Board Nominations Form & Questionnaire

Organization Overview

C-STEM, Inc. was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c)(3) organization in July 2002. C-STEM, a 501 (c)(3) organization since 2002, provides STEM support services to teachers and students to assist communities serving PreK-20 students with closing the achievement gap among underserved and underrepresented students.

C-STEM enriches state approved curriculum, grades in areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, English Language Arts, social studies and art. C-STEM also provides internships to undergraduate and graduate level students. The emphasis on hands-on project-based provides curriculum and tool-kits that assists teachers in facilitating learning experiences that allow students to apply content knowledge and work collaboratively to solve real-world problems. The range of experiences include and are not limited to: robotics, innovation, coding, photography, film, mosaic mural, sea turtle sculpture, and debate.

C-STEM serves as a conduit in the community, bridging the gap between schools and STEM industries using the C-STEM Challenge feeder pattern model that was designed by the founder, Dr. Reagan Flowers. In doing so, we are revolutionizing the approach to teaching STEM lessons. Partnering schools participate in the C-STEM teacher training institute; receive a C-STEM instructional tool-kits, curriculum; receive support services with implementing C-STEM Challenge competitions and showcases; identify STEM student leaders at each school level and across the challenge categories; utilize a collaborative framework; teachers compete alongside their students; and are encouraged to host a kick-off to start the program and a competition or showcase to end the program for the academic year.

During out of school time, C-STEM partners with other organizations to support the implementation of camps.

The goal is to expose, engage, excite and prepare students to successfully pursue a STEM degree or workforce credential post-high school.

BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW OF SERVICE

Board Member Term: 3 years – to be determined in conjunction with the Bylaws and an overall effort to rotate board members effectively so as to assure continuity of skills, diversity, and leadership. The board meets on the 3rd Thursday virtually from 12:00-1:00 PM CST (8) times per year (January-May and September-November). There are no board meetings in June, July, August, and December:

Annual Commitment: Working with the CEO, Board members are required to enter into an annual agreement that calls for self-evaluation at the end of each fiscal year. The agreement asks each Board member to identify at least one special project at C-STEM that will make effective use of their individual expertise and skills set. Each board member is further required to attend at least one public engagement on behalf of C-STEM (e.g., speaking engagement, attendance at special event, networking opportunity, attendance at a C-STEM training or activity, etc.) In addition, C-STEM asks all board members to diligently seek ways to support the annual budget with an annual give or get of $7,500.00 as well as the services we provide through fundraising, donations, etc.

Yearly Time Commitment: 30-60 Hours, distributed as follows;

10-20 hours: Monthly Board meetings (preparation, attendance, follow-up)

5-10 hours: Conference Calls (preparation, committee updates)

5-10 hours: Committee meetings (preparation, attendance, follow-up)

10-20 hours: Special projects, fundraising, etc.

Officers & Committees: At the Annual meeting, date recommended by the chairman, the board elects its own officers and committee chairpersons for one-year terms. This is done in accordance with the bylaws and based on member interest, expertise, and organizational need.

Board Committees include:

-Executive (officers)

-Finance, Audit, and Fundraising

-Board Nominating and Reinvention

-Talent and Personnel

-Communications and Public Relations

-Alumni Engagement

-Strategic Planning and Project Management

-C-STEM Programs

VISION OF SERVICE

The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of C-STEM Teacher & Student Support Services, Inc. in a manner that is consistent with nonprofit law, the organization’s Bylaws, the organization’s mission and vision. In partnership with staff, board members provide assurance and oversight over major policies and procedures, especially those that impact the long-term health and well being of the nonprofit. The board is committed to upholding best practices in all aspects of the organization’s work to embrace broader standards of nonprofit excellence. Serving as stewards who hold the organization in trust for the good of the entire community we serve, board members are willing and engaged public ambassadors who respect nuances of executive leadership. As such, when the board functions before the public, it speaks with one reasoned voice to all constituents and stakeholders. As a group, the board always acts in the organization’s best interest – especially with respect to conflicts of interest, privacy, confidentiality, and professional codes of conduct. When acting as individuals, each board member contributes in ways that highlight their professional strengths, engage their expertise and encourage overall innovation by the board-at-large.

PREREQUISITES & WISH LIST FOR SERVICE

THE FOLLOWING ARE PRE-REQUISITES FOR BOARD SERVICE:

• A demonstrated interest & commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, goals, and values.
• A willingness to participate in & support fundraising activities, and the annual budget.
• A willingness to represent the agency to the broader community, including but not limited to government, philanthropy, educators, media, and businesses.
• A willingness to expand one’s knowledge and board responsibility through orientation, ongoing training, documentation of resources and evaluation.
• THE FOLLOWING ARE AREAS OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES BY ALL BOARD MEMBERS:
  NOTE: While specific experience in one or more of the following is helpful, this is not a requirement.

