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70 people are interested
Board Member
ORGANIZATION: Community Empowerment Network
Please visit the new page to apply.
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70 people are interested
We are looking to expand the size our Board of Directors in order to bolster the skill sets, experience and professions in the boardroom. Drawing from the expertise of its additional members, we hope to achieve better governance,and increase the human and financial resources we have available for achieving our mission.
The role of CEN board members is to:
Oversee the financial operations of the organization
Maintain the legal and ethical standing of the organization and its staff
Provide leadership and strategic direction for the organization
Ensure that the organization remains accountable to its donors and to the general public
Help with outreach efforts, including making the public - particularly targeted audiences - aware of CEN, the work we do, and our impact
Review the performance of the Founder and Director
Support the self-perpetuation of the Board, by actively recruiting and cultivating new Board Members
Actively secure resources needed to execute the organization's mission
By serving on our board, you will have an opportunity to help strengthen the organization’s capacity so it can better capitalize on the progress it has made in empowering communities in the Brazilian Amazon. Your involvement will also help us to expand the scale of our work in order to positively impact many more individuals and their communities all over the world where the cycle of poverty is perpetuated by learned helplessness.
Please see the "KSAs" section below for specific skills for which we are looking.
Candidates must reside in (or travel regularly to) the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
We ask board members to spend roughly 10 hours a month on board duties.
All board members are expected to serve on a working group (similar to a committee) which may be chaired by either a board members or non-board member volunteer. Non-board member volunteers serve in most working groups. (please see See How Our Teams Work for more information.
Play a leadership role on at least one working group
Serve as a trusted adviser to the Executive Director as he develops and implements CEN's strategic plan
Work with the Executive Director to set goals and objectives for the organization and ensure that they are properly executed
Approve CEN's annual budget and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
Identify and help recruit additional board members
Drive resources to ensure the organization has the resources it needs to accomplish its mission
Help spread awareness and engage colleagues, friends and others with our organization
Serve as an ambassador to the organization
Thank donors for their support
All board members are expected to participate (in person or by teleconference) in monthly board meetings
All board members are expected to treat CEN as one of their philanthropic priorities and are expected to make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their giving capacity. This could primarily be through making a direct donation or successfully securing support from other individuals or organizations, although ALL board members are expected to make at least one annual donation (although there is no minimum requirement). This is necessary so we can demonstrate to major donors that 100% of the board contributes to the organization.
Terms are two years. We currently have no maximum to the number of consecutive terms board members can serve.
KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) Needed
Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector . We especially looking for individuals with a minimum of 5 years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
Social services program management
International development, especially in community development and/or program management
Organizational development and/or management
Tourism (especially community-based, adventure or eco-tourism)
Entrepreneurial development
Broad information technology experience, particularly in team and project management
Law (especially non-profit and/or contract law)
Financial Comptroller
Building a startup business
E-commerce
Program metrics and evaluation
Event planning
Media/public relations
Strategy and planning
Possess strong personal networks and influence within their own community and among our constituency - people who can open doors, attract others to the cause, and serve as ambassadors.
While specific fundraising experience is not required, we are looking for individuals with a proven capacity to mobilize resources
Comfortable with and highly effective at networking with peers
A commitment to and understanding of CEN's beneficiaries, preferably based on experience, and a dedication to improving their lives
Personal qualities of integrity and credibility
International experience, particularly within a developing country context, is highly preferred
We welcome both experienced and first-time board members.
Candidates must reside in (or travel regularly to) the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Service on CEN's Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for approved administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to board members' duties.
If you are interested in learning more, please send your resume and cover note to our volunteer coordinator.
Board Selection Process
The board selection process is fairly informal and follows the following steps:
Meet (either in person or virtually) with at least two current board members to discuss possibilities, requirements, and questions . In most cases, one of these board members will be the current President of the Board.
Join and participate on one of our working groups for a minimum of 45 days prior to being nominated to join the board. This will provide an opportunity for us to get to know each other better.
