Too Blessed to Be Stressed

Board of Directors: Vision and Rationale

Chair
Job Description - The chair of the board of directors is responsible for
ensuring that all programming activities align with the with the
organizations mission. The chair will train new board members and
work with the secretary to facilitate board meetings. This position is
also responsible for meeting regularly with the executive director to
offer support and feedback. This position will help reassess the
organizations mission on a regular basis to ensure that it is moving in
a positive direction.
Bio - Lola Bloom is a native Washingtonian. She is the founder and
director of a garden education organization and has over ten years of
experience working in the nonprofit world.
Rationale Lolas expertise in nonprofit management as well as her
real-life experience in the non-profit sector makes her an invaluable
member of the board. As chair, she will be able to hold the
organization accountable to its mission, think critically about future
programming opportunities, as well as guide the organization into new
and exciting ventures. She is the right mix of dreamer and practical
thinker.

Vice-Chair
Job Description - The vice-chair position will work closely with the
chair to develop a strategic plan for the organization, or if already in
place, to reassess the plan and goals every year. The vice-chair will
also be responsible for seeking out opportunities for board
development.
Bio Dulcinea Stuk is from St. Louis, Missouri. She is currently a
middle school math teacher but also has experience as a program
director in an after-school tutoring program. She is passionate about
education and works to make education accessible to all.
Rationale Dulcineas experience working as a teacher in some of the
toughest neighborhoods in D.C. means that she is tenacious and
passionate about equality. She will work well with the chair by offering
the practical suggestions necessary to make dreams and vision a
reality. She is highly organized and knows what it takes to turn around
broken systems in the fight for justice and equality.

Secretary
Job Description - The secretary will develop an outreach strategy for
the organization. This position will help to maintain a positive
connection between the organization and its constituents through
various marketing strategies. Additionally, the secretary will facilitate
each board meeting and ensure that detailed notes are taken of the
boards activities.
Bio Marcelo Veizaga works as a graphic designer and professional
photographer. He is a father to two beautiful girls and is inspired to do
good in the world to show them a way of peace and beauty. As a
Latino who has lived all over the world, he knows how to navigate
various cultures and languages. His art reflects this diversity.
Rationale Marcelo will contribute his valuable artistic skills to the
board. His experience working as a graphic designer will enable him to
develop an outreach strategy to reach diverse participants. As a
father, he knows what it is like to juggle various tasks and
responsibilities. This will serve him well as secretary as he learns to
balance the needs of the organization with resources necessary to
contribute to its success.

Treasurer
Job Description - The treasurer will seek new funding opportunities
for the organization through grants as well as earned income
opportunities. This person will have experience writing grants and
keeping a budget.
Bio Kristen Erbelding is the director of human resources at a local
nonprofit organization. Originally from upstate New York, she moved to
Washington, DC to pursue her MBA at Georgetown University.
Rationale Kristen has extensive experience writing grants and
looking for new funding opportunities. Her business background is
invaluable for an organization hoping to increase its earned income
revenue. Additionally, her knowledge of human resources will allow the
organization to develop clear and ethical bylaws as well as standard
operating procedures.

Too Blessed to Be Stressed

TBBS envisions a thriving community where children can blossom
through access to safe, creative, beautiful green spaces. Through the
art of beautification and place-making, TBBS creates healthy, safe

garden spaces to foster a more connected community where children

can thrive and realize their potential.
TBBS is a non-profit organization that has a heavy focus on earned
income revenue. In her article, Waiting for a New Business Model for
the Arts, author Diane Ragsdale (2011) bemoans the changing
landscape for arts-based organizations. She explains that art-based
organizations are in a bind because corporations are often skittish
foundations are overly cautious and individuals donors are fickle and
elusive (pp. 3). As the founder of TBBS, I do not want my organization
to be dependent on ever-elusive funds. Instead, I would like to
generate at least half of our income through different revenue streams.
The good part is that as a garden, we have many opportunities to
make value-added products with the food we grow in the garden. This
could include beauty products or teas made with herbs we grow in
each of our garden spaces. Additionally, we can offer produce shares
for community members interested in local, fresh produce. Other
opportunities could include renting out our spaces for garden parties or
other events.
The reason I did not shy away from non-profit status is that I want to
build community by offering garden programs that target at-risk youth.
David Ingram explains that the fundamental difference between
nonprofits and for-profits is the reason they exist. For-profits want to
generate income while non-profits want to serve a community or
environmental need. My goal, therefore, is not to make a profit but to
serve a community need. I also understand how important donors can
be to the lifeblood of an organization. I want TBBS to be as grassroots
as possible. If community members can participate by donating
money, they will feel a stake in the organization and its success.
References
Oklahoma Arts Council (2011). Nonprofit Arts Development Guide.
Retrieved from www.arts.ok.gov.
Ingram, D. (n.a). Demand Media. Non Profit Organization vs. Profit
Organization. Retrieved from www.smallbusiness.chron.com.
Ragsdale, D. (2011). Arts Journal. Waiting for a New Business Model for
the Arts. Retrieved from www.artsjournal.com.