This project is governed by a Board, selected by the civil society community around the CBD following each Conference of Parties (COP). We have just completed our selection of Board members for the 2009-2010 Term. However, if you are interested in becoming a Board member in the futre, the roles and responsibilities for a Board member are as follows:
Board Responsibilities
In general, the Board is responsible for overseeing host organization’s general work around the CBD. They are not ‘representative’ of their region – (although the Board is composed regionally) but rather lend their experience and ideas – they advise. More specifically, they are responsible for:
• Actively participating in decisions relating to general project direction, including proposal development and governance;
• Sharing expertise and ideas to consider and implement on behalf of civil society community;
• Providing feedback on projects as they develop; and
• Participating in sub-committees where relevant and possible.
Time Commitment:
Recognizing that this is a voluntary position, and the time constraints of all involved, the host organization and co-coordinators will endeavor to make communications as streamlined as possible. Generally this means that the time alloted for a major discussion is generally once a month. Issues requiring more detailed and continous discussion will be sent to sub-committees.
Note: If an Board member does not respond to emails for several months, we must consider that they do not want to be involved any longer, or are unable to be involved any longer.
Board qualifications
• Civil Society affiliation (not necessarily paid staff, but a representative of some sort)
• Familiarly with CBD process or intends to be actively involved on a policy level
Board Configuration
Will remain as outlined below, with regional and demographic considerations (11 board members). However, exceptions should be made to add important issue-oriented people – depending on major subjects to be discussed at COP 9
Regional (one from each): Latin America, Middle East/Central Asia, North America, Europe, Russia/CIS, Asia, Oceania, and Africa
Indigenous: 2 representatives from the International Indigenous Forum for Biodiversity
COP host representatives: 1 from the past COP9 host country community of NGOs and one for the upcoming COP10 host country community of NGOs.
Board member selection
• Should be open up to listserver for nominations – based on areas needing to be filled
• If there is more than one nomination per region/area then move to regional self selection, based on who is most familiar with upcoming issues of importance to the CBD Alliance, while paying attention to gender and other important considerations (i.e. filling thematic holes).
• Based on the regional decision, the current Board members then approve and/or helps make the final decision.
Meetings of Board
• In conjunction with CBD related meetings (i.e. SBSTTAs and COPs)
• Funding to Board members to attend meetings not only for attending the CBD Alliance Board meetings but to be actively involved in issues under discussion at meeting