Committee Membership Requirements

01Who can apply

Anyone who shares a commitment to preserving and sharing Black American Muslim history is welcome to apply. There is no age, race, or educational requirement, and you do not need prior experience working for or with a nonprofit.

• You do not need to be an archivist, historian, librarian, or academic.
• You do not need to hold a degree or a particular job.
• You do not need to have served on a committee, board, or nonprofit before.
• You do not need to make a donation. Giving is never required to apply or serve.

Applicants under 18 are welcome. If selected, a parent or guardian will be asked to give written consent before service begins, and some tasks, such as one-on-one interviews, may be arranged with additional support.

02What we ask of every member

• Commitment to the mission. Genuine care for Black American Muslim history and the people who carry it.
• Time. About 3–6 volunteer hours each month from July 2027 through June 2028. Startup months and active interview or collection periods may take more time.
• Monthly meetings. Attend the monthly 60–75 minute video meeting. If you cannot attend, let the Committee know in advance and catch up on the notes.
• Communication. Check email regularly and respond to Committee messages within a few days.
• Access to tools. A reliable internet connection and a device that can join video calls and use shared documents. If access is a barrier, tell us. We will try to help.
• Agreement to our standards. Read and follow the Founding Committee Charter, the Committee Policies & Standards, and the Collection & Contribution Guidelines.
• Confidentiality and conflicts. Sign a confidentiality agreement and a conflict-of-interest disclosure before service begins.
• Willingness to learn. Take part in orientation and basic training on consent, permissions, and the handling of materials.

03What we look for

There is no single profile for a good committee member. When reviewing applications, we consider:

• A thoughtful connection to Black American Muslim history or community, whether through family, faith, a masjid, study, or care for the subject.
• Reliability and follow-through.
• Respect for people’s privacy, stories, and decisions about their own materials.
• Skills, lived experience, or community relationships that fit a coordinator role.
• Openness to collaboration and to perspectives different from your own.
• A balanced committee that reflects the range of communities, regions, and generations in this history.

04How selection works

1. Apply. Complete the committee application. Every application is read in full.
2. Conversation. Selected applicants are invited to a short video conversation about the role, the commitment, and their questions.
3. Invitation. Offers are made by email. You may accept, decline, or ask to be considered for a different role.
4. Agreements. New members sign the confidentiality and conflict-of-interest agreements and, for members under 18, return parent or guardian consent.
5. Orientation. Members complete orientation and basic training before working with contributors or materials.

We may not be able to offer a role to every qualified applicant. Applicants who are not selected may be invited to stay connected, contribute in other ways, or be considered for future openings.

05Volunteer status

Committee members are unpaid volunteers. Service does not create employment with BMAAP or The Floating Freedom Foundation. Out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed only when approved in writing before they are incurred.

06Accessibility and accommodations

We want the Committee to be accessible. If you need an accommodation to apply or to serve, such as captions, alternate formats, flexible deadlines, or a different meeting arrangement, tell us in your application or by email. Requests are handled privately and do not affect how your application is reviewed.

07During your term

• Keep your coordinator area moving and share progress at monthly meetings.
• Keep permissions, notes, and records in project-approved tools, not personal accounts.
• Ask for help early when a task, deadline, or decision is unclear.
• Tell BMAAP leadership if your availability changes. A short leave of absence can usually be arranged.
• If you need to step down, give 30 days’ notice where possible and help hand over your work and records.

08When service ends

At the end of your service, return or delete project materials and records as directed, hand over open work, and remove project files from personal devices. Confidentiality obligations continue after service ends. Former members are always welcome to stay connected to BMAAP as community members.