NAAFA Board of Directors Search

We are now accepting applications to become a member of the NAAFA Board of Directors!

We seek candidates who are passionate about changing perceptions of fat and ending size discrimination. We fight for fat rights, oppose discrimination in all forms, invest in intersectional fat community, and brazenly celebrate fat joy. We are looking for leaders who will shape the future of NAAFA and who will impact NAAFA’s day-to-day operations by supporting fundraising, programming, and events.

NAAFA board members are high-level volunteers who spend a minimum of 8-12 hours per month on NAAFA projects. (If you are interested in volunteering with NAAFA but you cannot make this time commitment for a three-year term, please complete our volunteer form instead of the board application.)

The online application is open until November 1st at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

We also invite members of our community to nominate someone who would be a great fit for NAAFA leadership. Nominations are open until October 15th, and we will contact anyone you nominate with an invitation to apply.

Our Board Search Committee (BSC) will review applications, conduct interviews, and check references on a rolling basis throughout October and November. The BSC will evaluate candidates and make recommendations to the NAAFA Board of Directors. The Board will make final selections by mid-December and invite new Directors to begin serving in January 2027.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for board members who want to make NAAFA one of their high priority volunteer commitments.

We are especially interested in candidates who would take on one or more of the following roles:

• Fundraising Committee

• Campaign for Size Freedom Committee

• Social Media Committee

• Newsletter/Blog support

If you are interested in one of the above roles but not ready/able to make the time commitment required to be a board member at this time, we invite you to complete our volunteer application.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to be a fat person to be considered for a board position?

  • No! We welcome all applicants who are committed to ending size discrimination, regardless of the applicant's body size.

• If I was nominated by a community member, do I still have to submit an application?

  • Yes, all nominees must still complete an application to be considered. 

• Can I nominate myself?

  • You don’t need to. If you already know you want to apply, you can skip straight to the application.

• How often do board meetings occur?

  • Currently, board meetings are held once a month for 90 minutes, and subcommittee meetings occur on a roughly monthly basis. We expect Board Members to spend a minimum of 8-12 hours per month on NAAFA activities.

• Is the board fully remote?

  • Yes! Our Board of Directors live all around the country, and we meet remotely via Zoom.

• Is this a paid position?

  • No, this is a volunteer position.  Board members serve without remuneration and are ineligible to receive NAAFA grants and sponsorships during their time of service.

• How long will I serve on the board?

  • One board term is a three-year commitment from January 2027 to December 2029.  Board members have the option to serve a second three-year term.

• Many non-profit boards require that board members donate to the organization. Will I be expected to donate to NAAFA as part of my service on the Board?

  • Board members are expected to support the organization’s fundraising and to make an annual financial contribution to NAAFA in an amount that is meaningful and accessible for them, but there is no minimum financial contribution required. NAAFA is committed to making board service accessible to all who apply regardless of income or access to financial resources.

• Do board members have to be US citizens?

  • Yes, board members are required to be US citizens. If you are not a US citizen and you would like to be considered for other NAAFA opportunities, please complete our volunteer form and someone from our team will reach out to you.

• What if I want to help advocate for plus size people but I don't feel comfortable with the word "fat"?

  • The f-word is associated with so much stigma, violence, and trauma for many people, especially the largest fat people and fat people from other marginalized identity groups. We recognize that it can be a difficult word to use and to hear, but it is a deeply held value of our organization that using the word in neutral and affirming ways empowers fat people and reduces stigma. At NAAFA, we have used the word "fat" since our founding. Although one can certainly advocate for larger-bodied people while using other neutral or affirming terminology, and although we welcome other respectful and non-medicalized terminology to be used, NAAFA Board Members are expected to use the word "fat" in their work on behalf of the organization.

Board of Directors - Duties of Office

• Commitment to intersectional fat rights advocacy.

• Commitment to one 3-year term of board service.

• A minimum of 8-12 hours per month time commitment during typical months. Many board members elect to volunteer more time based on NAAFA’s needs, as well as each board member’s interests and availability. Board members are expected to track time spent on NAAFA projects and to proactively communicate with the Board Chair and/or Executive Director regarding their workload and capacity.

• Engaged participation in regularly scheduled Board meetings, typically once per month (included in expected time commitment.)

• Engaged participation in at least one board committee or major project (included in expected time commitment.)

• Members of the Board are expected to provide at least one annual financial contribution in an amount meaningful and accessible to them.

• Members are expected to actively support NAAFA’s fundraising efforts.

• Reliable internet connection and willingness to participate in Board meetings via video call.

• Ability to respond within 72 business hours to routine email correspondence from the Board and within 24 hours to emergency alerts from the Board Chair or Executive Director.

• Engagement at least twice per week with NAAFA content on one or more of NAAFA’s social media platforms.

• Participation in training as agreed upon by the Board, including Board Retreat and anti-oppression training, unless prohibited by employment or emergency (all costs covered by NAAFA as needed.)

• Full participation in any national NAAFA conference that is scheduled during your board service unless prohibited by employment or emergency (all costs covered by NAAFA as needed.)

• English fluency (additional languages are a plus.)

• Excellent written and/or verbal communication skills.

• Familiarity with Google Documents, Calendar, Sheets, and Forms (or willingness to learn.)