Thank you for your interest in serving on Accent Pontiac’s Board
of Directors!
As a small organization, we rely on community members like you for strategic leadership, diverse professional expertise, and stewardship of our mission. Our Board members help to strengthen Accent Pontiac’s infrastructure, secure resources, expand our network, and enhance the impact of our programs.
We believe that social change through music is possible. Our students are future leaders who will continue to fight for a more equitable future using the same patience, persistence, and practice that it takes to pick up an instrument and make music. Serving on our Board is an extraordinary opportunity to use your organizational leadership skills and passion for social change to make a positive impact in the lives of Pontiac youth and the Pontiac community as a whole.
By serving on our Board of Directors, you can help Accent Pontiac continue to effectively serve our community for years to come.
Should you have any questions or want to speak more about this opportunity, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Board will support the work of Accent Pontiac and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by Accent Pontiac’s Executive Director, the Board and Executive Director relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Service on Accent Pontiac’s Board of Directors is without compensation, except for reimbursement for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:
Leadership, governance, & oversight
A Board Member:
1. Is dedicated to the mission of Accent Pontiac, an El Sistema-inspired program to affect social change through music for children in the Pontiac area.
2. Has knowledge of and commitment to the El Sistema movement in the United States, and is willing to support Accent Pontiac’s involvement in an evolving national organization.
3. Regularly attends and participates in Board and Committee meetings in accordance with the Governance Policy on Board Member Meeting Participation and Attendance.
4. Participates on at least one Standing Committee of the Board and, when the opportunity presents, is willing to chair said Committee.
5. Participates in Board Retreats.
6. Participates in at least one fund-raising event.
7. Serves as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as they develop and implement Accent Pontiac’s Strategic Plan.
8. Reviews outcomes and metrics created by Accent Pontiac for evaluating its impact, and regularly measures its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviews agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings.
9. Approves Accent Pontiac’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; continues to be informed of and meets all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
10. Contributes to an annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director.
11. Assists the Executive Director and Board President in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
12. Partners with the Executive Director and other Board Members to ensure that Board resolutions are carried out.
13. Serves on committees or task forces and takes on special assignments as directed by the Board President.
14. Represents Accent Pontiac to stakeholders; acts as an ambassador for Accent Pontiac.
15. Ensures Accent Pontiac’s commitment to a diverse Board and staff that reflects the communities Accent Pontiac serves.
Accent Pontiac Board Member Job Description
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Accent Pontiac Board members will consider Accent Pontiac a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority in accordance with the Governance Policy on Board Member Giving, so that Accent Pontiac can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals. The Board of Directors and Accent Pontiac leadership expect to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
Board Members must exhibit the ability and willingness to make introductions and create new relationships on behalf of Accent Pontiac for funding, expansion, and achieving the organization's Strategic Goals.
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Accent Pontiac Board Members have the potential of serving two consecutive 3-year terms, provided they have fulfilled the terms of the job description. After serving a second 3-year term, a period of one year must elapse before serving again. No more than one additional term may be served due to special circumstances requiring the Board Member’s expertise for specific projects, initiatives, and/or completing Board Officer terms.
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This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Accent Pontiac’s mission and who has displayed organizational leadership. Ideal candidates will have:
A commitment to and understanding of Accent Pontiac students, families, and the Pontiac community.
A commitment to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable nation, specifically as relates to students, parents, guardians, teachers, and advocates of the Accent Pontiac community.
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of Accent Pontiac students and families.
Diplomatic skills, a gift for cultivating relationships, and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
Lived experience in the Pontiac community or professional experience in business, law, music, education, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector is welcomed, as these skills and areas of knowledge raise the efficacy and credibility of the Board.
Accent Pontiac is dedicated to ensuring that all Pontiac students have access to high quality music education in order to experience the power of music as a vehicle for growth, creativity, and social change. Accent Pontiac is more than just a music program. We strive to be a consistent presence for our students and a stabilizing part of their lives.
Accent Pontiac partners with the Pontiac School District. During-school programming includes weekly bucket band classes and regular support of Pontiac Middle School and High School band classes. After-school programming includes music instruction, music theory/history education, music production, leadership development, homework and literacy help, a meal, and transportation.100% of Pontiac School District teachers reported that their students look forward to Accent Pontiac classes and gain confidence as a result of their participation. All programming is free to student participants.
2026 marks Accent Pontiac’s 10th Anniversary.
TALKING POINTS
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Accent Pontiac Welcomed Two New Staff Members: Nadia Calloway was hired as Director of Development in 2025 and Josh Tobias was hired as our new Operations Manager in 2024.
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Three Accent Pontiac students received scholarships to attend the widely acclaimed Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for the first time.
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Accent Pontiac students have an 80% average attendance rate compared to 60% for the average Pontiac student.
2024-2025 Academic Year Highlights
Where Does Accent Pontiac’s Funding Come From?
