Seeking Board Members: Call for Nominations Open Now
Grow Food Northampton, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is seeking new board members with the vision, energy, skills, life experience, and connections to advance our mission. We particularly encourage nominations of people who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, and people who are, or have been, marginalized by the conventional food system. Grow Food Northampton is in the process of updating our strategic plan and mission statement. Our mission (in draft format) is to nourish our community and the earth by building a vibrant and just local food system.
Board members work closely with other board members and the Executive Director and serve renewable three-year terms. Full board meetings are typically held eight – ten times per year with committees meeting monthly. Committees include Development, Finance, Governance, and Program and Site Advisory. The main qualification for board service is a passion and capacity to advance Grow Food Northampton’s mission.
Priority will be given to nominees with knowledge and experience in any of the following areas:
▪ Lived experience of food insecurity
▪ Legal background, especially in conservation law, agricultural law, or other related areas
▪ Agriculture and land management
▪ Public/private partnerships
▪ Fundraising
▪ Nonprofit management
Self-nominations: Accepted and encouraged.
Grow Food Northampton welcomes nominations by and of people who are less familiar with board service and/or nomination and application processes. We would be glad to guide and assist nominators in pulling their nomination materials together. Once selected for board service, each new board member will be paired with a current board member who will provide guidance about the role and responsibilities of a GFN board member and will introduce them to materials about the organization, the Board, important activities, and current policies. If other accommodations—such as transportation or technology—are needed for board service, we are happy to explore the provision of these resources. For assistance, email president@growfoodnorthampton.org.
