Our board of directors is a volunteer working board that helps shape many aspects of Sincere Studio, most importantly our future!

 

Overview 

Sincere Studio's mission is to bring sewing skills education to our community with a focus on sewing as a tool of social change and empowerment. Through a wide selections of classes, community groups, events, and open sew hours, we provide a high-quality sewing education and community space for people of all income levels. 

Our current strategic priorities include: expanding our free and low-cost programming; creating more partnerships with local non-profits; creating a more diverse staff and board of directors; and fundraising through grants and individual donations. 

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Why we're recruiting

Sincere Studio is recruiting for new board members to both increase the size and diversity of our board. We hope that by increasing the size of our board and bringing in more voices from minorities and marginalized groups, we can create not just an inclusive studio, but a studio that is purposefully built around those needs. 

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What we're looking for

Our ideal board member is dedicated to our mission and has skills they're willing to share to help our work. They are also aligned with our core values which include anti-racism, centering marginalized identities, economic justice, and a general understanding that our collective liberation is inherently intertwined with all members of our community. 

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Board member terms are 2 years. We are looking to fill the secretary role as well as general board member positions.

 

Sincere Studio is looking for passionate community members to join our board of directors. This is a working volunteer board and we have a few different roles to fill! If you are passionate about bringing sewing to our community and would like to add your experiences, opinions, and thoughts to our work, apply now!

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Fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning are all areas of knowledge that would strengthen our capacity as a new and growing organization. 

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Desired Qualifications

Diversity: lived experience from diverse groups of all kinds, whether that's race, income, disability, gender, and more

Finance: experience in fundraising, grant searching and writing, and bookkeeping

Sustainability: experience in the sustainability world to foster partnerships and opportunities

Arts: experience in the Portland arts world to foster partnerships and opportunities

Activism: activism experience and knowledge, especially in the anti-racism and economic justice realms. 

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Board members do not need to be sewing enthusiasts to apply, although experience in the sewing world helps understand our unique community. 

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Board Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight: Participate in setting long-term goals, reviewing progress, and ensuring the organization stays true to its mission.

• Ensure financial health: Approve budgets, review financial statements, and help secure resources to support programs.

• Fundraise: Support fundraising efforts through outreach and personal networks.

• Foster community connections: Help foster community connections with other non-profits and grassroots groups

• Participate in governance: Attend regular board and committee meetings, contribute to discussions, and help make informed decisions.

• Represent the organization: Act as ambassadors for Sincere Studio, promoting its programs, mission, and impact in the community.

• Engage in committees: Serve on committees aligned with your expertise to advance the organization’s work.

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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging​

DEI initiatives are core to our programming, fundraising, and overall organization culture. You can read more about our commitment to DEI in our Diversity Policy.

As we search for new board members, we are prioritizing people with lived experience in areas we see our board currently lacking. Experience on a board is not required.

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Expectations and Culture

Required: Our board meets virtually one to two times a month for 1-2 hours for planning purposes. Board members are required to attend at least one of these meetings. 

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Our day-long strategic planning meeting happens in October. 

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Members are also asked to volunteer at Sincere Studio events and help with studio projects 

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This board is a collaborative working board. Members hold responsibility for studio programs and projects. Our board also makes governing decisions and shapes our budget. 

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Board members do not create programming, events, classes or workshops. 

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How to apply

​To apply to be a member of the board of directors, please fill out the interest form below.​​​

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