What we have in common is our stories.
Board of Directors
Our Mission
Wild Diversity is a nonprofit organization that helps create a personal connection to the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, all People of Color (BIPOC) & the LGBTQ2S+ communities, through outdoor adventures and education.
Our Vision
To welcome and create a sense of belonging in the outdoors for the BIPOC & LGBTQ2S+ communities. We host outdoor adventures, provide outdoor education, and facilitate community workshops.
Our Dreams
We are guided by our dreams to belong, to heal, to share joy, and to create while expanding our mission to support positive change in the outdoor and conservation sectors.
Learn More About Wild Diversity's Board of Directors
Who we are:
Wild Diversity is a non-profit who hosts outdoor adventures and outdoor educational events for the BIPOC & LGBTQ2S+ youth, adults and families. We are committed to our communities finding welcoming spaces to grow, thrive and build their relationships with and in the natural world.
Our board is composed of individuals who are a part of the communities we serve. We come from different professional spaces and are committed to ensuring community well-being by being grounded in and centering racial, economic, and social justice.
What we do:
IOur work touches on a handful of areas for Wild Diversity. We support implementation of the organization's strategic plan and secure operating funds which help strengthen Wild Diversity's ability to fulfill its mission to our community. We also help ensure legal and ethical integrity; enhance the organization's public standing; and support the organization’s culture and growth. We are passionate about Wild Diversity's mission and are here to support staff and volunteers in the fulfillment of that mission.
Board of Directors Guiding Principles
Our work is grounded in racial, economic, and social justice.
Our Board reflects the community we serve.
Our goal is to ensure community wellbeing through all aspects of the work we do.
Our Board is equal, not superior, to staff, Adventure Guides, volunteers, donors, and members of our community.
Time and funding are both contributions which are equally valued.
How we connect and thrive
Fostering a culture that’s truly inclusive, where people feel like they belong.
Creating an atmosphere where multiple voices are heard, and opinions are valued.
Developing leadership skills, such as emotional intelligence, patience, and diplomacy.
Modeling the values we wish to encourage.
Modernizing the board-meeting process through effective use of digital innovations..
Establishing trust through managed conflict and effective decision-making.
Actively listening and remaining open-minded to new ideas.
Continuing to learn and grow to become better board members.
Board Responsibilities
Our Board of Directors help move our organization forward to the next chapter and continue building a strong foundation so that Wild Diversity can support our community for years to come. The Board serves as a sounding board, source of expertise and generative thought partner for the Executive Director.
Our Board of Directors are tasked with ensuring all assets are used prudently; ensuring all decisions are made in the best interests of the organization and help it move closer to its mission and ensuring the organization abides by all laws and regulations. In addition to this, board members responsibilities include—>
Become familiar with Wild Diversity's purpose, history and needs.
Support the organization's strategic plan.
Help improve the organization’s culture to ensure to be inline with our values.
Monitor and help strengthen programs and services.
Help to secure operating funds so the organization can continue to fulfill its mission and expand services in response to community needs.
Review the annual budget and provide ongoing financial oversight.
Ensure legal and ethical integrity.
Regularly attend board meetings.
Recruit new board members who meet the needs of the board and the organization, as needed.
Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.
Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s financial statements.
Board Requirements
Honor commitments.
Make sure you don’t overcommit. Learn about our board and how board members work together to best support them. When you are ready to take on a task, you should follow through.
Be prepared.
You are amazing but cannot only grace everyone with just your presence. Please prepare for the meeting. This includes following up on any assigned tasks, as well as reviewing the agenda and any documentation sent prior to a meeting.
Build relationships.
Building trust is critical to a board’s success, and that means cultivating relationships. Members are encouraged to proactively build relationships with their fellow board members outside of the "boardroom."
Speak your mind.
Remember you have been brought on board to contribute because we value your perspective. Research and be prepared to provide informed and insightful comments.
Be an ambassador.
Board members are partners and ambassadors of the organization. They bring in opportunity and also reflect the organization's mission and values.
Annual Requirements
Participate in evaluations and goal setting.
Bring in a minimum of ten major funding opportunities.*
Attend and actively contribute to 75% of all board meetings.
Review financial documents and other materials provided before each board meeting.
Annually audit organizations safety protocols for improvements.
Participant in training courses once per quarter.
*See resources for Board of Directors below.
Board Roles
In addition to the above responsibilities for the members of the board, there are four specialized roles.
Board Chair: This person works closely with the Executive Director to provide support in Wild Diversity meeting the highest standards and mission success. The Executive Director will have meetings with the Board Chair every other week as a sounding board for operational solutions and advice. The Board Chair also guides the board and co-facilitates the meetings with the Executive Director. They help ensure that all members meet their responsibilities and minimal requirements.
It’s important that the Board Chair position is filled by a qualified and passionate individual. The chairperson should be approachable and an objective listener. They should be a strategist with a deep well of knowledge about our organization. They should be able to work cohesively and supportively with the Executive Director.
Secretary: This person handles the many tasks involved to ensure board meetings (and the board in general) remain effective and efficient. This includes providing meeting notices, preparing agendas, and taking minutes during board meetings. They prepare and provide the previous meeting’s written minutes to board members before the next meeting and record any changes or corrections.
Treasurer: This person monitors finances and oversees the organization’s budget tracking. They ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis. The Treasurer reviews the annual audit and answers board members’ questions about the audit. They ensure tax-related documents and legal forms are filed on time, such as the documents required to maintain the nonprofit organization’s tax-exempt status.
Executive Director: Manages organization's programs and operations. As a member of the board they create a purposeful agenda in collaboration with the Board Chair. They prepare the annual budget and present it to the board.
The Board of Directors will receive the following resources to support them in meeting their requirements.
Resource list for Board Training
Quarterly Financials & Program Reporting
Strategic Fundraising Plan
Donor Call Script and Tips
Organization Elevator Pitch
Support for the Board of Directors
How to Apply
We’re looking for a few dedicated individuals to support our mission by joining our Board of Directors. We are seeking individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: Finance, Legal, Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Governance, Technology, Communications, Digital Marketing and Corporate Philanthropy. We value and desire a candidate who: has personal lived experience at the intersection of our project areas and within the communities we serve; has non-profit experience disrupting, reimagining and de-colonizing governance, systems and structures; is a creative business visionary, with experience pushing the envelope within our area of expertise.
We strive to always have a Board who represents the community we serve. Our board work typically spans the areas of meeting organizational mission, seeking strategic alignment, ensuring financial planning and accountability, and centering diversity, equity, inclusion and justice throughout all of our and the organization’s work.
