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Join the Board
We are a 100% volunteer-run organization. Board members help shape the role of design in our community through their ideas, execution of programming, and their role as design advocates.
Board service supports many ambitions, from building self-awareness and learning new skills, to expanding your professional network and resources. Those with underrepresented lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
Current board members look forward to answering your questions about board service via email, direct Slack message, or at our next event.
How to Apply
Click on the position you’re interested in to see the details. Then, click the application link and complete a short form. We will follow up with a phone or virtual conversation.
Board of Directors
These positions have the autonomy to share what you’re passionate about with the community. Directors serve 1 year and the Executive Committe serves 2 years. You can be re-elected but cannot serve more than 4 years in one position. Click any position name below for details. All positions will be supported by an experienced AIGA advisor and provided with a toolkit to support their planning and execution. Those with underrepresented lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
Requirements to join as the board
- Be an AIGA member at any level, if the membership cost whether in part or full would create an undue burden, the chapter will provide one for you
- Attend monthly board meetings on the first Wednesday of every month (online or in person)
- Attend the annual 1-day board retreat the first Saturday of December
- Attend a privilege and/or bias workshop once per term
- Attend 75% of AIGA NWA events
+ Membership Director
Term 1 year
Reports To Executive Committee
Summary
Facilitate membership growth, engagement, and retention through self-directed initiatives. You may be responsible for developing program timelines and goals, gaining sponsorship, drafting communications, and securing a venue, and equipment as needed for member-focused events or initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a membership engagement strategy
- Advocate for members at the chapter level and communicate any issues to national
- Maintain awareness of benefits and categories of membership, be able to answer member’s questions
- Share membership statistics (info from Fonteva) at monthly board meetings
- Welcome new members, encourage members to keep updated contact info, and remind current members to renew
- Keep track, for analysis, of members and non-members at events (attendees and volunteers)
- As needed: ensure the chapter has ample and updated membership materials for events, and sever as the chapter liaison for any national membership drives
- Recruit volunteer(s) and form a pod as needed to support initiatives
+ Communications Director
Term 1 year
Reports To VP Operations
Summary
Akin to the chapter’s chief marketing officer, you will maintain consistent branding and personality across all AIGA NWA materials, digital and print. You also maintain the chapter’s overall communications strategy.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate the promotion of events and initiatives through chapter communications channels:
- MailChimp emails and WordPress website (in collaboration with VP of Operations)
- Copy edit and post to Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, and sometimes Twitter and LinkedIn)
- Edit director-provided event content and advise volunteer guest artists/designers on event graphics, ensuring all relevant media and sizes are accounted for
- Coordinate with printers and vendors, ensure orders are completed on time and within budget
- As-needed: Coordinate photography of events for chapter website and social channels, write press releases, post to community calendars, and communicate with media
- Maintain organized archive of previous community works and updated communications toolkit for directors for social media, email & PR
- Recruit volunteer(s) and form a pod as needed to assist with any of these responsibilities
+ Student Programs Director
Term 1 year
Reports To Executive Committee
Summary
Develop an event or initiative proposal for student programming with a focus on K-12 outreach. Be the liaison with the chapter’s existing college student groups. Check in regularly with a member of the Executive Committee until their proposal has been fulfilled to ensure progress is being made and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Responsibilities
- Create a proposal for K-12 student outreach – defining goals, timelines and success – that aligns with the chapter vision and mission
- As needed establish a committee/pod for support
- Secure sponsorship, venue, equipment, and refreshments as needed
- Coordinate the creation of graphics for digital and print materials for your program or initiative
- Draft communications using the provided toolkit and coordinate timing of promotions with the Communications Director
- Submit a brief report monthly to be reviewed during the board meeting
- Build strategic affiliations with organizations in the community with similar goals
+ Portfolio Review Director
Term 1 year
Reports To Executive Committee
Summary
Plan and execute the annual portfolio review in collaboration with your pod. Check in regularly with the VP of Operations or President until the event to ensure progress is being made and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Responsibilities
- Create a proposal for the portfolio review event – defining goals, timelines and success – that aligns with the chapter vision and mission
- As needed establish a committee/pod for support
- Secure the venue, equipment, and refreshments as needed
- Seek out and attain sponsorship to partially or wholly fund the portfolio review
- Coordinate the creation of graphics for digital and print materials for the portfolio review
- Draft communications using the provided toolkit and coordinate timing of promotions with the Communications Director
- Submit a brief report monthly to be reviewed during the board meeting
+ Recurring Program Director
Term 1 year
Reports To Executive Committee
Summary
Create a proposal for recurring programming (e.g. Design Drinking, Makers Labs, Design Trivia, etc) in collaboration with your committee/pod. Check in regularly with a member of the Executive Committee to ensure progress is being made and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Responsibilities
- Create a proposal for a recurring program – defining goals, timelines and success – that aligns with the chapter vision and mission
- As needed establish a committee/pod for support
- Secure the venue, equipment, and refreshments as needed
- Seek out and attain sponsorship to partially or wholly fund programming
- Coordinate the creation of graphics for digital and print materials for the recurring program
- Draft communications using the provided toolkit and coordinate timing of promotions with the Communications Director
- Submit a brief report monthly to be reviewed during the board meeting
+ Annual Program Director
Term 1 year
Reports To: Executive Committee
Summary
Create and execute at least one large event each year (e.g. a national designer talk or round table event) in collaboration with your committee/pod. Check in regularly with the VP of Operations or President to ensure progress is being made and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Responsibilities
- Create a proposal for an annual program – defining goals, timelines and success – that aligns with the chapter vision and mission
- Collaborate with and delegate tasks to supporting committee/pod
- Secure the venue, equipment, and refreshments as needed
- Seek out and attain sponsorship to partially or wholly fund programming
- Coordinate the creation of graphics for digital and print materials for the program
- Draft communications using the provided toolkit and coordinate timing of promotions with the Communications Director
- Submit a brief report monthly to be reviewed during the board meeting
+ VP of Finance
Term 2 years
Reports To Executive Committee and All Membership
Summary
You’re an executive committee member responsible for maintaining and overseeing the financial planning and stability of the chapter. Ensures that programs and events are financially viable. Work with the board to set and achieve long-term financial goals for the good of the chapter and in alignment with the AIGA mission. Keep a permanent record detailing all received and disbursed funds, the source and purpose of the funds, and any applicable receipts. Prepares and files income tax returns and other corporate filings required by the state Taxation and Revenue Department and the IRS, or delegates this to a board approved CPA.
