Board Member Position Description
Director of Membership Activities
The Director of Membership Activities is responsible for the planning, development and execution of suitable and long-term programmes and initiatives for the advancement of each individual NESSE member and the membership as a whole body. This director administers and oversees, in conjunction with other Board Members, a wide and diverse offering of programmes such as, but not limited to, online symposia (webinars), career/professional development offerings and member event management. In addition, the DMA serves as a primary advocate for members and organisational partners whilst also aiding in financial, regulatory and envisioning activities of NESSE.
Thus, at minimum, this position requires someone who already possess, or seeks to develop, skills in interpersonal/science communication, principled leadership, writing and fundraising at the professional level.
Key Responsibilities
●Leadership
○Serve as leader of Membership Activities Team and recruit/manage subordinate Team Members
○Overseeing all permanent and new programmes and initiatives
○Serve as primary point of contact for all existing and prospective members in regards to inquiries, suggestions and grievances
○Meet regularly with Team Members to remain abreast of ongoing action items and serve as primary liaison between Membership Affairs and the Executive Board
○Contribute to annual NESSE Strategic Plan and complete assigned portions of the Annual Report
●Member Relations & Communications
○Administer the official Member Registry via adding, removing and updating members and related information (e.g. basic demographic data, career information, etc.)
○Distribute the mass membership email, NESSE Digest, with input from the entire Board monthly
○Manage general public and member inquiries via official NESSE email ()
○Collect quantitative and qualitative data regarding member experience, Board-membership relations and member sentiments on a periodic basis for use in organisational strategy development and targeting
○In conjunction with the Director of Marketing & Communications, create new and evaluate existing recruitment information and initiatives
●Careers & Webinars
○Curate existing and develop new programmes and initiatives to advance members’ career and training goals
○Manage official NESSE opportunities posting boards via website and associated social media accounts
○Administer the basic needs of NESSE Webinars (e.g. procurement of webinar platform, promotional items)
○Collect and analyse participant experience information via quantitative and qualitative surveys
○Alongside the Director of Research, develop new and intriguing webinar topics
●Events
○Serve, alongside other respective Board Members, as a primary organiser for NESSE-led events and aid in the organisation and execution of member-led events
○Create new and manage existing support resources to aid members through all stages of event management such as development, promotion and execution
○Manage all internal event calendars
●Executive Board Support
○Support other Board members with their respective teams’ activities through the timely distribution of member communications and professional input/guidance or assignment of subordinate Team members to provide aid
Board Member Requirements & Responsibilities
The NESSE Executive Board is responsible for setting out the vision and priorities of the organisation, developing new projects and working closely with our partners to help all of our members. The Board is distributed globally so we work together via teleconferencing and using an online organisational tool (Asana) to manage projects and activities between meetings.
General Requirements
● You need to be a current NESSE early-career member. You can join for FREEhere.
● You need to be passionate about sustainability and science, and agree with ourmission, vision, and values.
● You need to be able to commit time to the organisation. To be effective, most positions require 5-10hrs/week on average.
● NESSE works based on trust, self-motivation is important for the digital environment that we work in.
Key Responsibilities of Board Members
● Taking joint responsibility for managing the financial and legal responsibilities of NESSE including:
●Developing, reviewing and approving the annual budget and all financial plans
●Developing, reviewing and approving the organisation’s strategy, major organisational decisions, commitments, and plans
●Reviewing and monitoring progress of NESSE in achieving its mission
● Maintaining active communication with the rest of the Board, external stakeholders and volunteers including checking and replying to requests for input on tasks using our online project management system, Asana, 3-4 times per week
● Attending 1-2h Executive Board meetings every two weeks and twice yearly half day online strategy planning sessions
● Developing the strategy and activities for your area of responsibility and leading the activities including recruiting and managing a team of members supporting your area of work
● Bringing to the Board new strategies and proposals for approval
●Ensure the continuity of NESSE through development and recruitment of Board members and staff, writing detailed handover notes and give full in person handover to new Director
● Communicating any periods of absence or need for reductions in workload to Executive Director
Performance Expectations of Board Members
Accountability. A Board Member is ultimately accountable to act in the best interests of the NESSE community and for our mission.
Exercise of authority. A Board Member carries out the powers of his/her position only during their specified term of office.
Attendance. Board Members are expected to attend all Board meetings. The Board Member should inform the Executive Directors in advance if unable to attend a Board meeting.
Participation. The Board Member uses personal and professional skills, relationships and knowledge for the advancement of NESSE. He/she comes to meetings prepared, asks informed questions, and makes a positive contribution to discussions.
Confidentiality. The Board Member does not disclose proprietary, sensitive or personnel-related information.
Public Support. The Board Member explains and supports the decisions and policies of the Board in discussions with outsiders, even if the Board member voiced other views during a Board discussion.
Conflict of Interest. The Board Member avoids conflicts of interest and fully complies with the Board’s Conflict of Interest Policy and other policies on individual conduct.
Education. The Board Member takes advantage of opportunities to be educated and informed about the Board and the activities of NESSE. The Board Member develops certain skills if he/she does not already possess those skills such as soliciting funds, cultivating and recruiting Board Members and other volunteers, reading and understanding financial statements or learning about the substantive program area of the organization.
Inform. The Board Member promotes NESSE’s good work, introducing the organization to diverse communities, corporate sponsors, foundations, media, helpful individuals and potential partners.
Affiliation. The Board Member agrees to permit his or her name and professional affiliation, if any, to be listed on NESSE’s website, in funding proposals, promotional literature and other locations as appropriate.