Global Autism Project - Board Overview

B O A R D

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OVERVIEW 2019 - 2021

D I R E C T O R S

WHAT'S INSIDE We're so excited you're interested in joining our family and this movement. In this Board of Directors overview kit, you'll explore our organization's dreams and goals, and consider the role you could play in joining this mission.

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WHO WE NEED

OUR BOARD

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HOW WE WORK

OUR BOARD

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COMMITMENTS

COMMITTEES

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OUR FUTURE

INVESTMENT

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Our Founder Who we need Our Board Expectations Org History Mission + Values The Model

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Commitment Committees Current Needs Strategic Plan Investment

Molly Ola Pinney

FOUNDER, CEO

WELCOME! I’m thrilled you’re interested in becoming involved as a member of our Board of Directors. Boards of Directors are a crucial part of a nonprofit organization, providing both support for programming as well as governance.

This packet provides you with an overview of our organization as well as what being a Board Member of the Global Autism Project means. Included, as attachments are our by-laws, our IRS letter of determination, our most recent 990 and our Articles of Incorporation. Additionally, there are samples of the Board Member Contract and the Contribution Agreement attached. The contribution agreement and contract are for your reference and final copies to sign will be given to you upon acceptance.

I look forward to sharing the work of our organization with you and working towards a world where all people with autism are accepted by their communities.

In 2003, Molly moved to Ghana to serve as a therapist for a young man with autism. She had been his therapist in Seattle, WA, and was asked to travel with them on their return home until they could find a local therapist for him. Faced with the reality that there were no local teachers prepared to support him, she envisioned and created an organization that could empower leaders, educate communities, and train local professionals. With a model rooted in sustainable, culturally relevant training, the Global Autism Project now works in ten different countries across four continents.

Originally from New Hampshire, Molly has traveled and worked internationally for over 15 years. Her vision of building local capacity and promoting acceptance and understanding of the autistic community has grown into a global movement for change. She has spoken across various esteemed platforms; from the floor of the United Nations to a TEDx stage, advocating for a more collaborative, culturally relevant, sustainable approach to international aid programs.Â

"What if, when we approached helping others, we started with the basic belief that all people are the same and equally capable?"

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WILL YOU JOIN US? COLLABORATION

LEADERSHIP

ADVOCACY

PURPOSE

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for the change-makers. The passionate believers in lasting progress. We're looking for partners, allies, and advocates. We believe we can truly make an impact in the world when we unite, commit, and take action. Are you ready to join us?

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OURÂ BOARD The Global Autism Project is so much more than an organization -- we're a movement. We have a neuro- and professionally diverse staff. Our partner sites are led by international entrepreneurs and global advocates. Our services are provided by teams of highly qualified, skilled volunteers. Our work is funded by hundreds of individual donors.

Our Board will not only join this movement, they will drive this work forward like never before.

MEETINGS As an organization serving the Global community, we are committed to having international representation on our Board of Directors. Meetings will be held quarterly, 3 of which will be hosted virtually, and one will be face-to-face.

It is our intent that all meetings are productive and efficient. Two weeks prior to a meeting, each Board member will receive a document with all items that will be discussed as well as any talking points. You will have two weeks to review everything so that our time when meeting can be used to answer any questions you may have.

This format will allow us to truly attract some of the best talent to lead this organization and allow you to fulfill your responsibilities without having to leave your home or office. We know that your time is valuable and want to be sure we’re using it as efficiently as possible.

Additionally, our CEO, Molly Ola Pinney, is available to answer your questions individually.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Legal, fiscal, and moral responsibility, along with fellow board members, for the wellbeing of the organization.

As such, there is a responsibility to: Be familiar with the organization’s budget and take an active part in the budget planning process Know and approve all policies and programs and oversee their implementation Take responsibility for contributing to decisions regarding organization challenges and board matters Interpret the organization’s work and values to the community, represent the organization and serve as a spokesperson Keep up-to-date on the business of the organization Excuse one’s self from discussions, decisions, and votes where one may have a conflict of interest

We will provide all information you need in order to fulfill these responsibilities.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Attendance at our quarterly board meetings. As one of our long-range goals is to have a truly global Board of Directors, all of our meetings will be held online. Two weeks prior to meeting, our staff and any Board Committees will prepare all documents and notes to send to members of the Board. The time spent on the line will be reserved for any questions needed to be answered in order to move forward. An annual procurement of at least $50,000 USD to the organization. A credit card will be kept on file with the organization and charged monthly according to your contribution agreement. See section on Board Contributions for more information on this.

Active participation in one or more fundraising activities, as agreed upon in conjunction with CEO of Global Autism Project. This may include individual and/or special event solicitation or direct mail appeals.

