Board Overview
The role of the NDSC Board of Directors is crucial for the success and sustainability of the organization. Board members are fiduciaries who steer the organization toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies.
Board members offer foresight, oversight, and insight instead of handling daily operations. They are tasked with hiring an Executive Director to manage the organization’s everyday activities along with the staff team, subsequently providing supervision, support, and evaluation of the Executive Director.
Additionally, board members play an important role in fundraising and advocating for the nonprofit’s mission.
NDSC seeks a broad representation of individuals who are passionate about our mission through its board membership. We consider factors such as geographical representation, age of family member(s) with Down syndrome, parent/professional status, areas of expertise, ethnic representation, local affiliate experience, and prior experience on non-profit boards. NDSC members are encouraged to be active committee members.
NDSC is governed by a board of up to 21 directors. Each director is elected to serve a three-year term or the remainder of an unexpired term if there is a vacancy. Directors may serve for up to three consecutive terms (a maximum of nine years). There is an exception for a term extension so that an individual may serve a full three years as President and then serve as immediate Past President.
All members of the NDSC Executive Committee and Board of Directors may be contacted via email at info@NDSCcenter.org
Know someone who would excel as a Board Member? Nominate them!
Board nomination form
Sean Smith | President | Lawrence, KS
Anthony Zanfordino | 1st Vice President | Brandywine, MD
Beau Brooks | 2nd Vice President | Thibodaux, LA
Nicole Baumer | 3rd Vice President
Zachary Carroll | 4th Vice President | Washington, DC
Marilyn Tolbert | Past President | Fort Worth, TX
Andre Pineda | Treasurer | Fredericksburg, VA
David Chaplin | Secretary | Birmingham, AL
Beth Foraker | Davis, CA
Bradley Carlisle | Covington, GA
Clair Wallace | Decatur, GA
Craig Blackburn | Metairie, LA
Hannah LaCour | Kenner, LA
Macarena Lizama, MD | Santiago, Chile
Noemi Spinazzi | Oakland, CA
2022-2023: Kate Dougherty; Taylor, MO
2020-2022: Shauntel Neal-Howe; Smyrna, GA
2017-2020: Kishore Vellody, M.D.; Pittsburgh, PA
2014-2017: Marilyn Tolbert; Fort Worth, TX
2011-2014: Jim Faber; Monument, CO
2008-2011: Brooks Robinson; Pittsburgh, PA
2005-2008: Rich Robison; Sudbury, MA
2002-2005: Judy Martz; Littleton, CO
2001-2002: Kathleen Marafino; Cicero, NY
2000-2001: Jo Ann Simons; Swampscott, MA
1996-1999: Betty Hersey; Dallas, Texas
1993-1996: Maureen Babula; Phillipsburg, NJ
1990-1993: Michael Clark, PhD, Bakersfield, CA
1988-1990: Kathleen Marafino, JD; St. Louis, MO
1985-1988: Frank J. Murphy; Atlanta, GA
1982-1985: Tom O’Neill; Ft Wayne, IN
1979-1982: Diane Crutcher; Normal, IL
1978-1979: Lucille Msall; Oak Park, IL
1977-1978: Col. Robert Glasgow; Washington, DC
1976-1977: Sig Pueschel, MD; Greenwich, RI
1973-1976: Pete Starr, Ph.D.; Owings Mills, MD
Each Member of the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) acknowledges as follows:
NDSC Committee Involvement
In addition to serving on the Board, every board member is asked to volunteer their time, talent, and leadership influence to at least one of the following committees or teams:
- Standing Board Committees (Executive, Convention, Finance, Nominating, Multicultural, Medical Care & Research)
- Convention Teams (Speaker Selection, Y & A, Sponsors, Kids Camp, Awards, Multicultural)
- Fundraising Committees (Development, Big Game Ball, National DS Golf Classic)
Annual Personal Giving
The NDSC aims to have 100% board participation in individual giving and has established a “Give and Get” policy or threshold for all board members as we strive to fulfill our mission and vision. The threshold is a minimum of $1500.00 per calendar year. However, board members are not limited from giving above this figure based on their inclination or capacity. The minimum threshold for Self-Advocate board members is $10.00 per calendar year.
- If a board member gives of their time and talents beyond normal board activities due to a particular professional expertise that tangibly benefits the NDSC, this too can be seen as a form of charitable giving.
Give or Get Examples
I commit to helping the NDSC raise meaningful funds to help fuel our mission in one or more of the following ways:
- Personal giving
- Assist in making corporate or foundation connections
- Help with cultivating a few important individual donor contacts
- Share with your networks any digital fundraising efforts generated by the NDSC
- Participate in an NDSC fundraising event or a 3rd Party fundraiser benefitting the NDSC
Your Commitments as a Board Member
For the Board to be most effective in helping the NDSC meet its goals, we ask that each board member participate in a variety of ways:
- I commit to making a meaningful financial contribution during the next calendar year, aligned with our “Give and Get” policy, to support the NDSC’s mission.
- I will familiarize myself with the programs and procedures of the NDSC.
- I will assist in introducing and fostering important corporate, community, and key individual connections to the NDSC.
- I will make every effort to participate in NDSC Board meetings and meetings for the committees/teams I serve, attempting to achieve 100% participation. I understand that I am expected to attend at least 75% of these meetings. Here is the regular meeting schedule:
- Meeting #1 – Convention Site (Summer)
- Meeting #2 – Virtual Meeting (October)
- Meeting #3 – Virtual Budget Meeting (December)
- Meeting #4 – Convention Site Visit (January)
- Meeting #5 – Virtual Meeting (April)
- The Executive Committee meets monthly with the Executive Director to offer wisdom, support and help make critical strategic decisions as needed.
- I will read all board materials before meetings to stay informed and prepared to engage in discussions.
- I will help recruit new volunteers to serve in various capacities, including on one of our Committees, Convention Teams, or, eventually, the Board.
Board nomination form
Summary of Expectations:
- Attend two board meetings annually, one of which is just before the convention and one in the mid-winter
- Support the NDSC financially, so we have 100% financial support from the Board (size of gift is not important)
- Serve on a committee or strategic team to share one’s expertise as appropriate (meetings by conference call)
- Be actively committed to the overall mission of the NDSC
Ours is a very collegial group and is a working board. We are not just policymakers, so there is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome.
Board of Directors Nomination
The Deadline for nominations for the 2025 Election is May 12, 2025.
- As required in the NDSC By-Laws, the Nominating Committee comprises the Immediate Past President (Chair), two current Board members, and two other stakeholders well-connected to the NDSC community.
- The Nominating Committee convenes to review applications, interviews viable candidates, and prepares a slate of candidates for presentation to the full Board of Directors for approval before new Board members officially become a part of the Board of Directors.
- Self-nominations and nominations by third parties are accepted (provided the third party has secured the nominee’s consent).
- Board nominations for 2025 will be accepted from April 7th to May 12th.
- The Board of Directors, including newly elected Board members, convenes during their Board meeting at the Convention to elect its officers (Executive Committee) for the upcoming year.
- Each year, a Self-Advocate Board Member is elected through a separate parallel process by his or her peers.
Coming soon!