This page outlines the role of Advisory Board Members to WVN, to communicate mutual expectations, and to address common questions. 

Thank you for your interest in Women’s Voices Now!

About Us

Women’s Voices Now (WVN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that uses film to drive positive social change that advances girls’ and women’s rights globally. 

We envision a global culture shift powered by impact film, in which communities and institutions believe in gender equality, and adapt their behaviors and actions to support systematic advancement of girls’ and women’s rights.

We do this by empowering filmmakers, producing social-change films, and engaging audience members to advance girls’ and women’s rights.

We carry out our mission with our WVN online Film Festival, a free online film collection (Voices for Change), and a youth development program through filmmaking (Girls’ Voices Now). Since 2017, WVN has held special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Our work is internationally recognized as impacting six of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). 

About the Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is a diverse and inclusive group of individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to support Women’s Voices Now by providing strategic advice, sharing their skills, time and/or connections to help us fulfill our mission.

Advisors do not have legal responsibilities, and are not required to make cash donations to the organization in order to join or remain on the Advisory Board.

Similarly, the advisory board does not have decision-making authority. While members’ advice is highly valuable for the organization’s strategic planning, the organization is not bound to follow or implement it.

Advisory Board Members:

• Are passionate about girls’ and women’s rights, and more specifically about issues of representation and diversity.
• Have relevant expertise in one of the following fields or skills: film/ media/entertainment industry; fundraising; public relations; accounting; marketing; social media; legal advice

OR 

• Have participated in one of our programs as a beneficiary, are a long-term volunteer or a jury member, and are able to represent the populations we serve.
• Can dedicate 3-5 hours per month, especially during fundraising campaigns,  to Women’s Voices Now.
• Are willing to support the Women’s Voices Now mission and vision by publicly promoting our work as an ambassador and expanding our network.
• Are aligned with our values.
  

Expectations of Advisory Board Members:

WVN Advisory Board Members play an integral role, which includes: 

• Advising on programs, internal operations, and opportunities for growth by bringing your experience, both professional and lived, in the following fields:
  • film/ media/ entertainment industry; 
  • fundraising; 
  • accounting; 
  • marketing; 
  • public relations
  • social media;
  • information technology; 
  • legal advice;
  • governance & human resources

     

• Increasing WVN’s overall visibility by:
  • Sharing information about key program milestones (i.e. our film festival call for submissions).
  • Promoting our public events (our Girls’ Voices Now public screening in the fall)
  • Boosting publicity around our fundraising campaigns (i.e., share emails or forward newsletters for our fall fundraising campaigns)
  • Growing the Women’s Voices Now network by facilitating connections with potential WVN stakeholders (donors, beneficiaries, other interested parties)
  • Inviting us to speaking opportunities

Perks – What Comes with Joining:

As an Advisory Board Member, you can expect:

• Visibility. Advisory Board Members are prominent members of our community! We love recognizing your work, especially when it is relevant to WVN’s mission, and when it reaffirms our values. We do so via the WVN website, social media platforms, newsletter, and other communications channels. This is a great way to boost your professional network and resume. 
• Access to other members of the Advisory Board for community-building and networking. To a lesser extent, you will also have the possibility to connect with the WVN Board of Directors, staff members, and potentially program beneficiaries.
• Free VIP tickets to our public events for you and others with whom you’d like to share your affiliation with WVN.
• The opportunity to support a meaningful cause, mission, and programs. 

Given the size of our organization, you can have a significant impact on WVN, and by extension, a global community working toward positive social change.

Advisory Board Members are not required to contribute donations or meet specific fundraising goals. However, if you are in a position to donate and to publicize your donation, this is greatly appreciated.

If you would like any additional information or are interested in joining, please reach out to Heidi Basch-Harod, WVN’s Executive Director at [email protected].