Working in good faith with fellow board members and staff toward the achievement of the organization’s goals.

We understand you may have other arrangements at times, so we permit absence from one meeting.

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WHO WE ARE

OUR HISTORY The Global Autism Project was born in 2003 when founder and CEO, Molly Ola Pinney, was living in Accra, Ghana. She was working with a young Ghanaian boy with autism in the US, when the family decided to move back to Ghana. They asked Molly to join them temporarily so their son would not be without the services he needed.

Once in Ghana, Molly was quickly confronted with the severe lack of resources and understanding of autism in West Africa. She was approached by community members looking for the woman who knew what autism was.“When I learned it was autism, I would have preferred the diagnosis was that of a terminal illness. It’s taken me years to get to the point of even talking about it without breaking down,” one mother told her. Many others in the community expressed similar fears and explained that in Ghana (and many other countries around the world) the locally accepted belief is that these children were possessed or taken by ‘bad spirits’. Autism tore families apart due to fear and a lack of understanding, more than anything else.

The details of these stories kept Molly up at night. After multiple conversations with families of kids with autism in Ghana, she realized that something had to be done. As she attempted to find organizations that may be willing to provide training in Ghana, she was faced with the harsh reality that none existed. In 2003, no established organization would travel to Ghana to provide services for an affordable price, or with any plan for sustainability or ‘lasting change’ in place. That is until mid-November of 2003, when the Global Autism Project was born.

From the first days, the Global Autism Project's involvement in schools in Ghana was focused on training the staff and families who were going to be working with these kids long after Molly was gone. Her dream was to bring hope to every mother in every country who ever felt like an autism diagnosis was a death sentence. Her mission was to provide training to every community where people were working to support and accept these children.

Today, the Global Autism Project is a global movement of passionate, dedicated individuals coming together to provide lasting, meaningful change for communities around the world. It’s an international network of people who not only care for, but are equipped to teach people with autism, no matter where they live.

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OURÂ VISION We envision a world where all people with autism can reach their potential, no matter where they live.

OURÂ MISSION We promote the acceptance and integration of individuals with autism worldwide, by training communities in culturally relevant, sustainable practices.

OUR VALUES

C U L T I V A T E

L E A D E R S H I P

Be Limitless

Stay Curious

Presume Competence EMBRACE FAILURE Celebrate Accomplishments

Promote Transparency Foster Innovation APPLAUD INDIVIDUALITY

communicate openly

Make a Sustainable Impact

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WHAT WEÂ DO

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Global Autism Project partners with locally-led centers around the world that are actively providing services for individuals with autism.

We train the staff in these partner centers for 5-7 years with a focus on evidence based teaching methods, business management, administrative support, awareness and outreach.

As the leaders in each center take on role of expertise in their field and their community, we actively fade out our presence. Our lead contacts across the globe can then step up as the voice of autism education, awareness and acceptance in their countries!

OUR HEADQUARTERS Our Brooklyn office is a thriving environment and exciting workspace.

We believe in advocating for the rights of all people with autism, and we also believe in being a model example of acceptance! Many members of our team are Autistic professionals, and we're honored to show our community that a neurodiverse team can accomplish great things in the world!

SKILLCORPS® SkillCorps® is an innovative volunteer travel program which promotes collaboration, communication, and cultural consideration within the field of autism education.

Our SkillCorps® teams train local teachers around the world who are currently teaching individuals with autism in their community. This training is focused on educating the teachers at our International Partner sites in evidence based teaching methods. By training these teachers, SkillCorps® teams empower local educators to become the experts in their community.

We actively recruit professionally diverse teams, but most applicants work in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education, Psychology, and Speech Pathology. Because these fields are limited or non-existent in many countries, we send our SkillCorps® teams to bridge the gap in services around the world!

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HOW WEÂ WORK

WHO WE WORK WITH Our model is firmly rooted in sustainability!

By partnering with locally-led centers around the world, we ensure that individuals with autism can access the best services in their own country. We focus on building local capacity by providing our partners with the tools they need to be teachers and advocates in their community.

DO WITH, NOT FOR Our approach is focused solely on building local capacity, never our own presence or dependence. We whole-heartedly believe that local people are the most qualified educators, advocates, and leaders in their communities. When we train local leaders, they become the experts other look to for support and advice.

MEASURE PROGRESS Our Clinical Integrity Process ensures our training is sustainable, effective, and relevant.

Our clinical team has developed a process which objectively evaluates our partners' progress and informs our training model every step of the way.

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COMMITMENT

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

You will be sent, without request, quarterly financial reports and an update of organizational activities that allow us to meet the “prudent person” standards of the law.

