Needs From: United Way of Rhode Island

Volunteer: Advocacy & Policy Committee member

The Rhode Island Black Business Association’s (RIBBA) historic and groundbreaking work in the advocacy and policy space has created awareness of the plight of small businesses in Rhode Island. Still, more advocacy is needed to ensure greater support and investment in the development of small businesses that are the backbone of the state’s economy. Black businesses are closing at an alarming rate due to the pandemic and unemployment is at an all-time high in urban cities around our state. The PPP – Paycheck Protection Program, IELD – Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and COVID-19 Relief funds have all missed the Black business Community.

About the position

Your involvement in this committee will advance our agenda from a legislative perspective around small business, education, pay equity, health, jobs, housing, food insecurity, and our general democracy. Apply to join RIBBA’s Advocacy & Policy and have a significant impact on the legislation and policies that affect every intricate part of our personal, business, and community well-being.

Agency: RI Black Business Association

The Rhode Island Black Business Association’s (RIBBA) historic and groundbreaking work in the advocacy and policy space has created awareness of the plight of small businesses in Rhode Island. Still, more advocacy is needed to ensure greater support and investment in the development of small businesses that are the backbone of the state’s economy. Black businesses are closing at an alarming rate due to the pandemic and unemployment is at an all-time high in urban cities around our state. The PPP – Paycheck Protection Program, IELD – Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and COVID-19 Relief funds have all missed the Black business Community.

About the position

Your involvement in this committee will advance our agenda from a legislative perspective around small business, education, pay equity, health, jobs, housing, food insecurity, and our general democracy. Apply to join RIBBA’s Advocacy & Policy and have a significant impact on the legislation and policies that affect every intricate part of our personal, business, and community well-being.

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 02903

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Finance Professionals

RIBBA is currently seeking financial service volunteers to assist in the following areas: 

Direct Accounting Assistance 

Tax preparation  Preparation for the annual audit  Reduced-rate auditing  Designing and implementing accounting and control systems  Consulting or Advisory Services 

Tax matters 

Financial management  Budgets and forecasts  Computer software selection  Loan or grant applications  Responsibilities in reporting to government agencies  Business start-up consulting 

Community Service 

Providing free or low-cost seminars and workshops on accounting and finance.  Serving on board of directors.  Assisting in reconstructing records   Speaking to young adults   Giving lectures to minority business on basic accounting concepts, such as taxes, financial planning and personal cash management.  Mentoring for women or minority small business owners.  Offering bilingual assistance to small, minority-owned businesses.  Mentoring accounting students. 

Agency: RI Black Business Association

RIBBA is currently seeking financial service volunteers to assist in the following areas: 

Direct Accounting Assistance 

Tax preparation  Preparation for the annual audit  Reduced-rate auditing  Designing and implementing accounting and control systems  Consulting or Advisory Services 

Tax matters 

Financial management  Budgets and forecasts  Computer software selection  Loan or grant applications  Responsibilities in reporting to government agencies  Business start-up consulting 

Community Service 

Providing free or low-cost seminars and workshops on accounting and finance.  Serving on board of directors.  Assisting in reconstructing records   Speaking to young adults   Giving lectures to minority business on basic accounting concepts, such as taxes, financial planning and personal cash management.  Mentoring for women or minority small business owners.  Offering bilingual assistance to small, minority-owned businesses.  Mentoring accounting students. 

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 02903

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Board Members

Looking for Board Members 

Key Requirements

Commitment to Organization’s Mission

The Board of Directors are responsible for ensuring RIBBA’s long-term financial stability and integrity. Directors set the strategic plan and ensure that the organization fulfills its mission by accomplishing high quality work. The Board of Directors recognize that in order to foster the organization’s continued vitality, sustainability and diversification of income sources, they must pledge to personally contribute needed resources and talents towards this end. 

Time Commitment 

Approximately 4 hours per month for meetings or other board related activities.

