Board of Directors

The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas Board of Directors are volunteers, comprised of family members of individuals with Down syndrome, self-advocates, educators, medical professionals, and other community leaders, who are responsible for upholding the mission and purpose of the organization, supporting and evaluating staff, ensuring effective planning and evaluation of strategic goals, monitoring and strengthening programs and services, ensuring adequate financial resources, protecting assets and providing financial oversight, building, evaluating, and orienting a competent board and committees, ensuring legal and ethical integrity, and enhancing the organization’s public standing.  Board Members are elected at the end of each fiscal year (May) to a term of 3 years. Terms are limited to no more than 2 consecutive terms (6 years) unless otherwise determined by the Board.

The Down Syndrome Guild is a diverse organization serving more than 2,200 families across North Texas from diagnosis through adulthood. The organization strives to maintain a Board of Directors that exemplifies that diversity by electing members who represent multiple age groups, areas of DFW, cultural backgrounds, as well as specific professional expertise. Therefore, the DSG is currently seeking candidates for the term beginning June 1, 2022, with expertise in the areas of human resources, education, healthcare, legal/attorney, fundraising, sales/marketing, bi-lingual English/Spanish, and family members of adults with DS. However, candidates with additional expertise and skills are highly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply: Applicants interested in serving on the DSG Board of Directors must submit a Board Application to Jennifer Ford no later than April 15, 2023. Applicants will be contacted by a member of our Executive Committee in early May to further discuss their application. Questions about the DSG Board of Directors? Please contact Jennifer Ford.

Committee Member Volunteers

The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas operates under the guidance of numerous committees and sub-committees that report to the Board of Directors and work closely with staff in the areas of Finance, Fund Development, Medical, Education/Programs, Buddy Walk® planning, New Parent programs, and Grupo de Familias Unidas programs.  Committee members are comprised of family members of individuals with Down syndrome, self-advocates, educators, medical professionals, and other community leaders. There are no set terms for committee members; however, the organization generally reviews participation and interest on an annual basis and asks members for at least a one-year commitment.  For additional information on the leadership, responsibilities, and meeting schedules of open committees, please click HERE. For additional information and questions, please contact Jennifer Ford. Applications are due by May 31, 2023.

One-on-One Volunteers

One-on-One volunteers serve as peer buddies at various events (i.e. going out to dinner, an outing to a baseball game or movie) with teens and adults with Down syndrome. Volunteers have the opportunity to form ongoing relationships with self-advocates with Down syndrome while providing support to DSG staff in making sure the event goes smoothly and as planned.

One-on-One volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, complete a volunteer application, pass a background check, and complete a volunteer training workshop hosted by the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. Prior experience with individuals with IDD is preferred, but not required. For more information, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form below or contact Hannah Fredette.

Individual & Event Specific Volunteers

Individual volunteers not interested in one-on-one opportunities may serve on their own at a larger event (i.e. Buddy Walk). Volunteers will often perform behind the scenes tasks like setting up and tearing down for the event or assisting in a group setting. To request more information and to be notified of upcoming opportunities, please contact Hannah Fredette.