From left, Board chair Bobby Pierce, SHR CEO Shaun’ta Whitehead and board member Briana Asberry meet with District 1 State Rep. Gary VanDeaver and staff earlier this year in Austin.

Special Health Resources is now accepting applications for its board of directors. As a nonprofit organization, Special Health Resources is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Board terms are for three years initially, and members can be re-evaluated and voted on at the end of each term. The board meets once a month and attendance is expected of all members.

In addition, each board member is expected to serve on at least two committees and meet monthly, according to Director of Communications and Public Relations Ashley Tompkins.

“At least 51 percent of our board members must be patients served by one of our health centers, and as a group, represent the individuals we serve,” she said. “The board also includes non-patient health center board members who represent the communities we serve. They may represent local government, finance, community affairs, or social service agencies, or example.”

Board members serve about four hours per month.

Responsibilities include:

• Participate in board activities to determine future directions and strategic priorities

• Participate in raising funds to support the center’s activities

• Assume authority and oversight responsibility for the center

• Approve selection and ongoing evaluation of CEO

• Provide policy-level leadership monitoring and evaluation of the center’s performance

• Approve the services provided by and hours of operation of the center

• Approve Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) grant application and annual budget

• Approve the sliding-fee schedule for participant payment

• Establish general policy for the center

Ideal candidates meet criteria established to ensure a diverse and skilled governing board and also demonstrate commitment, transferable skills and experience, and familiarity with the organization and the communities we serve.

Tompkins said the organization is grateful for the contributions the board makes.

“Board members serve without any compensation and we are very grateful for their contributions to Special Health Resources and the East Texas communities we serve,” she said.

Special Health Resources (SHR) has clinics in Longview, Tyler, Paris, Texarkana, and Jacksonville. The nonprofit also has Mobile Units to serve rural areas. SHR now provides health care to families in all 23 East Texas counties.

SHR is a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Clinic), offering patients a full-range of services, including both adult and pediatric primary care, adult and pediatric dental care, women’s health services, immunizations and vaccinations, HIV/AIDS screening and treatment, mental health care, and substance abuse services.

Those interests in serving on the board can email board@shrt.net.

For more information, visit specialhealth.org.