HI USA Class of 2027 Board Elections – Call for Nominations

Hostelling International USA (HI USA) is seeking dynamic candidates to serve important leadership roles as members of the non-profit organization’s Board of Directors beginning in March 2024.

Applications for Board service are encouraged. HI USA’s Board Development Committee screens candidates and recommends a slate to the full Board. Directors are elected by the full Board of Directors.

I. Board Expectations

Directors are expected to possess high personal and professional ethical standards and should demonstrate a passionate commitment to the mission of HI USA: To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.

Directors must be willing to devote time and resources to carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively. All directors are expected to:

  • Prepare for and attend four or more multi-day board meetings each year (generally, 1.5-day meetings, scheduled on weekends)
  • Prepare to participate in occasional virtual meetings between quarterly meetings
  • Dedicate sufficient time for learning about issues before the Board
  • Be familiar with, or be willing to learn the Policy GovernanceTM model, which the board uses to conduct its business
  • Make a philanthropic commitment significant to themselves (There is no minimum amount for philanthropic contributions. Contributions raised from other individuals apply to this commitment.)
  • Use their personal networks to benefit the mission and programs of HI USA
  • Serve as active ambassadors for the organization

II. Eligibility requirements for board service

A. All candidates must meet minimum eligibility requirements:

  1. Directors must be residents of the United States and 18 years of age or older.
  2. Directors must be paid life or annual members in good standing at the time of application. (HI USA annual membership is $18.)
  3. Directors must have a passion for hostelling and its transformative impact, and a willingness to support the HI USA mission.
  4. Directors may not be employees, agents, or representatives of HI USA or of any of its affiliated hostels.

B. Board candidate criteria

Qualified candidates will have skills, abilities, and experience in many of the areas listed below.

Candidate attributes include the following:

  • Demonstrated leadership skills
  • Strategic growth mindset and perspective
  • Connections with communities to help further the mission
  • Demonstrated commitment to and ability to foster innovation
  • Effective communication skills
  • Ability to articulate and contribute diverse perspectives (grounded in first-hand knowledge and direct experience)
  • Travel and/or cultural exchange experience

Professional experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Real estate development and operations
  • Hospitality and travel
  • Intercultural exchange and experiential education
  • Financial oversight and audit
  • Fund raising and resource development
  • Legal expertise
  • Educational program development with 18-30-year-olds
  • Organizational strategy, development, and continuous improvement
  • Marketing, Digital strategy, brand development and social media.
  • Community organizing and engagement
  • Customer experience and success
  • Human Capital and Leadership development
  • Data and Information Technology
  • Direct experience with hostelling and/or organizations with similar missions
  • Executive level experience relevant to HI USA

Demonstrated effectiveness in a governance role, including the following:

  • Experience on a nonprofit or for-profit board
  • Honors board responsibilities
  • Demonstrates commitment and ability to contribute to a positive, collegial, and collaborative board culture
  • Actively seeks perspectives that differ from one’s own

HI USA promotes hostel travel in a world whose people reflect various human qualities, including race and ethnicity, culture, political and social worldviews, religious and spiritual understandings, language and geographic characteristics, gender, gender identities and sexual orientations, learning and physical abilities, age, and socio-economic groups. HI USA seeks to employ a diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints. Ability to convey the perspectives of HI USA’s target group, 18-30-year-olds, is a priority.

III. Application Process

The application process consists of two parts.

Part I is the written application, which helps the Board Development Committee gain an understanding of the background and capabilities you would bring to a governance role.  Responses also give applicants the opportunity to share personal experience and connection to HI USA’s mission.

Part II is an interview with a member of the HI USA Board Development Committee.

All applicants will be informed of their status by December 20, 2023.

Completed applications must be submitted by October 27, 2023.

Apply Today

Alternatively, candidate materials may be submitted by email to [email protected]. Questions may be emailed to the same email address.