YJA Executive Board Elections
Positions

The YJA Executive Board is composed of sixteen Jain youth from across North America: two Co-Chairs, eight Directors, and six Regional Coordinators - all between the ages of 16 and 29. A new YJA Executive Board is elected every year.

Below you will find a list of all the Executive Board positions along with their position descriptions.

Co-Chair

Represent YJA externally, set our mission and vision for the year, and lead the Executive Board in executing on their initiatives and events.


Director of Education

Develop and maintain Jain education platforms and projects and support the Executive Board in incorporating education into its initiatives.


Director of Events

Work with Regional Coordinators and other Board Members to plan and execute in-person and virtual national, regional, and local events, and strengthen relationships with Jain Centers.


Director of Finance

Develop annual and other budgets for the organization, disburse funds, and accurately manage and document YJA’s finances.


Director of Fundraising

Lead all major fundraising efforts while strengthening relationships with Jain Centers and building regional connections.


Dir. of Project Development

Develop new YJA projects, manage and support Directors and Project Teams, and lead organizational documentation and goal-setting.


Director of Publications

Share the voice of the broader Jain community through YJA’s various publications, including Medium, Young Minds and the YJA newsletter.


Director of Public Relations

Develop PR plans for events and campaigns, manage YJA social media accounts, and coordinate all external communications while ensuring brand consistency.


Director of Technology

Maintain YJA’s tech infrastructure while developing new and creative ways for the organization to implement new technologies.


Regional Coordinator

Engage YJA members in their region through local and regional events, manage a team of Local Representatives, and actively connect with local Jain Centers.


Why Apply for Board?

I applied to board to give back to a community that has given me so much over the past couple of years. I wanted to see the direct impact that I could have on the overall community, while also growing as an individual. I also wanted to find another group of people that I could call family, and that I could lean on whenever I needed something. Applying to board will allow you to learn so many things you never knew, but will also allow you to stay connected to Jainism as a whole. Applying to board was one of the best decisions that I've ever made.
- Sameer Shah
Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator, 2021-2022

I ran for board because I wanted to become more involved with the Jain community on a national level and give back. Attending retreats and the Convention left me with forever friends, but being on board has left me with experiences I have learned so much from and will never forget. It has been one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences in my life. If anyone's even debating it I always say to just apply because you will not regret it!
- Deesha Ajmera
Director of Education, 2021-2022

I applied to board to become more connected to Jainism and give back to our broader community. My board experience has transformed how I think and act, and I'm so grateful for the friendships I've built along the way as well. Your board experience is one of a kind and one that you will never regret.
- Satej Shah
Co-Chair, 2021-2022

I ran for board to become more knowledgeable about Jainism, though a likeminded community. I gained knowledge plus a group of friends who are like family!
- Bonita Parikh
Director of Events, 2012-2014

I ran for board because I loved attending YJA conventions, and wanted to give back. It was an awesome privilege to work with and learn from some of the best and most motivated Jains across the country, and my time on board is something that challenged and fundamentally changed me. Anyone who wants to really test their mettle and grow as a person while also giving back to the community should run, no question about it.
- Shikhar Shah
Mid-West RC, 2013-2014

Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for any position, you must be 16 years of age by July 13, 2022 (the application deadline) and must not turn 30 years of age until after September 15, 2023. Position-specific requirements are listed below:

Co-Chair:
(a) Are on the then current Executive Board; OR
(b) Have served at least one prior full term on the Executive Board as detailed above; OR
(c) Have served as YJA Convention Co-Chair.

Director of Project Development:
(a) Are on the then current Executive Board; OR
(b) Have served one prior full term on the Executive Board; OR
(c) Have served as a recognized Local Representative, Subcommittee, Project Team, or Convention Committee member with a letter of recommendation from a then current Executive Board member.

Regional Coordinator and All Director Positions:
(a) Are a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age (as of July 13, 2022); OR
(b) Are a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age (as of July 13, 2022) and have either:
(i) Served as a recognized Local Representative, Subcommittee, Project Team, or Convention Committee member with a letter of recommendation from a then current Executive Board member; OR
(ii) Submit, with their application, a letter of recommendation from a member of the executive committee from their local Jain center.

Applications for Co-Chair are due on July 8th at 11:59 PM PT. All other applications are due on July 13th at 11:59 PM PT. There are no exceptions for late applications.

After submitting your application, the Executive Board will review it on a rolling basis. Based on your application, you may be selected for a 30 to 45 minute phone interview. After all interviews have been completed, the Executive Board will vote on all interviewees based on position.

Applicants who receive interviews should expect to receive an email to schedule an interview time between their application submission date and August 15th. Interviewees should expect to hear back about whether or not they have been elected by September 15th. All dates are subject to change.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Elections Committee by emailing elections@yja.org if you have any questions about your application, the interview process, the timeline, etc.

We have a number of other ways for you to get involved! In September, applications for Local Representatives (who work closely with the Regional Coordinators) and Director Committees (helping Directors execute various projects) will be open. If you are interested in joining one of our Project Teams, please email projects@yja.org.

The anticipated term start date is September 25, 2022 and the anticipated end date is September 25, 2023.

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