Further, you will have information about programs and policies, goals and objectives as appropriate.

Opportunities will be provided for you to discuss with the CEO and the Board President the organization’s programs, goals, activities, and status.

It is expected that all board members and the CEO will respond in a straightforward fashion to questions that you feel are necessary to carry out your fiscal, legal and moral responsibilities to the organization.

Board members and the CEO will work in good faith with you towards achievement of our goals.

If the organization does not fulfill its commitments to you, you may call upon the Board President and CEO to discuss the organization’s responsibilities to you.

The organization carries directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

BOARD TERM According to the Global Autism Project bylaws, a Board member may serve two consecutive threeyear terms, with a one-year break before serving additional terms.

Confidentiality

In the course of performing your obligations, you may be receiving information that is proprietary and confidential. You may not disclose to any third party any confidential or proprietary information concerning the organization or its processes, inventions, formulae, customers, suppliers, or any trade secret, unless the disclosure is expressly assented to in writing by the organization.

Non-Disparagement

You may not make any false, disparaging, or derogatory statement in public or private regarding the organization, its employees, or agents.

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ANTICIPATED COMMITTEES The Board of Directors will play the role of advising and supporting the efficacy and growth of the organization. We believe designating two unique committees to address specific targets will lead to greater impact and focus. Based on our Strategic Plan, we've outlined the following anticipated committees for the term of 2019 - 2021.

COMMITTEES Finance Committee Coordinates the board’s financial oversight responsibilities by recommending policy to the board, interpreting it for the staff, and monitoring its implementation.

Monitors the organization’s financial records; reviews and oversees the creation of accurate, timely, and meaningful financial statements to be presented to the board; reviews the annual budget and recommends it to the full board for approval; monitors budget implementation and financial procedures; monitors budget assets; monitors compliance with federal, state, and other reporting requirements; and helps the full board understand the organization’s finances. The committee also recommends the auditor for full board approval and reviews the audit.

Fundraising Committee Work with Finance Committee to determine annual development budget.

Along with Executive Director, meet with current and prospective major donors and funders (foundations and corporations), and tap respective networks for potential donors of money, time and in-kind support.

Determine Board fundraising expectations and goals; provide guidance for Board members on meeting fundraising goals; track progress toward fundraising goals both for individual Board members and for the Board as a whole.

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OUR FUTURE

CURRENT NEEDS As an organization, we have identified what we believe our most pressing needs are in order to continue to grow and make a difference for our individuals with autism around the world. They are as follows: AWARENESS OF OUR WORK There is no shortage of communities in urgent need of our services. For 15 years, we invested in the efficacy and integrity of our programs. Today, we must invest in increasing the awareness of our work, the importance of our mission, and the urgency of action.

DIVERSIFY FUNDING While SkillCorpsÂŽ fundraising has been a successful means of supporting programming, as we grow and scale to meet the global need, we must create diverse funding sources. Our monthly giving program, COMPASS, is a good start in this direction, but a large focus is engaging major donors and grants.

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NEW GOALS This strategic plan will be a five-year program of expansion and program development geared to increase the ability of the Global Autism Project to provide access to quality services for people with autism, to increase acceptance of people with autism in their communities through education, and to ensure the work done is sustainable.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN Position the Global Autism Project as the go-to expert for culturally relevant quality services Increase the number of Global Autism Project International Partnerships while individualizing and codifying the partnership process, from acceptance to graduation By the year 2021, expand our services to impact the lives of 15,000 families, worldwide Promote Acceptance & Integration of People with Autism Worldwide: Expand opportunities for marketing, outreach, and expansion Increase the opportunities for SkillCorpsŽ Alumni to become stakeholders within Global Autism Project Increase and diversify financial support for organizational objectives, including 15th+5 Campaign goal of recruiting 100 investors at $15,000 Develop a pay-for-services plan for all international partnerships based on a sliding scale, which includes scholarships and co-funding for qualified partners

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INVESTMENT

YOURÂ CONTRIBUTION We are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse Board of Directors at the Global Autism Project as we invite the voices of Autistic selfadvocates, professionals, and philanthropists to the table. While we do not have a minimum (or maximum!) for Board contributions, we do invite our Board members to make a personally meaningful financial contribution annually. As a Board member, you'll have the opportunity to join hundreds of SkillCorpsÂŽ Members (each of which has raised over $5,000 each!) as investors in this movement! Board member contributions are determined in advance and are scheduled monthly, quarterly, and one time. Your commitment can be decided in conjunction with the CEO prior to your Board commitment.

Interested in taking the next step? Complete our Board Application available at globalautismproject.org/boardapplication

We look forward to working with you to

create equal opportunity for the global Autistic community!