Boards and Committees

 
General Duties of the Board of Directors
 
 
 
 
 

  

2010 Officers
Rusty Lee President 770.889.2822
DeAnn Fordham President-Elect 770.992.2055, x226
Dawn Willis Secretary 478.477.3232, x311
Sarah Visser Treasurer 678.476.6228

  

 

The Board manages the affairs of the organization, and board members are the ultimate stewards of the Council’s mission, programs and policies. Board members are expected to attend the four Quarterly Meetings of the Council membership (the 4th meeting being the Annual Conference) in addition to Board Meetings approximately 2 weeks prior to the regular meetings. Board members are also ambassadors of the organization, representing the Council and its programs throughout Georgia and bringing new members and constituents to our group.

 

The organization’s Standing Committees include Executive, Finance, Nominations, Membership, Governance and Educational Resources. Other committees include Annual Awards, Grants, Education, Landmark & Historic Trees, and Conference Committee. Typically, these committees are chaired by board members, though others may serve on them as well.

 

Election to the board is an opportunity to participate on the front line of community forestry in Georgia.

 

2009 Board of Directors
    Phone
Bill Alexander   912.674.7633
Charles J. Bethel   706.529.2100
Preston Duffie   706.868.3484
Eric Gansauer   706.653.4160
Barbara H. Gallo   404.888.0169
Stephen J. Johnston   770.938.0642
Bill Haws   912.651.3612
Lisa Lightfoot   478.783.4975
John W. Mixon   770.567.0495
Rob Ryan   404.248.1960
Adrian Sasine   770.402.7620
India Woodson   404.371.4913
 Gary Wilkens    770.905.9369
Warren Williams   678.343.3241
EX OFFICIO    
Susan Reisch, Georgia Forestry Commission, U&CF Coordinator   678.476.6227
Joan Scales, Georgia Forestry Commission, Partnership Coordinator   678.476.6226

 

Mary Lynne Beckley, Executive Director

Neil Norton, Membership/Tech Coordinator

Peg Bumgardner, Bookkeeping

 

2009 Committees: Finance Nominating Membership Governance Awards Grants Educational Resources Landmark & Historic Trees

 

Finance
Chair: Sarah Visser

 

Chaired by the Treasurer to manage the financial affairs, business and policies of the corporation. Ensures all necessary legal forms are filed. Helps develop and update accounting, tax and legal procedures for Council, Council employees, and Council contractors. Establishes and monitors the Council’s fiscal year budget. Interacts closely with all committees with respect to allocations. Prepares income statements and balance sheets for the Board of Directors at meeting intervals . Conducts an annual internal audit or ensures external audit by CPA has been accomplished and was satisfactory.

 

Nominating
Chair: Eric King, Past-President

 

This Committee ensures a sustained and viable operation by overseeing and managing board leadership. Seeking a board that can best facilitate the mission and programs of the Council, this committee develops and prepares a slate of candidates, contacts all candidates to ensure a level of commitment and willingness and ability to serve, submits the slate to board members for board vote, submits a slate of officers to the general membership for their vote, informs candidates of results and ensures that the presentations are made at the Annual Conference or other appropriate time.

 

Membership
Chair: Adrian Sasine

 

Works closely with the Executive Director and Board to institute and improve membership processes; rewrite and republish as necessary the membership documents, brochures, recruitment packages, etc.; ensure timely mailings of renewal letters and membership cards; target potential new members; and helps to prepare membership database and directory.

 

Governance
Chair: Eric King, Past-President

 

Addresses Council procedural issues as requested by the membership or Board of Directors. Researches and recommends procedures for changing By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, etc. as needed. Ensures that proper requirements are being fulfilled each year, such as Annual Reports filed, nomination procedures done as specified by By-Laws. Generally makes sure that the Council is operating under correct policies and procedures.

 

Awards
Chair: Eric King

 

Promotes, coordinates and creates all aspects of the awards process. This includes publication and mailing of the nomination brochure, selection of nominees, reviewing and deciding the awardees and notification to them. Works with the publicity committee on publicizing the event and receiving press coverage. Works with the Conference Committee for awards luncheon location, presentation arrangements and all associated tasks to do with the awards ceremony. Responsible for identifying the tree that will be painted for the awards and commissions the painter, or suggests and arranges for alternative award.

 

Grants
Chair: India Woodson

 

Works with committee to implement GUFC’s “Tree Legacy Grant Program,” (funding from the Home Depot Foundation) which assists Georgia communities in tree planting projects mitigating environmental issues. Also works with the Georgia Forestry Commission to review Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grant applications. Promotes grant opportunities in local areas and provides technical assistance in preparing grant applications.

 

Educational Resources
Chair: DeAnn Fordham, President-Elect

 

Facilitate ideas and develop educational programming to further the Council’s mission. Works closely with the Executive Director to identify and market programs to target groups.

 

Landmark & Historic Tree Register
Chair: Rusty Lee

 

Responsible for promotion, researching, receiving nominations and reviewing applications for tree nominations. Assembles an award ceremony, certificate or plaque. Maintains records of Landmark and Historic Trees in perpetuity.