Member Liaison Specialist (Volunteer Position)

Blind Professionals Network (BPN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals to achieve professional success. We provide free career development, specialized training, and a vital peer network to break down employment barriers.

Position Summary

The Member Liaison Specialist serves as the dedicated bridge between BPN’s membership and its leadership team. Unlike a traditional administrative role, the Liaison is a "relationship-first" position focused on individual member success, advocacy, and community sentiment. You are the primary point of contact for members navigating the organization, ensuring their voices are heard, their needs are met, and any barriers to their participation are removed.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy & Relationship Management:

Individual Consultation: Act as a personal guide for members, conducting one-on-one sessions to understand their professional aspirations and aligning them with BPN’s strategic resources.
Member Advocacy: Represent the interests of the membership at leadership meetings, ensuring that organizational decisions are informed by current member needs and feedback.
Feedback Loops: Design and oversee "listening sessions" or focus groups to gather qualitative data on the member experience.

Conflict Resolution & Support:

Problem Solving: Serve as the first point of contact for members facing challenges with BPN services or digital accessibility hurdles, working cross-functionally to find immediate solutions.
Accessibility Liaison: Work closely with the tech and program teams to relay specific accessibility issues reported by members using screen readers or other assistive technologies.
Member Wellness: Reach out to members who have disengaged to identify if there are personal or professional barriers BPN can help address.

Strategic Onboarding & Connection:

High-Touch Onboarding: Move beyond basic check-ins to provide a concierge-style welcome experience, facilitating direct introductions between new members and established "BPN Veterans" or Mentors.
Program Matching: Analyze member profiles to proactively suggest specific workshops or networking opportunities that align with their documented career goals.
Community Culture: Monitor the BPN private community (Facebook/Email lists) to ensure a supportive, professional, and inclusive environment, intervening when necessary to maintain community standards.

Operational Insights:

Member Sentiment Reporting: Provide monthly "Pulse Reports" to the Board, detailing membership trends, common pain points, and success stories.
Database Stewardship: Ensure member records in the database (Google Sheets/Excel) reflect current professional status and specific interests to allow for targeted outreach.
Resource Development: Assist in creating "Member Success Guides" or "FAQ" documents that empower members to self-navigate BPN’s offerings.

Qualifications

Experience: Experience in advocacy, peer support, counseling, human resources, or community relations.
Empathy & EQ: High emotional intelligence and the ability to handle sensitive professional or personal disclosures with confidentiality and grace.
Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; must be comfortable speaking on behalf of others and presenting to leadership.
Technical Proficiency: Competence in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace to track member interactions and generate reports.
Problem-Solving: A "find a way" attitude toward solving member issues, especially regarding digital accessibility and remote participation.
Mission Alignment: Deep personal commitment to the professional advancement of BVI individuals and a strong understanding of the BVI community’s unique challenges.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Membership director

Time Commitment

This is a volunteer position requiring an estimated commitment of 5–8 hours per week. This role requires flexibility to respond to member inquiries and participate in monthly strategic planning sessions.

Application

If you believe this position aligns with your skills, experience and career goals, please follow these steps to begin the application process:

Submit Your Credentials: Send your resume and a letter of interest to Training@BlindProNet.org. In your letter, please detail your relevant professional experience and your specific motivation for joining the Blind Professionals Network Team.
Complete the application: After submitting your application, finalize your application by completing the BPN Volunteer application.

Important Note: Completing both of these steps is essential to initiate our onboarding process and helps us ensure a mutually beneficial placement within the organization.

LOREM IPSUM