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NOPA Board Applications Open

    The New Orleans Photo Alliance is accepting nominations for the Board of Directors. Join an active team of community-minded leaders to encourage the understanding and appreciation of photography as a powerful medium of expression and storytelling within the rich and diverse culture of New Orleans. The NOPA Board of Directors has the opportunity to help shape the future of the organization and photography in New Orleans and beyond alongside NOPA committees and volunteers.

    NOPA seeks applicants from all regions with diverse backgrounds, resources, skillsets, and experiences. Experience serving on boards is not required, nor is an understanding of photography– but the desire to learn is! 

    NOPA is entering an exciting growth period as the organization continues to develop the NOPA Center at 7800 Oak Street and produce the 19th annual PhotoNOLA Festival, a nationally renown photography event. NOPA seeks leaders with experience including (but not limited to) law, business, the arts, the humanitarian sector, marketing, design, technology, grant-writing, photography, communications, hospitality, event planning, community organizing, and education.

    Interested in helping shape the future of NOPA but unable to commit at this time? Email Lisa Cates at lcates@neworleansphotoalliance.org for information about the Advisory Board and committees.

    Timeline

    • Nominations will be accepted on a rolling bases
    • The NOPA Board will continue to meet monthly on the second Monday. Attendance is mandatory. Virtual attendance is an option. The commitment is two years.

    The NOPA Board consists of the Executive Committee, Operating Committees, Board Members and At-Large Board Members. The experience can be highly rewarding and impactful. Board members contribute value and momentum to the organization as a team through their commitment to giving time, in-kind contributions, connections and/or financial support. Board members get to be part of an inspiring group at the forefront of guiding NOPA for years to come. 

    Diversity of candidates across age, gender, race, and background is highly valued in board recruitment.

    In addition to the general board application, you can nominate yourself or another qualified individual for any of the following specific positions:

    Executive Committee: responsible for governance of the organization

    • Chair:  leads NOPA, supervising and conducting its activities and operations and overseeing all responsibilities established by the Board. Works directly with Staff Leadership.
    • Vice Chair:  In addition to assisting the President, the Vice President supervises the development of financial resources. Leads Finance Committee and oversees fundraising efforts.
    • Treasurer: the custodian of NOPA’s finances and keeps account of all receipts, disbursements, and deposits. 
    • Secretary: responsible for organizing Board meetings, preparing minutes, and maintaining NOPA’s corporate records. Oversees production of monthly newsletter.

    Operating Committee Chairs: comprised of Chairs who work closely with the Executive Committee, Staff, members and volunteers to design and implement the programs of the organization

    • Membership Programming Chair: Head of Membership Committee. Designs and leads membership programs 6-12 times annually. Works with Membership outreach chair.
    • Membership and Outreach Coordinator: point of contact for members regarding membership and perks, oversees membership data, sends news and updates to active members, generates membership reports, oversees membership drives. Attends Membership programming events.
    • Workshops and Education Chair: oversees NOPA’s year-round workshops and PhotoNOLA Festival workshop calendar. Brings community education opportunities to staff. Attends PhotoNOLA meetings
    • Exhibitions Chair:  Working with closely with NOPA Staff to develop year-round gallery exhibitions. Lead Exhibitions Committee. Finding jurors, curators, and partnerships. Exhibitions currently include 2-3 NOPA grant-winner shows (Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography, Clarence John Laughlin Award, PhotoNOLA Review Prize) 4 call-to-entry exhibitions, 2 push-pin shows and CURRENTS member show at Ogden for PhotoNOLA. Attends PhotoNOLA meetings
    • Donor Relations and Partnerships: Develop and maintain NOPA donor relationships. Pursue partnerships and sponsorships for programs and PhotoNOLA festival.  Conceptualize and oversee patron events. Attends PhotoNOLA meetings.
    • Grants Committee Chair: Oversee grants committee. Work closely with staff to find, apply for and follow up with grant applications for NOPA programs. Develop a plan to pursue larger government grants.
    • PhotoNOLA Parties Chair:  Oversee PhotoNOLA social events including Gala, Patron party and/or Closing party. Work with staff to produce PhotoNOLA social events.

    If you have further questions, please contact Lisa Cates , NOPA Executive Director, at lcates@neworleansphotoalliance.org

    NOPA Board Application

    Please complete the required fields to submit application. All non-required filed are helpful but not mandatory. Thank you for your interest in joining the NOPA leadership!

    Your Name(Required)
    Candidates's Name (if nominating someone else)

    Nominee Questions

    Check any experience the candidate may wish to contribute/advise in(Required)
    NOPA strives to build leadership teams with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, resources, interests, skillsets and communities in order to best serve the mission and values of the organization.
    NOPA encourages all levels of experience to apply.
    (Board experience is not required)
    Board members (trustees) have a fiduciary duty to the organization. Fiduciary duty requires board members to stay objective, unselfish, responsible, honest, trustworthy, and efficient. Board members, as stewards of public trust, must always act for the good of the organization, rather than for the benefit of themselves. They need to exercise reasonable care in all decision making, without placing the organization under unnecessary risk. -Board Source. Sound good?
    Which leadership positions might apply for this candidate? (check all that apply)
    Committee positions change on an as-needed basis. The following positions are intended for the 2022 board.
    Max. file size: 50 MB.

    The following questions are optional but we would love to hear from you!

    Are you interested in:
    As the resource center grows and PhotoNOLA Festival continues, NOPA is able to offer use of a darkroom, lighting studio, digital workstation, active gallery space and vast community partnerships. We’d love to hear your ideas.

    Thank you for taking the time to apply to the NOPA Board of Directors!