Evans Lake Forest Education Society (Board of Director – At Large)

Organization Name: Evans Lake Forest Education Society
Opportunity Title: Board of Director – At Large
Category: Boards / Committee / Leadership
Commitment: Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: March 28, 2020
End Date: March 28, 2021

Email: conor@evanslake.com
Website: http://www.evanslake.com
Details:

• Background/police check required
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over
• Family-oriented volunteering

Opportunity Description:

Evans Lake aims to be Your Home in the Forest and the premier forest education centre for youth in BC. Operating a spectacular facility located at Ch’iyakmesh on the unceded territory of Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Evans Lake Forest Education Society’s Board of Directors are the passionate group who lend their expertise and connections to drive our mission forward.  Evans Lake hosts six thousand people a year, primarily in our youth programs.

Since 1960, Evans Lake has been providing unique outdoor education opportunities for children and youth in a spectacular camp setting. Our flagship summer camp program provides an unparalleled combination of fun, outdoor adventure and learning opportunities in an immersive experience that brings campers together for spectacular week-long adventure. Outside the summer season, we host schools from around the South Coast and deliver a unique environmental curriculum in the temperate rainforest.

With a stable and successful core camp program, we’re at an exciting moment to look at how we can expand our capacity to offer programming year-round. To that end, we’ve commenced design work on a new dining hall facility and multi-purpose hall that will serve campers for generations to come. In addition to the fundraising and planning associated with this project, we are seeking individuals with diverse experiences that can provide strategic leadership.

This unique multi-day immersive experience continues to connect with thousands of youth every year, providing an incredibly special opportunity to learn in community. This type of learning environment has a proven ability to boost the development of relationship skills and self-confidence and fosters a life-long affinity for nature.
General
The Board of Directors enables the Society to fulfill and deliver on its mandate. Board priorities are established at an annual fall retreat and are advanced throughout the year with support from other volunteer committee members and the staff leadership team.
Current Activities
Our current activities involve work related to:

• Implementation of gender inclusion policies
• Fundraising
  • Major capital project
  • Campership
• Planning for Evans Lake’s 60th Anniversary
• Review and update of the Strategic Plan
• Reconciliation
• Board policies and procedures
• Greening operations

Board members are encouraged to bring new ideas and pursue projects that excite them!
Term and Commitment

• Board members are elected annually at the Spring Annual General Meeting (March 28, 2020)
• Regular BOD meetings occur monthly between September and July, alternating between the city of Vancouver and Coquitlam. In addition to 2-hour meetings monthly, Directors should expect a commitment of about 2-4 additional hours a month to review meeting materials and to address actions that follow from meetings. Time may vary based on committee activities and the emergence of time-sensitive issues.

Safety

• Regularly review and modify Evans Lake’s risk management policies and plans
• Provide feedback and recommendations

Reporting and Evaluation

• The Board of Directors is accountable to the Society’s members.  An annual report will be delivered on behalf of the board to detail that year’s progress
• The Board’s goals and direction are set at an annual Board retreat
• Continuous feedback and communication amongst Board members is encouraged

Required Certifications & Experience

• Professional backgrounds of particular interest include: Accounting, business development, environmental education, equity & inclusion, leadership & governance, human resources, finance, fundraising, project management, policy, and law.
• Board members must complete a criminal record search including vulnerable sector search and have no relevant convictions or pending charges
• All Directors are expected to maintain a membership in good-standing with the Society.

Additional Information:

• Board Members are entitled to send one lucky camper to an Evans Lake camp in the summer and winter
• Evans Lake is pleased to offer financial support to enable volunteers to register and attend professional development opportunities that support their work with the Board of Directors. Financial support is considered on a case-by-case basis.
• ELFES is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to uphold human rights, we value the inclusion of all members of our community, and we strive to create a safe and fun environment for everyone to explore forests
• To apply: Please send resume & cover letter to bod@evanslake.com by 11:59PM March 8, 2020.

Note: If follow up with your application is required, for privacy & confidentiality reasons, we can only discuss an application with the applicant (i.e. no agents, or representatives).