[SustainableTompkins] Ithaca Children's Garden seeks Board members

[Marian Brown]

Julia Ganson is seeking leadership for the Ithaca Children's Garden; 
below are the expectations of prospective Board members. All those 
interested, please respond directly to Julia. jgg27 at cornell.edu 
<mailto:jgg27 at cornell.edu>

*_ITHACA_**_ CHILDREN’S GARDEN:_*

*_ROLE EXPECTATIONS FOR BOARD MEMBERS_*

Ithaca Children’s Garden is a small not-for-profit organization with a 
public children’s garden. We are currently in the process of developing 
the 3-acre site in Cass Park with funding from grants and private 
donations. Phase I, completed in 2006, resulted in the building of Gaia, 
the large cement turtle sculpture that is prominent as you drive past 
Cass Park on Route 89. Our educational programs on-site and at schools 
have now reached hundreds of children in the Ithaca area since 2000.

It is time for the organization to grow and stretch! We plan to increase 
the number of board members and develop a more diverse governing body so 
that the new board can move ahead with strategic planning, site 
development, fundraising, and the appointment of a new executive 
director in 2007.

We are hosting a Community Leaders Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, October 
24, 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Borg-Warner Room at Tompkins County Library. 
We’re seeking individuals to invite to this event, who are interested in 
community leadership through board membership and service for a young 
organization striving to establish itself and serve as an important 
resource for local children of all ages.

_Prospective board members are expected to_:

    * make a 3-5 year commitment to participate in helping the
      organization evolve its general vision and mission into strategic
      and business plans to be actioned;

    * attend monthly board meetings as well as more frequent committee
      meetings and workgroups;

    * apply skills, expertise and knowledge in business, the legal
      profession, finances, public relations and marketing, and/or
      education and child development, to the establishment and support
      of a sustainable garden and organization;
    * serve as enthusiastic ambassadors to the public, local businesses
      and organizations, and funding bodies;

    * contribute financially to the Garden, at a level identified by the
      individual; and

    * provide leadership through action to the staff, volunteers,
      advisors, and committee members of Ithaca Children’s Garden