Board of Directors
WELCOME PACKET
Welcome
It is with great excitement and heartfelt gratitude that we welcome you to the Board of Directors for Learning Independence For Tomorrow Inc. (LiFT)!
Since opening our doors on January 09, 2013, LiFT has grown more than 700%! Not only do we provide challenging academics for our students, but we are intentional in our approach to enhance their social, interpersonal, and leadership skills every day. At LiFT, we do not use labels, diagnoses, or limitations as our starting point. Instead, we use abilities, encouragement, empathy, and commitment to our learners to empower them to go further and achieve more than they ever thought possible.
LiFT has remained steadfast in our efforts to maintain a safe, inclusive, and diverse learning community focused on inspiring and empowering people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive, and succeed. Not only has LiFT maintained strong enrollment, but we have continued to grow in our size and scope of services, all while never losing sight of what matters most—our LiFT Learning Community. With small class sizes, individualized attention, and a culture of “YES,” LiFT aspires to be the premier academic and life skills program for those with learning differences.
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LiFT Highlights
Since 2021, LiFT has….
• Increased our community partnerships by more than 30%
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• Enhanced microbusiness sales by more than 400%
• • Established our Sandi Lynn Geller Memorial Family Resource Center & grew our community resources by 25%
• Hired additional support personnel to enhance the educational learning experience and LiFT Support Plan process.
• Enhanced lesson planning, instructional practices, and professional development of our teachers.
• Driven changes in the space of neurodiversity to advocate for our learners
• Invested in the future of LiFT with the purchase of the former Clearwater YMCA building to provide more than 60,000 square feet of state-of-the art learning, sensory, and meeting space
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LiFT is not only achieving our strategic vision, but we are positioning ourselves to serve more children and adults with neurodiversity. On our new campus, we will be able to offer more robust after-school opportunities, including enrichment programs, sports programs, and community functions.
The power of a collective community enables us to help people in a way we simply could not achieve on our own.
We are incredibly thankful to our teachers, team members, and leadership team who give passionately every day to positively impact our students and adult learners while ensuring their safety; to our community partners who provide unparalleled opportunities for life skills and employment training; to our Board of Directors who selflessly give their time and talents to ensure LiFT’s sustainability and growth for generations to come; to our donors, for your extraordinary treasures and time that helps us to change lives. Above all else, we are thankful to our families who have entrusted their children to LiFT.
Thank you for partnering with LiFT on this journey to create a world where independence is possible for those with neurodiversity.
Together we are changing lives, and in doing so, we can change the world!
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Our Mission
To inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive, and succeed.
Our Vision
Our Vision for LiFT is a world where independence is possible for the neurodiverse.
Our Values
We have a passion that each student come to value and view their diversity as a gift to be celebrated. Equally important is for each student to respect the differences found in each other.
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LiFT Board of Directors
Member Responsibilities and Expectations
Purpose: To advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of LiFT in order to support the organization’s mission and needs.
Major Responsibilities:
• Organizational leadership and governance
• Organization of the board of directors, officers, and committees
• Formulation and oversight of policies and procedures
• Financial management, including adoption and oversight of the annual budget
• Oversight of administration, program planning and evaluation
• Review of organizational and programmatic reports
• Promotion of the organization
• Community engagement, outreach, assist with development efforts
Length of Term: Two years minimum, with term to expire at the annual meeting two years from the date of appointment or election. There are no active term limits.
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Meetings and Time Commitment:
• The Board of Directors meets quarterly for regular meetings for a duration of 2 to 3 hours. All Board Meetings are held virtually using Zoom or Microsoft Teams with the exception of the Annual Meeting held in June or July each year at LiFT or other designated in-person location. The meeting calendar for the following fiscal year is determined at each annual meeting.
• Board Members are asked to serve on one standing committee which is to meet no less than once per quarter with the date and time TBD by each committee chair – These meetings can take place virtually or in-person.
• Board members are asked to attend a minimum of one special event or fundraiser each year.
Expectations of Board Members:
• Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and special events as able.
• Participate on a standing committee of the board.
• Be alert to community issues related to the LiFT mission and vision.
• Help communicate and promote LiFT’s mission and programs to the community at large.
• Become familiar with LiFT finances, budget, and financial/resource needs.
• Financially support LiFT in a manner commensurate with one’s ability or our commitment policy
The recommendation is a $2,500 give or get per Board Member per Fiscal Year.
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LiFT Board of Directors
Job Descriptions
What is the job description of LiFT’s Board Chair?
• Oversees board and leads board meetings.
• Works in partnership with the Executive Director to make sure board resolutions are carried out.
• Calls special meetings if necessary.
• Appoints all Committee Chairs, and recommends who will serve on committees.
• Prepares agenda for board meetings.
• Works with the governance committee to recruit new board members.
• Oversees searches for a new directors.
• Acts as an alternate spokesperson for the organization.
• Periodically consults with board members on their roles and helps them assess their performance.
What is the job description of LiFT’s Board Treasurer?
∙Maintain knowledge of the organizations budget and finances.
∙Understand financial accounting for nonprofit organizations.
∙Manage, with the finance committee, the board’s review of and action related to the board’s financial responsibilities.
∙Work with the Executive Director to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis.
∙Present the annual budget to the board for approval.
∙Review the annual audit and answer board members’ questions about the audit.
∙Assume responsibilities of the Chair in the absence of the Board Chair.
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What is the job description of Director on LiFT’s Board?
∙Provide organizational leadership and governance.
∙Attend required number of meetings, including annual meeting.
∙Support the mission, vision, values and goals of the organization.
∙Participate on one committee advisory group.
∙Contribute to fundraising efforts and special events activities.
What is the job description of the Committee Chairman?
• Is an active member of the Board of Directors.
• Serves as an extension of the organization through committee work.
• Ensures that members have the information needed to do their jobs.
• Oversees the logistics of committee’s operations and meetings.
• Determines the agenda, assigns tasks to the committee members, facilitates the meetings, and ensures minutes are taken.
• Reports to the full Board on committee’s decisions/recommendations.
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BOARD RESOURCES
Click the boxes below 501 C 3 ANNUAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS BYLAWS BOARD CALENDAR COMMITTEE CHARTERS AUDITED FINANCIALS ORG CHART CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE STATE OF FL SUNBIZ TAX-EXEMPT & W9 2022 IMPACT REPORT STRATEGIC PLAN BOARD ASSESSMENT
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