We're recruiting! FAQs listed below

What are the eligibility requirements?

  1. Have an interest in empowering AAPI women.
  2. Have professional working experience.
  3. Able to commute to the greater Chicagoland area for our events.

What are the general commitments/requirements?

Board membership is for one year, and can be renewed for an unlimited number of times. During each year of membership, the following are the main commitments:

  1. Fundraising: We have a give/get minimum of $500 for the first year and $1000 for every subsequent year of Main Board membership. This means you either fundraise, personally donate, or do a combination of the two to meet the minimum. We provide guided hands-on support for your fundraising efforts.
  2. Event Assistance: Assist with our two main events of the year (Miss Asian Chicago and Asian Fashion Show Chicago). Preferably, you assist with other events as well.
  3. Board Participation: Attend board meetings (4 regular meetings and some ad-hoc meetings per year). Most board meetings are virtual, but some will be in-person in the greater Chicagoland area.
  4. Internal Communication: Stay in the loop with what our org is doing via checking our Slack community, checking the Current Initiatives Doc, checking your emails, and asking questions.
  5. External Promotion: Promote our org to relevant groups/individuals on a regular basis.


What are the relevant dates?

We recruit on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Main Board members should assist with at least the Miss Asian Chicago pageant and Asian Fashion Show Chicago, which are scheduled the year prior. Please check those respective websites to find the dates for the year.


What are the benefits of joining the Main Board?

  1. Expand your AAPI network.
  2. Build a sisterhood with and empower other AAPI women.
  3. Amplify your voice with our platform.
  4. Participate in organized and structured community service activities.
  5. Gain hands-on event planning exp.
  6. Learn how to identify and solicit funders.
  7. Participate in self-development workshops.


I have no experience on a board - will I be supported and mentored?

Yes! We provided hands-on guidance and support for all board members. We encourage those who have no experience on a board to apply!


What is the time commitment?

  1. 4 mandatory 2-hour meetings per year, usually virtual.
  2. A few (probably max 3) 1-hr ad-hoc virtual meetings for specific large projects/events, if you’re assigned to help with them.
  3. Full day of the Miss Asian Chicago pageant.
  4. Full day of Asian Fashion Show Chicago.
  5. Any time you need to spend meeting your give/get minimum.


Most board members spend most of their time helping during the month leading up to each of our two major events - Miss Asian Chicago pageant and Asian Fashion Show Chicago. If you are assigned to lead a project (which you can either choose to do when you’re recruited or choose to do after you’re already a member), you will spend more of the year doing board member duties. Those duties will be outlined prior to hand off the project(s) to you, to make sure you’re clear on the amount of commitment. You are only required to take on the responsibilities outlined in the Role Definition you sign off on when you join the board. Any extra responsibilities can be worked into the year based on your availability and interest.


What is the application process like?

  1. As soon as you submit your application, the Executive Director will review it.
  2. If you are moved forward, you will receive an email requesting a date/time to have a 1-hour virtual interview.
  3. After the interview, if the Executive Director moves you forward, your application will be reviewed by the rest of the Main Board. Should any of them want to interview you, they will reach out to you to schedule a follow-up group interview.
  4. You will receive an email confirmation of whether you were accepted.
  5. If accepted, you will proceed with our simple onboarding process. You have 2 weeks to onboard.



What is the onboarding process like?

  1. Once you are accepted as a board member, you’ll
  2. Meet with the Executive Director to draft your Fundraising Plan of Action and Role Description. These will serve as your “north star” guiding you throughout your year of membership. They will be attachments to your official Main Board Member Agreement, which you will sign and return.
  3. Introduce yourself in the “Welcome” Slack channel.
  4. Watch the Orientation Recordings (4 parts)
  5. Read the Code of Conduct
  6. Read the Current Initiatives. This doc is regularly updated and you can use it as a reference for whatever our org is currently up to. Please reference this doc before you participate in any activity with us.
  7. Take the Orientation Test. The test is for the executive director and other board members to figure out if there are any gaps in understanding. If there is any miscommunication or confusion, we’ll reach out to you to clarify. Any wrong answers on the test do NOT jeopardize your participation.
  8. Draft a board member bio for our website and include a photo of yourself.
  9. Draft an elevator pitch - we have examples for you to work off of. Have the Executive Director review it to ensure that it aligns with our org.


What do you consider a successful board member?

Here are some general success metrics to consider (although this list is not exhaustive):

  1. You regularly check-in with the Executive Director on your progress.
  2. You track your work via the Chi-AWE Planning Checklist spreadsheet.
  3. You stay informed on our communication channels.
  4. You actively work toward your Fundraising Plan of Action.
  5. You adhere to the Role Definition defined at the time you joined the board.
  6. You maintain a positive and proactive attitude toward everyone and all your responsibilities.



The following are responsibilities that Board Members can potentially take on. The responsibilities that you are committed to are already outlined in your Member Role Description, but you can take on more if you have the capacity and interest.


Miss Asian Chicago

  1. Manage the Silent Auction.
  2. Solicit sponsors.
  3. Chaperone contestants/titleholders at events.
  4. Assist with the production.
  5. Solicit and/or manage volunteers.


Asian Fashion Show Chicago

  1. Solicit and/or manage volunteers.
  2. Manage vendors.
  3. Solicit sponsors.
  4. Solicit vendors.



Women Empowerment Series

  1. Host a workshop.
  2. Review and give feedback on the draft content for a member who will host a workshop.
  3. Solicit sponsor(s) for one or multiple workshops.
  4. Secure a venue. We don’t have the budget to pay for venues, so we always need to use free or sponsored venues for each workshop.


Chi-AWE Podcast

  1. Work with the Executive Director to develop the concept for a Chi-AWE podcast.
  2. Launch and manage the podcast.


Associate Board

  1. Work with the Executive Director to develop the structure for a new Chi-AWE Associate Board.
  2. Recruit an Associate Board chair and provide guidance to them in recruiting their members and training them on what it means to run a board.



Org

  1. Write grant submissions.
  2. Generate marketing materials, including, but not limited to:
    1. Blog posts
    2. Impact statements
    3. Press releases
    4. Event save the dates
    5. Post- event promo
    6. Highlight former titleholders
    7. Sponsorship packet template
  3. Self-Development
    1. Board member training
    2. Grant-writing resources
    3. DEI board training materials
    4. Actively seek other self-development opportunities for the Main board and propose them to the Executive Director.
  4. Social
    1. Organize annual retreat
    2. Organize pageant reunion
  5. Partnerships
    1. Solicit partnership/collaboration opportunities with businesses.
    2. Build relationships with Asian ERGs at companies in Chicago.
  6. Membership
    1. Develop and manage a CRM.