Giving Policy
Board Members are required to pay their member dues annually. Yearly, each Board Member is asked to consider making a minimum of $1000 either through personal contributions; contributions from an employer, colleagues or family; or through ticket sales to Annual Awards Gala or other RIBBA events. 

Absences
Absence from three consecutively scheduled meetings in one calendar year of the Board of Directors (Except for emergencies beyond the control of the Board Member) will constitute an automatic resignation from the Board of Directors.

Term of Services
The initial term of office is for one year. This is a renewable term for a total of two or three years.

Compensation
Board Members will not receive any monetary of in-kind contributions in exchange for their services.

Responsibilities

Support the Mission Statement Abide by the By-Laws and Policies of the Association Read and understand the financial statements and otherwise assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities Attend board meetings and actively participate in decision making Share your area of expertise with the board, staff and volunteer Be an advocate for RIBBA; promote it in ways appropriate to your profession and contacts Maintain membership Secure 5 new members during the calendar year Obtain various means of support for the organization’s fundraisers; such as: sponsorships, advertisers, exhibitors, speakers, etc. Fulfill the duties of care, obedience and loyalty to RIBBA Participate in short and long-range strategic planning activities. Ensure that RIBBA meets all legal and corporate requirements Serve on at least one committee or task force per year Work to develop new leadership and recommend potential Board Members to the nominating committee Avoid any conflicts of interest or even the appearance of conflict of interest Participate in RIBBA’s events; including: Monthly Business Development Forums, Business After Hours, New Member Orientations, Annual Business Awards Gala, Meet the Candidate Forums and other legislative efforts as needed

Benefits of Leadership Service

An opportunity to make a difference in the community and opportunity to identify needs, support and achieve organization goals To gain or enhance the experience in building and working with teams To increase knowledge of RIBBA’s activities and resources To promote and develop leadership in others To help shape the organization’s direction and future

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Looking for Board Members 

Key Requirements

Commitment to Organization’s Mission

The Board of Directors are responsible for ensuring RIBBA’s long-term financial stability and integrity. Directors set the strategic plan and ensure that the organization fulfills its mission by accomplishing high quality work. The Board of Directors recognize that in order to foster the organization’s continued vitality, sustainability and diversification of income sources, they must pledge to personally contribute needed resources and talents towards this end. 

Time Commitment 

Approximately 4 hours per month for meetings or other board related activities.

Giving Policy
Board Members are required to pay their member dues annually. Yearly, each Board Member is asked to consider making a minimum of $1000 either through personal contributions; contributions from an employer, colleagues or family; or through ticket sales to Annual Awards Gala or other RIBBA events. 

Absences
Absence from three consecutively scheduled meetings in one calendar year of the Board of Directors (Except for emergencies beyond the control of the Board Member) will constitute an automatic resignation from the Board of Directors.

Term of Services
The initial term of office is for one year. This is a renewable term for a total of two or three years.

Compensation
Board Members will not receive any monetary of in-kind contributions in exchange for their services.

Responsibilities

Support the Mission Statement Abide by the By-Laws and Policies of the Association Read and understand the financial statements and otherwise assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities Attend board meetings and actively participate in decision making Share your area of expertise with the board, staff and volunteer Be an advocate for RIBBA; promote it in ways appropriate to your profession and contacts Maintain membership Secure 5 new members during the calendar year Obtain various means of support for the organization’s fundraisers; such as: sponsorships, advertisers, exhibitors, speakers, etc. Fulfill the duties of care, obedience and loyalty to RIBBA Participate in short and long-range strategic planning activities. Ensure that RIBBA meets all legal and corporate requirements Serve on at least one committee or task force per year Work to develop new leadership and recommend potential Board Members to the nominating committee Avoid any conflicts of interest or even the appearance of conflict of interest Participate in RIBBA’s events; including: Monthly Business Development Forums, Business After Hours, New Member Orientations, Annual Business Awards Gala, Meet the Candidate Forums and other legislative efforts as needed

