Meet Our New Board Members

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Our newest board members are fresh from the Seattle Works Bridge, a program that trains individuals on the nuts and bolts of nonprofit boards and gives them the tools to lead.

2012 Bridge program graduates Kira Cha, Emily Knudsen, Chelsey Meek-Beck, and Jennifer Mortensen (read their bios) share how what they learned from Seattle Works helped them become NatureC board members.

What was it about Nature Consortium that drew you to them?

Chelsey: I was drawn to Nature Consortium because of their mission statement: connecting people, arts, and nature. This organization is unique because each of their initiatives connects the three elements. I also like the fact that the organization has several projects that target youth. While many art programs are cut due to budgeting, Nature Consortium is actively working with after school programs to provide opportunities for youth to learn about art in a fun way. I think that’s great!

Emily: There are so many qualities to choose from! I think what I found most impressive, though, was the organization’s support of the arts. By promoting the arts in its programs and committing to always pay artists not only shows that the organization is true to its values, but also helps demonstrate to others in the community that art deserves more attention and appreciation. This helps create a more vibrant community.

Jen: At the end of the Seattle Works Bridge program, Page Roth gave us a great list of organizations seeking volunteers. I was the nerd who looked up the website for each and every org on that list. I’m a marketing person by trade, so spending my time with an organization that knows how to—or that’s at least eager to—creatively tell their story is important to me. I wanted to join an organization capable of standing out in a crowd. One look at Nature Consortium’s website and you’ll know they’re creative, inspiring, doing lots of great things in our community, and that they’re even a little quirky. I just love that.

Kira: The connection Nature Consortium has with the community is what drew me to them. As a new Seattleite, seeing how this organization ties art and conservation, which strengthen the identity of the area, to the neighborhood is a mission that I wanted to be a part of in my new city. I’m excited to contribute to the positive values that define Seattle, because this is what attracted me to the city when I moved here.

What are you excited to work on as a board member?

Emily: I’m really excited to get the word out about Nature Consortium. I’ve heard so many volunteers and attendees of the Arts in Nature Festival speak very enthusiastically about the organization, so I know that if more people find out about the organization, they will also be smitten and eager to be more involved. (Just as I was.)

Kira: We host a series of fun art and nature events in West Seattle and beyond and getting people involved and invested in the mission is the biggest way I, as a board member, can contribute to the organization’s longevity.

Chelsey: As a Board Member, I’m excited to learn more about the structure and a typical statement of work of a non-profit organization. As a new board member, I think it is fascinating how differently a non-profit functions than a for profit company. I think that attending board meetings and different functions will help me to learn about these topics.

Jen: I’m excited, albeit a little nervous, to work on friend- and fund-raising. Over the years I’ve grown a network of friends who share professional and personal interests. Now I have a chance to introduce my network to my philanthropic interests. I hope I’ll learn how to effectively “pitch” Nature Consortium to friends and colleagues, to help inspire them to give time and resources in support of arts, nature, and community-building. I’ll definitely be drawing on the knowledge Seattle Works taught me during the Bridge course.

 

Read the rest of the interview on the Seattle Works blog.