Position Overview #
The Civil Society Technology Foundation (CSTF) seeks dedicated Board Members to provide governance leadership for our mission of empowering individuals and communities to achieve digital self-determination through open-source, self-hosted technologies. Board members combine traditional nonprofit governance responsibilities with our commitment to transparent, community-driven decision-making.
As a US 501(c)(3) non-profit charity incorporated in Washington State, CSTF operates across technology development, education, community engagement, and civil society collaboration. Board members provide strategic oversight while ensuring our governance reflects our principles of transparency, distributed leadership, and community empowerment.
About CSTF Governance #
CSTF is committed to building strong partnerships within the vibrant ecosystem of civil society organizations while maintaining independent, principled governance. Our board operates according to our core values:
- Transparent Governance: All governance must be visible, accountable, and auditable
- Community-Driven Leadership: Board decisions should reflect and serve community needs and values
- Tools Over Policy: Focus oversight on building practical alternatives rather than advocacy positions
- Self-determination by Design: Ensure organizational governance embodies the autonomy we seek to enable
- Contribution Defines Membership: Recognize diverse forms of contribution to CSTF’s mission
Our governance model balances legal requirements for nonprofit board oversight with our commitment to distributed leadership and community participation.
Primary Responsibilities #
Fiduciary & Legal Oversight #
- Ensure CSTF’s compliance with 501(c)(3) requirements and Washington State nonprofit law
- Provide oversight of organizational finances, budgets, and resource allocation
- Review and approve major organizational policies, partnerships, and strategic initiatives
- Maintain corporate records and fulfill legal reporting requirements for nonprofit status
Strategic Governance & Direction #
- Provide strategic oversight for CSTF’s mission advancement across technology, education, and community initiatives
- Guide organizational development as CSTF evolves from volunteer-led startup to sustainable institution
- Ensure coordination and coherence between diverse CSTF programs including Wild Cloud development
- Balance immediate operational needs with long-term vision and sustainability
Community Representation & Accountability #
- Represent the interests and values of CSTF’s broader community in governance decisions
- Ensure board decision-making processes reflect our principles of transparency and community participation
- Maintain accountability to CSTF’s mission, principles, and community stakeholders
- Foster connections between board governance and grassroots community engagement
Partnership Development & Strategic Alliances #
- Guide CSTF’s relationships with aligned civil society organizations, digital rights groups, and open-source communities
- Evaluate partnership opportunities that advance CSTF’s mission while preserving organizational independence
- Provide strategic oversight for collaborative initiatives, shared projects, and ecosystem coordination
- Ensure partnerships reflect CSTF’s principles of transparent governance and community empowerment
Organizational Development & Support #
- Support executive leadership and volunteer coordinators in achieving organizational objectives
- Provide expertise, networks, and guidance to advance CSTF’s mission and effectiveness
- Participate in fundraising efforts and resource development appropriate to board member capabilities
- Advocate for CSTF’s mission within professional and community networks
Required Qualifications #
- Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to digital self-determination, open-source principles, and community empowerment
- Governance Experience: Understanding of nonprofit board governance, fiduciary responsibilities, or similar leadership roles
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to provide strategic oversight while respecting operational autonomy and community input
- Collaborative Leadership: Experience with consensus-building, transparent decision-making, and distributed leadership models
- Time Commitment: Ability to dedicate approximately 5-10 hours per month to board responsibilities
Preferred Qualifications #
- Civil Society Experience: Background in nonprofit governance, community organizing, or civil society leadership
- Technology Expertise: Understanding of open-source development, self-hosting, digital rights, or technology policy
- Professional Networks: Connections within technology, education, philanthropy, or civil society sectors that could benefit CSTF
- Organizational Development: Experience with organizational growth, strategic planning, or nonprofit management
- Global Perspective: Understanding of international digital rights issues and global civil society networks
Key Areas of Board Expertise #
CSTF seeks board members who collectively provide expertise across these critical areas:
Nonprofit Governance & Management #
- Legal Compliance: Understanding of 501(c)(3) requirements, governance best practices, and regulatory compliance
- Financial Oversight: Nonprofit financial management, budgeting, and fiscal responsibility
- Risk Management: Organizational risk assessment, policy development, and crisis management
- Strategic Planning: Long-term organizational planning and mission-driven strategic development
Technology & Digital Rights #
- Open Source Ecosystem: Understanding of open-source development, community governance, and sustainability models
- Digital Civil Liberties: Knowledge of privacy, surveillance, and digital rights issues affecting civil society
- Technology Policy: Understanding of technology regulation, standards development, and policy implications
