Unpaid - Board of Directors Support Intern
Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative (BGJWC) is seeking an outgoing, articulate and well-spoken intern (undergrad or grad student) to volunteer for an unpaid, semester long Board of Directors Support Internship at BGJWC.
The Board of Directors Support Intern will provide administrative, organizational, research, and coordination support to BGJWC's Board of Directors and executive leadership.
This internship is designed to provide an undergraduate or grad student with practical experience in nonprofit governance, board administration, organizational development, nonprofit management and community-based leadership.
The Board of Directors Support Intern will help BGJWC strengthen the systems that allow Board members to remain informed, engaged, organized, and prepared to carry out their governance responsibilities. The position will also support BGJWC's ongoing efforts to strengthen communication and collaboration between the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and organizational leadership.
Primary Responsibilities
Board Meeting & Administrative Support
The Board of Directors Support Intern will:
- Assist the Board Secretary with scheduling and coordinating regular and special meetings of the BGJWC Board of Directors.
- Help the Board Secretary prepare and distribute Board meeting agendas, meeting packets, reports, and supporting materials.
- Assist the Board Secretary and/or designated staff with taking, organizing, and maintaining meeting minutes when requested.
- Maintain an organized calendar of Board meetings, committee meetings, retreats, trainings, reporting deadlines, and other important governance activities.
- Help Board Secretary track Board decisions, assignments, action items, and follow-up responsibilities.
- Assist Board Secretary in sending meeting reminders and follow-up communications as directed.
- Assist Board Secretary with maintaining accurate Board contact information and governance records.
Board Governance & Development
The Board of Directors Support Intern will:
- Conduct research on nonprofit governance best practices and identify resources that may strengthen Board effectiveness.
- Assist in developing and updating a Board Member Orientation/Resource Manual.
- Assist in developing an orientation and onboarding process for new Board members.
- Help identify relevant Board development workshops, webinars, conferences, and training opportunities.
- Assist with coordinating Board retreats and professional development activities.
- Support periodic Board self-assessments and other efforts designed to strengthen Board engagement and effectiveness.
Board Engagement & Communication
The Board of Directors Support Intern will:
- Help strengthen communication between BGJWC's Board of Directors and organizational leadership.
- Assist with developing periodic Board updates highlighting organizational activities, accomplishments, upcoming events, funding opportunities, and decisions requiring Board attention.
- Help monitor Board member participation in meetings, committees, trainings, retreats, and organizational activities.
- Assist with following up on Board assignments and agreed-upon action items.
- Support opportunities for Board members to become more engaged with BGJWC programs and community activities.
Board Committee Support
As needed, the Board of Directors Support Intern may provide administrative and coordination assistance to Board committees by:
- Scheduling committee meetings.
- Preparing meeting materials.
- Tracking committee assignments and deliverables.
- Conducting background research.
- Maintaining committee records.
- Helping committees communicate recommendations and updates to the full Board.
Organizational & Special Project Support
The Board of Directors Support Intern may also:
- Assist with planning BGJWC Board and staff retreats.
- Conduct research related to nonprofit management, organizational development, fundraising, governance, and strategic planning.
- Assist with preparing presentations, surveys, worksheets, and other materials for Board activities.
- Help organize historical documents that demonstrate BGJWC's organizational growth and Board development.
- Support special projects assigned by BGJWC executive leadership or authorized Board leadership that are consistent with the purpose of the internship.
Learning Opportunities
This internship is intended to be both a service and learning opportunity. The Intern will gain firsthand experience with:
- Nonprofit Board governance and fiduciary responsibilities.
- The relationship between a nonprofit Board and executive leadership.
- Board meeting preparation and administration.
- Nonprofit policies, bylaws, and governance structures.
- Strategic planning and organizational development.
- Board recruitment, orientation, engagement, and retention.
- Community-based nonprofit leadership.
- Environmental and climate justice organizations.
- Professional communication and organizational systems.
When appropriate, the BGJWC Board of Directors Support Intern may also participate in BGJWC trainings, retreats, community events, and professional development opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
BGJWC welcomes applicants who are interested in nonprofit leadership and are eager to learn. Preferred qualifications include:
- Current undergraduate or graduate students.
- Interest in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, social work, communications, political science, environmental studies, organizational leadership, or a related field.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate and organized records.
- Comfortable working independently while also collaborating with a team.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and follow through on responsibilities.
- Professional judgment and ability to handle sensitive organizational information with discretion.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and other basic digital communication tools.
- Interest in environmental justice, community development, workforce development, cooperative economics, or nonprofit governance is a plus.
Confidentiality & Professional Expectations
Because the Intern may have access to Board discussions, organizational records, personnel information, financial information, and other sensitive materials, the individual selected for this position will be expected to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
The Board of Directors Support Intern will be expected to use BGJWC-approved communication systems and follow organizational policies when conducting BGJWC-related business.
Desired Internship Outcomes
By the conclusion of the internship, BGJWC expects the Board of Directors Support Intern to have contributed to:
- A more organized and accessible system for Board records and governance documents.
- Improved tracking of Board meetings, decisions, assignments, and follow-up activities.
- An updated Board orientation and resource system.
- Stronger coordination of Board meetings, committees, retreats, and professional development activities.
- Improved communication between BGJWC's Board and organizational leadership.
- Greater Board engagement in BGJWC's mission, programs, and organizational development.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is someone who is organized, dependable, curious, professional, and interested in learning how nonprofit organizations are governed from the inside. This internship is particularly well suited for an individual considering a future career in nonprofit management, public administration, organizational development, community engagement, philanthropy, or executive leadership.
BGJWC is especially interested in creating an internship experience where the individual does more than complete administrative tasks. The Board of Directors Support Intern will have an opportunity to learn how a growing, community-rooted nonprofit strengthens the governance infrastructure necessary to sustain and expand its impact in Baltimore City.
ACADEMIC CREDIT
If approved by their educational institutions, college students selected for this internship may receive program or course credit. BGJWC encourages eligible applicants to speak with their college advisor and/or the career development office at their college to inquire about the opportunity to receive program or course credit.