Friends General Conference invites Quakers connected with an affiliated Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting, or program to consider serving on the Governing Board. If you feel led to this work, FGC welcomes your interest.

The Governing Board guides FGC’s governance. Members ensure that FGC lives into its mission, acts with integrity, and stays financially sound. The Board provides strategic direction, oversight, and fiduciary care. Its members ground their work in Quaker values and practices. The Board partners with the Representatives Council, which includes officers and committees, to carry forward the work of FGC.

The Governing Board includes 12–18 members, a Presiding Clerk, two Recording Co-Clerks, a Treasurer, and the General Secretary. FGC commits to diversity across the Governing Board, Representatives Council, committees, and programs.

FGC especially encourages Friends of Color, young Friends, young adult Friends, and LGBTQ+ Friends to apply. A diverse Board enriches discernment and decision-making with a wide range of experiences, skills, and spiritual perspectives. To move toward becoming an actively anti-racist organization, the Governance Implementation Working Group set clear goals for strong representation from historically marginalized groups.

Board Member Responsibilities

Governance:

• Participate actively in Board meetings (4-6 times per year, mostly virtual with at least one in-person meeting annually).
• Uphold the FGC Bylaws and all applicable legal and ethical standards.
• Exercise fiduciary responsibility, ensuring prudent use of all organizational assets.
• Approve the annual budget and monitor financial performance.
• Approve all programs (after seasoning from the Representatives Council), committees, and policies.
• Oversee the appointment and performance review of the General Secretary.
• Approve strategic direction and long-term planning, including fundraising strategies.
• Approve/accept an annual audit.
• Utilize Quaker process for decision-making.

Representation:

• Represent the interests of FGC’s member Yearly and Monthly Meetings.
• Bring a deep understanding of Quaker values and practices to Board deliberations.
• Champion FGC’s commitment to anti-racism, co-creation, and equity.
• Contribute to a culture of inclusivity and respect on the Board.

Specific Expertise:

While not required, FGC seeks to ensure the Board has collective expertise in the following areas. In your letter of interest, please indicate any skills or experience you have in these realms:

• Development/Fundraising: Experience in non-profit fundraising, donor cultivation, and grant writing
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Knowledge and experience in implementing DEI initiatives within organizations.
• Law: Legal expertise to advise on compliance, risk management, and other legal matters.

Qualifications:

• Engaged in community with an FGC-affiliated Yearly or Monthly Meeting or FGC Committee.
• Commitment to FGC’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a group setting.
• Willingness to dedicate the necessary time, energy and responsibility of being a Board member.
• FGC actively seeks council members who uplift the diversity of our Quaker community. We want to create space for underrepresented Friends and particularly encourage service from individuals within our community who are People of Color, Friends under the age of 36, or Friends who identify as LGBTQ+ in an effort to better achieve our mission and vision.

Time Commitment:

• Attendance at 4-6 Board meetings per year. Typically meetings last 1 ½ days over a weekend.
• Participation in committee work or other Board-related tasks as needed.

Benefits:

• Contribute to the future of Quakerism through the work of FGC.
• Work alongside dedicated Quakers committed to spiritual growth and social justice.
• Deepen your understanding of Quaker governance and non-profit leadership.
• Deepen your own spiritual life.
• All travel expenses for in-person meetings will be covered by FGC (with the option to opt-out if that financial support is not needed for your participation)

If you would like to serve, please click below to submit your name through FGC’s Volunteer and Interest Survey. Applicants may include a letter of recommendation from their monthly or yearly meeting and a brief description of themselves, such as a resume.