​Nominating Committee Needs for 2024

There are many ways that people can serve as a volunteer for Ferry Beach. The board has some specific needs this year because of several challenges. See below for other opportunities.

Criteria for Filling Board Positions for 2024: Nominations will have a strong showing in these categories.

• We need a banker, financial person with strong financial background and some connections to lending institutions in the region.
• Political connections in Maine or in the region. Willing to use their social capital to support Ferry Beach.
• Fund development experience (special events, philanthropy)
• Board experience. Understanding what boards do, familiar with the legal requirements of boards.
• Proven Leadership skills.
• All board members are asked to give a gift to the organization at the level that is generous for their finances.
• Ability to help connect Ferry Beach with resources, both financial and connected to a larger community of people with means. (This may mean setting up a lunch for our Executive Director, hosting a tour of the campus, or referring Ferry Beach to groups looking to have a conference or workshop).
• Local/regional connections that help Ferry Beach build a robust regional support network.
• Looking for persons who are representative of groups and skills NOT currently represented on the board, including constituent groups. (We are looking for members who represent the larger regional/national community, conferences that occur from September – May, summer conferences not currently represented on the board (currently F&F and GAYLA).

Ferry Beach is looking for individuals who can help us further our efforts in our strategic plan from 2018-2024 along with advancing those goals into the creation of our strategic plan for the next 6 years. Relevant connections to the strategic plan include:

“Ferry Beach practices robust Policy Governance which encourages an engaged membership. Comprehensive policies guide operating procedures and are consistent with our mission, fiduciary and legal responsibilities.”

• We adopted a Policy Governance Model in 2018 and have created policies related to our work, our mission, and our campus. We developed additional policies that helped us implement a 365 day a year operation.
• We restate our Articles of Incorporation and By Laws consistent with Maine Law in 2018.

• We are continuing to diversify representation on the Board. Ferry Beach has a wide variety of constituents and members who attend conferences, workshops, and other activities on our campus.

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“Ferry Beach implements a comprehensive leadership development program for staff and volunteers (board and program volunteers), emphasizing diversity, with clear paths to participation and leadership.

• Broaden representation of and pathways to leadership.
• Implement consistent on-boarding process for staff, volunteers and Board.
• Expand leadership development opportunities.
• Develop evaluation and feedback processes for leadership development and growth.”

Process:
Ferry Beach Nominating Committee will seek referrals for board candidacy from now through April 1, 2024. A candidate form will be sent to those inquiries and referrals. Please return this to: Nominating Committee. (link to form).

From April 1st, through May 10th , the Nominating Committee will review candidates and make recommendations for board positions. The Nominating Committee will inform the membership of the names of candidates for inclusion at the upcoming Annual Meeting at least 6 weeks in advance of the meeting. The Annual Meeting in 2024 will be on June 22 in Rowland Hall Auditorium at 1:15pm.

Some Responsibilities of the Board:
The legal responsibilities of boards are included in these articles.

Ferry Beach Board:

• Meets for an official meeting 6 times a year: every other month on the third Thursday. Committees meet on the other month on the third Thursday. The Executive Committee meets every other month on the third Thursday during committee meeting months.
• Most of the board meetings are on zoom or are hybrid. The board retreat is in person as is the Annual Meeting on the campus in Saco, Maine.
• Ferry Beach board is a policy governance board. 
• The board had been staffing an auction for fundraising and is looking to do something in the future to address our responsibilities as board members for fund development.

Other Ways You Can Serve:
Board membership is not for everyone. Some people find the process of governance, fundraising, and financial oversight tedious. However, there are other ways to serve Ferry Beach.

You can become a Beachkeeper:

• Attend a short training on the history of Ferry Beach and the importance of volunteerism to a not for profit organization.
• Become a sustaining donor of at least $15/month.
• Attend work day opportunities at Ferry Beach to help with grounds, maintenance, office activities, data base management and more.

You can become a member of a Task Force on a specific topic or issue.

You can become a Coordinator, Musician, Chaplain or Workshop Leader for a conference or create a conference at Ferry Beach.

You can volunteer for special events to work in the dining room or in program set up and activities.

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Approved by the Nominating Committee, February 15, 2024.