Like many ACLU affiliates in the South, the ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) was born out of the racial violence of the 1960s. Today, we continue the legacy of fighting for racial and social justice by defending and expanding civil rights and liberties in communities throughout the state. The fight for justice and equity may look different than it did decades ago, but it is the same fight. We seek passionate, driven North Carolinians with diverse backgrounds and experiences to join our board of directors to help guide the ACLU-NC as we maintain our role as a leader in the fight for justice.

The ACLU-NC Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the organization’s work and working with the Executive Director to develop a strategy to ensure we have the maximum impact possible. Directors serve three-year terms on the board and can serve up to two terms. Depending on current events and committee assignments, the workload varies. The board of the ACLU-NC holds quarterly 5-hour meetings (usually on a Friday or Saturday), an annual all-day retreat (usually a Saturday in early summer), and three to five teleconferences to make decisions requiring a quick response. Every board member is also a member of at least one committee, and committees hold virtual meetings, typically monthly for an hour (at a mutually convenient time for their members).

Preparation for board meetings can also take a few hours. Additionally, committee members are expected to conduct the bulk of the committee work outside of the meetings, and that effort ranges from less than an hour to a few hours per month.

The ACLU-NC places a high priority on promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for its staff and volunteer leadership. Therefore, we strongly encourage all qualified individuals to apply—especially people of color, women, people from low-income backgrounds, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
Please consider applying below if you have the experience, time, and commitment to our mission. Selected nominees are interviewed by the Executive Director and at least one board member before our elections in April. Applications will be evaluated as they are received, and the deadline for applying is 5:00 pm, Sunday, February 27, 2022.