  Human Resource/Board Development/Staff Development

• Participating in board development activities, including board member recruitment, orientation, training, recognition and evaluation.
• Supporting Executive Director and providing on-going assistance as requested by the Executive Director.
• Establishing personnel policies, especially regarding salaries/benefits as part of the annual budget.

  Strategic Planning

• Planning for the future, including setting the organization’s strategic direction and annually reviewing and updating the organization’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Supporting the Executive Director in determining which programs and services C-STEM Incorporated will provide. Setting goals and priorities for the maintenance, improvement, overhaul and/or expansion of new and existing programs and services.
• Evaluating C-STEM Incorporated programs and services on a regular basis.

  Finance/Fiscal Management

• Approving an annual budget and ensuring that the budget is both sound and furthers strategic priorities set forth by planning.
• Ensuring that appropriate fiscal and financial management policies are in place and monitoring the effectiveness of these policies.
• Monitoring the financial status of the nonprofit, including, monthly and quarterly review relevant financial statements and annual review of income, expenses, assets, etc.

  Fund Development/Philanthropy

• Ensuring adequate resources to achieve the organization’s well managed growth; including creating and updating a fund development plan as well as a plan for stewardship of donors.
• Participating in fundraising activities, based on each board member’s skills and background.
• Supporting an annual expansion of the organization’s internal culture of philanthropy, sustainability and revenue building.

  Community Relations/Public Relations

• Ensuring that C-STEM programs and services address community, constituent and stakeholder needs.
• Promoting C-STEM programs to the general public.

  Operations

• Ensuring that the organizations legal structures are adequate and appropriate.
• Ensuring that the organization is adequately insured based on detailed assessment of risks.
• Ensuring that the organization is in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

INTENTIONAL RECRUITMENT STATEMENT

As is common with most nonprofits, the development of the C-STEM Teacher & Student Support Services, Inc. Board is a vital part of the continuing, successful operations of the organization. Efforts to develop and sustain the board emphasize three aspects of participation: Diversity – Leadership – Expertise. The Executive Director and initial board members identified key areas of intentional recruitment within these three categories that are designed to create a dynamic board that can lead the organization for the coming years. They are:

DIVERSITY: C-STEM programs and services reach across various ages and cultures. The organization would also like to reflect diversity in its board with respect to cultivating the following community representatives:

• Hispanic
• African-American
• White
• Native American
• Asian
• Other

LEADERSHIP: Board members, who represent, have contacts & maintain a sphere of influence among the following sectors and areas of professional life:

• Education & Advocacy: Universities and Colleges, Professional Organizations, Workforce, Low Income, Homeless
• Community Development: Civic Engagement, Housing, Neighborhood Associations, HUD
• STEM: School Districts, Universities, Workforce, Professional Organizations

EXPERTISE: The goals of the continuing board are to enhance the fundraising capacity of the board, provide guidance and support for staff that serve as operating management, and contribute to the longevity and financial independence of C-STEM Teacher & Student Support Services. The following skills sets and expertise to move the organization forward:

• Marketing & Communications: Branding, Social Media, Awareness, Evaluation
• Philanthropy: Foundations/Endowments, Venture Capital
• Business Planning: Fiscal Overview, Accounting, Real Estate, Monetization Opportunities
• Nonprofit Management: Facilitation, Evaluation, Conflict Resolution, Strategic Planning
• Operations: Legal/Intellectual Property, Human Resource

Tell Us About Yourself:

Note: By responding to the following, you are helping C-STEM with its goal of building a board that accurately reflects the citizens of the community it serves. Non-disclosure of demographic information is part of your right to privacy and will not impact your nomination.

Required Support Materials:

Nominees are welcome to submit additional materials with their application; however, C-STEM, Incorporated will not facilitate the return of additional items such as videos, disks, or printed material. Note that service on the Board of Directors may call for making your resume and/or biographical information available as part of grant applications or other public documents. By providing such information herein, you are granting C-STEM, Incorporated the right to use this information for such reasonable purposes only, pending your involvement on the Board of Directors. As a matter of policy, C-STEM respects the privacy of all nominees, and you can freely opt out of providing any part of information that is requested. C-STEM reserves the right to review all nominations forms and disqualify those who fail to include minimally required information for this process.

Submit your nomination supplemental materials

Via E-mail: rflowers@cstem.org

C-STEM Teacher & Student Support Services, Inc.

ATTN: Board of Directors Nominations

3226 Alabama Street, Houston, Texas 77004

Office: 713-443-4521