Through the Trees – Call for Governance Stewards

Role: Governance Board
Type: non-profit board positions / unpaid
Organization: Through the Trees Environmental Institute
Location: virtual in Ontario
Application Deadline: Rolling

Apply via the online form: https://wkf.ms/3UinENl

About Through the Trees

Through the Trees Environmental Institute (“Through the Trees”) is a research institute that studies how communities know, navigate, and sustain life through environmental change.

Through research, storytelling, and knowledge exchange, we examine how community knowledge, lived experience, anti-colonial approaches, and diverse ways of knowing can help reimagine adaptation in ways that are relational, just, and rooted in place. 

We work to strengthen the social, cultural, and relational infrastructures that sustain communities through environmental and social change. We believe this work requires not only meaningful relationships with communities, but also an organization capable of stewarding its resources, responsibilities, and commitments over time. 

About the Governance Board

Governance at Through the Trees is more than an administrative function. We approach it as a relational practice grounded in collective care, reciprocity, and accountability to the people, places, and future generations connected to our work.

We are looking for people who bring complementary skills, perspectives, and experiences and who are interested in contributing to an evolving organization. Relevant experience may include organizational leadership, financial  management, fundraising, legal governance, research, community organizing, environmental justice, or decolonial approaches to collaboration.

We welcome both experienced board members and people bringing relevant knowledge and a willingness to learn.

What Governance Stewards Contribute

Working alongside the leadership team, Governance Board members contribute to the organization's strategic development, accountability, and sustainability. Responsibilities include:

• Strategic guidance: Providing advice on organizational priorities, strategic plans, opportunities, and challenges, and helping ensure decisions remain aligned with Through the Trees' mission and values.
• Financial oversight: Reviewing annual budgets and financial reports, supporting responsible resource allocation, and helping safeguard the organization's financial health and long-term sustainability.
• Relationship-building: Sharing Through the Trees' work through existing networks and connecting the organization with values-aligned partners, funders, and collaborators where appropriate.
• Collective stewardship: Participating in governance discussions, exercising independent judgment, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting thoughtful, accountable decision-making.

As members of the organization's formal governing board, members also hold legal and fiduciary responsibilities associated with their roles as directors. These include acting in the organization's best interests, exercising appropriate care and diligence, and supporting compliance with applicable legal obligations and governing documents.

Time Commitment and Term

• Time commitment: Approximately 1–3 hours per month, alongside quarterly virtual board meetings. Occasional additional input may be requested as organizational needs arise.
• Term: One year, with the option to renew.
• Compensation: Governance Board positions are voluntary and unpaid. The Advisory Collective operates under a separate, honorarium-based model.

We aim to make participation meaningful and sustainable while respecting members' existing professional and community commitments.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome people with complementary skills and perspectives in areas such as:

• organizational and people management,
• financial systems,
• fund development,
• nonprofit law,
• decolonial governance,
• social and environmental justice,
• research and publishing
• community relationship-building

Above all, we are looking for people who are thoughtful, dependable, open to learning, and committed to stewarding an organization grounded in justice, care, and collective responsibility. Formal board experience is welcome but not required; prospective members should be prepared to undertake the responsibilities associated with formal board service.

Apply via the online form:
https://wkf.ms/3UinENl

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