🌱We are Currently Accepting Applications for our Board of Directors!🌱
Serving as a board member is a great way to make meaningful connections and lasting contributions for a mission and organization you care about.
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Western Slope Conservation Center’s Board of Directors. WSCC is thriving and we are currently seeking up to four new members as we expand our board. The current application period is now through November 14, 2025.
If now is not the right time but you are interested in joining our board at a later date, please reach out!
Founded in 1977 and based in the North Fork Valley, the Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) builds an informed and engaged community to protect and enhance the lands, air, water and wildlife of the Western Slope. We envision landscapes defined by resilient ecological systems, where water management, agricultural practices, and recreation opportunities allow people and the environment to flourish.
This is why some of our current board members decided to serve:
“I’ve been associated with WSCC for so long that it feels time to take a more responsible position and I enjoy the democratic process of decision-making, especially with a group of like minded people.” James Schott, former Board Member
“I love serving on the WSCC board because it’s an active board that isn’t afraid to get our hands dirty. I feel like my experience and time really do help make a difference in protecting this place that I love. And we have fun together!” Kathy Swartz, Treasurer
“Working on the board has given me a sense of purpose and a feeling of being a part of an organization that makes a real difference in protecting public lands, watersheds and wildlife! I’m walking the talk and love working with this group of dedicated people.” Julie Sapena, Board Chair
“I joined the board because this organization does so much to protect and enhance our local ecosystems.” Megan Randall, Board Member and Raffle Manager
What’s involved with being a member of the WSCC Board?
- Anticipate spending approximately 4+ hours a month volunteering for WSCC. This includes actively preparing for and participating in monthly board meetings (~2 hours); participating in our Watershed, Public Lands, and/or Fundraising & Events Committees (~1.5 hours/month); volunteering to work at at least 3 fundraising events per year, such as River Fest, Hestival, Mountainfilm Paonia, etc. (these are fun and engaging events); it may also include writing comment letters for campaigns; perhaps leading a Mike’s Hike or organizing a guest speaker; sharing your talents around the office depending on your passions/skills/availability.
- In addition to sharing your time and expertise, an annual financial contribution at a level that is meaningful for you is expected. Foundations and grantors want to see 100% board participation
- Be informed about the organization’s mission and programs, including reading the monthly e-newsletters and following the organization’s social media accounts
- Serve as a WSCC ambassador in the community
- Help the organization fundraise. This includes everything from selling tickets for our annual raffle at community events, to connecting the organization to people, businesses, and foundations in your network, to working a volunteer shift at River Fest. Each and every action helps us achieve our fundraising goals
- All board members are expected to help the organization fundraise. This may include connecting the organization with individual donors, foundations or businesses within your network, and/or participating in our fundraising events. Each and every action helps us achieve our fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with board and staff, while respecting the lines of authority and communication between Board and staff.
- Be aware of and follow organizational policies. (These will be shared once elected to the Board)
- Use the Google Suite and Slack for communications. All board members are expected to use these tools and training will be provided
How long is the term?
- Each term is 3 years.
What are the qualifications for being a WSCC Board member?
- Have the time to commit to serving
- Be passionate about our shared public lands, watersheds, wildlife, water and air
- Be a current member of WSCC
- Bonus points if you are:
- A rancher or farmer
- Have a scientific background in water resources, oil and gas, recreation or tourism, or other areas that impact the work we do
- Have experience in or knowledge of public lands or other environmental policy
- Are skilled with finances and accounting, human resources and/or nonprofit management
- Enjoy being a connector
What do I receive in exchange for volunteering?
- Fun! We’ll even throw in WSCC swag!
- Join a community of awesome folks who share a love of this special place we call home
- A sense of purpose to use your unique skills to protect our lands and watershed
- Never served on a board? Don’t worry. We offer board education and will help mentor you through the process.
What are the next steps in the process?
- The current application period will be open until Friday, November 14th. We will then schedule an informal meeting with each candidate to get to know each other better. We are asking all interested candidates to plan on attending–either in-person or via Zoom–our November and December meetings (to be determined because of holidays), if possible. We require that all board candidates attend two board meetings before election to ensure it’s a good fit, unless a person has actively participated in a WSCC within the last three years.
- WSCC will hold board elections in January.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Hannah Stevens at director@theconservationcenter.org or 970-527-5307