Fort Ross Conservancy is looking for Board Members
Application for board of directors position with Fort Ross Conservancy
Fort Ross Conservancy Board Member Position Description
Fort Ross Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) and California State Park cooperating association, connects people to the history and beauty of Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks.
Our objectives:
- Advocate and fundraise for increased number of days our parks are open to the public;
- Grow our interpretive, volunteer, educational, and event programming;
- Increase the historical connections to the land through research, library, and archival expansion;
- Provide stewardship for the parks’ 9500 acres of accessible public lands and historic buildings;
- Serve as a link between California State Parks and our broader local and international communities.
Role of the Board
The role of the Board is to act as a single body of trustees for the people and communities receiving services from Fort Ross Conservancy. The Board is responsible for:
- Creating the Conservancy’s vision,
- Articulating its values and principles,
- Setting goals,
- Developing effective governance policy,
- Advocating for the stakeholders of the Fort Ross Conservancy.
Leadership, Governance, and Oversight Responsibilities
Board members are responsible for:
- Serving on committees or task forces and engaging in special assignments as needed.
- Reviewing outcomes and metrics for evaluating organizational effectiveness, and regularly measuring the organization’s performance and effectiveness using those metrics,
- Preparing for board and committee meetings by reviewing the agenda, annual budget, audit reports, and important business decisions prior to meetings,
- Staying informed of all legal and fiduciary responsibilities,
- Serving as a trusted advisor to the CEO as she develops and implements Fort Ross Conservancy’s strategic objectives,
- Participating in the CEO’s annual review,
- Assisting the CEO and board chair in recruiting other board members,
- Working with the CEO and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are implemented.
Fundraising Responsibilities
To ensure that Fort Ross Conservancy can credibly solicit contributions from an array of foundations, organizations, and individuals, all board members are expected to make a contribution commensurate with their giving capacity.
Board Terms and Expectations
Fort Ross Conservancy Board Members will serve an initial three-year term. There is currently no limit on the number of terms a high performing board member may serve.
Board meetings are conducted either on-site or via teleconference on the third Saturday of the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December, from 10 am to 1:30 pm. An additional two meetings per year may be conducted for special projects. All board members are expected to serve on a board committee, which usually meets via teleconference three to six times per year as needed.
Qualifications
In addition to one or more of the following qualifications, candidates should have a passion for the mission of Fort Ross Conservancy and for the protection and accessibility of California’s public lands:
- Professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, education, or the nonprofit sector,
- Savvy diplomatic skills and an affinity for cultivating relationships and building consensus among diverse individuals,
- A high level of skills in any of the following areas: finance/accounting; fundraising; organizational leadership/management; legal expertise; media/public relations; strategic/business planning; technology; or marine ecology,
- Dedicated interest in California history,
- Knowledge of Russian, American Ranch era, Alaska Native, or Kashia cultures,
- An affiliation with the coastal communities near Fort Ross.
Compensation
Members of the Fort Ross Conservancy Board of Directors are not compensated for their board participation or travel.
Position Availability
Fort Ross Conservancy is always interested in hearing from interested community members. Nominations can be received at any time.
Application Process – Please fill out an application
Additional Information
If you have questions, please email info@fortross.com and include the words “Board Position” in the subject line.