A Call for Board Members - Role Description
Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO) is an Irish charity dedicated to the development of the Irish Diaspora at home and abroad. It aims to strengthen local communities across the island of Ireland, north and south, as well as Irish diaspora communities around the world through connecting Diaspora with their communities of origin in Ireland. As a registered Charity, it is guided by a Board of Directors who are established leaders in different areas of Diaspora interest. As of 2024, Ireland XO is recognised as one of the leading connectors of local Irish and Irish diaspora communities with over 180,000 subscribed members worldwide.
About the role
To meet the aims and expectations of our growing membership and volunteer base, Ireland Reaching Out is embarking on an important period of organisational growth. As part of this development, Ireland XO is seeking to recruit new volunteer Board members to actively contribute to this new era of impact for the organisation.
Ireland XO is focused on seeking candidates with demonstrated leadership experience and interest in areas that include:
- Genealogy / Local Heritage.
- Community Development.
- Diaspora Engagement.
- Tourism / Tourism Marketing.
We also seek Board members with the following specific skill set and experience:
- Accounting / Finance / Fundraising.
- Business and Partnership development
- Communications / Media Relations
- Volunteer Management.
- New Technologies and Online Engagement.
The successful candidates will work with a dynamic board and dedicated volunteers across the island of Ireland. The new Board members will join an existing seven-person voluntary board advising on the strategic direction of the organisation along with providing guidance and support to deliver on the charity’s vision and mission. The executive of Ireland Reaching Out includes a small part-time team of staff.
This is an exciting time to join the Board of Directors. Ireland Reaching Out is implementing a new volunteering structure on a county-wide and province-wide basis to meet a growing demand from our members for our products and services. This structure aims to maximise the ability of local Irish volunteers to support the Irish Diaspora to reconnect with their Irish roots, re-engage directly with local places and to actively contribute to the vibrancy of local Irish communities.
By building long-lasting relationships between local and diaspora communities, this role will help to further establish Ireland XO as a leading hub for curating and cultivating connections between Ireland and the Irish Diaspora, including through Meet and Greet events.
Responsibilities of a Board member includes but are not limited to:
- Attending quarterly board meetings online or in central Dublin (90 minutes).
- Supporting Ireland XO strategic goal alignment, governing structures, and policies.
- Ensuring appropriate and effective resource mobilisation and financial management for the sustainability of the organisation.
- Considering, managing, and accepting risk on behalf of the organisation.
- Advocating for and representing the organisation in appropriate settings.
About the candidate – desired skills:
- Understanding of governance good practice.
- Proven track record of impactful strategic thinking for organisational growth.
- Proven use of emotional intelligence required for community and volunteer-based engagements.
- Familiarity with the charity sector and volunteer management.
Details of time commitment
The Board Member role is expected to take between 4-5 hours per month, including quarterly board meetings and requires an appropriate investment of time, interest, and energy. Some travel on the island of Ireland may be required to represent the organisation with volunteers and at key events.
How to apply
If you are interested in the role, please send a CV and short cover letter covering why you would like to assist the work of Ireland Reaching Out with the subject line: “Board of Directors search” to info@irelandxo.com by 28th February 2024.
We hope you have found the information we have shared helpful. While you are here, we have a small favour to ask. Ireland Reaching Out is a non-profit organisation that relies on public funding and donations to ensure a completely free family history advisory service to anyone of Irish heritage who needs help connecting with their Irish place of origin. If you would like to support our mission, please click on the donate button and make a contribution. Any amount, big or small, is appreciated and makes a difference.