Call for Board Member Nominations

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is currently seeking applications for candidates to their Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors of Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa (CCMI) serves as the governing body responsible for fiduciary oversight and strategic leadership for the organization and enables the environment in which the Executive Director and staff manage the organization and its programs effectively. Board members commit to a 3-year term, and members may serve up to three consecutive terms. We are seeking new members for the term beginning in June 2025 and ending in May 2028.

Expectations for Board Service at CCMI

· Understand and promote CCMI’s mission, values, programs, and beneficiaries.

· Apply your expertise and knowledge to help the Board fulfill its governance and fiduciary responsibilities.

· Participate actively (in-person or virtually) in regular board meetings. Board members must attend at least 75% of regularly scheduled board meetings to remain in good standing.

· Engage actively and contribute to the work of at least one Board committee (Finance and Personnel, Governance, or Development).

· Prepare for board and committee meetings by carefully reading materials, preparing questions, and completing any pre-work in advance.

· Connect the organization with people and organizations in your network who may support CCMI’s mission and purpose.

· Contribute financially to CCMI each year, in an amount that is meaningful to you.

· Advocate for CCMI, helping to foster relationships with new or existing participants, partners, and supporters.

· Attend at least one CCMI site visit or event to connect with participants each year.

Duties of the CCMI Board of Directors

The Board of Directors works actively to foster and assure an environment in which the organization, leadership, and staff can succeed. As a body, the board is responsible for:

· Ensuring effective planning

o Review and affirm vision, mission, and values

o Advise on aligning organization activities to mission

o Actively participate in strategic thinking and direction through a strategic plan

o Support the strategic direction in monitoring the goals outlined in the strategic priorities

· Hiring, supporting, and evaluating the Executive Director

o Recruit, select, advise, and support the Executive Director

o Review the Executive Director's performance and compensation annually

o Approve the Executive Director’s annual goals

· Protecting assets and providing proper financial oversight

o Review and approve the budget annually

o Approve financial reports, policies, and audits, and ensure proper controls are in place

o Ensure legal and ethical integrity

· Building a competent and effective Board

o Recruit, nominate, and elect new Board Members to fill vacancies as needed

o Participate in Board Development activities as provided to drive charitable giving and participation in CCMI promotion in community

o Train and develop members to conduct the duties of the BOD, including succession for officers

o Review the performance of the Board and take steps to improve annually

Time Commitment

Regular board meetings are held 7-8 times per year on the last Tuesday of the month from 6-8 pm. Board meetings are conducted with both virtual and in-person options. The board may occasionally call a special meeting to address time-sensitive business.

Each member participates in at least one standing committee throughout the year. Committees meet for one hour at a time that is convenient for most members, typically Tuesdays at 4 or 5 pm. Committee meetings are conducted virtually. Committee members are asked to contribute to special projects outside the regular meeting schedule at various times throughout the year.

In addition to these routine commitments, the board holds an annual in-person retreat. Members are also expected to participate in a field site visit each year and to attend CCMI fundraising or other events as their schedules allow.

On average, an individual board member should expect to commit approximately 4-8 hours to board service, with lighter board service over summer months and more intense in other seasons.

BOD Compensation

Service on the Board is without remuneration, except for administrative support and travel costs related to service.

Learn about our current Board members.

Board Member Applicant Timeline

· Now – March 31, 2025: Accepting new applications for CCMI board service

· April 2025: The board’s Nominating Committee will contact those who apply and conduct 1-hour interviews with select applicants

· May 2025: Applicants to hear final decision on status of their application

· Early to mid-June 2025: Orientation for new board members

· June 24, 2025: First board meeting for new board members