As an Associate Board member, your contributions could include advocacy, fundraising, community outreach, and more. The Associate Board’s primary focus is fundraising to support Droste’s programming. The Associate Board also works to expand Droste’s network of mission and community partners and supports other initiatives based on member expertise and organizational needs.

Short answer, the sky’s the limit! While events or activities should have an overall goal of raising funds for Droste’s initiatives, there is wide latitude in the type of events or activities that Associate Board members can organize.

As we grow, we hope to expand events and activities from primarily focusing on fundraising to community engagement and advocacy as well.

Members are expected to attend quarterly meetings and participate in events and fundraising activities. The time commitment may vary depending on your role and involvement in specific committees or initiatives but, in general, you can expect to dedicate 5-10 hours each month.

The give/get requirement is an important part of your role as an Associate Board member. If you have concerns about meeting this requirement, we encourage you to consider joining our Associate Circle.

Yes! Individuals without prior nonprofit experience are welcome. The Associate Board values diverse perspectives and skills.

Members are expected to serve for at least one year and can re-commit for as many years as they would like.

Yes! Associate Board members are encouraged to join a committee based on their interests, skills, and availability. Committees help move our work forward while creating opportunities for members to connect, contribute, and develop leadership experience. The Associate Board has the following committees active:

• Communications Committee: Helps share Droste's story and increase awareness of our work. Projects may include social media content, newsletters, event promotion, storytelling, marketing materials, and identifying opportunities to engage new audiences.

• Engagement and Impact Committee: Energizes the Associate Circle by recruiting and onboarding new members, managing the member database, coordinating program visits, and enhancing member experience. The Engagement and Impact Committee is the primary liaison with the Associate Circle.

• Events Committee: Plans and supports fundraising, networking, and awareness-building events throughout the year. Responsibilities may include event logistics, sponsorship outreach, volunteer coordination, guest engagement, and helping create meaningful experiences for attendees.

• Technology Committee: Provides support and ideas related to technology, digital tools, and systems. This may include website updates, data management, event technology, process improvements, and exploring new ways technology can support Droste's mission and operations.

• Strategic Partnerships Committee: Builds relationships with individuals, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders who can support Droste's mission. This committee helps identify opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, volunteer engagement, and community outreach.

Future Committee Opportunities

As the Associate Board grows, additional committees may be established based on organizational needs and member interests. Potential future committees include:

• Executive Committee: Provides leadership and coordination across committees, supports Associate Board officers, and helps set priorities and goals.

• Advocacy Committee: Educates the community about mental health issues and explores opportunities for awareness campaigns, public engagement, and advocacy efforts aligned with Droste's mission.

Yes! While our primary goal in starting the Associate Board will be fundraising and networking, once we have a good base for our fundraising activities we are excited to grow and your unique perspectives can help drive our innovation and growth. We are looking for people who want to roll up their sleeves and put their new ideas into action!

The Associate Board consists of emerging leaders who support Droste's mission through advocacy, fundraising, and outreach, often focusing on engaging younger professionals and the community.

In contrast, the main Board of Directors holds fiduciary responsibility and provides overall governance and strategic direction for the organization.