By: Eileen Oldfield – Staff Writer
The Hillsborough Education Foundation hopes to add between five and 10 members to its board, with the hope that more input will help it achieve its goals – more education opportunities in local schools and in the community.
"We need individuals that reflect the demographics of Hillsborough: geographically, ethnically and age-wise, with diverse intellects and expertise," Susan Sturges Spagnola, HEF president, said. " … We believe that, as an organization whose mission is to support the education and cultural needs of an entire community, we can do even more with a larger board with the expertise that is needed to grow and sustain the organization."
The foundation has a 10-member board currently, and is looking for newcomers who are prepared to help fundraise for the HEF’s programs, support the educational and cultural needs in town, and assist in creating a strategy for the organization, Ms. Sturges Spagnola said.
"HEF is different from the traditional local education foundation in that it supports not only enhancements for public education, but community education and cultural programs for residents of all ages," Ms. Sturges Spagnola said. "That being said, the current budget crisis has clearly impacted public schools. Because of the reduced funding for public education, we feel we need to focus more attention on doing what we can to get more access to the best education that we can provide."
Board member duties include contributing skills, experience and knowledge to the organization, suggesting possible board members to the other board members, serving on at least one board committee, supporting the HEF functions, suggesting items for the foundation’s meeting agendas, and assisting in the HEF’s fundraising efforts.
While there is no deadline for applying to be a board member, the organization hopes to have at least five members in place by September, Ms. Sturges Spagnola said.
Interested residents can contact any HEF board member to apply for the slots, Ms. Sturges Spagnola said. Board member email addresses are available on the HEF website at www.hef.org/board-members. After receiving the applications, the existing HEF board members will meet with the applicants for an interview, and would be contacted if selected for the positions, she added.
