About Our Program

Urban Nature Partners PDX empowers youth from historically marginalized Portland communities through building long term mentoring relationships and providing access to meaningful outdoor experiences. Mentor-youth activities take place in easily accessible outdoor areas in and around Portland, are driven by the interests and abilities of each youth, and are relevant to a young person’s culture and background. Group events include their family members so everyone gets to enjoy all that our great urban greenspaces have to offer. For more information, go to: http://urban-nature-partners.org.

The UNP-PDX program was started in January 2014 by Founder and Director Kristin Bowling. 46 youth in 4th-9th grades have been enrolled with mentors since spring 2014, in 7 cohorts from Harrison Park, Cesar Chavez, and Harvey Scott Schools. 20 of those youth are currently enrolled and have been for between 2 months and 3 ½ years. Another annual recruitment is planned in Spring 2020, to expand the total number of enrolled youth as well as our neighborhood reach.

Board History

UNP-PDX was governed by an Administrative Committee for 3 years beginning in February 2016 as a consensus-based administrative support body. In February 2019, UNP-PDX received independent 501(c)(3) status, and transitioned to an official Board made up of 6 Directors.

Board Responsibilities 

As a young, grassroots organization, UNP-PDX requires a “working Board” to complement the work of its small staff and volunteers.  In addition to following bylaws and policies, UNP-PDX Board members agree to the following terms:

• Commit to a 1-3 year term of volunteer service as a Director at an average of 10 hours per month (more or less depending on the flow of work in a member’s focus area throughout the year); report hours monthly in a timely fashion.
• Attend the majority of quarterly or bi-monthly Board meetings, and schedule and attend work group meetings as needed with other Directors.

• Provide professional expertise and guidance to the Program Director, Board Directors, and other UNP-PDX volunteers and interns per each member’s knowledge and skill base, and represent UNP-PDX professionally and proactively in the community.

• Contribute a monthly donation in an amount that is meaningful to the committee member’s financial status. Help identify, publicize and attend at least one fundraising event per year, and help publicize and solicit individual donations and automatic giving program participation.

• Build connections to program operations and people by attending at least one group outing per year and one mentor happy hour training per year.

In 2020, we are especially seeking the following characteristics in new Board members: 

• People of color, from immigrant backgrounds, Spanish speakers, and others who share similar demographics and life experiences with the youth and families we serve. 
• A member willing to serve as Board President as the Program Director steps out of that role. 
• Folks willing to put expertise in fundraising/finance, marketing, legal issues, social work/youth services, and community organizing to work for a grassroots organization!

In 2020, we expect to focus on the following work in addition to ongoing tasks: 

• Completing our initial Policy documents. 
• Advancing our equity work, as a part of the Mentoring Collaborative and as an individual organization. 
• Supporting program expansion to a new school or neighborhood, including hiring additional staff support. 
• Continuing to significantly increase our ratio of unrestricted funds raised.

Directors may also be asked to assist with the following:

• Represent UNP-PDX at networking events and meetings; attend occasional trainings as available to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Identify, nominate and train new members to perpetuate the Board.
• Assist in recruiting new mentors, Advisory Committee members, and community partners.
• Give feedback on the work of other Board members and the Program Director, and self-evaluate.

Committee Benefits

Serving on the UNP-PDX Board of Directors provides the following benefits:

• The opportunity to make a significant contribution to the growth and success of a small, grassroots nonprofit.
• College credit available as desired.
• Opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills from fellow committee members; may shadow the Program Director or any member upon request.
• References provided for any future employment or education opportunity.

Applicants to the Board of Directors of Urban Nature Partners must agree to the terms and responsibilities outlined above, as well as the Bylaws, and sign and abide by a Conflict of Interest form. Attendance at an informational meeting in January 2020 is strongly suggested. 

To apply, please request an application from Founder/Director Kristin Bowling, Urban Nature Partners PDX, 2937 NE Glisan St., unit A, Portland, OR 97232, urbannaturepartnerspdx@gmail.com, 541-281-7162.