Organizational Summary:

Give Us Wings (GUW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with offices in St. Paul, MN and Tororo, Uganda. Give Us Wings envisions people in our partner communities in rural Uganda living healthy lives with dignity and hope as they pursue their life goals. Give Us Wings’ mission is to encourage, support and partner with people living in extreme poverty in Uganda as they transform their lives through greater access to quality health care, education and economic opportunities. Since 1999, we have been working alongside our partners in Uganda to create sustainable change. Learn more at www.giveuswings.org.

GUW programs focus on:

• HEALTH CARE – We offer accessible, high quality health care to over 20,000 patients annually through our clinic in Kayoro, Uganda.
• EDUCATION – Our Family to Family sponsorship program improves families’ access to health care, provides parental support and training, and enrolls one child (usually the youngest girl in the family) in a boarding school.
• ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES – Our Entrepreneurial and Livelihoods Development program trains members of local business cooperatives to manage their cooperatives, identify profitable enterprises, and get access to resources needed to increase co-op members’ incomes.

Board Member Role and Responsibilities:

Give Us Wings Board members are dedicated stewards of our mission and resources. They play an active role in shaping and reviewing our mission, setting policy, and ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources to fulfill its purpose. The Board provides oversight, strategic direction, and governance for the organization and the Executive Director. Board members also consult and collaborate with the Give Us Wings Uganda National Advisory Team. 

Expectations for Board Members:

• Engage Actively: Prepare for meetings, engage in discussions, and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Commit to Meetings: Attend and actively participate in Board meetings and serve on at least one committee to support the organization's initiatives.
• Understand & Advocate: Learn and advocate for the mission, history, and strategic direction of Give Us Wings.
• Be an Ambassador: Promote the success of Give Us Wings by volunteering, participating in fundraising efforts, and helping recruit volunteers, donors, and future Board members.
• Support Financially: Make an annual financial or in-kind contribution at a personally meaningful level.
• Participate in Fundraising: Attend our two primary fundraising events (spring and fall) and as many additional fundraising events as possible.
• Pursue Leadership Opportunities: Future board leadership is strongly encouraged to help provide continuity in governance and strategic direction.

Commitment and Structure:

Board terms run for two years and we request that you make a commitment to be a board member for at least one term. Board service requires about 5 hours per month. Board meetings are held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the third Monday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, and November) as well as special meetings and committee meetings as needed. This is an uncompensated volunteer position.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Core Values:

Give Us Wings values diversity and inclusion as core strengths in fulfilling our mission. We actively seek and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities, to apply.

Additionally, we are guided by our Core Values:

• Be Motivated by Compassion: We welcome everyone and treat them with dignity. We work to bring light, cheer, and kindness to the world. We strive to think of the greater good over our own interests.
• Love Being Part of a Team: We know where we fit in the big picture. We are humble and willing to be open with others. We listen and communicate with respect.
• Bring Excellence: We go above and beyond in our work. We calmly approach challenges with creativity, resourcefulness, and wisdom.
• Earn Trust and Keep It: Honesty is always expected. Corruption is never acceptable.

If you are interested in making a meaningful impact through board service, we would love to hear from you!

We have a dedicated Board with expertise in finance, leadership, US-based humanitarian services, and business management, and we welcome individuals from all backgrounds who are eager to support our mission. At this time, we are especially looking for Board members with experience in health care, public health, communications, NGO governance or legal experience, professional fundraising and development planning, or international economic development.  We are also seeking well-networked individuals in other parts of the country who can connect us to new funding and partnership opportunities. Those with a passion for global impact, prior experience with Give Us Wings or similar organizations, and an interest in leadership roles are strongly encouraged to apply to help shape the future of Give Us Wings.

Please contact Executive Director Peter Carlson at [email protected].