2025 Open Call for Directors

Our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan created a new vision and mission for the Alliance. Our Board of Directors is charged with implementing the Plan, in collaboration with staff, the Advisory Council, and Young Advisors.

Vision: We envision Boston as a place where the stories of its diverse residents and cultures are reflected in its evolving built environment.

Mission: The Alliance exists to advocate for and empower Bostonians to play an active role in preserving the places and stories that are meaningful to our history.

About Our Board of Directors

Our Directors are hands-on in the organization, serving on committees and engaging with the community on behalf of the Alliance. Through our Awards program, fundraising efforts, special events like our CuraTours series, and our wide range of advocacy efforts, our Directors are directly involved in all aspects of the work that we do.

Board members represent a wide range of backgrounds including architecture and historic preservation, development and building trades, finance and fundraising, communications and public relations, material conservation and restoration, and many others. Most of our Directors live and/or work in Boston and all have a deep passion for the city’s history, built environment, and vibrancy.

Our Commitment to DEAI

The Alliance believes that Boston’s history belongs to all, and that everyone deserves to see themselves and their story reflected in the places we choose to preserve. We are committed to modeling and embracing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion through our leadership, staff, engagement, programming, and advocacy. We strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone by celebrating differences in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to create a stronger organization that represents all of Boston’s neighborhoods. Our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan outlines our expectations for meeting our DEAI goals.

We are currently searching for Board members who fit at least one of the following:

• Live in Boston
• Work or have experience in finance and/or fundraising
• Serve as community leaders and advocates, especially in the areas of affordable housing and equity
• Have a law background, especially in preservation and/or land use law
• Have a skillset in storytelling, researching and writing about historic places, or sharing content on social media
• Are passionate about Boston’s history and the built environment
• Have experience in development and/or building trades, especially in Boston
• Have experience with advocacy and/or nonprofit organizations
• Knowledgeable about Climate Action, sustainability, deconstruction and salvage, decarbonization, circular economies, etc.

Overview of Service

• Board Member Terms: Directors serve for a three-year term and may serve consecutive terms as determined by the Board of Directors and membership.
• Time Commitment: Board Meetings are currently held every other month on Mondays, 3:00-5:00pm, and are mostly virtual. Two hybrid meetings are scheduled for 2024. Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• Committees: There are six standing committees as well as several subcommittees that meet as needed. All Directors are required to serve on at least one standing committee with consistent attendance and participation. Standing committees include: Executive, Governance, Finance, Development, Public Engagement, and Advocacy. Subcommittees assist with event planning, special programs and initiatives, community engagement, various advocacy efforts, etc.
• Events: Directors are expected to attend Alliance events including the Annual Meeting in March, the Preservation Achievement Awards in October, and other programs and fundraising events hosted by the Alliance and the Young Advisors throughout the year.
• Fundraising: All Directors are expected to participate in fundraising. There are several opportunities throughout the year to do so: raise funds through our Peer-to-Peer campaign in May, help solicit sponsorships for our Awards event in October, write notes on Year End Appeal letters in November, make an individual contribution, arrange a match through employer, and/or make connections with potential donors, grantors, members, or other supporters.

Vision of Service

The following are areas of shared responsibility by all Board members: To support the mission of the Boston Preservation Alliance through advocacy, fundraising, and contributions of time and expertise. Directors represent the Alliance in the community and promote the organization through both professional and personal avenues. The Board of Directors holds fiduciary responsibility for the organization and guides long-term financial sustainability.