Join Our Board of Directors
The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus (TCGMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. The Board brings together individuals with diverse experience across corporate, nonprofit, education, and community leadership, including members of the Chorus. Together, the Board safeguards TCGMC’s mission and values while providing strategic oversight of the organization’s direction and long-term health.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Our Board is very much a “working board” whose members contribute directly to various tasks and efforts that assist the chorus in advancing its mission. As someone interested in joining our Board, you might have questions about what this work includes! Please see the FAQs below:
What is the makeup of the Board of Directors?
The size of the board varies, but is typically comprised of around 15 Directors. Our bylaws require 50% of those Board Directors to be performing members of the Chorus. The Executive Director and Artistic Director serve as ex officio (non-voting) members of the Board. Additionally, the performing membership votes on a President and Vice-President every year, both of whom serve on the Board during the year they are in office.
How long is a term on the Board?
Once elected to the Board, Directors serve a three-year term. Directors may serve two consecutive terms in a row (for a total of six years). Once you have served two terms, you must then vacate your position for at least one year. After that vacancy, you are eligible to be elected to the Board again!
Does the Board have a leadership structure?
The Board is led by a team of four officers. Those officers include the Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board officers plus the membership President make up the Board’s Executive Committee, which governs the organization between Board meetings and handles personnel matters.
How is the Board organized?
The Board is comprised of five standing committees: Marketing, which promotes the work of the Chorus; Governance, which oversees the Board’s functions and growth; Finance, which manages the accounting of the Chorus; Resource Development, which supports the financial sustainability of the Chorus; and Membership, which ensures the engagement and satisfaction of performing members.
What is expected of me as a Board member?
In your first year on the Board, we typically expect you to serve on one of the above-mentioned standing committees. As you progress through your term, you may have the opportunity (and we may have the need!) for you to chair one of those committees, or to step into a Board officer role.
Board meetings are required to occur quarterly, but typically take place monthly for 2 hours. The “Board book” (a compilation of committee reports and the agenda for the board meeting) is made available to the Board prior to each Board meeting, and Directors are expected to consult those reports prior to the meeting. Additionally, most committees meet monthly for roughly an hour.
Is there a required financial contribution from Board members?
There is no formal ‘buy-in’ or monetary contribution when you join the Board. We do expect Directors to contribute to our fundraising and resource development efforts, such as identifying new funding streams and promoting fundraising efforts. Currently, we do have a 100% giving board at a variety of levels that are significant to each member.
If interested in serving, please send a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and experience to:
Dennis Whipple, Executive Director
DWhipple@TCGMC.org