The Understory Initiative & Vesper Meadow Anchor Circle
Vesper Meadow Circle (VM)
Applied Restoration Circle (AR)
Purpose:
The Understory Initiative envisions a world where ecological justice and climate resilience are achieved through transformative understanding and human stewardship of understory ecosystems.
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Board Liason
for Communicating about Vesper MeadowPurpose:
Communicates the mission & impact of TUI/VMEP to the Board of DirectorsDomains:
- Quarterly BOD updates
- TUI Website - BOD profile page
- BOD welcome packet
Accountabilities:
- Keeping updated with big picture information about TUI/VMEP
- Sending quarterly written updates to active board members
- Supporting the Board Chair with coordinating BOD meetings and events
- Providing programmatic updates at each BOD meeting
- Collaborating with the Board Chair to initiate board recruitment
- Developing strategies to enhance board engagement and participation in in-person staff meetings.
- Organizing fall visioning meeting
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Public-Facing Outreach & Fundraising Lead
for Foundations and private sectorPurpose:
To enhance the public visibility and financial sustainability of The Understory Initiative & Vesper Meadow by developing and executing strategic outreach and fundraising initiatives, building strong partnerships, and engaging diverse communities to support the organization's mission of ecological justice and climate resilience.Domains:
- Public-Facing Outreach Strategy and Implementation: Authority over the development and execution of outreach strategies and campaigns.
- Public-Facing Fundraising and Development: Control over fundraising activities and donor relationship management.
Accountabilities:
- Developing Outreach Plans: Create and implement strategic outreach plans to engage the community and raise awareness about the circle’s mission and activities.
- Executing Fundraising Campaigns: Plan and execute fundraising campaigns and events to generate financial support for the circle.
- Managing Donor Relations: Build and maintain relationships with donors and sponsors to ensure ongoing support and engagement.
- Coordinating Communication Efforts:Develop and distribute communication materials, such as newsletters, press releases, and social media content, to promote the circle’s initiatives.
- Evaluating Impact: Assess the effectiveness of outreach and fundraising activities and use feedback to improve future initiatives.
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Vesper Meadow Circle (VM)
Purpose:
Strengthening local networks through community engagement in science, restoration, nature-inspired art, and Tribal PartnershipAccountabilities:
- There are no accountabilities defined for this role.
Purpose:
Strengthening local networks through community engagement in science, restoration, nature-inspired art, and Tribal Partnership
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Circle Lead
Purpose:
Strengthening local networks through community engagement in science, restoration, nature-inspired art, and Tribal PartnershipDomains:
- Assigning and/or removing people from roles that have been created through the circle’s governance process.
- Acting in unfilled roles as needed
- Defining priorities and strategies for the circle
- Overseeing the allocation of resources, including budget and personnel, to support the circle’s objectives. This includes deciding which roles are essential and which may be reduced or eliminated in response to budget constraints and managing discretionary funds.
- Prioritizing roles based on their strategic importance and contribution to the circle's purpose.
Accountabilities:
- Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards.
- Prepare reports for staff and board members and external partners as needed.
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Inspired Art Coordinator
Purpose:
To foster community engagement and awareness through nature-inspired art, integrating artistic expression with ecological education and restoration efforts.Domains:
- Authority over the planning, development, and execution of art projects within the circle.
- Ensure that art projects align with the circle’s objectives and are effectively implemented.
- Control over the logistics and coordination of art-related events and workshops.
- Authority to establish and manage partnerships with artists and art organizations.
- Oversight of the integration of art into educational programs and materials.
Accountabilities:
- Create and manage art projects that align with the circle’s ecological and educational goals.
- Collaborate with artists and community members to design projects that inspire and educate.
- Plan and execute art-related events and workshops that promote community participation and awareness.
- Coordinate logistics for events, including venue selection, materials, and participant engagement.
- Build and maintain relationships with local artists and art organizations to enhance project quality and reach.
- Develop educational materials and programs that incorporate art to enhance learning about ecological and restoration themes.
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Domains:
- Outreach Strategy and Implementation: Authority over the development and execution of outreach strategies and campaigns.
- Fundraising and Development: Control over fundraising activities and donor relationship management.
- Partnership Development: Authority to establish and nurture partnerships with external organizations and partners
Accountabilities:
- Developing Outreach Plans: Create and implement strategic outreach plans to engage the community and raise awareness about the circle’s mission and activities.
- Executing Fundraising Campaigns: Plan and execute fundraising campaigns and events to generate financial support for the circle.
- Managing Donor Relations: Build and maintain relationships with donors and sponsors to ensure ongoing support and engagement.
- Coordinating Communication Efforts:Develop and distribute communication materials, such as newsletters, press releases, and social media content, to promote the circle’s initiatives.
- Building Partnerships: Identify and cultivate partnerships with organizations and stakeholders that align with the circle’s goals and can support outreach and fundraising efforts.
- Evaluating Impact: Assess the effectiveness of outreach and fundraising activities and use feedback to improve future initiatives.
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VM Circle Rep
Purpose:
Channels tensions relevant to the VM circle's processes to a broader circle for resolution. This role ensures that the circle's needs and challenges are communicated to the broader organization.Domains:
- Authority over the processes and systems used for communicating tensions and information between the Vesper Meadow circle and broader circles within the organization.
- Authority over the mechanisms used to escalate and resolve tensions that cannot be addressed within the Vesper Meadow circle.
Accountabilities:
- Inter-Circle Communication: Facilitating effective communication of tensions and updates between the Vesper Meadow circle and other circles.
- Tension Resolution Channel: Regularly update broader circles on the status and needs of the Vesper Meadow circle.
- Facilitating Communication: Identifying and channeling tensions that are relevant to processes in broader circles for resolution.
- Supporting Governance: Supporting the governance process by ensuring that the Vesper Meadow circle's needs and challenges are considered in broader organizational decisions.
- Feedback Loop Maintenance: Maintaining a feedback loop with the Vesper Meadow circle to inform them of decisions and changes from broader circles.
Purpose:
Planning, implementation, and adaptive management of on-the-ground restoration activities across ecosystems.
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Accountabilities:
- There are no accountabilities defined for this role.