Advice and Consent

The people who lead the way

This article originally appeared in our newsletter, Landmarks, Winter 2008

There was a perhaps a time when being on a nonprofit Board was mostly an honor. You paid your money and took your seat. If those days ever existed, they are certainly gone. The modern Board members have a big job to do: they are ultimately responsible for the organization; they supervise the Executive Director; they are responsible for financial oversight; they are public ambassadors and financial supporters. Critically, a good Board will reflect the community served by the nonprofit and be deeply knowledgeable about the issues involved. The Land Trust’s Board plays all these roles.

Less than two years ago our Board adopted a new strategic plan that called for an ambitious program of land protection. Part of that plan included expanding the Board itself. Since then we’ve added five new Board members, who join nine who remain. Our new members are: Katherine Beiers, Val Cole, Cathleen Eckhardt, Cindy Rubin, and Sue Sheuerman. We like this mix of old and new members and the broad array of skills and community connections our board members have.

As we mark the 30th anniversary of our founding, we are fortunate to have still with us two of our three founders – Lloyd Williams, our outgoing Board President, and John Gilchrist, the new Board President. It seems fitting that we will celebrate our 30th year with a founder as Board President. John is also head of our active Lands Committee. In fact, it was John who suggested we approach the Millirons about donating an easement on their land.

Click here to find out more about our Board members.

During the last couple years we have also expanded our list of advisors. These aren’t just names on our letterhead, but people we actually turn to for advice. We would like to thank them for their help in the past year – and for the advice we will seek from them in the year ahead.

Our trusted advisors: Stephany Aguilar, John Barnes, Karen Christensen, Diane Cooley, Sam Earnshaw, George Gallucci, Fred Keeley, Ken Kimes, John Laird, Bud McCrary, Carlos Palacios, Ana Ventura Phares, Daniel Press, Miles Reiter, Sally-Christine Rodgers, Audrey Rust, Mark Silberstein, Robert Stephens, and Jeffrey Werner. •

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