Accent Pontiac Board Members are passionate about Accent Pontiac’s work, help to secure resources, and provide strategic leadership for Accent Pontiac to achieve its mission. We’re excited about your interest in joining us.
Accent Pontiac Board FAQs
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Board engagement and governance emerged as a top priority as part of our most recent strategic planning process. Accent Pontiac’s bylaws call for up to 21 members. Our Board currently has several vacancies and we are looking to fill Board officer roles.
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Service on Accent Pontiac’s Board of Directors is without compensation, except for reimbursement for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties.
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A commitment to and understanding of Accent Pontiac students, families, and the Pontiac community.
A commitment to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable nation.
Integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of Accent Pontiac students and families.
Diplomatic skills, including a gift for cultivating relationships and building consensus among diverse individuals.
Lived experience in the Pontiac community or professional experience in business, law, music, education, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
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Responsibilities for Board members include:
Dedication to the mission of Accent Pontiac.
Attendance at and participation in Board and Committee meetings.
Participation on at least one Standing Committee and a willingness to chair said Committee.
Participation in Board retreats.
Participation in at least one fundraising event.
Advising the Executive Director on the development and implementation of Accent Pontiac’s Strategic Plan.
Reviewing outcomes and metrics to evaluate Accent Pontiac’s impact.
Approving Accent Pontiac’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions.
Understanding and successfully meeting all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
Contribution to an annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director.
Identifying and recruiting other Board members.
Representing Accent Pontiac to stakeholders.
Ensuring Accent Pontiac’s commitment to a diverse Board and staff that reflects the communities Accent Pontiac serves.
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Board members will consider Accent Pontiac a philanthropic priority. Board members will make introductions and create new relationships on behalf of Accent Pontiac for funding, expansion, and achieving the organization's Strategic Goals. All Board members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity so that Accent Pontiac can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals.
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Accent Pontiac Board Members have the potential of serving two consecutive 3-year terms. After serving a second 3-year term, a period of one year must elapse before serving again.
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Board members volunteer about 8-10 hours of their time to the Board each month, or about 120 hours annually.
Board meetings occur quarterly and last approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.
Each Board member is assigned to a committee. Committees typically meet monthly for 1 hour.
Board members spend approximately 2-3 hours per month reviewing materials, preparing for meetings, and completing tasks as assigned by the committee.
One full-day retreat per year.
Additional time may be required to address emergent issues, work on taskforces, support Accent Pontiac events, or other matters.
Accent Pontiac Pillars
MUSICAL GROWTH
Accent Pontiac’s vision is to provide access to musical education experiences for all students in Pontiac. Through all activities, we value student voice and ensure that students have opportunities to contribute to program decisions and their music-making experience.
Accent Pontiac provides:
In-school bucket band
Afterschool instruction program
Students learn to play brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
Students learn about music theory/history, music production.
Students participate in team-building and leadership activities.
Sectionals and ensemble classes
Summer program
Workshop weeks
Field trips and performance opportunities
Guest artist experiences
character development
Accent Pontiac helps students develop character by giving them leadership opportunities and voice. Students:
introduce songs during performances.
lead their peers in a call and repeat on their buckets.
contribute to our repertoire by composing song lyrics and choosing song titles.
have a say in determining genres and musical selections.
have a say in field trip opportunities, snack choices, and even marketing strategies.
High school students have an opportunity to become student teachers, working directly with younger students on their instruments, while earning an income and still participating in our program.
88% of Accent Pontiac students say they feel like they belong at Accent Pontiac.
social change
Our student-centered program is designed to bring out the best in Pontiac youth musically, academically, and socially in order to develop into changemakers.
At Accent Pontiac, students:
are seen as leaders and creators.
dispel misconceptions about youth from places like Pontiac.
perform on some of the most prestigious stages and significant events around the community.
are celebrated by and a source of pride for the people of Pontiac.
receive mentorship and modeling to develop self-awareness, relationship skills, social-awareness, decision-making skills, and improved self-management.
Accent Pontiac By the Numbers
600 Participants
25 Weeks of Instruction
224 Volunteers
16 Student Performances
14 Staff Members
10 Field Trips
7 Partner Schools
2 Guest Artist Events
2 Weeks of Elementary Summer Camp
1 Week of Overnight MS/HS Summer Camp
Measured Impact*
93%
86%
86%
79%
of program participants showed meaningful gains in at least one essential capacity such as building a strong sense of self, setting and pursuing goals, showing empathy, nurturing healthy relationships, and making thoughtful decisions.
of program participants said they would recommend the program to a friend.
of program participants developed academic self-efficacy, exceeding national benchmark by 12%.
of program participants developed social skills, exceeding Hello Insight’s national benchmark by 7% .
*Figures via Hello Insight. The results are benchmarked against national data from more than 500,000 youth across 6,000 programs.