Board Member

Crisis Support Services of Alameda County (CSS) is seeking passionate and engaged community members to join its volunteer Board of Directors starting January 2026. Our board plays a vital role in ensuring the continued impact, effectiveness, and sustainability of CSS. As a board member, you will serve as a trusted steward of our mission and a strategic partner to our leadership.

CSS values a broad range of racial, ethnic, and gender identities, lived experiences, and professional backgrounds on the board. We especially welcome individuals whose lives have been touched by mental health or suicide-related experiences. As a board and organization, we are deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and representation that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We invite individuals who bring curiosity, compassion, critical thinking, and a collaborative spirit to consider joining us.

About CSS

Since 1966, Crisis Support Services’ mission has been to "reach out and provide support to people of all ages and all backgrounds during times of crisis, work to prevent the suicide of those who are actively suicidal, and offer hope in times of hopelessness." CSS provides 24-hour crisis intervention, suicide prevention education, and culturally competent mental health supportive services to Alameda County residents through its 24-hour crisis and text line and on-site and community-based counseling, health education, and other prevention programs. Services are provided throughout Alameda County and reach a widely culturally diverse population of primarily low-income residents of all ages. The agency serves over 75,000 individuals annually.

The agency’s annual budget is approximately $10,000,000 with a diverse funding base including Alameda County Behavioral Health contracts, other County and State of California contracts, private foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, fee-for-service contracts, fundraising events and an annual appeal.

To learn more about our agency, visit us at www.CrisisSupport.org

Board Member Responsibilities & Expectations

CSS board members play a vital role in guiding the organization’s strategy, ensuring strong governance, and supporting its long-term sustainability. As stewards of CSS’s mission, board members provide oversight, offer expertise, support fundraising efforts, and serve as ambassadors in the community.

Board service is both a responsibility and an opportunity for meaningful impact. To support CSS effectively, we ask that each board member :

Prepare for, attend, and actively participate in at least 7 of the 10 board meetings annually (typically held on the 4th Thursday of most months, 6 : 30-8 PM).

Join and participate in at least one committee (e.g., Finance, Personnel, Governance, Development).

Make a personally meaningful financial contribution to CSS each year.

Attend at least one fundraising or public engagement event annually.

Review materials in advance of meetings and stay informed about CSS’s programs and financial position.

Collaborate respectfully with fellow board members and staff.

Serve as a thought partner, champion, and bridge between CSS and the broader community.