Seattle Non-Profit
Join Our Board

Who We Are

Associated Recreation Council (ARC) has been the 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of Seattle Parks and Recreation for 50 years. Our mission is to inspire engagement and participation in equitable, dynamic, culturally relevant, and responsive recreation and lifelong learning programs. It’s our vision to bring together all people to build a healthy community.

ARC is looking for people to join our board of directors! We have four board seats open for 2026. We are especially seeking people with legal and financial expertise, experience with human resources and fundraising, and/or executive level management.

About the ARC Board

ARC’s board plays a vital role in guiding the organization’s mission: to partner with Seattle Parks and Recreation to provide accessible, responsive, and enriching programs that reflect and serve our city’s diverse communities. Through this partnership, ARC helps ensure that all residents—regardless of income, ability, or background—have access to high-quality recreation and lifelong learning opportunities.

Each year, ARC engages over 65,000 registered participants through more than 5,400 programs spanning all ages and abilities. Our offerings include:

• Youth, adult, and senior recreation classes 
• Inclusive programs for adaptive communities
• Preschool education and childcare services
• Summer camps, aquatics, and boating programs

These programs are delivered at over 40 locations citywide, including every Seattle community center, as well as public pools, tennis and boating centers, and elementary schools.

We are also proud to be one of the largest providers of licensed childcare in the state, playing a critical role in supporting working families and early childhood development.

Board Service at ARC

Board members serve as trusted strategic partners to the CEO, helping shape organizational direction while lending their expertise, networks, and voices to advance our mission. Beyond governance, they act as ambassadors in the community… opening doors, building relationships, and championing our work to broader audiences. We seek committed volunteers who share our passion and priorities, and we strive to create a collaborative, transparent culture where board members feel valued and continue to grow alongside the organization.

Currently, we are prioritizing applicants with:

• Legal Expertise, especially with contracts and/or employment law
• Finance, Accounting, and/or Investing Expertise
• Fundraising Strategy and/or grant writing
• Human Resources
• Executive Management and Nonprofit Governance

Board members commit to:

• Being a compelling year-round ambassador for ARC.
• Serving a three-year term, renewable, with a two term max.
• Volunteering 40 hours annually, which includes attending 6 board meetings each year and participating in one of our standing committees on a monthly basis.
• Attending the annual fundraising event and other events as requested.
• Make a personally meaningful annual financial gift
• Submitting to a background check, in compliance with the Washington Child/Adult Abuse Information Act
• Providing proof of COVID vaccination
• Keeping up to date on organizational programs, news, financials, and events essential to being an effective member.

What if I haven’t served or worked on a nonprofit board before?

Prior board experience helps members hit the ground running and contribute effectively from day one. If you’re newer to this type of leadership role, we also encourage you to explore one of our advisory councils, located throughout the city and connected to each community center. These councils offer a wonderful way to get to know ARC, build relationships, and develop board-level experience, and can serve as a natural pathway to future board service. Please reach out to Dayna Gabler to get involved at [email protected].

Interested in joining?

ARC is actively recruiting for our next board cohort. Current deadline for the 2026 cohort is May 1st. We review and advance applications on a rolling basis and highly recommend submitting early if you are interested.