Board Member

Court Watch Montgomery is Recruiting Board Members!

We are a small nonprofit with a big mission: to ensure safety and access to justice for survivors of intimate partner violence in Montgomery County. Through dedicated and well-trained volunteers, we monitor and collect data on protective order hearings in Montgomery County District Court, use our findings to identify and recommend needed improvements in policy and practice, and hold judges and court personnel accountable for providing a safe and respectful court environment.

Since our founding in 2011, Court Watch Montgomery (CWM) has monitored more than 11,000 hearings and our resulting reports and recommendations make an impact. We found in 2022 that “staggered exits” – a recognized best practice to protect victims at the end of a protective order hearing – were being enforced only 39% of the time. We reported this finding to the public and to the court and saw an immediate increase, to 59%, in 2023. We also reported in 2023 that petitioners are far more likely to receive a final protective order when they appear in court with an advocate or attorney, highlighting a critical resource need in the county. Most recently, CWM reported on the use of gun-related best practices in protective order hearings, helping to inform the public about an issue that is the focus of a high profile Supreme Court case (Rahimi).   

The CWM board defines the organization’s mission and vision, develops short- and long-term plans to carry out the mission, and sets policies for effective management. Resource development and fundraising to support CWM operations are key functions of the board. We are seeking to expand our board and are committed to having a team with diverse skills, experiences, and abilities. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, and we especially encourage those with lived experience and skills in fundraising/resource development, finance/accounting, or advocacy/policy, to apply. Interviews will be held with current CWM board members and our Executive Director.

Court Watch Montgomery Board of Directors Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

• Define the organization’s mission and vision, updating as necessary. 
• Develop long and short-range planning to carry out the mission.
• Provide fiduciary oversight necessary to achieve the mission.
• Ensure the organization follows all federal, state, and local laws and adheres to its mission.
• Recruit, orient, and develop board members.
• Hire an executive director, provide oversight, and annually evaluate the executive director’s performance.
• Abide by the established bylaws of the organization.
• Establish policies for the effective management of the organization.

Responsibilities of Individual Directors

• Understand and promote the organization’s mission.
• Participate actively in decision-making, exercising best judgment. 
• Become a working member of at least one board committee or task force.
• Participate in resource development and fundraising activities.
• Make an annual gift to the organization significant according to individual circumstances, so that Court Watch Montgomery can seek outside funding based on 100% board participation. Minimum amount is currently $1,000 per year, through direct donation or fundraising.
• Advocate and educate on behalf of the organization.
• Review board meeting materials and attend board meetings, committee meetings, and special events.
• Review and approve the annual budget and IRS Form 990.
• Follow the Conflict of Interest policy.
• Help to identify and assist in cultivating potential institutional and individual donors.

Anticipated Time Commitment

• Serve at least one complete three-year term.  
• Devote approximately 5 hours per month to CWM committees, task forces, special projects, fundraising, or monitoring.

Please submit a resume and letter of interest to: [email protected]

**Priority will be given to applicants in or near Montgomery County, MD**