Becoming an Alliance Board Member

Who is an Alliance for the Great Lakes board member?

Our board members aspire to reflect the diversity of the Great Lakes and all share a passion for protecting our waters for today and tomorrow. Board members are influencers and networkers across fields: businesspeople, philanthropists, technical experts, community leaders, and communicators. Board members bring significant experience in strategic leadership and governance. They leverage their substantial personal and professional networks to increase our ability to move policy and raise money. They know how to make challenging and practical choices that always put the Alliance first. All board members are stewards who engage through committee membership, attendance at events, and volunteerism.

What does our board do?

The Board of Directors sets, guides and evaluates the Alliance’s strategic direction, ensures the integrity of organizational governance, and grows financial support. The Board Chair – President & CEO relationship is a partnership, and the engagement of the Board at the strategic level is both welcomed and expected. The Chair conducts an annual performance review of the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee. All Board members serve up to two consecutive three year-terms before being term-limited from the Board.

Our Board is essential to the organization, and is focused on formal governance, strategic guidance, network growth and fundraising to reinforce current strength and position the Alliance for future success. The Alliance staff sets annual work plans and manages the day-to-day work of the organization.

What are the benefits of joining the Alliance’s board?

Being an Alliance Board member is an incredibly rewarding experience, with benefits including:

• Connecting you with an opportunity to lead positive environmental change that includes and benefits a diversity of communities. The Great Lakes and clean water are an issue with deep popular support across our region.
• Strengthening connections between businesses, academia and civic organizations in the region and the work of protecting the Great Lakes. The Alliance has a long track record of productive relationships with businesses and other institutions committed to the sustainability of the Great Lakes through our volunteer programs and strategic policy and research initiatives.
• Activating your philanthropic relationships for the larger cause of Great Lakes protection. We have deep, longstanding relationships within the philanthropic community supporting Great Lakes work across the region and Board members help grown and strengthen that network.
• Becoming part of a community that converts issue knowledge and influential voices into actions that protect the Great Lakes. Our staff and Board include some of the foremost Great Lakes and water experts and advocates in the country.

If you’re ready to stand up for our Great Lakes, let’s talk! Please connect with President & CEO Joel Brammeier (jbrammeier@greatlakes.org) and Nominating Committee Chair Nicole Chavas (nchavas@greatlakes.org).

Download more information about joining our board.