Call for Nominations to Capital Pride Board
Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. d.b.a. Capital Pride
Prospective Board Member – General Information
Fill out the application form online, or click here to download and complete the board member application.
Applications are due November 11. Write to boardnominations@capitalpride.org if you need more information or have questions.
The Organization
The sole purpose of the Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. (“CPA”) is to produce the annual Capital Pride celebration and related events and activities throughout the year. CPA is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization which was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 2008. In its first operational year, CPA produced the 2009 Capital Pride celebration. CPA is the sole owner and producer of Capital Pride and retains all applicable trademarks and licenses associated with it. CPA conducts business as (d.b.a.) Capital Pride, and refers to itself as Capital Pride in order to promote a consistent brand and reduce any confusion in the general public. References to CPA are limited to only those occasions when required to do so, such as in legal and government documents. Capital Pride is the third largest annual GLBT pride celebration in the country. Over 300,000 people attended events during the 2009 Pride celebration.
Capital Pride hired a part-time (75%) executive director, Dyana Mason, in spring 2009 and her contract was renewed through August 2010. Acting as chief executive officer, Mason is responsible for all operations and management duties related to executing the activities and events of the organization. She is assisted by a number of contractors in specific areas such as event planning, finance, and communications and a set of volunteer committees that plan and execute the specific activities and events of Capital Pride. Capital Pride has also relied on pro-bono legal counsel from the law firm of Latham and Watkins; continuation of the relationship in the next fiscal year is still to be determined.
The organization’s 2010 budget is approximately $500,000. Its fiscal year is October 1 – September 30. It will end the 2009 fiscal year with reserves. The sources of its financial resources include cash and in-kind corporate sponsorships, individual donations, grants, and registration fees from some of its major events and activities. Capital Pride has an office located in a shared office suite in the National Press Club in northwest Washington, DC, but conducts much of its business virtually.
The Board
Capital Pride is governed by a self-perpetuating board of directors which sets major policies, conducts annual planning and assessment, participates in community outreach, and raises funds to support the organization’s mission and its programs. Currently, the board is comprised of individuals who have volunteered with Capital Pride in the past. It consists of eight active members and one member on leave. The executive director serves on the board as an ex-officio, non-voting member. There are no other ex-officio members.
The board is led by an executive committee of four officers: a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. It is organized into standing committees, including governance, finance, and fundraising and ad-hoc (temporary) committees, as needs arise. Board members serve three-year terms, which are renewable for an additional three-year term. The board operates within a set of established policies and procedures, typical of a high-functioning non-profit organization. The board maintains D&O (Directors and Officers) insurance.
A Board in Transition
During its first operational year in 2009, the board functioned as a ‘working board,’ taking a hands-on approach to producing 2009 Capital Pride. With the hiring of staff, the board is ready to move to a more strategic, governance focused role to ensure the continued growth of Capital Pride. It has also determined the need to expand and bring additional perspectives, access to networks, and expertise to accomplish its work. Capital Pride is seeking to expand the board by approximately four individuals to serve for three-year terms, beginning October 2009.
The Commitment
Capital Pride is seeking passionate, committed individuals who share its vision and role as stewards of an important GLBT community asset. The time commitment includes quarterly board meetings of approximately two hours each, a day-long retreat (in October of each year), and participation on a board committee, typically via conference call and email. Board members are expected to be fully engaged in the organization at a governance level, participate actively in board and committee meetings, and attend Capital Pride events and related outreach activities, as schedules permit. All board members make a financial contribution to the organization, based on their personal means.
