It’s that time of year again! The SpSF Board has 4 seats open. Nominees (and voters!) must be members of SpSF and the elections happen every year at BayCon. This year, the voting will happen July 4-5, with the winners announced at BayCon on the 6th. The board member job description  is as follows:

Job Description: Board Member, Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction

Position: Board Member
Term: Three years
Number of Open Seats: Four

Organization: Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction
Location: Remote (Meetings held virtually)

About Us

The Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction (spSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth and appreciation of speculative fiction. We support writers through various grant programs and community initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion within the genre.

Responsibilities

• Attend Meetings: Participate in all scheduled and emergency board meetings. Meetings are held virtually, so reliable internet access and use of Discord and Signal are mandatory.

• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.

• Fundraising and Advocacy: Support and engage in fundraising efforts and promote the organization’s mission and programs.

• Policy Making: Assist in the establishment and oversight of policies that ensure the organization’s operational integrity and alignment with its mission.

• Financial Oversight: Monitor the financial performance of the organization, ensuring sound fiscal management.

• Compliance and Governance: Ensure the organization adheres to legal standards and ethical norms, including fiduciary duties specific to California 501(c)(3) non-profits.

• Mission Alignment: Maintain a clear understanding of and commitment to spSF’s mission and values, ensuring all actions and decisions support these principles.

Minimum Requirements

• Membership: Must be a Member in Good Standing within the Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction.*

• Internet Access: Reliable internet connection and the ability to use Discord and Signal applications.

• Availability: Commitment to attend all board meetings and actively participate in board activities.

Recommended Skills and Experience

• Non-Profit Board Experience: Previous experience serving on a non-profit board is highly desirable.

• Professional Skills: Expertise in areas such as communications, finance, IT, or related fields.

• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with Google Workspaces is a significant advantage.

Fiduciary Duties for California 501(c)(3) Non-Profits

• Duty of Care: Board members must exercise reasonable care when making decisions as stewards of the organization.

• Duty of Loyalty: Board members must act in the best interest of the organization, avoiding conflicts of interest.

Duty of Obedience: Board members must ensure the organization adheres to its mission, bylaws, and the laws governing its operations.

*Please remember that Memberships expire a year from when you joined—for most of you that will be at the beginning of this year’s BayCon.  We encourage you to renew online or check with the Registration Desk to renew at BayCon before July 4 (you can also check with us if you’re unsure when you last registered or renewed). And if you’re planning to attend BayCon, please register ASAP, as funding for the convention itself relies on us selling badges! You can also get a Charter membership while they are still available.

The deadline for nominations is June 15, 2026, just ten days from the date of this post.
Interested candidates should submit their resume and a statement of interest detailing their qualifications and commitment to the mission of the Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction. All resumes and nominations should be submitted via Google form. And If you have any questions, please contact the Board Secretary, Chris Castro, at ccastro@societysf.org. Good luck!