If you’re reading this, it means you’re interested — and it means that we’re interested in you! Many people sit in silence, wondering if board service is right for them (and for the board). Hopefully, this blog helps clear up some questions about the board’s responsibilities while also helping guide you in your decision to either run for the board, or not. This helpful link can be a good starting point: Board Readiness Assessment.

The 107IST board of directors is a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about our mission and our ability to help move the organization forward for our members, our teams and our community. We spend anywhere from 2 to 10 hours a week on work at the board level, but it often depends on a variety of external factors. There are a lot of misconceptions about what the board is responsible for and, more specifically, what are not.

Some things we are responsible for:

1. Meet monthly to discuss current topics and prioritize the organization’s efforts
2. Appropriately budget, continually manage, and monitor the use of funds in the organization
3. Commit to participate in at least one subcommittee 
4. Meet and maintain relationships with partner organizations 
5. Negotiate vendor contracts (rent, utilities, etc.)
6. Review our mission statement and corporation status to ensure compliance with our 501c7 designation
7. Establish a working relationship with the Timbers and Thorns front offices

Some things we are not responsible for:

1. The creation and artistic direction of merchandise

2. The creation and artistic direction of tifo

3. Game day operations or atmosphere 

Below are some examples of board related votes and decisions made this year:

1. 1737 SW Morrison Street: As a board, we voted in early 2024 to to move all the 107IST operations to our new location, The Axe & Rose.  It took many months of internal discussion, planning, and debate about whether or not the organization should make the commitment and sign a long-term lease.  As we all know, we eventually went forward and voted yes to make the move and consolidate all of our operations into one location.

2. 107IST board terms and limits: We voted in 2024 to change board terms to be two years instead of three.  We also voted to limit board members to no more than two consecutive terms. This move helps to ensure regular leadership renewals and creates more opportunities for new voices to contribute as we continue to work on fostering a more dynamic and inclusive board.

3. Re-engage Timbers Front Office: As strongly voiced by membership, the board took the action of re-engaging with the Timbers Front Office for the first time since 2021, to continue advocating on behalf of supporters while establishing a new working relationship rhythm. 

4. Data management strategy: This year, the board prioritized building out a data management dashboard to provide visibility into org spend, cashflow, donations, and member growth to ensure decisions were being made using the data we already have. Working with a few volunteers who have the technical expertise, we now have a deeper understanding of our financial picture, with a monthly readout.

5. Event space funding: When budgets were due for fiscal year 2024, we had not yet made the formal decision to create an event space.  While we knew there were plans to build an event space and beer garden, it wasn’t budgeted to make building improvements and investments (OLCC licensing, insurance, painting, networking, etc.).  At a board meeting earlier in 2024, we debated what would be an appropriate amount to fund the new event space and agreed on a number that we all would be comfortable with to get the space up and running.

If you have experience in finance, marketing, communications, previous board experience, city planning or any other areas of general management, we would love to have you submit your candidacy for the upcoming election!