Become a Board Member

Written By Carrie Bain

Hello?! Authentically Fat is currently seeking new board members to join us in our mission to center the fat experience and uplift fat voices through education, peer-validation and community building. Our board plays a critical role in guiding the future of our organization. For all board member positions, you are responsible for:

Leading Strategically

  • Become knowledgeable about the mission and vision, community agreements and activities

  • Help develop and communicate the organization’s strategic direction, goals and plans

  • Monitor outcomes related to stated goals and strategies and revise as needed

Ensuring Financial Stability

  • Regularly review and understand the organization’s financial statements and assess the organization’s financial position

  • Ask questions to improve understanding of the financial statements

Being an Ambassador

  • Represent Authentically Fat in the community

  • Participate in fundraising events

  • Volunteer to assist in activities

Maintaining Healthy Governance

  • Review bylaws and maintain compliance with all legal requirements and other guiding documents

  • Review policies annually and update as needed

  • Be prepared for and attend all board meetings

Here are our open board member positions:

Vice Chair

This role serves as a full board member, along with the following responsibilities:

  • Aid the Board Chair in the performance of their duties

  • Be a thought partner with the Board Chair

  • In the absence of the Board Chair, preside at the meeting and assume responsibilities

  • Serve as the Chief Engagement Officer for the Board to support the ongoing engagement of individual board members

    • This can include, but is not limited to:

      • Checking in with absent board members

      • Conducting 1:1 meetings with each Board member at least once per year

      • Support the Board Chair in the overall engagement of Board Members

  • If a board member can’t attend a meeting, the Vice Chair checks in with them for an update and shares it with the rest of the board

  • Succeed to the Board Chair role until the next regular election if the Board Chair is unable to serve out their term.

  • Lead special projects when assigned


Secretary

This role serves as a full board member, along with the following responsibilities:

  • Keep board records and ensure minutes are taken and properly recorded

  • Co-develop board meeting agendas with the Board Chair

  • Ensure documentation requirements are met with annual reporting

    • Annual 990

    • Annual Attorney General filings

  • Make sure minutes are given to members following each board meeting

  • Familiarity with legal documents

    • Bylaws

    • Articles of incorporation

    • Policies

  • Perform other duties assigned by the board


Treasurer

This role serves as a full board member, along with the following responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with the Board Chair to lead an annual budget and financial plan for Authentically Fat

  • Be knowledgeable about Authentically Fat’s finances and financial business model and communicate this information to the Board

  • Ensure financial integrity

  • Verifying that Authentically Fat maintains complete and accurate accounts, receipts and disbursements in the books belonging to Authentically Fat

  • Report the overall financial condition of Authentically Fat at regular Board meetings

  • Verifying financial compliance requirements are met

    • Annual 990

    • Annual Attorney General Filings

  • Support the organization’s audit process

  • Lead the development and review of the organization’s financial policies


Length of Term For All Board Member Positions

Each term lasts two years. Board members can serve one additional two-year term if they’re still eligible and the Board approves. After serving two terms, they must take at least one term off before being re-elected to the same role.

Time Commitment

Expect to spend roughly 7 to 8 hours per month on board-related activities, which include:

  • The Board will meet the first Sunday of each month from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. virtually over Google Meet

    • Meetings are extended on occasion, with notice and additional board meetings may be added as needed during the year

    • Board members are expected to attend 10 of the 12 required board meetings per year

    • Board members are expected to review materials before the meeting

  • Board Members are asked to attend Authentically Fat events located within the Twin Cities

  • Board members may be asked to provide support outside of meetings, such as being an ambassador, writing donor thank you notes, or other tasks related to their role

Financial Contribution

Each year, we ask board members to make a financial gift that feels meaningful to them. Every contribution, whether it’s big or small, helps sustain our mission.

Still vibing with our mission?

Apply by clicking the button below. And yes, that button will take you to the application for all open board member roles.

Deadline to apply is July 11, 2025




Carrie Bain
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Fat Activism Opportunity