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Become a Board Member

Want to help the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Grow? We are looking to expand our Board of Directors in order to fulfill our vision.

We are specifically looking for community members with fundraising, financial and/or legal experience to join; but we encourage all interested parties to apply, who are passionate about the Garden and this valuable community resource.

We welcome a personal conversations if you are interested in learning more about the Board of Directors, or to request an application. Please call Chenda Lor, the Executive Director, at 541-1400x300.

RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Establish mission and review management’s performance in achieving outcomes.
·         Annually assess the community environment and Garden’s ability to be responsive.
·         Annually review and approve Garden’s funding, goals and plans.
·         Annually review and approve organization’s budget prior to start of fiscal period.
·         The board shall develop a strategic plan in consultation with chief executive which shall be updated at least every two years.
·         The board shall review committee and officers’ reports and make recommendations concerning their activities.
·         The board has the responsibility for hiring a chief executive, and shall evaluate his/her performance annually.
·         All policies and revisions thereof must be approved by the board of directors before being implemented.
·          The board of directors will meet at least six times during the calendar year.  Attendance of directors is expected at board meetings. Requests to be excused shall be sent as soon as possible to the board president.  When necessary, directors may participate in meetings via teleconference.
·         A director owes his/her loyalty to the beneficiaries of the Garden and may not use his/her position for personal gain.
·         The board shall participate in fundraising efforts with a personal annual gift and by assisting in the solicitation of other donors.
·         A director shall take all measures necessary to avoid a conflict of interest.
·         An executive director or chief executive officer of another nonprofit organization may not serve as a member of the board of San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.  No director may be a relative – by blood or marriage – to another director or staff.

ORGANIZATION

·         Board members shall monitor, appraise, advise, support, reward, and if necessary, replace the chief executive.
·         Annually evaluate the performance of the chief executive and establish compensation.
·         Assure that management succession is properly anticipated.
·         Approve appropriate compensation and benefit practices for all employees.
·         Propose a slate of prospective directors and fill vacancies as needed.
·         Annually review the performance of the board (including its composition, organization, and responsibilities); and take steps to improve performance.
·         Appoint an executive committee of two or more persons that shall act on behalf of the full board in the interim periods between scheduled board meetings

OPERATIONS 

·         Review results achieved by management as compared with approved mission and goals.
·         Regularly assess the financial structure of the organization to assure adequate support of its current needs and long-range strategy.
·         Provide candid and constructive criticism, advice, and comments at board meetings.
·         Review/approve major actions of the organization such as capital expenditures of all projects over authorized limits, as well as major changes in programs.  Currently, the board must review and approve all expenditures of $5,000 or more not authorized in the budget.

AUDIT 

·         Ensure that the board and its committees are adequately informed of the financial condition of the organization and its operations, through reports or other appropriate methods.
·         Ensure that published reports properly reflect the operating results and financial condition of the organization.
·         Ensure that the board and management have established, appropriate policies to define and identify conflicts of interest throughout the organization, and is diligent in their administration.
·         Appoint independent auditors approved by the board members.
·         Review compliance with relevant laws affecting the organization and its operations.