BETTER NATURE SOLUTIONS BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT

Better Nature Solutions is seeking board members with multiple skills and a passion for economic equity, gardening, and environmental conservation.

Better Nature Solutions (BNS) will educate the future employees and owners of the arboriculture and landscape industries.  It will increase the presence of women and diversity in these industries.  How?  By providing first paid internships (clients) who can become full-time employees with an online education in arboriculture and landscape sciences. By focusing on women from the refugee and formerly incarcerated members of the community in the Knoxville area, we will provide economic opportunities and empower women.  Internships (clients) will be paid a living wage of $15 per hour with cost-of-living increase reviewed annually once they become full-time employees.  By creating a horizontal (as opposed to top-heavy) pay-schedule, BNS will be able to offer competitive prices to customers along with competitive wages.  Long-term employees (>4 years), clients will have the option to move onto the BNS entrepreneurial education tract. 

BNS serves the community as a horticulture/gardening and tree-care service provider.  Our list of services will foster utilization of sustainable gardening and landscape practices and include education outreach to the Knoxville and surrounding communities.  This educational outreach will compliment BNS’ clients first year of online training by making them future educators.

1. Know BNS mission, policies, programs, and needs,
2. Read and understand the organization’s financial statements when they become available (ETA Oct, 2021),
3. Serve as an active advocate and ambassador for BNS and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for BNC to advance its mission,
4. Leverage connections, networks, and other resources to fully achieve the BNS mission,
5. Ensure diversity of representation on the Board exists and is maintained,
6. Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in Board Meetings,
7. Sell tickets to organization fundraising events of BNS,
8. Recruit sponsors if possible,
9. Participate fully in at least one committee when formed,
10. Evaluate Board efficacy on an annual basis,
11. Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure/increase Board and organizational efficacy,
12. Review Form 990 for BNS before its submission to the IRS, and

    Time and financial investments:

13. Give a personal financial donation or work contribution worth a minimum of $300 annually (or a mix of financial donation w/work contribution; $30/hour work contribution),
14. Attend and substantively participate in at least % of board meetings,
15. Commit to three years of board membership (exceptions granted).

Expectations of the Board as a Whole

1. Identifying and helping navigate changes in the mission/vision/goals of BNS as deemed appropriate to reaching initial Mission goals,
2. Evaluate the performance of the Executive Director on an annual basis,
3. Contribute to strategic and organizational planning,
4. Ensure strong fiduciary oversight and financial management,
5. Help develop and ensure fiduciary transparency,
6. Monitor, assess, improve, and approve of BNS organizational programs and services,
7. Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update intra-annually, when necessary,
8. Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of BNS necessary to mission achievement and continued success.
   

For more information and to apply contact:

Dr. C Elizabeth Hamilton, Better Nature Solutions        

865-518-9052 (email or text preferred)

hamiltoncyd@gmail.com

www.betternature.solutions