Board Member Position Description

CLEARING Board Member Position Description

Creative Educational Networks/Environmental Education Project (dba CLEARING Magazine) is a 501c3 non-profit organization (Federal Tax ID No. 93-0752542) that is seeking to expand its Board of Directors to increase its diversity of perspectives and to strengthen the organization’s ability to serve the education community.

Organizational Mission

CLEARING supports and promotes education for environmental literacy through web-based and print publications.

Who we are

CLEARING is a small organization with a huge mission: connecting teachers and educators throughout the Pacific Northwest and helping them share ideas, success stories, and resources for building environmentally literacy. Through its website and printed magazine, CLEARING reaches thousands of educators every year. CLEARING works in partnership with many non-profit organizations, agencies, universities and individuals to provide a resource that informs, inspires, and connects those who are engaged in this essential work.

In 2016, CLEARING is poised for significant growth in visibility and impact throughout the region. We have established new organizational partners that promise to greatly expand the role that the publication plays in the EE community. We are on the verge of some exciting new initiatives to build the publication and establish a stronger and more sustainable organization.

Board Structure

The CLEARING Board of Directors is comprised of a minimum of 5 and no more than 9 members, including 4 executive positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary).

In addition to the board, a non-governing Regional Advisory Council provides content advice to CLEARING from a variety of stakeholder groups from around the Pacific Northwest.

Primary Responsibilities of Board Members

All Board members have an obligation to support the mission, vision and values of CLEARING. They are responsible for fiscal and managerial oversight, fundraising, and assuring that decisions are carried out in accordance with the by-laws.

Terms of Service

Board members serve in 2 year terms, with a maximum of 4 consecutive terms.

Essential Qualifications:

  • Interest in and willingness to support CLEARING’s goals and objectives in environmental literacy education.
  • Willingness to actively participate in and contribute to activities that promote the success and long-term sustainability of the organization.

Additional Responsibilities of Board Members

  • Help communicate and promote CLEARING mission and programs to the community.
  • Become familiar with CLEARING finances, budget, and financial/resource needs and participate in ongoing review of financial status.
  • Ability to easily use email, Google groups and documents, and other relevant technology.
  • Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by CLEARING mission, objectives, and programs.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with other board members, consultants, and volunteers.
  • Participate in the preparation and approval of necessary organizational policies (e.g., strategic plan).
  • Share the overall Board workload as appropriate to ensure completion of tasks and fulfillment of duties of the Board.
  • Adhere to Oregon’s legal requirements of nonprofit board member service.

Meetings and Time Commitment

The Board of Directors meets a minimum of 4 times per year with more frequent meetings if and when necessary. Meetings are held in Portland, Oregon at locations TBD prior to each meeting.

Board members are expected to:

  • Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and special events as able.
  • Participate on a standing committee (e.g., fundraising, publications, governance) of the board, and serve on ad-hoc committees as necessary.
  • Be able to respond to weekly emails in a timely manner.
  • Communicate with staff as needed to stay current with events and activities of organization.
  • Commit a minimum of 6-10 hours per month.

Desired Qualifications:
NOTE: These are desired, but not essential if you are dedicated and willing to be of service.

  • Previous experience as a Board member for a non-profit organization.
  • Bring existing network of contacts throughout EE and business community.
  • Represent an under-represented ethnic community.
  • Provide professional expertise such as fundraising, finance, marketing, education, non-profit leadership, program management, etc.

 

 

How to Apply

Please direct all inquiries to the Project Director, Larry Beutler (larry@CLEARINGmagazine.org).

Applicants are encouraged to take the time to review the CLEARING Magazine website at www.clearingmagazine.org and to s­­chedule an appointment with the Chair and Executive Director to learn more about opportunities to serve CLEARING Magazine.