Responsibilities
- Work within highly ethical boundaries regarding all financial related decisions
- Receive, monitor, and disperse chapter funds
- Lead annual budget creation with board of directors
- Generate financial reports including year-to-date income and expenses, event profit loss statements
- Keep physical records of receipts, key financial forms and documents (i.e., tax returns, insurance, chapter checkbook, bank statements, debit card and non-profit status forms)
- Prepare and share a brief monthly report at board meetings that summarizes membership dues, deposits, expenses, and a profit loss statement for each event. Alert the board to any cost overruns.
- Evaluate sponsorship needs per event, help choose mutually beneficial sponsors, and ensure monetary and in-kind donations are recorded, accounted, and recognized
- Manage, collect and secures all payments at chapter events with card readers and/or a cash box (i.e., provide adequate change and receipt book; ensure proper cash handling practices are followed by volunteers; and collect appropriate admission costs at the event as-needed)
- Approve appointment of chairs as needed to help with partnership and sponsorship
- Ensure the incoming VP of Finance receives a complete set of financial records and relevant financial files.
- Fill in any needed responsibilities as a result of a vacant or absent director
+ VP Operations
Term 2 years, up for renewal in 2023
Reports To Executive Committee and All Membership
Summary
You are the executive committee member that keeps the chapter running and in compliance with AIGA headquarters and Arkansas government policies. You often collaborate with the Communications Director but also have regular check-ins with other directors to make sure things are running smoothly.
Responsibilities
- Orient new board members
- Maintain logins and digital resources, including but not limited to: Google Suite, MailChimp, Social Media, Slack, WordPress, and Eventbrite
- Keep an updated, permanent record of the chapter contact list
- As needed, assist in updating and enforcing chapter bylaws and policies
- Maintain and store all books, records and materials of the chapter, except when items are maintained by another authorized board member (e.g. VP of Finance)
- Work with the executive board to file an annual report (online form) the State of Arkansas
- Regarding board meetings:
- Review director reports and create the meeting agenda
- Record attendance, meeting minutes, and distribute for board approval and adviser review after meetings (must be kept indefinitely as condition of non-profit corp.)
- As needed, operate a remote communication channel (e.g. Slack call, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) for members attending virtually
- Solicit election nominations, and collect ballot for the board member election
- Fill in any needed responsibilities as a result of a vacant or absent director
+ President
Term 2 years, up for renewal in 2023
Reports To Executive Committee and All Membership
Summary
You are the CEO of the chapter, focusing on the vision and direction of the chapter. You are the primary contact between the chapter and the national office and are responsible for communicating the national agenda at the chapter level. You implement policies and keep the board focused on its mission. You share responsibility with the executive committee for running board meetings, and deciding business affairs (e.g. contracts, agreements, and significant proposals), making decisions in the best interest of the chapter and community. You are an ex-officio member of all committees.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the chapter pursues its mission consistently, guaranteeing accountability to the chapter’s members, community, and the national organization
- Review proposals and work of directors and their committees/pods to ensure they align with the chapter vision and mission
- Actively engages community business leaders and peer organizations
- Participate in or designate an attendee for the monthly national AIGA leadership call (usually through Zoom)
- Fill in any needed responsibilities as a result of a vacant or absent director
- Join the Advisory Board for 1 year after end of final term as President
Volunteer
Don’t have time to be a board member, but want to get involved? Join a committee/pod coordinating a specific program or initiative. These as needed commitments are good for learning about the board.
Requirements to join a committee/pod
Attend all meetings relevant to your program or initiative
Volunteer Opportunities
- Under Review Portfolio Reviewer Volunteer
- MentorSense Volunteer
- Guest Artist/Designer
Have an idea for a program or initiative (we call them pods) but need help making it happen? Submit your Pod Proposal
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