Help ensure that the Greenway is a safe, vibrant, and active community asset.

Call for board members: 2019-2022 Term | Printable Version

To apply for a board member position: Please submit a letter-of-interest and resume or equivalent to Friends of Lafitte Greenway’s Nominating Committee at [email protected] by Thursday, December 20^th, 2018.

About Friends of Lafitte Greenway:

Friends of Lafitte Greenway was formed in early 2006 by New Orleans community members who saw an opportunity to rethink the city's landscape to enhance livability, environmental sustainability, open space equity, and health. The organization built a network of diverse constituents who shared its vision of preserving the continuous open space in the former Lafitte rail corridor, and developing a Greenway that encourages active living, facilitates economic development, and links adjacent neighborhoods, cultural features, historic sites, retail areas, and public spaces.

The Lafitte Greenway opened in November 2015 as a 2.6 mile pedestrian and bike path and linear park, connecting neighborhoods from Armstrong Park to City Park. The backbone of New Orleans bike network, the Greenway is now used by 300,000 people annually.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway (Friends) is the City of New Orleans’ official partner, working together to program, develop, and steward the Greenway. Friends is a community-driven organization, guided by a Board of Directors, members, volunteers, and staff.

Mission: To build, program, and promote the Lafitte Greenway as a great public space.

Vision: A healthy and vibrant public space that connects people to nature, their destinations, and each other.

During your 3-year tenure the organization has big plans to implement our newly adopted Strategic Plan including:

• Strengthen community engagement and communications.
• Increase individual giving and corporate support.
• Grow our partnership with the City of New Orleans.
• Implement policies, programs, and projects to ensure that:
  • The Greenway is a community-oriented and highly used public space.
  • The Greenway serves as a transportation connector, safely linking neighborhoods and destinations.
  • Nature on the Greenway is beautiful and functional.

We ask that you are willing to work as a team and openly share ideas. Additionally, we seek candidates with any or all of the following attributes:

• Local business owners and community residents.
• Commitment to helping Friends achieve its fundraising goals through network development and personal giving.
• Knowledge and connections to the communities along the Lafitte Greenway.
• Access to diverse political and community networks.
• Ability to serve at least one 3-year term.    
• Prior participation with Friends of Lafitte Greenway as a member or volunteer is appreciated.

Availability: Our board members serve on alternate rotating terms. This 3-year term begins in January 2019. After the first 3-year term, board members may be invited to renew for a second 3-year term.

Commitment Details: As a volunteer working board, board members commit approximately 4-10 hours per month on tasks such as attending board meetings (7 per year), participation on at least one committee (committees include: Fund Development, Planning & Design, Finance, Growing the Greenway, Community Engagement, & Event Planning). Attendance at occasional events such as the Annual Hike, Greenway Soirée, and Member Happy Hours at businesses along the Greenway is encouraged. Other responsibilities include bringing your networking resources and becoming a champion of our shared cause.

Fundraising Support: A chief responsibility of our board members is to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization. As such, board members are asked to collectively (as a board) make a pledge of securing annually a minimum of $100,000 in total through a combination of personal donations and other fundraising strategies (such as recruiting new members, identifying grant opportunities, and assisting with donor cultivation).

Benefits: We are an all-volunteer board. Benefits of joining the board of directors include: giving back to the community while gaining excellent experience working hand-in-hand with like-minded folks, being a part of shaping the future of a world-class Greenway, becoming familiar with current urban planning issues in New Orleans, and networking with local civic leaders.

Number of Seats Available: Friends of Lafitte Greenway is seeking to fill 5 board seats for the 2019-2022 board term. New board members will be elected by the organization’s membership at the January 2019 Annual Membership Meeting.

Other Ways to Get Involved: Friends of Lafitte Greenway’s work is driven by our committees, composed of community volunteers, board members, and staff. Joining our committees as a volunteer is a great way to support the organization, and is often a path to board membership. Please consider volunteering on one of our committees, whether or not the joining the board is right for you: Community Engagement, Fund Development, Greenway Soirée, Growing the Greenway Community Gardens, Greenway Hike, Trail Extension, and Planning and Design. Committees are open to all members of Friends of Lafitte Greenway. Join or renew your membership at lafittegreenway.org/membership. Contact [email protected] for information about getting involved.

Inclusivity: Friends of Lafitte Greenway is committed to community engagement and strives to include a diversity of voices in the process of programming and planning for improvements on the Greenway. We are looking for board members representing a broad range of backgrounds and communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partner status, marital status, physical or mental disability, or AIDS- or HIV-status.

Please Share! Do you know somebody passionate about the Lafitte Greenway who would be a good candidate? Send them this announcement. We are looking for board members and committee members representing a broad range of backgrounds and communities.

Current Board Members: New board members will join an accomplished and passionate group of leaders, working to build a healthier, more vibrant New Orleans community.

1. Kevin Centanni (Board Chair), Owner, Rosedale Restaurant
2. Natalie Mitchell (Vice-Chair), Political Strategist
3. Larissa Muetzel (Treasurer), Quickbooks Pro Advisor
4. Darby Shields (Secretary), Cycling Advocate
5. Dawn J. Anuszkiewicz, CEO, Ochsner Baptist
6. Charles Barclay, Asset Manager, Stirling Properties
7. Susannah Burley, Executive Director, Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL)
8. Foster Duncan, Operating Partner, Bernhard Capital Partners
9. Ellen Frischhertz, Board Member, Liberty’s Kitchen
10. John Hopper, Fundraising Professional
11. Ernest Johnson, Executive Director, Ubuntu Village
12. Antonia Keller, Vice President, Emeril Lagasse Foundation
13. Stosh Kozlowski, Principal Transportation Planner, Transdev / Regional Transit Authority
14. Seth Levine, Business Lawyer & Partner, Jones Walker LLP
15. Demetric Mercadel, Public Affairs, Senior Customer Specialist, Entergy New Orleans LLC
16. Andreanecia Morris, Executive Director, HousingNOLA
17. Kevin Stephens, Sr. MD, Senior Pastor, Christian Unity Baptist Church
18. Charles Stewart, Loan Officer, IBERIABANK
19. Leonetta Terrell, Local Organizing Ministry Member, St. Peter Claver Church
20. Jeffrey Thomas, Principal, Thomas Strategies LLC