- Infrastructure Development: Experience with technology infrastructure, self-hosting, or distributed systems
Civil Society & Community Engagement #
- Community Organizing: Experience building and sustaining mission-driven communities and movements
- Educational Initiatives: Background in education, training, or capacity building within community contexts
- Partnership Development: Experience with coalition building, collaborative initiatives, and partnership management
- Global Civil Society: Understanding of international civil society networks and cross-cultural collaboration
Organizational Development & Resource Mobilization #
- Fundraising & Development: Experience with nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, or resource development
- Organizational Growth: Managing organizational transitions, scaling operations, and maintaining mission alignment
- Leadership Development: Supporting distributed leadership, volunteer management, and succession planning
- Impact Measurement: Assessing organizational effectiveness and community impact
Board Expectations & Commitments #
Meeting Participation #
- Regular Board Meetings: Monthly virtual board meetings (approximately 2 hours)
- Annual Strategic Sessions: In-person or extended virtual strategic planning meetings
- Committee Work: Participation in board committees based on expertise and organizational needs
- Community Engagement: Regular participation in CSTF community forums and activities
Decision-Making & Process #
- Transparent Deliberation: All board discussions and decisions conducted transparently with community visibility
- Consensus Building: Collaborative decision-making that seeks community input and builds sustainable agreements
- Principled Positions: Maintain alignment with CSTF principles even when facing difficult decisions
- Accountability: Accept responsibility for board decisions and their impact on CSTF’s mission and community
Partnership & Ecosystem Engagement #
- Strategic Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with aligned organizations in the digital rights, open-source, and civil society ecosystem
- Coalition Participation: Represent CSTF in collaborative initiatives, coalitions, and shared advocacy efforts
- Partnership Evaluation: Assess potential partnerships for mission alignment, mutual benefit, and respect for CSTF’s independence
- Ecosystem Coordination: Support CSTF’s role in broader movements for digital self-determination while maintaining organizational autonomy
Resource Development & Advocacy #
- Network Engagement: Leverage professional and personal networks to advance CSTF’s mission
- Fundraising Support: Participate in resource development efforts appropriate to individual capacity and expertise
- Mission Advocacy: Represent CSTF’s mission and values in professional and community contexts
- Expertise Sharing: Provide specialized knowledge and skills to support CSTF’s operational effectiveness
Organizational Culture & Values #
Board members must demonstrate deep alignment with CSTF’s core principles:
- Healthy Ecosystems Win: Measure success by genuine utility to communities, not organizational metrics
- Interoperability via Consent: Support collaborative approaches that respect autonomy and voluntary participation
- Critical Adoption over Blind Use: Promote informed decision-making and transparent communication about trade-offs
- Democratized AI: Ensure AI and emerging technology governance serves community benefit over corporate control
- Contribution Defines Membership: Recognize and value diverse forms of contribution to CSTF’s mission
Compensation & Structure #
This is an unpaid volunteer position consistent with standard nonprofit board service. Board members serve three-year terms with possibility of renewal. CSTF covers reasonable expenses for board members to participate in strategic planning sessions and organizational events.
How to Apply #
CSTF seeks board members who combine governance expertise with deep commitment to our mission of digital self-determination. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds who share our vision of transparent, community-driven technology development.
To express interest in board service:
- Join our community at forum.civilsociety.dev to engage with our work and community
- Review our principles and mission and current initiatives to understand our strategic context
- Submit a statement as a reply to this forum post (or message the post’s author) describing:
- Your alignment with CSTF’s mission and principles
- Relevant experience with nonprofit governance, technology, or civil society leadership
- Specific expertise and networks you would contribute to board effectiveness
- Your vision for CSTF’s role in advancing digital self-determination
- Provide references who can speak to your governance experience and mission alignment
We operate with transparent governance and welcome community input on board composition and candidate evaluation.
Board Diversity & Inclusion #
CSTF is committed to building a board that reflects the diversity of communities we serve and the global nature of digital civil society. We particularly welcome applications from:
- Individuals from underrepresented communities in technology and nonprofit leadership
- Leaders from the Global South and regions with emerging digital civil society movements
- People with disabilities and those advocating for accessible technology
- Young leaders and emerging voices in digital rights and community organizing
- Individuals bringing diverse professional backgrounds and community perspectives
Contact #
For questions about board service or the application process, reply to this forum post.
Join us in providing governance leadership that advances digital self-determination through principled, transparent, and community-accountable organizational stewardship.