Get Involved
Open Opportunities
Join the SDAF Board!
Applications due November 16th, 2026
Help shape how San Diegans experience architecture and design, from inspiring young minds through BEEP to opening doors across the region during Open House San Diego and celebrating design excellence at Orchids & Onions.
As an SDAF board member, you'll do more than attend meetings. You'll help lead programs, collaborate with architects, designers, and community leaders, and bring your expertise and connections to make architecture and design accessible to all.
Explore our open board positions:
Role Overview: Provide strategic leadership and support for Orchids & Onions, SDAF's signature awards program celebrating and encouraging public dialogue about architecture and design in San Diego.
Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the program Co-Chair and Committee to establish priorities, goals, and timelines, and drive their successful implementation.
• Support sponsorship development by identifying and engaging potential sponsors, cultivating relationships, and leveraging professional networks to secure sponsorship opportunities.
• Help promote nominations, public participation, ticket sales, and event visibility.
• Support Committee and volunteer recruitment and delegate responsibilities while providing guidance and oversight to ensure successful execution.
• Participate in key planning meetings and provide guidance on major program decisions.
• Report on program progress, challenges, and opportunities to the Board.
• Coordinate communication and engagement with jury, nominees, and award recipients, facilitating their participation throughout the evaluation process, jury site visits, and awards event.
Expected Commitment: Regular participation in planning meetings, increased involvement leading up to the event, and attendance at the event, tentatively scheduled for October 1, 2027
Role Overview: Serve as a dedicated Board advocate for a specific BEEP initiative, supporting SDAF's mission to engage and educate young people about architecture, design, and the built environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Champion for one designated BEEP initiative, such as Crossing the Line/Kidsketch, Dome Sweet Dome, or Boomtown.
- Collaborate with the BEEP Chair, Committee, and event organizers to define event objectives, select themes, coordinate the preparation of materials and activities, and oversee planning and execution to ensure a successful event.
- Identify, engage, and secure community partners, schools, volunteers, and sponsors, while coordinating efforts, delegating responsibilities, and overseeing their execution to ensure the program’s success.
- Promote the event through personal and professional networks.
- Attend the event and serve as an SDAF representative.
- Report on program progress, challenges, and opportunities to the Board.
Expected Commitment: Participation in selected planning meetings, active support leading up to the designated event, and attendance and involvement on the day of the event.
Role Overview: Provide leadership and strategic guidance for PechaKucha Night, SDAF's creative presentation series that brings together designers, artists, and other creative professionals to share ideas and connect with the community.
Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the program Co-chair and Committee to plan and support PKN events throughout the year.
• Identify, engage, and coordinate speakers, relevant themes, suitable venues, and community partners to support successful and engaging events.
• Help identify, secure, and coordinate sponsorship opportunities and in-kind contributions to support the program’s success.
• Promote events through professional networks to increase attendance and community engagement.
• Report on program progress, challenges, and opportunities to the Board.
• Ensure that the local execution of PKN adheres to the standards and branding set forth by the parent organization.
Expected Commitment: 21-27 hours per quarter:
• Weeks 1–3: Logistics & Volunteer Recruitment (6–8 hrs)
• Weeks 4–6: Promotion & Operations (8–10 hrs)
• Week 7: Event Night Production (4-5 hrs)
• Week 8: Post-Event Wrap-up (3-4 hrs)
Role Overview: Serve as the Board's primary advocate for SDAF's communications and marketing efforts, helping strengthen the organization's visibility, brand recognition, and engagement across its programs and audiences.
Key Responsibilities:
• Coordinate and oversee communications and marketing efforts in collaboration with the Community Engagement Committee and SDAF’s social media and website contractors, providing strategic guidance and ensuring alignment with the SDAF’s goals.
• Recruit, engage, and coordinate volunteers to support communications and marketing initiatives, delegating responsibilities and supervising their execution to ensure timely and effective results.
• Advocate for consistent branding, messaging, and promotion across SDAF programs.
• Help identify opportunities to expand SDAF's reach through partnerships, media, and professional networks.
• Encourage Board members to actively share SDAF news, events, and initiatives on LinkedIn and other platforms.
• Support the development and implementation of strategies to increase event attendance, membership engagement, fundraising opportunities, and community awareness.
Expected Commitment: Participation in periodic committee meetings and ongoing advocacy for SDAF's communications initiatives.
Ready to get involved?
Have questions? Reach out to our Community Engagement Committee at CommunityEngagement@sdarchitecture.org. We'd love to connect!
Volunteer with SDAF
Help us celebrate architecture and design in San Diego! SDAF offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year for anyone looking to get involved and make a difference in our community.
Become an SDAF member to receive updates on ways to get involved, or check back here for new volunteer opportunities.
