Refugee Congress Seeks Leaders with Lived Expertise to Join Board of Directors
Refugee Congress is a national nonpartisan organization built and led by people who have experienced forced displacement to promote the well-being, inclusion, and dignity of all refugees, asylees, and other forcibly displaced people at local, state, national, and global levels.
With more than 100 members across 46 states representing more than 35 countries of origin and a range of professional expertise including education, medicine, nonprofit management, business, social work, advocacy, and refugee resettlement, Refugee Congress Delegates are community leaders who use their talents, stories, and lived and professional expertise to inform and influence decision-makers on critical issues that affect our communities. We believe that policies and programs will be stronger, and that solutions will be more effective, when they are informed and crafted by those who have experienced forced displacement. Our vision is that wherever conversations take place that impact refugees and asylum-seekers, our voices are equal partners at the table.
The Refugee Congress Board of Directors seeks to recruit new Board members with the critical skills, experience, and networks needed for the effective governance of our rapidly growing organization.
Context of Recruitment Effort: Founded in 2011 as a bi-annual national gathering (“Congress”), Refugee Congress incorporated in 2017 in the District of Columbia, received its 501(c)(3) recognition at the end of 2021, and plans to transition from its current fiscal sponsor to full independence in early 2025. Refugee Congress is currently moving into a significant new phase of growth – expanding our funding, staffing, programs, and partnerships – that brings both exciting opportunities as well as heightened expectations and responsibilities. With this context of independence, growth, and greater expectations, Refugee Congress seeks to transition the Board from one that has provided advocacy leadership to one that effectively carries out critical governance functions, including strategic planning, financial oversight, and fundraising.
Refugee Congress Board Needs: We seek candidates with significant professional leadership and decision-making experience and leverageable networks in these sectors:
Philanthropy - including a variety of foundations (private, family, community).
Corporate - including regional, national, and/or international corporations and businesses.
Nonprofits - national or international nonprofits.
US and Global Governance - including state government, federal government, UN-affiliated agencies, Inter-governmental agencies, etc.
Academia - including universities and colleges, etc.
Key Qualifications:
Experienced Refugee or Forcibly Displaced Individual: You have lived experience as a refugee or as a forcibly displaced person and are ready to represent and advocate for others with similar backgrounds.
Commitment to the Cause: You have a deep understanding of the challenges facing refugees, asylees, and other forcibly displaced people and are driven to create positive change.
Leadership and Vision: You have experience in leadership roles and the ability to help guide our organization toward achieving its strategic goals.
Team Collaboration: You are a team player who can work respectfully and effectively with diverse team members.
Availability: You can commit to attending regular board meetings and actively engaging in key discussions and decision-making processes.
What You Gain: Service on the Refugee Congress Board of Directors will provide opportunities to:
Impact: Contribute to meaningful change and support the well-being of refugees and asylees.
Network: Collaborate with a network of like-minded professionals and community leaders.
Experience: Enhance your professional leadership skills in a board director role of a national advocacy organization.
Community: Join a community of amazing refugee and asylee leaders around the country dedicated to the well-being, inclusion, and dignity of all those seeking protection for forcible displacement.
Terms/Eligibility: Board terms are for three years and Board members may serve no more than two terms. To be eligible to serve on the Board, an individual must be located in the U.S. and have the lived experience of being a refugee, asylum seeker, or otherwise forcibly displaced.
Recruitment/Election Process: This recruitment effort will be led by current members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director. As a membership organization, all Board members are elected by the full Congress (lead Delegates from each state).
How to Apply: If you are committed to equity and human dignity and are looking for a way to give back and make a difference, we invite you to apply to join the Refugee Congress Board of Directors. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your refugee or displacement experience and why you want to serve on our board.
Send your resume/cover letter and/or inquiries to boardrecruitment@refugeecongress.org with the subject line "Board of Directors Application."
Refugee Congress is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity organization. We seek qualified applicants across race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
For more information about our work and the impact you can make, please visit our website at www.refugeecongress.org.
Shape the future with us! We look forward to hearing your story.
