The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University has launched the Emerging Professionals Board, a new opportunity for early career leaders to deepen their community engagement while advancing the Garden’s mission to protect, nurture and share the wonders of the natural world. 

The board will consist of up to 30 members with no more than 10 years of experience in their profession who are, or become, members of the Garden upon joining. Members will serve a term of one or two years while actively contributing to the board’s work. Each member serves on one of four committees: adult education and events, youth education and events, family education and events, or outreach education and events. Members will also attend monthly meetings on the third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and committee meetings.

“This is a really exciting initiative that I am personally enthusiastic about, as this board is aimed at bringing a broader audience into the Garden,” said Todd Beasley, Ed.D., director of the Botanic Garden.

In addition to their leadership and planning responsibilities, board members will support the Garden’s mission through fundraising and event engagement. Each member is required to raise a minimum of $250 annually through corporate donations, personal contributions or membership purchases. Members are also expected to participate in signature initiatives such as plant sales, member celebrations, major fundraising events and community outreach programs. Board service will require a commitment of two to six hours per month on average.

The Emerging Professionals Board is self-managed, with officers including a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary, along with committee chairs who serve on the executive committee. The board is supported by Beasley and Trent Davis, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies, who serve as institutional advisors connecting the board to the Garden’s broader strategic direction.

“By having Dr. Trent Davis, a Georgia Southern expert on nonprofit organizational management, working with us to mentor participants, the professional development opportunity we are offering should deepen the experience our next generation of leaders can showcase for future service,” said Beasley.

For emerging leaders seeking to invest their time and talent in a growing regional treasure, the Emerging Professionals Board offers an opportunity to lead with purpose while cultivating community impact. Individuals may nominate themselves or others by completing the nomination form. Applications must be submitted by April 10 with the first meeting taking place on April 21.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.