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Board Member

‍Who We Are

The Phoenix Legal Action Network (PLAN) partners with immigrant-led organizations to advance the rights of immigrants and their families in Phoenix.  We are a small and growing nonprofit organization. Read about our team here.  PLAN has been providing free immigration legal services to keep families together and stop deportations since 2018.  We also understand that legal services, while important, do not change the laws and systems that oppress and exclude immigrant communities. In recognition of these limitations, PLAN partners with local immigrant-led organizations to build community power and democratize legal information.  We also use storytelling to push back against anti-immigrant sentiment.  Learn more about us at www.planphx.org.  

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Board Commitment

A dedicated and engaged Board of Directors, who are a majority women of color and identify broadly with the immigrant experience, support PLAN’s mission and staff.  PLAN is currently recruiting 3-5 new members to join its board for a two-year term beginning January 2024 (with possibility of renewal).  The PLAN Board commitment includes:

  • Participating in quarterly board meeting on a Friday morning, 830am- 1030am, in February, May, August, and November. Board meetings are hybrid - those who can come in person are encouraged to come in person, but board members can also participate via videoconference.
  • Joining one day-long, in person annual board retreat on a weekend in summer/fall.
  • Actively engaging in at least one PLAN board committee.  PLAN committees generally meet for one hour once a month via video and include 1-2 hours of work between meetings.
  • Attending at least two PLAN events or meetings in person each year (in addition to board retreat).
  • Making an annual gift to PLAN at a level generous to you and committing to PLAN being one of the top three recipients of your charitable giving during your board term.
  • Actively fundraising within personal and professional networks on behalf of PLAN.  Includes inviting networks to be individual or monthly donors and/or annual sponsors, participating in thank-a-thons, making introductions etc.
  • Responding to board emails.

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We estimate the PLAN board commitment to average about 3-5 hours a month, and about 6-8 hours a month for board leadership.

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Required Qualifications

  • Passion for PLAN’s mission, vision, and values.
  • Interest in acting as PLAN ambassador in the community.
  • Enthusiasm for fundraising.
  • Dedication to race equity.
  • Live in the Phoenix metro area or live elsewhere but continue to have deep connections to the Phoenix metro area and are willing to return to Phoenix acouple of times a year for in-person events.

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Desired Qualifications

As we build our board, we welcome and encourage people of all experiences and backgrounds to apply, but we will prioritize applicants who:

  • Identify as immigrants, including but not limited to, undocumented/DACAmented immigrants, people in mixed status families, immigrants with status, individuals impacted by the immigration system, and second-generation immigrants;
  • Are involved in the local immigrant community;
  • Have experience with fundraising and/or grants;
  • Have finance or accounting background;
  • Previously served on a non-profit board; and/or
  • Have an interest in board leadership.

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Application Process & Timeline:

  • Sunday November 5, 2023: Complete the PLAN Board interest survey.  We estimate completing the survey will take about 30-40 minutes.
  • November 15-17: Outstanding applicants will be invited to an interview with the PLAN Board.
  • Late November/Early December: Finalists may be invited to a follow up conversation with PLAN’s Executive Director and/or PLAN board members.
  • December 11-15: All interviewed applicants notified of Board decision.
  • January 2024: Selected new board members participate in two-hour onboarding.  Date to be determined based on candidate availability.
  • February 2024: First quarterly board meeting.

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Non-Discrimination Statement & Policy: The Phoenix Legal Action Network is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives of its board members, staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.  We are committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for people with diverse identities, providing an equal opportunity for all persons, and prohibiting discriminatory behavior.

The Phoenix Legal Action Network prohibits discrimination in any of its activities or operations on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct), age, marital status, national or ethnic origin or ancestry, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression (including transgender or non-binary identity), genetic information, and any other characteristic protected under applicable local, state, or federal law.  These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of Board members, volunteers and partner organizations, and provision of services.  Retaliation for reporting any such acts of discrimination is also prohibited.

Questions?  Please do not hesitate to contact PLAN’s Executive Director, Rekha Nair, at info@planphx.org.

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