Help us build, program, and promote the Lafitte Greenway as a great public space.

Call for board members: 2018-2021 Term

Application Deadline: Friday, January 5, 2018

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 amenity 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. Friends of Lafitte Greenway is the City of New Orleans’ official partner, working together to program, develop, and steward the Greenway.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is a community-driven organization, guided by a Board of Directors, members, volunteers, and staff. Our mission is to build, program, and promote the Lafitte Greenway as a great public space.

During your 3-year tenure the organization has big plans to: 

• Develop a strategic plan in 2018 to define programmatic and development goals
• Strengthen our partnership with NORD and the City of New Orleans to ensure that the Greenway is a safe, vibrant, and active public space
• Increase membership, sponsorship, and grant revenue
• Support capital projects on the Greenway, such as community gardens and the Greenway’s extension, and advance the community’s vision for the Greenway
• Grow our Health, Nature, and Community programs 

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:

• Alignment with Friends of Lafitte Greenway's mission
• Knowledge and connections to the communities along the Lafitte Greenway
• Accounting experience
• Fundraising experience and / or commitment to implementing fundraising strategy
• Landscape architecture & urban planning expertise
• Public Health experience
• Access to diverse political and community networks
• Previous nonprofit experience
• Ability to commit to serve at least one 3 year term
• Prior participation with Friends of Lafitte Greenway as a member or volunteer is appreciated 

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, national origin, religion, creed, culture, ancestral history, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or domestic partner status, physical or mental disability, or AIDS- or HIV- status.

Availability: Our board members serve on alternate rotating terms. This 3-year term begins in January 2018. 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 about 5-15 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. Additionally, 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 Seat Available: Friends of Lafitte Greenway is seeking to fill 4 board seats for the 2018-2021 board term.

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, Greenway Soirée, 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.

To apply for a board member position: Please submit a letter-of-interest and resume or equivalent to the Nominating Committee at [email protected] by Friday, January 5^th, 2018.

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. Jeffrey J. Thomas, Chair— Attorney, Thomas Strategies, LLC
2. Kevin P. Centanni, Vice-Chair— President, Controlled Entropy
3. Mary Matthews, Treasurer — Executive Director, 504ward
4. Darby Shields, Secretary — Cyclist & Advocate
5. Dawn J. Anuszkiewicz — Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Baptist
6. Charles Barclay — Asset Manager, Stirling Properties
7. Clarence A. Becknell, Sr. — Historian & Director of Public Relations, Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club
8. Susannah Burley — Director, Sustaining Our Urban Landscape
9. Foster Duncan — Operating Partner, Bernhard Capital Partners
10. Jimmy Dunn — Commercial Relationship Manager, IBERIABANK
11. John Hopper — Chief Development Officer & Director of Public Affairs, New Orleans City Park
12. Eric Van Hoven — Branch Manager & Lender, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust.
13. Ernest Johnson — Director, Ubuntu Village NOLA
14. Antonia Keller — Director of Operations, Emeril Lagasse Foundation
15. Seth Levine — Business Lawyer & Partner, Jones Walker LLP
16. Demetric Mercadel — Public Affairs, Senior Customer Service Specialist, Entergy New Orleans, Inc.
17. Natalie Mitchell — Government Relations & Campaign Strategist
18. Andreanecia Morris — Director, HousingNOLA
19. Leonetta Terrell — St. Peter Claver Catholic Church’s Local Organizing Ministry & Social Worker 
20. Rev. Dr. Dwight Webster — Senior and Founding Pastor, Christian Unity Baptist Church  
21. Jared Zeller — Founder and Executive Officer, MotherShip Foundation & Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo