Cove Board Member

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Company Description

The Cove Center for Grieving Children, located in Cheshire, CT, is a nonprofit organization that provides family and school-based programs using the peer support group concept to help children, teens, and families cope with unresolved grief from the loss of a significant person in their lives.

In 1989, when Mary Emswiler died suddenly of heart failure at the age of 39, her husband Jim began a long struggle to find help for himself and his three young children. Finally, frustrated by the lack of available services for grieving families, he formed the New England Center for Loss and Transition with a two-fold mission: to train human service professionals on dying and grief and to provide support services to adult grievers.

The Cove Center for Grieving Children, a volunteer-driven program developed by the New England Center for Loss and Transition, was started in Guilford, Connecticut, in 1995 by Jim and his second wife, Mary Ann, and therapist Renée McIntyre. After an exhaustive study of the best national models available, this youth focused program was designed to help children and teens deal with grief. The Cove was separately incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) organization in 1998.

Beginning with six families in the first year, the program developed a solid working model that has steadily grown. Today, there are five Cove sites throughout the state serving hundreds of grieving children and family members through regular support sessions. The Cove also offers an outreach program that touches an additional 1,000 individuals in the State of Connecticut each year through community education, professional training, virtual programs, Expressive Arts, Equine Therapy, Caring Connection and consultation and referral.

Role Description

This is a volunteer Board Member role at The Cove Center for Grieving Children. Board Members are responsible for participating in 4 board meetings per year, providing oversight and guidance on organizational strategy, and supporting fundraising and networking opportunities. This is a hybrid role, with some onsite meetings in Cheshire, CT, and the flexibility for remote meetings. Board meetings are held quarterly, usually the 2 nd Monday in September, December, March and June. In addition, each board member is asked to serve on at least one committee and attend special events throughout the year.

Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit governance or leadership
• Fundraising
• Strategic planning and decision-making abilities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting
• Experience working with diverse communities
• Willingness to invite your network to join The Cove's mission in financial support
• A commitment to the mission and values of The Cove Center for Grieving Children