Superbloom Design is a US 501c3 and is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors works in a voluntary capacity to support the organization in driving impact against its strategic goals. The Board of Directors has the fiduciary responsibility to ensure the financial health of the organization, maintain strong operational practices, and remains in compliance with its legal obligations. Superbloom also has an Advisory Council which is comprised of experts from the ecosystem who provide strategic advice to the Superbloom Board and team.
Current Board
Current Advisory Council
Board make-up and selection criteria
The Superbloom Board of Directors is made up of experts in the public interest technology space who apply a critical lens to technology, and believe that design is a lever for changing who technology serves. Board Members bring a diverse, socio technical range of expertise in areas such as technology, design, organizational management, privacy and security, open source, human rights, digital rights, communications, fundraising, and social change. Its Board has a strong interest in stewarding and connecting its network with the organization and provides credibility in a given context and/or discipline.
The following criteria are employed when selecting new Board members:
Practitioners and established leaders
The Board should include both practitioners and established leaders: Superbloom’s Board of Directors has established leaders and decision-makers within their organizations and fields. Established leaders provide a crucial view and the ability to get things done. This view is balanced by members who are working practitioners, leading from the ground. Their views and experiences guide Superbloom to prioritize realistic action that’s informed by needs for the communities we serve.
Culture add vs culture fit
When we talk about “fit”, we gravitate toward candidates who are like us: people who fluently speak our language (figuratively and literally), who represent ideas we resonate with, and with whom we are comfortable. Superbloom’s growth and stability depends on including different cultural backgrounds on its Board; each with different perspectives and ideas.
Profile vs potential
Just as Board members bring their profile and experience to Superbloom, it invests in the potential and growth of its Board members by providing access to global conversations and a broader community of colleagues.
Established vs atypical title and education
Systems of power from the global north and western culture tend to prioritize hierarchical positions (executives) and specific formal education (doctorates). This prioritizes western cultural tendencies, and excludes the more democratic view of expertise that it support in its values including different skillsets and backgrounds.
Expectations
The Board’s remit includes:
- Support Superbloom’s mission, purpose and long-term strategy
- Work with the interests of the non-profit to ensure the organization is well managed and on a sound financial footing
- Oversight of Superbloom programs
- Oversight of Executive Director
- General mentorship for leadership, staff, and fiscally sponsored project leads
- Attend meetings, provide strategic input and guidance, accountability on leadership
- Understand and obey governing documents and laws
Commitment
Its Board members commit to approximately one hour-long Board meeting per month, one Annual Board meeting, and when applicable, vote on the information provided. In addition, its Executive Director may call upon Board members for ad hoc 1:1 guidance or small group meetings on specific topics. The Board also has a Secretary who reviews and approves meeting minutes, and a Treasurer who reviews and signs-off on taxes and other financial documents.