Working Committees
Like many non-profits, much of the board work happens at the committee level. Learn more about how the Foundation operates by reading its committee structure below.
Executive Committee — Chair Anne Harris
According to the By-laws, the Executive Committee includes all officers, three at-large Board members, the immediate past president and the Director of the NCBG. In practice, we have included three past-presidents as well as the Development and Finance officers of the NCBG. The Executive Committee meets monthly and carries on all business of the Board with the exception of By-laws amendments. The Executive Committee is responsible for defining and executing the strategic plan of the Foundation.
Governance Committee — Chair Melissa Cain
The primary function of the Governance Committee is to ensure effective board structure, roles, and processes including new member recruitment and orientation. Specific responsibilities include new member recruitment and officer succession, new member orientation and handbook preparation, review of by-laws and the preparation of policies and procedures of the Foundation, annual evaluation of board effectiveness and assessment of Board needs, preparation of meetings, and commitment to continued Board education.
Development Committee — Chair James Joslin
Fundraising and advocacy for the Garden are part of the job description of all Directors of the Foundation. A smaller Development Committee serves to direct these efforts, working with NCBG Development to raise funds in support of the Garden. This committee specifically helps coordinate efforts to identify and help introduce to the Garden individuals, Foundations, and Businesses with potential to help. The Development Committee oversees the annual Gala and investigates new fundraising projects, activities, and ideas for Garden income production.
Finance Committee — Chair Nate Byrd
The NCBGF Treasurer will chair a finance committee who works with the financial officer of the Garden in the oversight of all income and expenditures of the BGF and will be responsible for developing annual budgets of the Foundation. This committee evaluates the investments of the Foundation and recommends any changes to the Executive Committee. The Finance Committee will also fiscally manage any Foundation employees. Reports of this committee are made to the Executive Committee and at full Board meetings.
Conservation Committee — Chair Bo Howes
The Conservation Committee works with NCBG Conservation to oversee the management of the conservation lands of the Foundation. Specific tasks involve: the evaluation of lands given or offered to the Botanical Garden Foundation in terms of conservation value and making recommendations to the Executive Committee about these lands; insuring that management plans and legal documents and requirements are in order; pursuing accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance; and maintaining an insurance policy on conservation lands through the Land Trust Alliance.
