Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA) – Board Recruitment Announcement – April 2011

RRISA, a nonprofit organization with 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status, has a multi-lingual, multicultural staff that provides an entry into American culture and ongoing services for hundreds of refugees each year. Refugees come with only a few belongings and in debt for the price of their transportation from countries in Africa, the former Soviet Union, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Working with the community, RRISA strives to improve the plight of displaced and uprooted people. RRISA answers the humanitarian call to serve those fleeing from persecution, war, famine and extreme poverty. Our mission is to help refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and Cuban/Haitian entrants resettle in the U.S. and regain self-sufficiency.

An affiliate of Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries, RRISA acts as a bridge between local resources and refugees worldwide. We meet immediate needs of shelter, food, clothes, medical care and offer services in the following areas: resettlement; employment; education and youth; immigration; and faith community co-sponsorship.

RRISA currently has an annual budget of $2.5 million, a staff of 30, and 12 board members. RRISA is expanding its Board of Directors to support the growth and development of the organization.  RRISA is seeking board members who have a passion for the cause and are willing to commit their time, expertise, and resources to help the organization fulfill its mission.  Specific expectations of board members are: attend 4 of the 6 board meetings annually; serve, actively, on at least one committee of the organization, attend scheduled committee meetings and carry out activities within the committee structure; make a personal financial contribution of at least $1,000 annually, and participate in raising funds for the organization; and provide overall governance and oversight to the organization’s operation.

Specific needs of the board currently include expertise in accounting & financial management, marketing & communications, social media, human resources, health care, public health, business, and community connections.  Representation from faith based, academic, civic organizations, & large and small employers is very important to the organization, as is diversity (in all its forms: race, ethnicity, gender, & age.)

To be considered for this board of directors, please send a resume or bio (by May 15, 2011) to:

Terri Theisen, Theisen Consulting LLC, Fax: 404-393-3527, terri@theisenconsulting.com