Board of Directors Duties & Requirements
HWB is a 501c3 nonprofit NGO. Our Board of Directors includes practicing clinicians, community activists, and those working In their own regions - all with experience as HWB Chapter, Clinic, or Project Coordinators or Community Organizers and Free Clinic Volunteers. The direct experience of our Board with the HWB Community is critical to continue serving those in our communities that are most often excluded, marginalized, or unable to access healthy food or botanical health care. Our Board Members are not only actively engaged locally, but also can work to support the mission and vision of HWB into the future.
Current Board:
PETRA SOVCOV, Chair
BECKY STARLING, Vice Chair
CAROLYN JONES, Secretary
ARATI URSUS, Treasurer
LUCRETIA JONES
DENISE CUSACK
BOARD DESCRIPTION
As a Board Member of Herbalists Without Borders, members will make a good faith effort to:
Responsibilities:
The dates for our 2023-2024 meetings are:
Annual Meeting (December 2023):
Committees help maximize the Board’s productivity by matching members with particular expertise to appropriate areas. They allow members to engage with issues more deeply and consistently than the Board could as a whole. Committees can research and break down complex issues and present their findings to the Board, which can then move forward to making decisions.
As HWB has only a part time employee, and relies on volunteers, the work of Board members to fill in the gaps and support the HWB mission and goals is critical. Board members are required to serve on at least 1 Committee.
Executive Committee:
Comprised of Board officers, the committee oversees operations of the Board; acts on behalf of the Board during on-demand activities that occur between meetings and performs evaluation of executive director.
Finance Committee:
This committee is the Treasurer, ED, and Accountant. Oversees development of the budget; ensures accurate tracking/monitoring/accountability for funds; ensures adequate financial controls; recommends financial guidelines to the Board and supports the checks and balances system.
Social Media & Communications Committee:
Comprised of Board members and volunteers, works to share and promote HWB via social media channels, maintain the blog, engage and share critical Information on HWB work, and support the vision and mission of our work and clear and consistent message of our global organization to members and the public and communicate with our members and those we serve.
Membership Outreach and Education Committee:
Comprised of Board members working to help HWB increase membership, identify ways to attract new members, retain our current members, offer expanded member benefits, and find opportunities for retention and engagement.
Other committees that are active as needed:
Strategic Planning
Fundraising and Grant Writing
Current Board:
PETRA SOVCOV, Chair
BECKY STARLING, Vice Chair
CAROLYN JONES, Secretary
ARATI URSUS, Treasurer
LUCRETIA JONES
DENISE CUSACK
BOARD DESCRIPTION
As a Board Member of Herbalists Without Borders, members will make a good faith effort to:
- Be a compassionate consensus builder
- Act on behalf of the organization and its interests, putting aside personal concerns; avoiding conflicts of interest
- Serve on a Board committee and/or special project
- Make an annual personal financial contribution to HWB by maintaining active membership
- Help staff/volunteers to promote HWB's good work and visibility, introducing the organization to new communities, business sponsors, foundations, media and other helpful individuals or potential partners
- Contribute expertise in vital areas of nonprofit organization, finance, fundraising, legal expertise, clinical management, social justice, grassroots organizing, land preservation, media, grant writing, or other areas that advance HWB's mission/vision and goals
- Recruits, orients, and develops new Board members
Responsibilities:
- Understand and promote the organization’s mission
- Be familiar with the organization’s programs, policies, and operations
- Attend Board meetings and appropriate committee meetings
- Actively serve on at least one committee
- Review agenda and supporting documents prior to meetings
- Participate in fundraising events where applicable
- Strictly adhere to conflict of interest policies
- Strictly adhere to confidentiality policies
- Sign and follow any other Board or Nonprofit Policies
The dates for our 2023-2024 meetings are:
Annual Meeting (December 2023):
- TBD - usually early December
- 2nd Wednesday of every other month at 9am pacific/11am central/12p eastern/
- Wed, February 14, 11am central
- Wed April 10, 11am central
- Wed, June 12, 11am central
- Wed, August 14, 11am central
- Wed, October 9, 11am central
- December annual meeting TBD
- 2nd Wednesday of every other month at 9am pacific/11am central/12p eastern
- Wed, January 10, 11am central time
- Wed, March 13 11am central
- Wed, May 8, 11am central
- Wed, July 10, 11am central
- Wed, September 11, 11am central
- Wed, November 13, 11am central
Committees help maximize the Board’s productivity by matching members with particular expertise to appropriate areas. They allow members to engage with issues more deeply and consistently than the Board could as a whole. Committees can research and break down complex issues and present their findings to the Board, which can then move forward to making decisions.
As HWB has only a part time employee, and relies on volunteers, the work of Board members to fill in the gaps and support the HWB mission and goals is critical. Board members are required to serve on at least 1 Committee.
Executive Committee:
Comprised of Board officers, the committee oversees operations of the Board; acts on behalf of the Board during on-demand activities that occur between meetings and performs evaluation of executive director.
Finance Committee:
This committee is the Treasurer, ED, and Accountant. Oversees development of the budget; ensures accurate tracking/monitoring/accountability for funds; ensures adequate financial controls; recommends financial guidelines to the Board and supports the checks and balances system.
Social Media & Communications Committee:
Comprised of Board members and volunteers, works to share and promote HWB via social media channels, maintain the blog, engage and share critical Information on HWB work, and support the vision and mission of our work and clear and consistent message of our global organization to members and the public and communicate with our members and those we serve.
Membership Outreach and Education Committee:
Comprised of Board members working to help HWB increase membership, identify ways to attract new members, retain our current members, offer expanded member benefits, and find opportunities for retention and engagement.
Other committees that are active as needed:
Strategic Planning
Fundraising and Grant Writing