Northeast Portland Tool Library Board of Directors FAQ
What is the role of the Board?
The board provides strategic direction, financial oversight and programmatic support to advance Northeast Portland Tool Library’s mission to provide Northeast Portland residents of all income levels access to tools, empowering our neighbors to build and maintain a sustainable, thriving community.
What are the expectations for Board members?
- Time Commitment
- Twelve board meetings per year, held monthly, typically lasting two hours.
- One annual board retreat, typically lasting five hours.
- Additional 1-5 hours per month for committee work, events or special initiatives.
- Although not required, many board members also choose to volunteer during open hours at the tool library.
- Engagement
- Active participation in board discussions and committee activities.
- Support and advocacy for securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for NEPTL to advance its mission, through personal or professional networks and resources (personal financial donations are not expected).
- Advocate for and align with our mission and values, including knowledge sharing, sustainability and equity.
- Focus Areas
- We are interested in prioritizing candidates who reflect the diversity and demographics of the NE Portland neighborhoods we serve, particularly those in our easternmost membership area, such as outer Cully, Rose City Park, Roseway and Montavilla.
- Term
- Board members serve with no term limit.
- Elected officers serve one-year terms with no term limit.
What support will I receive as a Board member?
- New board members join an environment of mutual support and collegiality in which questions are encouraged.
- We recognize that time or volunteer hours may be a barrier for some. We offer virtual participation for all board meetings and are open to discussing other accommodations to ensure all members can participate equitably.
How does NEPTL approach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)?
Consistent with NEPTL’s statement on equity, we seek to diversify the perspectives, identities and lived experiences of our Board.
Our board has 9 members as of 2025, and we believe from experience that 10-14 members is ideal. Therefore, we are focused on ensuring that new members are representative of NE Portland demographics and bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the table.
What are the qualifications for joining the Board?
We value a broad range of personal and professional experiences. Current priorities for recruitment include:
- BIPOC voices, especially Black, Indigenous and Latino/a/x perspectives.
- People with expertise in law, insurance, web/graphic design, social media, accounting or community organizing.
- Expertise in tools is not required.
What committees can I join as a Board member?
NEPTL encourages board members to engage more deeply through committees. Options include:
- Events and fundraising
- Outreach
- Finance
- Ad hoc committees to address specific initiatives, such as inventory, financial reconciliation or hiring
What are the benefits of joining the Board?
Board members gain:
- The opportunity to shape the direction of a well-regarded and longstanding community organization.
- A meaningful volunteer experience aligned with the values of knowledge sharing, sustainability and equity.
- A chance to connect with fellow board members and a broad swath of community members.