We will ask candidates to provide several references, which will be checked
You will probably be given the opportunity to join in one or more board meetings prior to joining the board
CEN members will vote during an online membership meeting convened especially for electing board members. CEN members include current board members as well as our most active volunteers
If you are elected, you will be required to sign several agreements
You will be assigned to a "board buddy" to help orient you to the organization.
More opportunities with Community Empowerment Network
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Community Empowerment Network
Location:
1685 Grandview Place, United States, Ferndale, WA 98248, US
Mission Statement
CEN assists communities in rural areas of developing countries acquire the skills, attitudes, technology and resources to better manage their development process more autonomously and to be able to actively participate in the information society of the 21st century.
Description
The cycle of dependency which exists among poor rural communities in Brazil is a major obstacle to their self-sustained development. Due to conditions such as poor communications, lack of resources, and poor education, residents have largely relied upon others for their well-being for generations, whether it be a Patron land-owner, the government or NGOs. Regardless of how well intended these agents might be, they have different agendas then the communities and communities are at their mercy. Dependency has reinforced a feeling of helplessness where members feel that they have little or no control over their destiny. This mentality is self-sustaining and is a major obstacle for economic and social development. Communications and information technology (ICT) can be important tools to break this cycle of dependency by empowering users and communities in which they live to make well-informed decisions and take effective action. ICT access alone is not enough, though. Communities also need to develop the skills and conditions that help them put the information to use and execute initiatives in an effective manner. This feeling of empowerment and having an impact can also change the attitude from "I can't" to " I can" , thus breaking down a major obstacle to development. The methodology the Community Development Network has developed combines 3 primary components to help communities acquire skills they need to become more independent. Mentoring and Learning by Doing - A range of skills and attitudes are also critical for communities to determine and then successfully achieve their own objectives. Some key success factors include: ability to effectively interpret and manage information, community and individual leadership, negotiation skills, ability to communicate effectively with outsiders, organization skills, effective business networking, and project management. A critical mass of leaders and other members of the community also have to truly believe that they are capable of managing change and realizing their goals. In order to help communities develop these skills, the staff of Community Empowerment Network acts as mentors to communities on community-led projects so that they can learn as they do . Communities learn as they undertake projects of their own design, which are relevant and meaningful to their everyday lives. As a mentor, we help them develop methods of inquiry to explore the questions they truly care about and to encourage them to develop a sense of ownership about the project. Our role is also to help learners not only achieve their project objective, but also develop the wide range of skills which are critical for communities to effectively initiate and execute future initiatives on their own. In the process communities adopt a stronger "I can do" attitude as they witness the concrete results of their efforts. InfoCentro Comunitario Information Portal - Due to the isolation of many rural communities, they often have limited access to the data, news and other information needed to compete for resources. Internet and Computer resource access can become important tools to provide communities with information; however the generally low levels of education in the communities, inexperience with many types of information - especially in written form, are obstacles for its effective use. CEN has developed an information portal called the InfoCentro Comunitario for Amazonian project which contains information that is closely tailored with the specific health, education, civics and entrepreneurial needs and skills of the community. Please visit http://www.communityempowernet.org/infocentro/ to view the InfoCentro. Solution and idea sharing between communities with the Rede Amazonia -Many remote communities, particularly those within a region, face many similar challenges. Some communities have met considerable success addressing specific problems but due to their isolation, these solutions have not been effectively shared with others. By sharing ideas and experiences, communities have an option to relying exclusively on outside "experts" , who often bring their own agenda. Chat, on-line forums and e-mail access can help tremendously to facilitate the sharing of remote communities. We have discovered however that while electronic communication can be very effective where personal relationships already exist, it can be very challenging for people who are not accustomed to using the telephone - much less written electronic forums - to engage with strangers from communities they have never visited. By organizing periodic workshops and exchanges between leaders in communities, we have found it very effective to help communities begin a dialog with each other, which can then be maintained and broadened by electronic communications.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
DATE POSTED
November 19, 2016
SKILLS
- Networking
- Strategic Planning
- Fundraising
- Resource Development / Management
- Business Development & Sales Management
- Community Outreach
GOOD FOR
- People 55+
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 21
- 10 hours per month
- Must reside in or travel regularly to the Pacific NW