Ocean Outcomes Seeks New Members for its Board of Directors in 2024
Finance, Nonprofit Accounting, Seafood Industry, Asia-Pacific Region, Consulting Business & Fundraising Experience Sought
Ocean Outcomes (O2) is an established nonprofit organization beginning its second decade with a mission to improve the sustainability of fisheries and their contributions to our collective environmental, social and economic well being. Through our work in both large-scale and small-scale fisheries, we cultivate deep relationships with seafood harvesters, seafood buyers, government agencies and non-governmental organizations to implement practical and adaptive solutions to pressing challenges in globally significant, high-risk fisheries. O2’s approach emphasizes equity, collaboration, science, and a drive towards continuous improvement. We are a financially healthy and operationally robust organization with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. We currently have an annual operating budget of around $2 million and a growing team of 12 staff and core contractors.
To learn more about O2, please visit www.oceanoutcomes.org and these links for a list of current Board members and staff.
Positions
O2 is recruiting individuals to join its Board of Directors in 2024 to help steward the organization into its second decade. We have openings for three new Board members including one individual with significant finance/accounting experience who has interest/capacity to serve as the Board Treasurer (starting in Q1 2025).
As a partner to the Executive Director and Board Chair, Board members will support and sustain the work of O2 by providing organizational governance and fiscal oversight, strategy review, thought leadership, and strategic fundraising support. Specific responsibilities are tailored to the interest, experience, role, and capacity of individual members but include:
Requirements
Leadership, Governance, and Oversight
- Being a trusted advisor and mentor to the Executive Director and O2 team as they develop and implement O2’s strategic plan;
- Approving O2’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions;
- Being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities;
- Measuring the performance and effectiveness of the organization in meeting its mission;
- Hiring, supporting, and evaluating the performance of the Executive Director;
- Assisting the Executive Director and Board Chair in recruiting new board members;
- Periodically consulting with other board members on their roles and helping assess the performance of the Board overall;
- Serving as eyes and ears on the ground in key geographies and among important sectors and stakeholders (e.g., fisheries science, fisheries management, seafood industry, organizational planning and management) to keep O2 apprised of opportunities or challenges;
- Acting as an ambassador for the organization and reflecting its values and culture;
- Ensuring O2’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities the organization serves.
Fundraising & Financial Health
- Ensuring a robust fundraising plan and business model is in place;
- Supporting robust management of the organization’s consulting services/earned income activities;
- Personally considering O2 as a philanthropic priority in annual charitable donations commensurate with capacity and cultural considerations;
- Supporting the Executive Director in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual donors, corporate, and/or foundation gifts, where appropriate.
Board Terms & Commitment
O2 Board members serve a two-year term and are eligible for re-appointment for two additional terms. New Board members should be interested in serving a minimum of two terms (4-year commitment). Board meetings are held quarterly with a goal for one of those meetings to be in-person annually (typically a two day meeting in the Portland, OR area). Board members are also required to actively participate in one of two committees – Governance and Finance – which meet approximately every three months. The Treasurer role has additional responsibilities that can be discussed further with interested candidates.
Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for individuals looking to contribute to the mission of O2 through board service. We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications (recognizing not all qualifications will be held by one candidate):
- For the Treasurer role, finance, accounting (including nonprofit accounting) business (including consulting business) experience;
- Seafood industry experience in large/industrial-scale or small-scale fisheries;
- Professional and/or lived experience in the Asia-Pacific region where the majority of work occurs;
- Relationships in the funding community (foundation or high net worth individuals);
- Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals;
- A collaborative attitude, coupled with interest in practical problem solving and strategy development;
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of O2’s beneficiaries;
- A commitment to values of diversity, equity and inclusion and an interest in helping the organization strive for and demonstrate those values;
- Previous nonprofit/public benefit organization leadership experience is a plus.
Benefits
Service on O2’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to board members’ duties. Board members have an unique opportunity to gain new knowledge, experiences, insights and contacts through O2’s work and relationships, through which the organization seeks to provide value to its board members in recognition of their dedicated time and service.
To Submit Your Interest:
Please submit your interest via Workable.