Join the Words Alive Team

Internship Opportunities - Detailed Description

POSITION:   Nonprofit Administration & Governance Intern (unpaid)

COMPENSATION: Unpaid internship; volunteer position

SCHEDULE: 10-20 hours/week; 4-6 months, strong preference for an academic semester. Hours flexible, but must be available most afternoons (Pacific Time) as that’s when the Board/Committees meet virtually.

LOCATION:  Must be U.S. based; Virtual/Remote. Must be U.S. based; San Diego preferred to allow for occasional in-person opportunities.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director; frequent work with Board Chair & Vice Chair

WHO WE ARE: Words Alive connects children, teens, and families to the power of reading.  We do this though book clubs for teens, read aloud in elementary classrooms, and workshops for parents/caregivers with young children. Each year we serve approximately 5,000 children, teens, and families in San Diego County facing extraordinary life circumstances such as homelessness, poverty, foster care, abuse, juvenile justice system impact, and teen pregnancy.

WHO YOU ARE: Our ideal candidate:

  • Is interested in a career in nonprofit administration;

  • Seeks hands-on experience learning about governance, policy, and compliance;

  • Is curious about how Boards of Directors work in the nonprofit sector;

  • Is eager to do meaningful work, try new things, and meet new people;

  • Continually is learning and craves hands-on opportunities to try what they have learned;

  • Is deeply motivated by the power of reading!

POSITION OVERVIEW

Words Alive is seeking a professional, responsible, and detail-oriented intern to support the goals and activities of the Words Alive Board of Directors and its various committees/taskforces. The Words Alive Board consists of 12-18 Board members, plus numerous community members, who lead the strategic, compliance, and policy work of the organization. The intern will acquire hands-on experience supporting the diverse work of the Board.

INTERN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support Board & Committee Operations (50%)

  • Attend virtual Board and Committee meetings.

  • Schedule Board and Committee meetings, including managing meeting invitations, communicating attendance with Board Chairs, and sharing agendas.

  • Take minutes at Board and Committee meetings. Review minutes with Chair, share final minutes with Committee/Board members.

  • Maintain Board files so they are highly organized and easily accessible for Board members.

  • Gather requested documentation or information from staff or other committees at the request of Chairs.

  • Catalogue Board communications for future reference.

  • Organize and track Board/Committee member onboarding, training, and compliance requirements.

  • Maintain rosters and attendance. Keep web content about the Board and Committees updated and accurate.

  • Write content about Board members and Board actions to share with the community through our website, blog, newsletters, social media, or media releases.

 

Support Organizational Compliance & Policy (20%)

  • Maintain the Words Alive policy manual, reviewing and updating with Board decisions. Support the integration of policies into day-to-day operations.

  • Manage the organizational compliance checklist to ensure alignment with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Work with staff to implement requirements.

  • Research potential policies for consideration per request of leadership/committees.

Complete a Special Project (20%)

In addition to supporting our organization’s governance work, we provide interns with the opportunity to focus on at least one major project; strategy, or contribution.  Focus areas and major projects for this internship might include:

  • Create a “scorecard” to meaningfully update Board members on organizational activities

  • Research and propose a new virtual Board management tool

  • In collaboration with Board Committees, develop a recruitment strategy/plan for future members

  • Research and present on best practices and trends in governance

  • Develop standard operating procedures and training tools for future governance internships

  • Another project in discussion with supervisor.

Grow Professionally (10%)

  • Participate in workshops, seminars, and career building activities.

  • Participate in informational interviews with Board members to learn more about their professional and service work.

  • Work on a hybrid (remote/in-person) team; learn about remote and in-office work.

  • Learn how to navigate databases, websites, and online platforms.

  • Create presentations, reports, memos, and/or materials that can be used by executives.

  • Attend regular staff and department meetings, events, etc.

  • Other duties as assigned.

EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for candidates who:

  • Have a high school degree or equivalent.

  • Provide their own computer and have access to the internet.

  • Have proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive & Zoom.

  • Have good written and verbal communication skills.

  • Are self-directed and able to work without supervision.

  • Are energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas.

We prefer candidates who:

  • Are looking to enter a career in nonprofit administration.

  • Have completed undergraduate or graduate coursework in nonprofit/public administration

  • Have some volunteer experience with a nonprofit organization

  • Have lived experiences aligned with our mission, have participated in Words Alive’s programming or volunteered with us.

WORDS ALIVE VALUES & CULTURE
At Words Alive, our programs and impact made in the community are driven by our core values, which represent the motivation, dedication, and focus of our Words Alive staff and volunteers. Our values include:

  • Commitment: by pledging to make reading matter for everyone

  • Equitability: by working to level the playing field

  • Empowerment: by investing in lifelong learners

  • Responsiveness: by listening to community needs and developing innovative solutions

  • Collaboration: by partnering with the community

  • Connectedness: by creating a familial environment that includes all Words Alive participants and support

TO APPLY: Carefully review this description to ensure it is a good fit. Send us 1) a letter or introductory video sharing why you’d like to intern with Words Alive, and 2) a resume or summary of experiences qualifying you for this position via email to: [email protected]

Start Dates:  Academic semesters: Winter/Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025