Board Member, Mid-Hudson Energy Transition

Job Title: Board Member, Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, Inc.

Location: Based in Kingston, NY, accepting applications throughout the region

Purpose: Through the activities of the Board, or its committees, Board Members help lead Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) by determining organizational mission and purpose, hiring and evaluating the Executive Director, ensuring effective planning, monitoring and strengthening programs and services, ensuring adequate resources through fundraising, protecting assets and providing financial oversight, building a competent and diverse board, ensuring legal and ethical integrity, maintaining accountability, and enhancing the organization’s public standing.

About Us: MHET is a New York not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization formed in 2021. Our mission is to empower municipalities, their residents, and businesses to own and share renewable energy, create healthier buildings, and join in community wealth-building to strengthen the resilience of the Hudson Valley in the face of climate change.

Our approach is centered on compassion, local knowledge, and fostering community ownership of shared clean energy resources that advance meaningful climate action. We engage and build on the active involvement of communities, and their elected and grassroots leaders, with particular emphasis on low-income, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color that have been disproportionately harmed by the extractive energy economy and continue to experience the effects of climate change first and worst.

Responsibilities:

• Board Meetings and Committees
  • Attend quarterly board meetings (preferably in-person in Kingston, NY) and annual retreats.
  • Participate in MHET committee work. We currently have three Board committees: the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, and Audit Committee. We anticipate adding a Community Relations Committee, Fundraising Committee, and possibly others.
• Strategic Leadership:
  • Collaborate with fellow board members and leadership to define and implement strategic priorities aligned with the organization's mission and vision.
  • Provide visionary insights that contribute to MHET’s growth and impact.
• Community Engagement:
  • Actively engage with local communities to understand their needs, ensuring initiatives align with the diverse perspectives within the communities we serve.
• Financial Oversight: 
  • Provide financial expertise and oversight to optimize investment strategies, ensure prudent risk management, and maximize returns.
  • Actively participate in discussions related to financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):
  • Champion DEI principles within the organization and actively seek opportunities to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.
• Advocacy and Fundraising:
  • Advocate for the organization's mission within the community, fostering partnerships and representing MHET at relevant events.
  • Actively contribute to fundraising initiatives, leveraging personal networks and expertise.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
  • Contribute legal expertise to ensure strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulations governing community investment and financial operations.
• General Fiduciary Responsibilities of Not-for-Profit Board Members:
  • Duty of Care: Act in good faith, stay informed, disclose material information, and exercise independent judgment.
  • Duty of Loyalty: Act in the best interests of MHET, disclose potential conflicts of interest, and refrain from participating in conflicting decisions.
  • Duty of Obedience: Act in a manner consistent with MHET's articles of incorporation, by-laws, and tax-exempt status.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of MHET, emphasizing a dedication to equity, inclusion, and community engagement, with an understanding of intersectionality.
• Expertise in clean energy, community engagement, fundraising, law, policy, communications, government, workforce development or related fields highly valued.
• Reside in or have a strong connection to the Hudson Valley or the broader region; preference given to local candidates.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Previous involvement in board governance or leadership roles is desirable, but not mandatory.
• An understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within BIPOC and marginalized communities.
• Familiarity with environmental justice principles and a passion for addressing climate change at the community level.
• Capacity to contribute to fundraising initiatives and leverage personal networks for the benefit of MHET.

Term:

Board members serve an initial 1-year term, after which they are eligible for subsequent three-year terms to provide continuity and foster a long-term commitment to MHET's mission and vision.

Time Commitment:

Board members are expected to attend quarterly board meetings and an annual board retreat, participate in committee work, and engage in occasional community events. The estimated time commitment is approximately 2-4 hours per month.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

Our Board of Directors strives to be a diverse group of clean energy experts and community members local to the Hudson Valley or the larger region. As we continue to work towards a more equitable and inclusive future, it is important that our Board and staff reflect the diversity of the community we serve. Our objective is to ensure strong representation from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, with special attention to those who are also non-binary, genderqueer, or transgender, LGBTQI+, from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and local to the Mid-Hudson region. Through a dedicated effort to prioritize the recruitment of Board members possessing diverse intersectional identities and unique skill sets, MHET aims to enhance its ability to fulfill its mission and positively impact the communities we serve.

Application Process:

The application deadline is April 5, 2024. Please include a resume and a cover letter detailing your alignment with MHET's mission and values. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. For inquiries or assistance with the application process, please reach out to Emily Mauro at emily@mid-hudson.energy. 

We look forward to receiving your application and appreciate your interest in joining MHET's dedicated Board of Directors!