Mission and Vision Statements

Our mission is to make an education in Motion Design / Animation more accessible to everyone. We are working to remove barriers of location, cost, and accessibility to enable more people who want to learn Motion Design the opportunity to do so. By removing these barriers, we want to move the needle on creating a more diverse and inclusive creative industry.

Our Vision is to build training programs unlike anything available to Motion Designers, both aspiring and current professionals, without putting the burden of debt for training onto them. We want an industry that fosters upcoming talent and creates opportunity for growth by investing in educating its future.

Position Summary

As a volunteer member of Gunner School’s Board of Directors you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our organization. We are looking for people who are passionate about building our school and assisting with creating a stable financial foundation for our organization to grow and thrive. We expect a commitment of 10 hours per month, with bi-monthly meetings while we work towards these important goals of stability and growth. Our Board Members are expected to use their professional expertise to assist with committees and other organizational duties on a voluntary basis. Members of our board are not financially compensated for their time, and this position is strictly voluntary.

The Treasurer of our Board of Directors plays a vital role in overseeing the organization’s financial health and integrity. As Treasurer, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that proper financial oversight is in place at the board level. You will not be managing day-to-day finances, however knowledge of Quickbooks and basic financial reporting will be essential for this position.

Position Responsibilities

Financial Oversight

• With assistance from the Executive Director, monitor the financial health of the organization and report key financial information to the board regularly.

• Ensure the organization is operating within its budget and financial policies.

• Help the board understand the organization's financial position and trends.

Budgeting

• Work with the Executive Director to develop the organization’s annual budget.

• Present the proposed budget to the board for review and approval.

• Track performance against the budget throughout the year and highlight any significant variances.

Financial Reporting

• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial reports are prepared for board meetings. Knowledge of Quickbooks, or the ability to learn it, is required for this position.

• Translate financial data into clear, accessible language for board members who may not have financial expertise.

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Ensure internal controls and financial policies are in place and followed (e.g., spending limits, two-signature requirements).

• Monitor compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements related to finance, including tax filings (e.g., IRS Form 990).

• Assists the Executive Director with preparation of the annual IRS Form 990.

• Help prevent fraud or misuse of funds by encouraging transparency and accountability.

• Sign checks and authorizes large expenditures.

• Maintain and oversee banking relationships and financial accounts.

Audit and Risk Management

• Oversee or lead the audit committee and annual audit process.

• Ensure that any audit findings are addressed appropriately.

• Help assess and mitigate financial risks to the organization.

Collaboration with Staff and Finance Committee

• Act as the board liaison to the organization’s finance team or staff responsible for accounting.

• Establish a Finance Committee within the next 3 years depending on organizational needs.

• Chair or actively participate in the Finance Committee (once established).

• Help build financial literacy across the board and support board members in understanding their fiduciary responsibilities.

Fundraising Support

• Support the development efforts of the organization in the financial aspects of fundraising, such as campaign budgets, donor reporting, and cost-benefit analysis.

• Help assess the financial sustainability of new initiatives or programs.

Collective Board Responsibilities

As the governing body of Gunner School, the board is collectively responsible for: 

• Strategic Planning: Determine the organization’s mission and purpose; approve overarching goals and objectives of all programs; monitor achievements and outcomes against those established goals.

• Financial Accountability: Ensure that the organization is properly managed, that financial control  systems are in place, and that proper judgment is used in all business and financial transactions.

• Fund Development: Approve fund development goals and plans; participate in fundraising activities,  especially in regard to identification and cultivation of prospective donors.

• Public Relations: Work to advance the public image of the organization.

• Appraising the Executive Director: Select, support and conduct an annual performance review of the Executive Director.

• Maintaining the Board: Select, recruit, and nurture new board members; develop and review the performance of board members; and assess its meetings and own performance as a board. 

Individual Responsibilities: 

In order to achieve these collective responsibilities, all individual board members will be asked to: 

• Attend a one hour orientation session upon election.

• Attend no less than 75% of regular board meetings. Currently, the board meets bi-monthly. This frequency can change in the future as the organization grows and stabilizes. If a board member is absent from three consecutive regular meetings without excuse, that position on the board may be declared vacant by the President.

• Prepare for board meetings in advance by reviewing the pre-distributed materials in order to facilitate  the board’s approval of a consent agenda. 

• Review board updates, which are distributed during months without a board meeting. 

• Serve on at least one standing committee (Fundraising, Financial Review & Audit). 

• Make introductions to prospective donors. 

• Secure their businesses’ contribution to the annual campaign (if applicable). 

• Attends major organizational sponsored events (e.g. Student Showcase, fundraising events); 

• Make a personally significant contribution to the Fund’s annual campaign; 

• Identify and disclose any potential conflicts of interest; 

• Respect the confidentiality of organizational information; 

• Assist with special projects as requested by the chairperson or executive director.

Term of Service

3 years (with the option of serving an additional 3 year term, if so desired). 

Average Time Commitment

10 Hours per Month

Location

You must be in the United States to apply for this position. Candidates from the Metro-Detroit area are preferred, non-local candidates with a passion for our organization’s mission along with experience serving on a Board of Directors, or similar organizational experience, will be considered. 

How to Apply

Please send a resume and short cover letter detailing relevant experience, volunteerism, and interest in this position to info@gunner.school.

The subject of your email should be YOUR NAME - Board Treasurer Position

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.