Professional Development

If you are:
● Committed to engaging all communities in the enjoyment of the Charles River and its adjacent parks,
● Passionate about urban open space that is vibrant, attractive and accessible to all,
● Enthusiastic about environmental protection and enhancement of the Charles River Reservation,
● Dedicated to ensuring that development and growth are accomplished in harmony with open space,
● Interested in connecting people to outdoor recreation close to where they live and work,
● Excited about the future of the Charles River and its parks as one of Boston’s most recognizable and
historic public places,
● Generous in supporting causes you care about and inviting those from your networks to join you…

And you have experience and/or interest in any of the following:
● Environmental conservation
● Strategic planning
● Outdoor recreation
● Landscape architecture/Urban planning
● Placemaking
● Community engagement and/or organizing
● Public-private partnerships
● Finance
● Public relations
● Law and policy
● Resource development/fundraising
● Using the river and parks

Then you might find yourself right at home with the Charles River Conservancy!

The CRC is actively expanding our board of directors, bringing in active, committed members from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for the Charles River and open spaces. Our goal is to develop a board who will help the CRC implement our strategic plan and ensure that our programs build an inclusive community that shares in the use and ownership of these spaces. Now is an exciting moment in the life of our organization and the river and parks we steward. We are eager to welcome new leaders and partners in the work.

About the Charles River Conservancy:
The Charles River Conservancy (CRC)—a nonprofit leader in urban park improvement and
animation—has worked since 2000 to make the Charles River and its parks a well-maintained network of natural urban places that invite and engage all in their use and stewardship. The CRC’s geography encompasses both sides of the river and parks (Cambridge, Boston and Watertown) from Boston Harbor to the Watertown Dam, not including the Esplanade area (roughly the Boston University Bridge to the Harbor on the Boston side). The CRC is committed to a future in which the Charles River and its parks are celebrated, well-utilized, and inclusive centers of public life for all residents in the CRC geography. We currently achieve this through a robust volunteer program that helps clean and maintain the parks; advocacy work on projects affecting the river and its parks; ecological interventions; and events that enliven and celebrate these spaces. In 2022, we will renew our efforts to ensure we represent all communities in our geography and serve the diverse audiences who use the River and its parks. More information can be found at https://thecharles.org.

About the CRC Board of Directors:
Currently composed of 11 volunteer members, the CRC Board of Directors expects to grow our membership to 15 over the next three years. The Board is the CRC’s governing body; it advises staff leadership and fulfills the fiduciary and fundraising duties of nonprofit board members. Members of our Board are passionate and help determine CRC’s vision, mission, goals, policies, strategies, plans, and programs. CRC’s board meetings (usually seven, 2-hour sessions per year, approximately every other month) are where substantive decisions are made about the organization.

Board members are expected to:
● Attend most/all Board meetings and actively participate at least one of board subcommittees;
● Contribute financially to the CRC at a level that is personally meaningful;
● Participate in at least one public event annually; and
● Act as “ambassadors” for CRC, using their networks to draw in a wider circle of supporters and donors

The initial board term is 1 year with the option of renewing for up to 2 additional 3-year terms. Prior board experience is helpful but not required. If this resonates with you, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please introduce yourself to Board Chair Lonsdale Koester (lmgkoester@gmail.com) and Executive Director Laura Jasinski (ljasinski@thecharles.org) for an initial conversation and potential next steps.

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