Special Gifts Theatre Board Purpose & Expectations
At Special Gifts Theatre (SGT), we believe in a world where all people with disabilities are valued, included, and accepted. Through the performing arts, we work collaboratively to create inclusive and transformative experiences for individuals with disabilities to fully engage in the world. Members of our Board of Directors are based in Chicagoland’s north and northwest suburbs and support our purpose by using their talents and professional experience to further our mission.
The Purpose of the Board
- Strategy: Give SGT direction; help establish and grow our vision, mission and values
- Oversight: Provide leadership and oversight in relevant areas to ensure accountability
- Participation: Ensure that SGT has the volunteer resources to work efficiently
- Leadership: Bring credibility to SGT; foster a strong sense of SGT’s identity and culture
- Guidance: Provide advice that facilitates alignment among the Board, leadership, staff, program participants, the community, etc.
- Fundraising: Be a strong ambassador for development to ensure the organization has the financial resources necessary to operate and carry out its mission.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Show passion for SGT and its mission
- Demonstrate traits of a respected leader
- Have a unique skill set or an area of expertise to help SGT (examples: financial or accounting acumen, legal profession, marketing/advertising skills, human resources, etc.)
- Have the necessary time to commit to SGT
- Be willing to make an annual personal financial contribution
- Provide access to different networks/relationships that can support SGT
Specific Commitments/ Responsibilities:
- Two-year service term, renewable.
- Regular participation in Board meetings: Board members must attend at least 3 of the 4 quarterly scheduled Board meetings either in person or video conference.
- Participation in at least two committees of the Board (e.g., governance, fundraising/ marketing, financial oversight/audit, programs/ services etc.) which meet monthly or quarterly.
- Financial give-or-get: Board members are expected to either personally contribute (to the extent feasible), or raise from donations/contributions of others, at least $5,000 every two years (which includes company sponsorships, in-kind donations, etc.)
- Volunteerism: Board Members must volunteer assistance at a minimum of 3 activities per year (e.g., set-up, ticket sales, concessions, or other forms of assistance at fundraising events, shows/programs, etc.)
- Quarterly time commitment is approximately 10 hours.
About Special Gifts Theatre:
Special Gifts Theatre addresses the need for theatre arts activities and experiences for people with disabilities. Through the performing arts, we work collaboratively to create inclusive and transformative experiences for individuals with disabilities to fully engage in the world.
SGT programs provide student actors with disabilities enrichment experiences that foster confidence, creative self-expression, and self-advocacy. At SGT, the focus is on the student actor’s strengths and every aspect of the programming is adapted to fully engage each student and allow them to shine in the spotlight.
• We serve 350 participants in Chicagoland every year with four individualized programs:
1. Musical Theatre - educational and therapeutically based program that culminates in a fully adapted musical theatre performance for youth ages 10-22.
2. Creativity in Motion - therapeutic movement class for children 7 and up.
3. Creating Outside the Lines - theatre and improv for adults.
4. Peer mentor programming with disability inclusion training.
• We produce 13 live performances annually that have reached over 45,000 people since our founding in 2000.
• Our specialized staff consists of special education teachers, therapists and theatre arts professionals.
• Our peer mentors and volunteers support each student to achieve individualized success and develop the next generation of inclusive leaders.
