Board Member Application
River Otter Ecology Project Pursues Board Expansion
The River Otter Ecology Project (ROEP) Board and Team are deeply committed to the preservation and protection of the natural world. We are looking for like-minded individuals interested in devoting and sharing their time and talents to help guide the current and long-term objectives of our organization.
Individuals working with ROEP bring a variety of expertise and interests to our projects. Our organization values transparency and inclusiveness and desires to work with people who represent all backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders in our community.
Thoughtfulness, creativity, mutual respect, and fun are characteristics we espouse.
MISSION AND VISION
Our mission is to engage the public in supporting conservation and restoration by linking the continuing recovery of North American River Otters in the SF Bay Area and beyond to the health of our watersheds. We accomplish this through education, research, and community science.
Our vision is to inspire personal connections and motivate meaningful actions to preserve our shared natural landscapes for future generations.
WHERE WE ARE
ROEP began as a grassroots effort to assess the status of river otters in the Bay Area. Since that time, we have developed major programs including:
- Otter Spotter Community Science – tracking and documenting river otter presence in California and beyond
- Focused research – investigating otter population, range, behavior, and seasonal prey preferences
- Hands-On-Science – bringing together students, scientists, and teachers to explore conservation concepts in the field, lab, and classroom
- Education – classroom presentations, field trips, tabling at environmental events and public presentations for adults and children
- Internships – for high school and college students
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Megan Isadore, Director. We look forward to hearing from you!
Why contribute as a Board Member?
In early 2020 our Board and Team completed a strategic planning process and evaluation of current needs. This assessment and strategic planning engendered exciting new projects, including an expansion of our Otter Spotter project and new partnerships to expand our reach and ability to support watershed conservation in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We are a small organization with big dreams, and we recognize our need to grow and change while keeping our grassroots individuality, our community focus, and our welcoming and warm character intact. Joining our Board can provide the opportunity to make great contributions through the Board process.
There is also the opportunity for hands-on volunteer work. Many of our Board members accomplish a great deal of field work, support work, training, speaking, graphics, and development/marketing. Hands on volunteer work is optional and should be fun!
Qualities/Experience we seek:
• Excited about understanding and participating in the growth and success of River Otter Ecology Project
• Cooperative, friendly, and community-minded
• Creative and open-minded
• Previous board experience
We especially seek board members with experience in:
• Community activism
• PR/Marketing
• Law
If you are interested in exploring potentially working with the ROEP Board, we encourage you to read the following outline of member responsibilities. Our website also includes a wealth of information. Then please tell us about yourself in the application form.
Thank you,
Terence Carroll, Board President
Board Members:
- Have fiduciary responsibility for the organization and oversee compliance with legal and ethical standards
- Help develop major policies to be administered by the Executive Director
- Support the Executive Director and conduct an annual evaluation
- Participate personally and support fundraising goals of the organization.
- Help monitor ROEP programming
- Participate on at least one committee
- Recruit and orient new Board members, with a goal to have membership reflect our constituency
- Participate in strategic planning. Every three to five years, ROEP undertakes an in-depth evaluation with a view toward setting new goals that meet the needs of our constituency
- Have an open mind, demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion, and commit to learning and growing in the best interest of the organization
Expectations for Board Member Participation:
- Uphold the ROEP mission and serve as an ambassador of good will to enhance our standing in the community.
- Be familiar with ROEP programming and activities. Reviewing the website, attending events, participating in, or volunteering for activities and programs are good ways to keep abreast of what is happening at ROEP and those it serves. Our monthly newsletter is another excellent resource.
- Attend and participate in Board meetings which involves 4 to 10 hours every two months.
- If you must miss a meeting, please let the Director, the Secretary, or the President know in advance.
- Board meetings are generally held on the same day of the week and time.
- All meetings are currently held on Zoom.
- Serve on at least one standing committee and ad hoc.
- Oversee the financial health of ROEP by monitoring the budgets presented at Board meetings.
- Contribute to ROEP fundraising efforts and make ROEP your charitable priority. River Otter Ecology Project requires 100% of the Board to donate financially to the organization.
- Attend all fundraising events and other ROEP activities as often as possible.
ROEP Board of Directors Application
The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. Our organization is not affiliated with any other otter-related research group or community outreach organization.
© 2022 River Otter Ecology Project