Land Trust Accreditation - Highlights

*The call for volunteer commissioners is now closed*

Organization Description

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission is an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, incorporated in 2006. It is a tax-exempt 509(a)(3) supporting organization of the Alliance.

The Commission oversees the land trust accreditation program and ensures that accreditation decisions are fair and consistent and the overall program is highly regarded and credible. Its mission is to recognize community institutions that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

Commission Responsibilities

• Provide overall oversight of the accreditation program, ensuring its credibility and effectiveness.
• Establish accreditation measures and review procedures and ensure the fair and consistent review of every applicant.
• Make decisions on accreditation applicants and confer use of the accreditation seal accordingly.
• Create and implement procedures for responding to complaints against accredited organizations and applicant appeals.
• Design and oversee a program of outreach and promotion around the accreditation program.
• Design and oversee process for electing commission members, offer the Alliance suggestions for Alliance-appointed positions.
• Develop and implement programs to ensure applicant confidentiality and to manage conflicts of interest.
• Supervise and evaluate the Commission’s executive director, in conjunction with the Alliance president.
• Establish an annual budget in coordination with the Alliance.
• Track budget and ensure fiscal accountability in coordination with the Alliance.
• Ensure that Commission bylaws and operating agreements with the Alliance are upheld.
• Conduct an annual evaluation of program successes, challenges and trends in accredited land trusts; plan subsequent programs accordingly.
• Provide recommendations to the Alliance board of directors on suggested revisions to Land Trust Standards and Practices and the accreditation indicator practices.

• Assist the Commission in fulfilling the responsibilities outlined above.
• Have substantial experience in nonprofit organization management and/or land trust conservation practices or a have specific skill related to the needs of the land trust accreditation program (legal knowledge, public sector experience, etc.).Ha
• Have experience with, or be willing to learn about, related accreditation or certification programs.
• Commit to a three-year term of service (with initial terms staggered).
• Attend all in-person accreditation decision-making meetings (three per year in initial years) and a majority of general business meetings (via conference call).
• Attend Rally if possible (all expenses are not covered).
• Serve as a review team member for 6-10 accreditation applications each year (approximately 120 hours).
• Serve on at least one committee.
• Prepare for meetings by reviewing all advance materials and presenting on assigned applications.
• Be an ambassador for the land trust accreditation program, promoting accreditation at appropriate venues.
• Strictly abide by confidentiality and conflict of interest procedures
• Serve as a volunteer for up to 30 days per year.* (Travel expenses to Commission meetings are generally covered by the Commission.)

Benefits of Service

• Commission members provide a great service to the land trust community.
• Commission members have the opportunity to shape a critical program for land conservation, the ability to form an effective team with other commissioners and to learn about conservation practices across the country.

*Commissioner service includes attending three multi-day Commission meetings each year. Commissioners also review applications as part of a review team. Individual reviews are complete by the commissioner on their own schedule. Review teams and committees meet by phone during business hours. Commissioners may also occasionally lead an applicant site visit.