The Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance (the Alliance) is the only nonprofit organization fully dedicated to the community of children who need neurosurgery to treat their seizures. We provide our community with financial aid, support services, and impactful programs before and after surgery. We also initiate and fund research to better understand – and improve – the developmental trajectory of children after surgery.

We are a fully transparent organization and have received a Platinum-level of accreditation from Candid and are rated 4/4 stars on Charity Navigator.

Our Mission

Enhancing the lives of children who need neurosurgery to treat medication-resistant epilepsy by empowering their families with research, support services, and impactful programs across the lifespan.

Our Vision

A world where all children after epilepsy surgery have the opportunity for a high quality of life, including an appropriate education, gainful employment, meaningful social opportunities, and good health to the maximum extent possible regardless of where they are on the spectrum of outcomes.

Our Leadership Need

Our board of directors provide important oversight to the organization. Serving as a director is a powerful way to make a deep and meaningful impact on the community of children we serve. Directors provide direct support through strategic guidance, connecting the organization to new opportunities and volunteer activities. Terms are three years with an option to renew once.

We are in particular need of people with expertise in health care (clinicians), marketing, public relations, finance, event planning, and community leadership, especially including self-advocates (adults who had epilepsy surgery in childhood).

Board Member Responsibilities and Background

Our officers and directors operate in a position of trust and accountability for the public at large who, through the federal government, allow us to operate exempt from the taxes that for-profit businesses must pay.

The primary role of the board of directors is to provide financial and legal oversight to the organization. Board members also provide strategic guidance based on valuable skills and contacts. The Board of Directors is responsible for determining the organization’s goals, policies, and approving the annual budget.

Importantly, directors have a fiduciary duty to the organization and must ensure its financial viability.

Board member responsibilities include:

• Personal Financial Contribution (“Give”)/Fundraising Responsibility (“Get): Each Board Member is required to make a personal financial contribution and raise or solicit donations by holding fundraising events, soliciting donors and corporate partnerships, and other creative fundraising methods. The total combined Give/Get contribution is $5,000 annually per board member. Board Members who may have a challenge meeting this goal may confidentially discuss alternative arrangements with the Board Chair;
• Collaboration: Actively working with other board directors to advance the organization’s mission and goals;
• Oversight: Being prepared for and actively participating in board meetings and on committees as well as overseeing and monitoring the nonprofit’s activities. This includes reading and understanding financial reports, questioning expenditures and examine variances, approving annual budgets, and protecting the organization by ensuring prudent use of all assets, including funds, facilities, people, and good will. Ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources to carry out its mission and remains accountable to its donors and the general public is of utmost importance;
• Loyalty: Publicly disclosing any conflicts of interests, refraining from using board service as a means for personal or commercial gain.

A full description of the position can be found here: PESA Board Member Job Description

This is a volunteer position.

We encourage you to review our legal and financial documents before you apply for this position.

Estimated Time Requirements

Active Board Participation: One-and-a-half hour board meetings are held every three months. Board members are expected to be prepared for board meetings, including reviewing agenda and documents prior to meetings. Estimated time to prepare for a board meeting will vary but can range from approximately one-to-three hours per meeting.

Leadership Responsibilities: An additional two hours monthly. This includes advisory board membership and volunteer activities.

Term

Directors are elected at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors in October, or at any time, by majority action of the board for a term of three (3) years, starting on the date of such election, and hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor is elected and qualified. No director may serve for more than two terms, whether consecutive or otherwise.