Solar Oregon is a non-profit membership organization providing public education and community outreach to encourage Oregonians to choose solar energy. We are a 501(c)(3) membership-based, non-profit, educational organization with over 20 years of history supporting solar energy throughout the state.

Solar Oregon consists of volunteers, members, board members, and staff. The current staffing level includes the Executive Director and the Program and Events Director.  Committees guide and implement Solar Oregon's programs.

Please contact us if you are interested in joining Solar Oregon's Board of
Directors or participating in one of our committees.

Board of Directors

Board members are the heart and soul of Solar Oregon. Since its inception, Solar Oregon has depended on the commitment and dedication of its Board of Directors to accomplish its mission. The Board is a genial group of professionals and business people who are devoted to making a difference in Oregon’s energy future.

Solar Oregon has a working board of 7-13. Typical terms are 2 years unless replacing a current board member. Board members are required to be Solar Oregon members, but may be residents of other States. Potential board members are nominated by the Board for their interest, experience, geographic representation, connections, and skills. Approved board members are elected at the Annual meeting. Board members may also be nominated from the floor during the annual meeting and recommended by the board during the year to replace vacancies.

Board meeting schedule:
Saturday, January 5, 2008, 9am-3pm
Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 4-7pm
Wednesday June 18, 2008, 4-7pm
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4-7pm
Saturday, November 15, 2008, 1-3:30pm (Annual Meeting), 3:30-4:30pm

Board Member Responsibilities

Legal Responsibilities

As described in the organization bylaws, the Board of Directors exercises the powers, privileges and rights of the corporation and makes necessary policies and regulations for the guidance of its officers and staff. The Board of Directors employs the Executive Director and other employees, fixes compensation, prescribes duties and delegates powers consistent with the bylaws. The Board also establishes standing and ad-hoc committees and is responsible for the fiscal as well as organizational well-being of the corporation.

Duties

The duties of the board include attending 4 quarterly meetings a year one of which is the annual meeting. The meeting schedule is set at the board meeting following the annual meeting. Although recently the board meetings have been in the Willamette Valley, member geographic distribution influences meeting locations. The annual meeting is typically in mid October of each year. Board members attend board meetings and provide program management and support by serving on Committees or by organizing events.

Fiscal Responsibilities

Board members are expected, as either individuals or as representatives of their companies or firms, to participate financially in supporting Solar Oregon’s work, including:

• Maintaining Solar Oregon membership at the $100 level per year
• Providing (or securing from another source) $500 in donations or sponsorships

Officers

Officers are elected annually from the members of the Board of Directors. Officers consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Clerk. Officers are part of the Executive Committee and meet on a monthly basis.

Committees

Committees generate ideas and put them into practice to help make Solar Oregon a stronger and more effective organization.  We encourage you to share your time and expertise with us by joining one of these committees.

• Executive Committee
  Consists of officers of the board, conducts business between board meetings, manages staff.  Meets monthly.
• Communications Committee
  Maintains current content on website, publishes quarterly Solar Oregon newsletter, oversees corporate image and communications with media and public.
• Membership Development Committee
  Designs membership levels and benefits, recruits new individual and corporate members, establishes procedures for maintaining active membership. 
• Events Committee
  Assists with planning and coordination of solar home tours, develops and maintains workshop content, chooses venues for workshops, determines which events for Solar Oregon will attend.
• Administrative Committee
  Provides timely guidance to staff, maintains an effective office workplace, recruits and interviews new staff.
• Fundraising Committee
  Builds Solar Oregon's financial capacity by working with Executive Director to identify and pursue opportunities for revenue contracts, grants and sponsorships.
• Volunteer Coordination
  Increases Solar Oregon's reach by defining volunteer opportunities, recruiting and training volunteers to help deliver our programs.