The Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society Board is growing! We are looking for new Board members to share their talents and insights to support Fresh Roots in its mission to cultivate educational farms and place-based programs where youth develop healthy relationships with food, land and community through growing and sharing food that nourishes themselves, their communities and the planet! 

The Fresh Roots Board provides oversight through three lenses: strategic (setting priorities and monitoring performance), generative (big picture questions and future-focused thinking) and fiduciary (stewardship of assets and accountability). 

Qualifications

We value a positive and constructive Board culture and seek members who will contribute positively to the Board’s functioning and dynamics. All Board members must demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Care – for Fresh Roots, the team, each other and the communities Fresh Roots serves
• Collaboration – appreciates that the best ideas and outcomes come from collective brainpower
• Openness – approaches ideas and opinions with an open mind and a view to understand
• Contribution – willing to dive in and get it done; low ego and high energy
• Commitment – committed to thoughtful preparation and showing up to do the work 
• Justice Lens – is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion as they relate to systemic oppression, racism, and barriers to access within the food system 

There are a variety of relevant skills and experience that add value to the Fresh Roots Board. We appreciate that a balanced Board has a breadth and depth of expertise and seek individuals that bring experience in one or more of the areas outlined in our skills matrix, and in particular, the following:

• Finance – broad finance expertise, ideally in a non-profit / social enterprise environment; CPA designation an asset 
• Fundraising – experience with diverse and innovative fundraising approaches
• Governance – board experience and governance knowledge; interest in board leadership an asset
• Lived experience – firsthand experience as an individual / community member served by Fresh Roots (e.g., youth, former program participant / alumni, parents, educators, knowledge keepers)

Fresh Roots is committed to ensuring our Board reflects the communities we serve. We strive to ensure a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences are represented on the Board, including ethnicity, gender, age, geography and cultural background. We acknowledge we are not there yet and are committed to bringing new voices and perspectives to the Board. 

Expectations

All Board members are expected to:

• Commit to the mission and vision of Fresh Roots

• Contribute in the areas of governance, strategic planning, finance, program oversight, and resource development (human and capital)
• Make a meaningful and appropriate financial contribution to the organization that works for you
• Prepare for and attend quarterly Board meetings
• Join and actively participate in at least one Board committee
• Support special events as required
• Act as an ambassador of Fresh Roots 

Commitment

The Board typically meets quarterly. Directors are expected to read all materials in advance and come prepared to contribute thoughtfully to discussions. Board members may be asked to attend ad hoc meetings and/or support specific initiatives and events between regular meetings. 

Recruitment Process

Please apply by March 15, 2024 with a resume and a short response with the following questions to BambooHR: https://freshroots.bamboohr.com/careers/69

1. What do you hope to gain from being a Fresh Roots Board member?
2. What do you hope to contribute as a Fresh Roots Board member?
3. What specific skills and experience do you bring in the areas identified above?