Louis August Jonas Foundation

Board Director Application Process

Serving on the Louis August Jonas Foundation Board is both rewarding and a wonderful way to give back to the Foundation. With service comes a  significant commitment of time, energy, spirit, and resources as well as opportunities for professional and personal growth. To read more about board directors responsibilities, see below. 

Each board member should be committed to the sustainable success of the organization and program. We seek board members who can clearly and respectfully communicate among themselves and with our constituents. The Board strives for consensus, but honors dissent. Most Board meetings are open to the public, unless an executive session is necessary to discuss personnel or other particularly sensitive/confidential matters. Directors complete an annual self-evaluation of Board performance.  We strive to include education for directors in one or more Board meetings every year, depending on results from the self-evaluation, or other topics of interest.

For those interested in nominating someone or themselves, review the roles and responsibilities overview at the end of this document. Contact the following individuals with any questions:

●      Christina Busso and Cindy Abramson (Governance Committee Co-Chairs) - boardapply@lajf.org

●      Cindy Abramson (Board President) -  boardpresident@lajf.org

●      Helene Mattera (Executive Director) - hmattera@lajf.org

Submission Details

●      Due Date: The next round of board applications are due on July 1, 2024 for election to the BoD in September.

●      Required Documents:

○      Complete Nomination Form online

○      Upload Resume to nomination form

○      Email Letter of Recommendation to: boardapply@lajf.org

●      Next Steps:

• After receiving the required documents, the Co-Chairs share the submitted documents with the members of the Governance Committee.

• The governance committee reviews all submissions.

•  A committee member contacts each nominee to schedule a conversation

• The Committee debriefs on all feedback and makes recommendations to the MAC (Members Advisory Council)

• The MAC make their elections and notify nominees.

 Responsibilities

The members of all New York State Non-Profit Boards of Directors have fiduciary duties to the organization of care, loyalty, and obedience:

• Duty of Care requires you to be familiar with the organization's finances and activities and to participate regularly in its governance. You must act in "good faith" using the "degree of diligence, care and skill" which prudent people would use in similar positions and under similar circumstances.

• Duty of Loyalty means acting in the interest of the corporation and requires that any conflict of interest, real or possible, be disclosed in advance of joining a board and when they arise.

• Duty of Obedience means ensuring that the organization complies with applicable laws and regulations, its mission and its internal governance documents and policies, including dedicating the organization's resources to its mission and not engaging in any unauthorized activities.

For more detail read “What Are the Duties of Boards of Directors?” section (pp. 4-7) from the “Right from the Start:  Responsibilities of Directors of Not-For-Profit Corporations” on the New York Attorney General Charities Bureau website: http://www.charitiesnys.com/guides_advice_new.jsp

All board members are required to engage in fundraising for the Foundation. Every board  member agrees to make the Louis August Jonas Foundation one of his/her top philanthropic priorities and to make a financial contribution to the Foundation, annually. This donation may be given at any time during the year and may be in connection with an event and/or annual appeal. By coming forward early in the year with a donation or a pledge to donate, board members will be setting an example for other potential donors and taking a leadership position in the community with regard to fundraising for the Foundation.  ​ ​

Board members also will be expected to be active participants in the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.  ​ ​

Time Commitment

Election to the Board is for a 3-year term by the Members Advisory Council (MAC), with reelection possible twice, for a total of 9 consecutive years.

The LAJF Board meets three times annually, with occasional interim teleconferences to address particular topics or to “check in.”  Official meetings are usually in January, April (annual meeting), and October.  The annual board retreat is usually at Clinton Camp in early October and all other meetings are virtual.

Each director typically serves on or leads one board committee or engagement initiative. The commensurate time varies, with some committees meeting monthly and others with less frequency. These meetings are conducted virtually by video or phone conference call and last 1 hour. Relevant professional or extensive volunteer experience are required for serving or leading each committee. Current Board Committees include: 

• Program

• Strategic Planning

• Governance

• Finance & Investment

• Audit Advisory

• Building & Grounds

• Health & Safety

• George E. Jonas Scholarship for undergraduate or graduate education