Board of Directors

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Seeking Board of Directors 

SDCYB strives to create an inclusive environment where every child can build resilience and confidence through dance.

About SDCYB

Founded in 1945, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet (SDYCB) has been the resident classical ballet school in Balboa Park for 80 years.

SDCYB provides high-quality, affordable, year-round dance training to 425+ students per semester in the Balboa Park Casa Del Prado studios. Over 60 classes are offered weekly in classical ballet, pointe, modern, progressing ballet technique, stretch & strength, partnering, and boys’ classes. Summer programming includes affordable camps and intensive programs. SDCYB offers “Ballet for Me!” – a tuition-free ballet class for children with disabilities.

The Educational Outreach Program brings dance education to San Diego public schools, reaching 350+ students annually at six schools. Programs serve low-income and under-resourced communities, making ballet accessible to children and families who may not otherwise be exposed to performing arts.

We engage students and the public by producing four major productions annually at the Casa del Prado Theatre, reaching 10,000+ patrons. The 2025 season includes The Firebird, The Nutcracker, Spring & Outreach Showcase, and Fairy Tales in the Park. School & Scout group performances reach 1,200 youth per year.

A nonprofit corporation with an annual budget of approximately $1,200,000, the work of SDCYB is led by an active Board, a dedicated 33-member staff of full and part-time professionals, and more than 300 committed volunteers.

You can learn more about us at https://www.sdcyb.org/

Overview

SDCYB’s Board of Directors is the governing body, overseeing the vision, mission, and internal operations of the organization, including but not limited to: fundraising, strategic planning, governance, and supporting the Executive Director in leading the organization.

Job Responsibilities for Board Member

Leadership

• Support and evaluate the organization’s Executive Director (ED). The Board ensures the ED has the professional support they need to further the organization’s goals.
• Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight. The board assists in developing and approving the annual budget and ensuring proper financial controls are in place.
• Assist ED and other board members in identifying and recruiting additional board members.
• All board members serve on at least one committee. All Board Officers chair a committee as necessary.  Regularly attend and prepare for monthly Board meetings, committee meetings, and other important related meetings, review and comment on issues of importance.
• Participate in the creation of a strategic plan and conduct an annual review of the strategic plan.
• Agree to a three-year board term with the option of renewal for two consecutive terms.
• Attend the annual board retreat.

Stewardship

• Play a key role in networking and partnership building for SDCYB. Primary responsibilities include: fundraising, resource generation, and elevating the profile of our work.
• Enhance the organization’s public standing. The board should clearly articulate the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.
• Utilize contacts to increase SDCYB’s audience, including increasing access to major donors and high-profile personalities that could benefit SDCYB’s visibility. Such as corporate/business partners, members of the media, academic communities, and/or other nonprofit and government leaders.
• Give: Contribute $250 in direct contributions per year or Get: Work with prospects to secure a minimum of $250 in fundraising support per year.

Qualifications for Service

• Minimum work experience of 5 years in one or more – nonprofits, for-profit, public service, higher education, government organizations, or as independent skilled professionals like lawyers, accountants, and management consultants.
• Broad understanding of work and experience including, but not limited to, topics related to personnel/human resources, finance/accounting, governance, fundraising, technology, marketing and communication.
• Board governance experience is a plus. High-value donor connections are a plus.
• A passion for the arts (theater, dance etc.) and an interest in increasing the accessibility of ballet to students from underserved communities.
• Availability to participate in events, annual campaigns, and activities of the organization.
• Virtual presence at monthly Board meetings and committee meetings.
• Integrity, collaboration, sound decision-making ability, sensitivity and awareness, initiative, creativity, communication, and planning skills.
• Give: Contribute $250 in direct contributions per year or Get: Work with prospects to secure a minimum of $250 in fundraising support per year.