Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

LandWatch is committed to advancing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work. We are in the midst of developing an organization-wide action plan to ensure that our work enhances an environment where every Central Oregonian can reach their full potential. We are seeking candidates who are willing to grow alongside their colleagues and actively contribute to this process.

About Board Service

The Central Oregon LandWatch (COLW) Board of Directors is made up of community leaders who are passionate about COLW's mission. They are well-respected by their peers, have lived experience relevant to COLW's work, are willing to personally contribute time and financial resources to support COLW's efforts, and who, where possible, assist in garnering further support. The Board meets 7 times a year in addition to a staff and Board retreat in June and a holiday party in December. Board members serve a minimum of one 3-year term and serve on a minimum of one committee.

General Responsibilities

The Board of Directors promotes COLW’s mission, goals, and achievements to a broad audience of local and state policy makers, and help establish effective relationships with government, philanthropic, non-profit, tribal, corporate, science, education, and other sectors — as well as with the public at large.

Board members are the fiduciaries responsible for steering the organization toward a sustainable future. The board provides policy advice, expertise, and assistance in developing and implementing COLW's programs. The board also provides the strategic leadership for the programs and is deeply involved in shaping COLW's strategy to fulfill its mission.

Key areas of responsibility include:

Financial

• Help ensure COLW has the financial resources it needs to be successful via fundraising and by making COLW a top priority for personal giving, commensurate with personal ability.

• Help set fundraising goals and engage in efforts to meet them.

• Advise on and approve annual budgets.

• Set policy and criteria for management of COLW's financial assets and monitor performance against these policies and criteria.

Mission, Programs & Strategy

• Understand and support COLW’s mission and values and keep informed on COLW issues to provide information for interested community members.

• Help develop and adopt the strategic plan, ensure that the plan is consistent with COLW goals, and monitor performance against its plan.

• Review goals and initiatives for financial feasibility and strategic alignment.

• Approve major engagements in public policy and other external affairs activities.

• Utilize skills and experience to assist in carrying out certain policies and/or activities where necessary.

Leadership

• Attend scheduled board meetings.

• Create and maintain policies for developing the Board of Directors, including recruitment, tenure, leadership, board structure and composition, and board assessment and evaluation.

• Supervise and partner with the Executive Director in a collaborative effort to build and maintain a dynamic and engaged board and staff, including orientation of new board members that provides a thorough understanding of COLW’s work and the board member’s role.

• Serve on a minimum of one committee and meet as needed. Committees include:

  • Governance

  • Development and Fundraising

  • Finance

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Maintain confidentiality on all sensitive information gained as a result of interactions with COLW.

Qualifications

To be successful, it is important to recruit and retain a diverse group of leaders who bring a variety of talents, experiences, and expertise to the governance and strategic direction of COLW.

The LandWatch Board of Directors seeks leaders who are part of the Central Oregon community, passionate about COLW’s mission, are well-respected by their peers, have life experience relevant to COLW’s work, are willing to personally contribute time and financial resources to support COLW's efforts and who, where possible, assist in garnering further support.

Board members also bring a variety of business planning, financial planning, communications and marketing, government relations, context expertise and conservation skills to COLW programs.

After submitting your Board Application Form, a Board member will contact you within a month to discuss next steps.

For more information of to learn more, please contact Ben Gordon, ben@colw.org