Benefits of Leadership Service

An opportunity to make a difference in the community and opportunity to identify needs, support and achieve organization goals To gain or enhance the experience in building and working with teams To increase knowledge of RIBBA’s activities and resources To promote and develop leadership in others To help shape the organization’s direction and future

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 02903

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Membership Chair

About the position

As an essential part of increasing our membership and its impact, RIBBA is seeking to fill the volunteer position of Membership Chair. The primary responsibility of this voluntary role is the management of the Association’s new-member recruitment, on-boarding, and current member review. The incumbent will assist the organization in its long-term goal of creating a stronger, more engaged, and diverse member base. 

The incumbent will be expected to utilize the organization’s communication and database tools to track and interact with member. An understanding of various technology and communications software a plus.  

  

Key Responsibilities 

 

Develop and implement a membership recruitment strategy  Facilitate on-boarding strategy for members  Periodic evaluation of membership  Managing the membership database  Other administrative and management duties as assigned 

 

Job Competencies
 

Strong interpersonal, communications, member management, program management, and motivational skills; must be a “self-starter”, with the ability to work independently.  Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills; must be able to communicate with a varied constituency.  Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, social media, and web-based software required. 

 

 

Agency: RI Black Business Association

About the position

As an essential part of increasing our membership and its impact, RIBBA is seeking to fill the volunteer position of Membership Chair. The primary responsibility of this voluntary role is the management of the Association’s new-member recruitment, on-boarding, and current member review. The incumbent will assist the organization in its long-term goal of creating a stronger, more engaged, and diverse member base. 

The incumbent will be expected to utilize the organization’s communication and database tools to track and interact with member. An understanding of various technology and communications software a plus.  

  

Key Responsibilities 

 

Develop and implement a membership recruitment strategy  Facilitate on-boarding strategy for members  Periodic evaluation of membership  Managing the membership database  Other administrative and management duties as assigned 

 

Job Competencies
 

Strong interpersonal, communications, member management, program management, and motivational skills; must be a “self-starter”, with the ability to work independently.  Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills; must be able to communicate with a varied constituency.  Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, social media, and web-based software required. 

 

 

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 02903

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Fundraising Specialist

About the position 

Fundraising is an essential part of increasing our impact. This role will research, coordinate, and accomplish fund development activities. Including, but not limited to: national grants, corporate grants, community foundation grants, and other fundraising related activities. The incumbent will assist the organization in its long-term goal of creating a stronger organization with a wide array of funding sources.  

  

Key Responsibilities 

 

Research grant and funding opportunities  Write and coordinate logistics around grant applications  Work with RIBBA team to attain the data and necessary information  Develop creative fundraising activities 

 

Job Competencies
 

Strong writing skills – able to express strong written narratives  Experience with grant applications  Experience with fundraising events, efforts, and projects  Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills; must be able to communicate with a varied constituency.  Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and web-based software required.

Agency: RI Black Business Association

About the position 

Fundraising is an essential part of increasing our impact. This role will research, coordinate, and accomplish fund development activities. Including, but not limited to: national grants, corporate grants, community foundation grants, and other fundraising related activities. The incumbent will assist the organization in its long-term goal of creating a stronger organization with a wide array of funding sources.  

  

Key Responsibilities 

 

Research grant and funding opportunities  Write and coordinate logistics around grant applications  Work with RIBBA team to attain the data and necessary information  Develop creative fundraising activities 

 

Job Competencies
 

Strong writing skills – able to express strong written narratives  Experience with grant applications  Experience with fundraising events, efforts, and projects  Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills; must be able to communicate with a varied constituency.  Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and web-based software required.

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 02903

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Event Volunteers

Looking for volunteers to assist us with our 10 year Anniversary Event

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Looking for volunteers to assist us with our 10 year Anniversary Event

Agency: RI Black Business Association

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Allow Groups: Yes