and culture, succeeding alone is unthinkable without the assistance of local help. My family came to the United States as refugees in the late 70’s and would not have prospered without the kindness of organizations like Helping Link that provide the tools and social support necessary to overcome cultural barriers. I joined the Board in hopes of being able to offer that to the next generation of immigrants to the Seattle region. As a transplant to the area from the Midwest, volunteerism also offered me an opportunity to create stronger connections with the Vietnamese community.

Hao D., Board Member