Board Member

BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose:

Muddy Sneakers operates at the crossroads of outdoor science instruction, public education, and conservation to awaken in children a deeply felt connection to the natural world – one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to form a connection to nature and benefit from the wellness it provides. We are committed to becoming a national model for closing the science literacy gap, ensuring diversity thrives in the outdoors, and instilling an understanding of one’s role in the greater ecosystem. In doing so, we cultivate healthier generations committed to the stewardship of our natural resources.

The role of the Board Member is to ensure Muddy Sneakers meets its mission by providing fiduciary oversight, making a meaningful personal contribution and/or raising funds, and overseeing organizational performance.

Term:

The term of office for a Director is three (3) years. Directors chosen to serve an initial three (3) year term are eligible for re-election for one (1) additional successive term of three (3) years.

Responsibilities:

1. Enhance Muddy Sneakers’ community standing; understand and be able to articulate Muddy Sneaker’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
2. Ensure Muddy Sneakers fulfills its mission.
3. Attend a Muddy Sneakers Field Expedition in your region in advance of joining the board and or within the first six months of joining. Board members are asked to attend at least one field expedition every school year.
4. Maintain consistent attendance at board meetings, committee meetings, and special functions, such as organizational and beneficiary events. Review agenda, reports, and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
5. Be willing to give time, energy, attention, and be action-oriented in your approach to board activities.
6. Commit to working with staff leadership and development personnel to assist in reaching external fundraising goals to support Muddy Sneakers’ mission fulfillment. Board members might be asked to host gatherings or introduce the organization to their networks. We also encourage our board members to participate in stewardship by writing thank you letters or joining donor recognition events.
7. Volunteer to serve on at least one committee and/or task force that will showcase your competencies, skills, and assets.
8. Take advantage of opportunities to actively engage with Muddy Sneakers staff, volunteers, and fellow board members when possible.
9. Actively consider prospective board and advisory council members with emphasis on those areas of expertise needed per the Board Matrix exercise. Propose those nominees to the Board’s Governance and Nomination Committee for further consideration and recruitment in advance of the two nominated classes (May and November).
10. Understand and abide by both the conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
11. Annually commit to making your own meaningful gift to Muddy Sneakers, allowing the organization to reflect 100% board participation in fundraising.
12. Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s bi-monthly financial statements, the annual 990, and audit report. Board members are asked to be active participants in all full board financial discussions. Furthermore, the board must approve an annual budget.
13. If asked, serve as an ambassador to your region’s Advisory Council, reporting back periodically on board matters of pertinence and doing so in coordination with the Council’s Chairperson and staff leadership from the region.
14. Support and attend Muddy Sneakers’ events within your region, as often as possible.
15. Maintain respect and adherence to the roles and responsibilities of board members and staff, respectively.

Qualifications & Attributes:

1. Board members must be representative of the communities primarily served by Muddy Sneakers, and permanent or part-time residence in the State.
2. Involvement in business, charitable organizations, activities or other agencies operating in the area, or other interests in the welfare of such communities.
3. Possess a knowledge of and concern for the charitable, educational and other purposes of the Organization.
4. No paid employee may serve as a board member.
5. Ability to effectively listen, analyze, think critically and work with people individually and in a group, and contribute to a positive environment for other board members, staff, and volunteers.
6. Demonstrated personal integrity, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive and patient approach, community-building skills, and concern for Muddy Sneakers’ development.