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Board Elections

Directors for the Board of the Arkansas Environmental Education Association are elected for two-year terms.  All members are encouraged to be involved in AEEA through serving on the Board or on a committee. 

Voting Instructions
Voting will be conducted via Survey Monkey. Please log onto http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iooSgO_2fop2wQSO41bQAy_2fg_3d_3d  to cast your votes.
Please use the password that was supplied in the "Please Vote" e-mail you recieved.
You may vote for seven (7) candidates.
Please cast your vote before September 15, 2008.

Slate of Candidates for 2009-2010 AEEA Board of Directors - vote for 7

Name, employer, experience, what they have to contribute.

 

Susan E. Bolyard, United States Geological Survey

 

Experience: I have worked providing educational science-based outreach (teachers’ workshops; elementary, middle, high school and college level workshops/classes). I also have technical and scientific expertise in geology, hydrology, water resources, conservation, environment, and GIS application that would prove beneficial in program development and public outreach.  

 

What I can contribute to AEEA:  I believe environmental education is essential to increase the community’s awareness of the environment and the methodology necessary to implement practices which are integral in conserving and maintaining our natural resources.  AEEA encourages each person to play his or her part, whether this person is just beginning preschool or is a retired volunteer teacher, to commit to these practices. This commitment, I feel, is imperative to make a lasting positive influence in taking steps toward a better future for our communities and our environment. I would love to be part of this initiative. 

 

Sandi J. Formica, Water Conservation Resource Center

 

Experience: Co-founder and executive director of the Watershed Conservation Resource Center.  Various position at the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality from 1992 – 2004 including Environmental Preservation Division Chief. Chemical Engineer. Secondary Mathematics and Science Teacher, St. Catherine's Indian School, Santa Fe, NM.

 

What I can contribute to AEEA: I can provide technical advice in the following areas:  1) Watershed assessment, management, and planning; 2) Animal waste management; 3) River assessment and restoration design; 4) Water quality assessment and monitoring; and 5) Best management practices (BMPs) implementation and effectiveness.

 

Keith R. Harris, Math & Science Education Partnership UALR

 

Experience: I have nearly 20 years experience in developing, coordinating, and presenting environmental science education programs and curriculum to Pre-K through College Level students while working at museums, nature centers, state parks, wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. 

 

What I can contribute to AEEA:  I have taught in the public and private schools in South Carolina and Arkansas and served on numerous district and state education committees including the Arkansas Science Frameworks Revision Committee (2005), Arkansas Technology Task Force (2006-2008), Arkansas Curriculum Conference Technology Committee (2005- Present). 

 

John T. Kutko, Clarksville Primary School

 

Experience: Teaches K-1st at Clarksville Primary School. I have started a program in Physical Education/Health that integrates Environmental Studies through the life skills of birding, hiking, camping, fishing and orienteering. Each component contains the study of the environmental impact that we have and the responsibility we share to protect our environment.   

 

What I can contribute to AEEA:  My passion for the environment and the desire to instill that passion to my students.  I know how to teach primary aged students and I have a desire to share the proven successes of my program with others.

 

Trish Ouei, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Benton County

 

Experience: I work on water quality issues with the primary focus being urban stormwater pollution prevention. I have always been involved in public education efforts. With a degree in Health Education from UCA, over the past nine years she has done education and outreach on various topics such as tobacco prevention to recycling promotion.  She is currently working on a Masters in Education Technology. 

 

What I can contribute to AEEA: Trish has been on the AEEA Board of Directors for the past 2 years and prior to that served on the AEEA Expo planning committee in 2005 & 2006.  Currently as a board member, she is serving as Treasurer and on the Website Committee.

 

Betsy Spetich, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

 

Experience: Recycling coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, providing a variety of educational programs. My current “major project” is facilitating a team working to develop an Arkansas-specific solid waste management curriculum tied to state curriculum frameworks. My interest in teaching about the environment was fed by many years in girl scouting, I wrote an environmental education manual for the local council while in high school and spent several summers as a camp counselor. I have an M.S. in environmental interpretation. After spending two summers the interpreter at an Indiana state park and one as an interpreter at the Indianapolis Zoo, I was hired as an information specialist and associate editor for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. I worked with other department educators on booths, presentations, events and education plans as well as scheduling, writing and editing materials for Outdoor Indiana magazine.

 

What I can contribute to AEEA: My current position focuses on solid waste management issues, but I have education and experience with a variety of environmental topics. (My B.S. was in Forestry & Wildlife Management.) In addition, I have good planning, research and writing skills; keep track of details; and follow through on commitments.

