What are the responsibilities and job description for the Board Member position at The WAVE Coalition?
About The WAVE Coalition
The WAVE Coalition is a mission-driven nonprofit focused on animal welfare, conservation, environmental research, community, and education. Through innovative programming and events, WAVE works to inspire stewardship, empower future scientists, and protect animals and habitats.
Role Overview
Board Members of The WAVE Coalition serve as governing leaders and active contributors during the organization’s startup phase. In addition to fiduciary and governance responsibilities, current Board Members are expected to support hands-on operational work as the organization builds capacity, funding, and infrastructure.
Governance & Fiduciary Oversight
- Provide strategic leadership
- Uphold WAVE’s mission, bylaws, and policies.
- Fulfill duties of care, loyalty, and obedience
- Act in the best interest of the organization at all times.
Strategic Direction & Decision-Making
- Participate in board and committee meetings
- Review materials in advance, ask informed questions, and contribute to long-term planning and organizational growth.
Financial Stewardship & Sustainability
- Review and approve budgets and financial reports
- Support fiscal accountability, risk management, and long-term sustainability
- Make a personally meaningful annual financial contribution.
Startup & Operational Support
- Contribute hands-on support as needed, including event planning, fundraising, donor outreach, networking, grant research and writing, social media, marketing, and general organizational tasks aligned with individual skills and availability.
Fundraising & Advocacy
- Actively promote WAVE’s mission
- Leverage personal and professional networks
- Support fundraising efforts through outreach, relationship-building, and visibility.
Ethics, Equity & Safeguarding
- Uphold high standards of environmental ethics, animal welfare, equity, inclusion, youth protection, and respectful engagement across all organizational activities.
Confidentiality & Accountability
- Maintain confidentiality of board discussions and non-public information
- Disclose and manage conflicts of interest
- Comply with annual board agreements and disclosures.
Committee Service
- Serve on at least one board committee and contribute time, expertise, and leadership to committee work.
Ideal Canditates
WAVE is especially seeking board members who:
- Are excited to help build something from the ground up
- Are comfortable wearing multiple hats during a startup phase
- Are collaborative, mission-driven, and action-oriented
- Looking to build experience to further their own careers
Why Serve on the WAVE Board?
- Play a hands-on role in shaping a growing conservation nonprofit
- Gain leadership experience in nonprofit governance and operations
- Work alongside passionate advocates, educators, and researchers
- Build experience in a field you are passionate about
Because this nonprofit is a startup, staff work when they have time, around their current obligations. Work can be done at your level of availability. There are no set hours, no hour tracking, etc.