Join the Orchard Board

Volunteer Board Member

Are you passionate about urban agriculture and sustainable community building? How would you like to help make a tangible impact that will be enjoyed and shared for generations to come? The Bloomington Community Orchard (BCO) is looking for leaders to advance our mission - to dream, build and share an Orchard community, while cultivating thriving systems of growing and sharing healthful food. We are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals, who are interested in learning through hands-on education, improving local resilience, and making a sustainable difference in our local and at-large communities and food systems.

Why Join the Bloomington Community Orchard?

As one of the forerunners of a rapidly growing movement, the Bloomington Community Orchard is on the forefront of sustainable living and community building. Incredible volunteers have helped the BCO take root as a resource nurtured by the community, for the community. But our efforts go much farther. Each year we help educate and empower individuals and organizations around the world, looking to grow their own collaborative commons around our sustainable model.

What does the Board of Directors do?

The BCO Board oversees the Orchards strategic plan, while helping identify opportunities to help grow our mission and vision. Each month, the Board meets to discuss progress towards our strategic plan, and develop new skills to advance our individual and collective potential. We also hold two annual Board retreats to plan for our forward-looking growth. Innovations and inspiration are always welcome!

What is a Board Members Role?

Board Members actively serve as community ambassadors for our growing cause. As an all-volunteer organization, we also encourage board members to serve on a team or committee, to maintain a well-grounded perspective, and help connect the high-level mission of the Orchard to our week-to-week activities. Since this is an all-volunteer position, and we know your time is valuable, we make every effort to make your involvement a meaningful one, and promise to make your experience inspirational, educational, and connecting, both to your passions and our sustainable community. The role is expected to take 5-10 hours per month. A summary of Board Member roles and responsibilities can be found below:

Board Member Roles & Responsibilities include the following:

• Be informed about the Bloomington Community Orchard (BCO) mission, vision, values, policies, and programs and promote the BCO in the community.
• Plan and oversee strategic direction of the BCO and overall board governance.
• Attend a monthly meeting, held on the last Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and 2 annual retreats, held in February and September, which take the place of the Board meetings those months (date and time TBD).
• Serve as voting member for the BCO.
• Support the activities of our teams and committees (i.e. Development, Finance, Governance, Operations, Education, Outreach or Communications), or special assignments, as needed.
• Ensure the fiscal health of the BCO through sound governance and by carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities (e.g., reviewing financial statements, as well as active fundraising) we are not a fundraising board.
• Make a personal financial contribution to the organization at an appropriate level of giving.
• Suggest possible nominees to the Board and committees who can make significant contributions.

The term of office is for 2 years, beginning in January of each year. Directors are eligible for re-election by the Board for as many terms as the Board chooses to elect them, provided there is a lapse of a least 1 year after every second consecutive term.

Desired Skills and Experience

We are looking for individuals who are confident in sharing their passion for improving the overall health of the community, by connecting people with their food systems, and empowering urban agriculture initiatives through hands-on education - to help provide healthy food for the community to share and enjoy. We nurture a culture of education and empowerment, and want people who know how to enjoy life (and work), while making a tangible difference in their community.

What kind of impact are you looking to help cultivate?