Junior Board, AFSP New Jersey Chapter

To be considered for a Junior Board position, volunteers must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete the Junior Board Interest Form
• Volunteer must be active for at least six months.
• If volunteer is a survivor of suicide loss, they must be at least two years after their loss.
• Attend at least one educational, advocacy, or survivor event or training.
• Participate in at least one fundraising event.
• Must be 16-22 years of age at the time of application. Have permission from a parent or guardian if under 18 years of age.

Junior Board Purpose

The AFSP New Jersey Chapter's Junior Board brings fresh talent and perspectives to support the organization's leadership while providing us with a pool of next-generation leaders. Junior Board members serve as AFSP NJ ambassadors bringing the mission and values of AFSP NJ to their communities and providing our AFSP NJ Board with new ideas and feedback to help steer us to serve better and engage those communities.

Junior Board Members

The Junior Board is an advisory body of the New Jersey chapter, responsible for ensuring that all chapter activities, resources and events are inclusive and reaching diverse communities throughout the state. Junior Board members are expected to engage their current network, community, school and/or other connections to help raise awareness of suicide prevention and reducing the stigma of mental illness. Junior Board members must be 16-22 years of age when the application is completed. Junior Board Members will agree to serve on the Junior Board for a minimum of one year.

Junior Board Chair

The Junior Board Chair shall serve as the top volunteer of the Junior Board, providing leadership to ensure that all board activities are conducted to provide feedback and new ideas to the Board of Directors and guide the Board of Directors to better serve and engage communities throughout New Jersey.

Junior Board Secretary

The Junior Board Secretary shall serve as the official record keeper for the Junior Board.

Junior Board Member Position Description

General Function

The Junior Board is an advisory body of the Chapter responsible for providing feedback and new perspectives on our efforts in Events, Preventative Education, Loss & Healing and Advocacy.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend all meetings of the Junior Board
• Help recruit diverse volunteers that best represent the communities we serve
• Participate in one of AFSP New Jersey Chapter committees. These include fundraising/event or walk committees and prevention education or advocacy committees
• Represent AFSP’s positions and policies within their communities
• Approach all issues with an open mind prepared to make the best decision for the NJ Chapter
• Provide feedback and new perspectives on bringing AFSP NJ programs, resources and events to their communities
• Be knowledgeable about the issue of suicide and the mission and work AFSP

Personal Attributes

• Rising leader with the passion to contribute to our cause to fight suicide and bring hope to those affected by suicide
• Willingness to share insight and perspectives from a diverse point of view
• Willingness to listen, discuss and appreciate different points of view
• Confident and comfortable in speaking about suicide prevention and sharing their connection to the cause
• Has demonstrated experience in sharing story publicly and adhering to safe messaging guidelines.
• Commitment to AFSP's mission and a personal desire to have an impact within their community.
• Exemplify our core values of Passion, Community, Harmony, Impact and Well-being

Term of Service

Each Junior Board Member shall serve a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years on the Junior Board. Junior Board Members will be considered, if interested, for Board of Director Membership but are not guaranteed a position on the Board of Directors.