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Starting in 2026, the Emerging Professionals Board is a group of dedicated early career professionals who seek to increase awareness and involvement about the Garden among their peers while gaining valuable professional development for later career development. The ultimate goal for service is to increase the diversity of our membership demographics while hosting events and classes to help us fulfill our mission: to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Botanic Garden.

Membership

Every Board member is required to be a current member of the Botanic Garden at éÙ×ÓÊÓƵ at the level of your choosing.

Participation

Each Board member is expected to serve on one of the four Committees of the Board: Adult Education Events, Youth Education & Events, Family Education & Events, or Outreach Education & Events. Each Board member is expected to attend full board meetings as scheduled (generally monthly), and to attend (sub)committee meetings of the Board as applicable.

Every member is required to raise a minimum of $250 through corporate donations, personal checks, or memberships purchased.

Each member should also be present for major Board produced events.

Volunteer Hours

Each Board member should expect to commit 2-6 hours monthly to Board activities (meetings, committees, fundraising, and/or events) to maintain member status.

Opportunities To Secure Hours

• Board generated events
• Spring &; Fall Members’ Parties and Plant Sales
• Major Events i.e. Gala/Derby Party, etc
• Gather & Grow
• Community Outreach

Quick Facts

The purpose of the Young Professionals Board is to act as a liaison between the Gardens and the community by promoting the Garden’s mission, operations, programs, events, and activities; and to support these activities with funding and advocacy.

• The Board consists of up to 30 members.
• To serve on the Board you must be at least 24 years of age and not yet reached 45.
• Board members are required to be members of the Botanic Garden.
• Board members may choose their preferred membership level.
• The Board is responsible for creating and managing events to generate awareness and interest and raise funds in the 20something- to 40something year-old demographic, including young professionals and students.
• Each member of the Board is expected to raise at least $250, either through corporate donations, personal checks or memberships purchased.
• The Board is divided into four (4) committees: Adult Education & Events, Youth Education & Events, Family Education & Events, or Outreach Education & Events. Each member is required to serve on a committee of their choice.
• The officers of the Board are President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary and Immediate Past President (ex officio). The executive committee includes the officers plus the chairs of each committee.

The terms of membership on the Board are one or two years. Terms for Officers of the Board are:

• Treasurer and Secretary serve one-year terms. President and Vice President are two-year terms with the VP serving the 2nd year as Board President and Board President moving to Immediate Past President.
• The Board is self-managed: The executive committee chooses the nominees for consideration annually; the full Board votes on new members each April.
• The Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
• Individuals may nominate themselves or another by filling out the nomination form.
• All nominees must also submit a resume to be considered.

Important Dates

Application Due Date: March 25, 2026

Board Announcement: April 2026

First Meeting: Tuesday, April 1, 2026