Joining the Gardner Board of Trustees

The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences is a nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of unpaid volunteers whose role includes strategic planning, financial oversight, and setting broad school policy. Our job is to support the school and promote and uphold the mission of the organization: to cultivate authentic learning through integrated experiences in a supportive community.

The role of the Board of Trustees is to:

• Hire and provide supervision to the Head of School.

• Guide the long-term direction of the school.

• Ensure that Gardner is operated in a manner consistent with our mission, non-profit status, and applicable laws.

In Washington State, nonprofit trustees have a legal obligation to make decisions for the good of the School and its long-term ability to operate and achieve its mission.

Commitments of Trustees:

• Trustees serve 2-year terms, with an opportunity to extend for 2 additional terms (6 years total).

• Attend 6 board meetings and 1 annual retreat per year.

• Participate in fundraising efforts by making an annual financial contribution. There is no set amount, but rather trustees are asked to make a gift that is meaningful to them. We aim for 100% board giving each year.

• Respond to board correspondence as needed.

Additional Opportunities:

• Serve on or chair a committee. These include finance, development, governance, DEIB, facilities, strategic projects, etc.

• Volunteer for as-needed projects that fit your area of expertise.

• Participate in learning opportunities like online workshops.

• Serve in a leadership capacity as a member of the Executive Committee (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, or Secretary).

The Journey to Joining the Board

The Board of Trustees is comprised of volunteers who are passionate about advancing and supporting the Gardner School mission.

When someone is identified as a trustee candidate, they are invited to have a few conversations: one with the Head of School and one with the Board Chair and/or Governance Committee Chair. These conversations are a chance to see if the candidate is a good fit for the school and vice versa, and to answer any questions about the board in general. The candidate is also invited to attend an upcoming board meeting. If it’s a good fit, the candidate is invited to join the board and is “voted in” by the whole board. Our thorough onboarding process then eases the new trustee into their new role.

More questions? Reach out!
Sarah Grenert-Funk, Board Chair: boardchair@gardnerschool.org
Adriana Baer, Governance Committee Chair: abaer@gardnerschool.org