What are the responsibilities and job description for the Founding Board Member position at The St. Cloud Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden?
The Saint Cloud Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden is looking for Volunteers to join the founding Board of Directors.
The mission of this project is to create a peaceful, reflective garden space in Saint Cloud, MN that honors pet-loss and celebrates the importance of the human-animal bond. The garden will feature a literal Rainbow Bridge (based on the popular pet-loss poem, "Rainbow Bridge"), where people are welcomed to leave mementos of their companion animals; such as collars and leashes. The project brings visibility to the impact pet-loss can have on a person's life. Some describe the loss of a companion animal and the emotions involved as "disenfranchised grief", which is grief that isn't understood or talked about openly, often even dismissed; contributing to increased feelings of isolation and loneliness for the grieving person. Creating this memorial garden space grows community, where people experiencing loss or perhaps celebrating their beloved animal's life & legacy; are understood.
Responsibilities:
As this is a new endeavor, you will essentially help to establish the organization and the groundwork for future operations. You will be a part of the "dream team"- envisioning the project's growth and role in our community, generating support and working towards the success of the garden. You will play a role in establishing the organization's structure, mission, vision, and direction. Board Members will be involved in marketing, fundraising, leadership, generating ideas, generating solutions as roadblocks arise, building community awareness, and working with local municipalities and organizations as needed in cooperation for the project mission. Board Members will also be involved in site planning and generating a list of possible garden sites. As this is a growing and therefore ever evolving project, duties and opportunities will change. Founding Board Members have the unique position to take on more development within the mission of this project in an effort to bring it to fruition. Roles and responsibilities are expected to form and change as the organization becomes more established.
Qualifications:
Most importantly; a dedication to the mission of this project. It is important to love both animals, and their people. It is important that you are able to see long-term & short-term goals. Flexibility is a must, as things may pivot without much warning. It is also important to have patience, as projects like this do take some time to find roots and grow.
St. Cloud or Central, Mn residents are preferred as immediate community members can offer knowledge and input others do not have, but we encourage anyone who is a MN resident with the passion for this project, to apply. Business experience, leadership experience, board experience, fundraising experience, marketing experience, pet- industry experience are all great. We would love to have a veterinarian, vet tech, physician, social worker, mental health practitioner, or veteran involved. These are some unique perspectives that could be very helpful in developing the garden, but are not necessary.