 

Michelle Steele, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Washington County

 

Experience: I work primarily in water quality education, but as an Extension Agent you become dangerous by learning a little about a lot of other areas!  I’ve also worked for the Washington County Conservation District as a Water Quality Technician and the University of Arkansas as a Research Assistant in pedology.

 

What I can contribute to AEEA: Water quality, soil science, some geology, general science concepts.

 

Gloria J, Stephens, Arkansas Department of Education

 

Experience: Employed at the Arkansas Department of Education for approximately 30 years. During my tenure, I have worked in various capacities, i.e., conducting education research, performing program development and coordination, performing and addressing human resource related issues, conducting conference planning activities, and spearheading various pilot programs.

 

What I can contribute to AEEA:  I have over 20 years of experience in program development / coordination, and planning conference events.

 

 

 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Serve the Organization 

Actively participate in creating short and long term goals that further the organization's mission.
Keep dues current.
Support EE Expo and other events.
Enhance the organization's public image and inform others about the organization.
Be a driving force for action – provide enthusiasm and endurance.
Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive organization information as well as membership information.
Assist with the mundane as well as the vision – stuff envelopes, make phone calls, assist at the conference, etc.
Oversee, support, and review the work of the executive director.
Determine and monitor the organization's programs and services.

 

Serve the Board

Attend all board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.
Be informed about AEEA’s bylaws, policies, history, mission, programs, and services.
Build the organization through constructive feedback.
Be a mentor to new Board Members, committee chairs, and committee members.
Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization's field.
Excuse yourself from a vote whenever there is a conflict of interest.
Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
Suggest possible board nominees who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization.
Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization's annual financial statements.
Assess the board’s performance. 

 

 

Serve the Committees 

Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.
Actively contribute to committee work.
Communicate board vision to committees.

 

Serve the Members 

 

Support the AEEA vision and mission and communicate them to members.
Consider member needs in making decisions.
Be available to members. 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION TIMELINE FOR TERM 2009-2010

Call for nominations begins   June 30, 2008
Call for nominations ends   August 11
Ballots mailed August 22
Ballots due September 5
New board member notification September 15
New board member orientation November 8

 

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE JOINING THE BOARD

Are you considering joining the AEEA board? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

 

Is This The Right Cause and Organization For Me? 

Approach this decision as if you were planning to make a major donation: you would probably begin by thinking of areas where you have strong feelings–perhaps the environment, care for the elderly, or civil rights. After settling on a subject area, you might then learn about several different organizations working in that field, and investigate ones that seem to have high impact and are well managed. Only after you were fully satisfied would you make the donation.

First ask yourself whether you truly feel strongly about the type of work that the organization does and the people it serves. Since, as a board member, you'll be investing not only money but time and energy, ask yourself whether the organization seems to be a pretty good risk as an investment.
 

 

 Can I Work With This Board At This Particular Stage In Its Life?

At one time in an organization's life, board service may be fairly smooth with a few bumps, while at another time board service may involve a hair-raising roller coaster ride (of course, an unexpected event can throw any board for a loop). What type of board seems right for you right now? You may want a board that really lets you roll up your sleeves and get to work with the other board members, or you may want a board that is stable and can let you learn about board work in a deliberate way.
 

 

 What Can I, and What Will I, Contribute To This Organization?

 
What skills, contacts, and perspectives do I have that will be useful to this organization? How, specifically, will the board use what I can bring? Often as board members we find that some of our talents and contacts never seem to get utilized by the boards we're on.
Consider first what you bring to the table, and then, whether you are willing to give that to the organization. Look, too, for vehicles for your skills: if you can't see a specific vehicle (work on an event, help with the web page, work with the Treasurer), your desire to contribute may well go unfulfilled. Some questions to consider:
  • Do I believe in this organization enough to introduce my colleagues to it?
  • Can I make a commitment to attending at least 75% of the meetings?
  • Can I volunteer with other board members on occasional Saturdays, if needed?
  • Can I attend meetings and events during the week? Does my current employment allow this?
  • Would I feel comfortable having my name on their letterhead or on their brochure?
The right time to ask these questions is before, not after, you have joined the board.
This final question is one that potential candidates should ask themselves and one that active board members should periodically re-examine during their board service.

 

 What Do I Want To Get Out Of Being On This Board?

An all-too-common experience for board members at the ends of their terms is a feeling that they didn't, after all, really get deeply involved and don't, as a result, feel that they either contributed as much or got as much as they had hoped when they first joined. Board members who plan and ask for what they want in the board will contribute more as well as gain more.

 

 Personal Characteristics To Consider

  • Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group.
  • Willingness to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself.
  • Development of certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit members, board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization.
  • Possession of: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for your nonprofit's development, a sense of humor.

 


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