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Associate Board FAQ

Want to learn more about the Associate Board? Take a look at some answers to our most asked questions.

What is the mission of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Board?

The Associate Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation is dedicated to the lifelong pursuit of learning and discovery for all. The Associate Board supports the growth of private resources for the benefit of Chicago Public Library.

Associate Board members are committed to engaging Chicago’s young professional community as supporters of and ambassadors for the Library’s privately-funded programs.

The Associate Board plays a unique role in maintaining the connection between the Library, the Foundation, and Chicago’s young professionals in the context of emerging cultures, trends, and technologies.

When was the Associate Board founded?

The Associate Board was formed in September 2012. Activities and programming began in 2013.

What is the Associate Board’s structure?

There are currently over 40 members on the Associate Board. Members are required to participate in at least one of the Associate Board’s three committees.

The Leadership Committee is comprised of the elected positions of President, Vice President, Chair of Development, Chair of Events, and Chair of Membership. The Leadership Committee is responsible for delegating responsibilities for implementing the direction and goals set by the general body.

The Development Committee works with Associate Board members to help the Associate Board reach its annual fundraising goals and individual members reach their individual fundraising goals.

The Events Committee is in charge of envisioning and executing Associate Board events and programming with the goal of raising awareness, engaging young professionals, and fundraising in a creative and meaningful way.

The Membership Committee serves to promote membership growth and retention within the organization.

What are the membership requirements?

There are five main requirements to join the Associate Board:

  • Members should be between the ages of 25 and 40.
  • Members should hold a valid public library card.
  • Members must attend at least two of the quarterly member meetings annually.
  • Members are required to join and participate in at least one committee.
  • Members are required to pay the annual membership dues of $250 with an additional fundraising goal of $500 during their first year, and $750 for all subsequent years.

What counts towards the member’s fundraising goal?

Any tickets Associate Board members purchase to Library Foundation events, friends who purchase tickets to our events, donations, sponsorships, and in-kind gifts to the Library Foundation are credited to the Associate Board member who solicited the gift and count towards the member’s fundraising goal.

I’d like to be considered for membership on the Associate Board. Where do I start?

We recruit for the Associate Board once a year each summer (June/July). Interested candidates can email the Membership Chair at membership@cplfoundation.org to express interest in joining the Associate Board. Applications for the 2023 summer recruitment have closed.

Interested candidates will be invited to a Recruitment Event. This is a casual, informal opportunity to meet other Associate Board members, learn more about the Associate Board, and ask questions. This is also an opportunity for the Associate Board to get to know the applicant.

After the Recruitment Event, the Membership Committee will convene a selection meeting to review applicants and select those who will be invited to join the Associate Board. Selection is based upon candidates being able to meet (and exceed) the minimum requirements listed above, commitment to being ambassadors for the work of the Library Foundation, and ability to generate support (financial and attendance) for Associate Board activities.

I have more questions. Who can I speak with?

Please contact our Chair of Membership at membership@cplfoundation.org. You can also reach out to Natalie Richards, Annual Fund Manager, at nrichards@cplfoundation.org.

Current member?

You can pay your dues here.