Over the last few months, I have shared my journey volunteering in my community and accepting a board member role with the Environmental Science Center. This has been a meaningful way for me to give back to my community and has allowed me to develop professional skills along the way. Joining the Environmental Science Center's (ESC) Board of Directors in South Seattle has been an enriching experience that aligns perfectly with my passion for environmental conservation and education.
Begin Your Discovery of Nonprofit Board Service
I first heard of nonprofit board service at a women's networking event designed to help women explore board service opportunities for for-profit companies. This was a new concept to me and I had never heard that volunteering on a nonprofit board could help me eventually take on a paid board role later in my career. Inspired by the stories of women who started their board journeys with nonprofit organizations, I decided to explore my own path toward board service. Encouraged by my mentor, I sought out a nonprofit whose mission resonated deeply with me. With an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, ESC's mission to "Let Nature Teach" immediately caught my attention.
Find a Mission You Are Passionate About
ESC offers experiential environmental education programs for all ages, from local beaches and streams to forested areas and school gardens throughout South King County. Our goals are to inspire environmental stewardship and provide resources for communities to deepen their relationship with their local environment. My time volunteering for these nature programs, which are free to the public and integrated into our public school system, has been nothing but rewarding. I love to help others experience their local environment by exploring tidepools, helping others identify birds and more. This is how I learned that its important to join a board where you currently volunteer for or would enjoy volunteering with. This will make the journey even more fulfilling for you.
How You Can Contribute to a Nonprofit's Strategic Goals
As a board member, you will have a unique opportunity to influence a nonprofit’s operations and strategic decisions. My role allows me to practice skills outside my regular job, such as analyzing the nonprofit's financials and making budgetary decisions. Recently, we held a board retreat to reassess our goals and develop new strategies for the next five years. I felt empowered to share what I have learned in my ten years of business leadership and leveraged my experience to make recommendations on how to adjust and adapt our long-term strategy. By making good decisions on the board, I can ensure that ESC has the strategy, funding, and more to continue offering our powerful public and school programs. When you join a nonprofit board, you will end up sharing your experience and perspective, which will help shape and grow a nonprofit with a mission that aligns with your values.
Boards Need Effective Recruitment and Diversity to Thrive
Increasing board recruitment and diversity is a key objective for us at ESC and should be for all boards (both for-profit and nonprofit). By sharing my passion, experience, and the benefits of board service, I hope to inspire others to consider joining our board. A diverse board with individuals of all backgrounds enriches our decision-making processes and broadens our perspectives, ultimately enhancing our mission’s impact. I encourage you to explore board service - it's very likely there is a board out there that could benefit from your skills and experience.
I Hope You Feel Inspired to Join a Nonprofit Board!
Volunteering on a nonprofit board is a fulfilling way to make a difference while providing you the opportunity to develop new skills and perspectives. You will have the chance to explore and build skills you've never tried before, such as budgeting, grant writing, donor cultivation, and more! If you’re passionate about a cause, I encourage you to explore board service opportunities. Find a nonprofit that aligns with your passion, and your contribution can lead to amazing outcomes for your local community or the nonprofit mission of your choice. Are you interested in making a difference and joining a nonprofit board? Please share your thoughts with me about how you can use your skills to contribute to a nonprofit board!
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