Board of Directors
How the Board Supports KAEE
The KAEE Board of Directors helps guide policy and decision-making that advances environmental education professional development at the state, regional, and national levels. Keeping in mind KAEE’s vision of a sustainable world where environmental and social responsibility drive individual and institutional choices, board members work together to lead the association toward achieving the KAEE mission to increase environmental knowledge and community engagement in Kentucky through the power of environmental education. The board works collectively to promote excellence in environmental education while providing support, resources, and networking opportunities to Kentucky’s community of educators.
As part of this work, the KAEE Board advocates for environmental education as a whole, while remaining nonpartisan and not advocating for any particular environmental issue.
A Diverse Statewide Team
The KAEE Board of Directors is made up of individuals from across the Commonwealth who bring a variety of professional and personal experiences. Some members work directly within the environmental education field, while others contribute perspectives from professions outside of environmental education.
Also crucial to KAEE's mission and vision is the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee is made up of five members, including the past chair, two board members, and two KAEE members-at-large, charged with selecting a slate of candidates to fill board officer and board member vacancies.
All board members share a commitment to strengthening and advancing environmental education at both the policy and grassroots levels.
Meet the Board
The KAEE Board of Directors includes up to 15 members, with five officers: chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, and immediate past chair, along with 10 board members. Elected board members serve two-year terms that begin and end at the close of the annual KAEE meeting.
Louis Ross
CHAIR
Kentucky State University
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2017
Andy Beichler
TREASURER
Partners for Rural Impact
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2010
Ryan Bowers
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
The Lexington School
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2021
Dan Pascucci
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Bernheim Forest & Arboretum
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2017
Dr. Terry Wilson
ADVISORY MEMBER
WKU Professor Emeritus
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
1976
David Logsdon
VICE CHAIR
Pathfinders of Perry County
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2016
Meg Gravil
PAST CHAIR
Eastern Kentucky University
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2015
Nick Callahan
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Northern Kentucky Water District
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2022
Kyle Yarrow
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Asbury University
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2022
Jennifer Beach
SECRETARY
Kenton County Public Library
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2012
Vivian Bowles
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Retired Madison County Schools Teacher
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2024
Jennifer Hubbard
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Lexington Parks & Recreation
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2013
Aviva Yasgur
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Murray State University
KAEE MEMBER SINCE
2010
Board Member Roles and Responsibilities
Mission and Leadership
The KAEE Board of Directors is a working board that leads the association toward achieving the KAEE mission to increase environmental knowledge and community engagement in Kentucky through the power of environmental education.
The Board provides leadership and policy-level guidance aimed at enhancing environmental education professional development efforts across the state, region, and nation. While KAEE advocates for environmental education, the organization does not advocate for any particular environmental issue.
Eligibility and Election
Nominations are submitted to the KAEE Governance Committee.
The Governance Committee considers mission fulfillment and established criteria to develop a non-competitive slate of candidates.
The slate of candidates is presented to the KAEE general membership for a vote.
Candidates will begin their 2 year term at the close of the Annual Meeting in September
To be eligible for election for Board of Directors, Individuals must be KAEE members in good standing.
Board members are elected by the KAEE general membership with:
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Five members elected in even-numbered years
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Five members elected in odd-numbered years
1
2
3
4
Support and Board Development
The KAEE staff and board members assist new members to acclimate to their role as a director. New board members receive an orientation to the board by the Executive Director and current members of the Board of Directors. Board members receive regular updates about issues in the environmental education field, including opportunities for professional development – both vocational- and board-related. KAEE staff, executive officers, and committee chairs provide quarterly reports of organizational activities and financial reports to the full board to facilitate each board member’s ability to fulfill legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule and Mandatory Attendance
The KAEE Board of Directors meets bi-monthly, with meeting varying from in-person to completely virtual. Attendance at the meetings is mandatory. Each in-person meeting will also have a virtual option. Members unable to attend three consecutive meetings will be asked to resign from the Board. Meetings are held in centralized locations around the state. Currently, the KAEE Board is scheduled to meet: - January – Virtual, 1st Sat after MLK Day (9-12 ET) - March – Virtual, 2nd Fri, (2-5 ET) - May – In-person, 1st Sat after Mother’s Day (10-4 ET) - July – Virtual, 2nd Fri (9-12 ET) - September – in person (prior to conference) - November- in person (1st Fri-Sat, 2 days) - Potential Member Information
Board Governance Committee
The Governance Committee is charged with:
Identifying current board needs related to KAEE board membership and board development.
Selecting a slate of candidates to fill board officer and board member vacancies.
Ensuring the current board receives any professional development it needs to fulfill its legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
The Governance Committee is made up of a five-member appointed committee that includes the past chair, two board members, and two KAEE members-at-large. The two KAEE members-at-large will serve a one-year appointment. In order to qualify for this position, you must be a current KAEE member in good standing. During the spring and early summer, you must be able to participate in several conference calls and review documents before the calls. Previous knowledge of KAEE’s mission, vision, and long-range plan is preferred.
All board nominations, including both Board officers and Board members, will be submitted to the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee will use a matrix to determine gaps in the current board composition related to gender, geographic location, race, age, skills, and the vocations of current members. From that analysis, the Governance Committee will submit a non-competitive slate of candidates for each elective board position and office to be filled. The slate of candidates will be presented to the membership for final approval.