Community Boards of San Francisco

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower communities and individuals with the strength, skills, and resources needed to express and resolve conflicts peacefully and appropriately for their culture and environment. To accomplish our mission, we provide and promote peaceful, collaborative conflict resolution. We serve diverse communities and offer mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation, training, referrals and restorative justice services. We strive to build more peaceful, respectful, healthy, and equitable communities.

Values:

Safety: We create spaces where people feel secure, heard,
and respected- physically, emotionally, and culturally.
Diversity: We honor and respect the unique perspectives,
identities, and experiences each person brings, knowing
diversity strengthens outcomes.
Accessibility: We make our services welcoming and
available to all, removing barriers related to language,

cost, ability, and identity, and supporting individuals’ self-
determination in choosing how to engage.

Trust: We build confidence through integrity,
confidentiality, and a deep commitment to quality and
accountability.
Empathy: We approach every situation with compassion
and a sincere effort to understand all sides and
experiences.
Community: Our work is driven by the needs, strengths,
and voices of the communities we serve, recognizing that
sustainable change starts locally.

DEI Statement:

None Provided

Programs/Services:

Community Boards operates the longest-running nonprofit conflict resolution and restorative justice center in the United States. We have an excellent reputation for designing and delivering high- quality resources to the public since 1976.

We offer a range of affordable conflict resolution and restorative justice programs and services to residents, businesses, schools, and communities throughout San Francisco. Our mediation services are offered in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and English through our corps of 450+ highly skilled volunteer Community Mediators. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds.

Because our services are available remotely, we have found ourselves serving across the state and nation as well.

Ideal Candidate:

We welcome diverse perspectives on our board of directors, but ideally each member 1) values and understands small non-profit work and the hands-on nature needed for success, 2) values and enjoys creating avenues for fundraising such as event participation, solicitation of sponsorships, grant-writing, etc., 3) works collaboratively and collectively to serve and promote the mission of the organization, and 4) can spare 8-10 hours a month to help promote and support the organization. We are actively seeking folks with development and financial experience, but these are not requirements.

Why you should consider joining this board:

Joining our board is a chance to work with a group of people who support making the world a better place through communication. We work to help people through challenges and conflict and avoid the court system when it is not needed. Board members are encouraged to take our Basics of Mediation course (comped) and earn a certificate. The organization has been incredibly well-run for its almost 50 years in existence, and joining our board is a great opportunity to be a part of a healthy, social justice oriented organization that contributes directly to our community.

Fundraising/Financial Commitment:

Board members are expected to donate $200 annually to a Board kitty, in addition to providing a minimum of $1000 per year by either giving or “getting” (e.g. through personal fundraising).

Additional Information:

None Provided

To Apply:

Year Founded:

1976

Service Region(s):

National, San Francisco Area, Statewide

Service Area(s):

Access to Justice, Children & Youth, Education, LGBTQ+ Rights, Racial Justice, Transactional Support for Small Businesses/Nonprofits, Veterans

Annual Revenue:

$500,000 – $1 million

Employees:

6-10

Board Members:

6-10

Length of Board Term:

Board terms are 3 years. A board member may choose to take on a second term with the blessing of the rest of the board.

Board Meeting Type:

Hybrid (both virtual and in-person)

Service Per Month Expected:

5-10 hours

Board Meetings Per Year:

We meet once a month for about 2 hours in the evening.