Description

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS), founded in 1925, promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and protection of birds and other wildlife by engaging people of all ages in birding, education, and conservation. As we approach our centennial, SCVAS continues to thrive with a vibrant membership of over 1250 individuals, supported by a dedicated team of conservation professionals and a dedicated and knowledgeable board of directors.

SCVAS is seeking dedicated individuals located in the greater San Francisco Bay Area to join and actively participate in our Board of Directors. Board Directors play a crucial role in guiding the organization's strategic direction, ensuring fiduciary responsibility, and ensuring the successful execution of our initiatives.

Directors are expected to commit for a minimum of three (3) years.

Board Directors support SCVAS financially, within their means.

We are particularly interested in directors with interest and experience in finance, fundraising, and outreach, but will consider other skills and interests as defined below.

Board of Directors Responsibilities

Review and protect the mission of SCVAS
Develop, Train, and Self-Evaluate the Board of Directors
Actively participate in SCVAS planning efforts
Serve as a fiduciary of SCVAS
Select, support, and evaluate the Executive Director
Serve as final court of appeals in internal conflicts
Monitor the external environment in which SCVAS operates
Serve as ambassador and spokesperson for SCVAS

Responsibilities of Individual Board Members

In addition to the above general responsibilities of the Board of Directors, individual’s responsibilities include the following:

Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs, as well as understand its collective purpose.
Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements and board materials in advance of meetings.
Prepare for and actively participate in meetings of the Board, generally held virtually using video conferencing, up to 12 times per year.
Attend and actively participate in an annual strategic meeting, held in-person within Santa Clara County.
Actively participate in two or more committees or organization-wide projects.
Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to achieve the organization’s mission.

Qualifications

All candidates must have a passion for environmental conservation and education, and be able to actively participate in board, committee, and organizational activities as outlined above.

Additionally, SCVAS is actively seeking candidates with one or more of the following qualifications:

Prior experience in a professional leadership role, such as people management, project management, or budget management within corporate or non-profit organizations.
Prior experience in development and fundraising. Experience in fundraising and associated efforts is a strong focus of our recruitment efforts, as we seek to enhance this capacity within our organization.
Demonstrated ability to engage with and advocate for the interests of youth and underrepresented communities across Santa Clara County.
Prior experience in online marketing, including growing audience breadth and engagement through email, newsletters, and social media.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about the mission of SCVAS and have the qualifications outlined above, we invite you to join our dedicated team of board members and make a positive impact on the Santa Clara Valley's natural environment.

To express your interest or inquire further, please submit your resume, a brief cover letter, and any relevant references to nominationcommittee@scvas.org with the subject line "SCVAS Board Director Application." We look forward to welcoming individuals who share our commitment to the preservation of our local birdlife and ecosystems.

Deadline for applications: 17 June 2024

Note: Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society is an equal opportunity organization and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

We are actively seeking to create a diverse board because teams are stronger with different perspectives and experiences. We value a diverse board and encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.