Shaira Baldas

Describe your board/organization, its objectives, and your responsibilities during the NPBI internship 

My organization is the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition (ERVCC), a non-profit coalition of member organizations with a shared goal of conserving and restoring the river valley through advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and stewardship. ERVCC has four primary objectives: i) approaching the river valley with respect, reciprocity, and care, ii) commitment to good governance, iii) education and knowledge sharing, and iv) fostering healthy relationships among all living beings. ERVCC's current efforts to achieve this include collaborating with other organizations to spread education and awareness, hosting community events, and advocacy and lobbying efforts. My responsibilities during the NPBI internship included attending board meetings and community events, as well as collaborating with board members regarding board operations and tasks. In particular, I was closely involved with drafting the River Valley Manifesto, a foundational document outlining the organization's core vision, mission, and goals.

Can you describe your project and how you think it will benefit your board?

My project is a strategic plan based on the four main objectives of the ERVCC's River Valley Manifesto. Using what I learned from the organizational planning workshop, I collaborated with the board members to help them set clear goals, strategies, and actions that will help the board achieve their stated aspirations incrementally and in a realistic timeline. My final product for the strategic plan is an action plan template, which lists the specific activities the ERVCC can do for each goal, who is responsible for each action when these actions should happen, and the resources necessary to achieve them. 

The template can also be reproduced for different timelines and designed to be flexible for internal and external changes in the organization. I believe that my project will help the board tackle their concerns regarding the practical implementation of the River Valley Manifesto's goals. By aligning ERVCC's various projects and activities with their respective strategies and goals, the board can visualize how each project can contribute to achieving its long-term objectives. This will help the board make informed decisions for the ERVCC to achieve its goal of caring for the River Valley while also maintaining its future direction.

What stands out for you as key learning moments as a result of volunteering on a board?

During the internship, one of my key learning moments was the importance of structure and effective leadership in achieving an organization's aspirations. Having hands-on experience with board governance and the various dynamics that can pop up during the internship has taught me a lot about the importance of effective leadership and structure in running a functional organization. I have found that the work of many non-profits is aspirational, but the ability to organize and operationalize all the tasks necessary to meet those goals is equally as important. The internship has also taught me technical and profession-specific skills such as strategic planning and management, which are applicable in almost any profession I hope to enter.

Would you recommend this program to UofA students and why?    

Absolutely! The NPBI program has been an incredible opportunity for me to learn both profession-specific skills and soft skills such as leadership, communication, and collaboration. These skills are essential in any field and profession and have enabled me to push forward the issues and values that matter most to me - in my case, climate change and sustainability. In addition to the skills and knowledge gained, the NPBI program has also connected me with exceptional mentors who have shared their experiences and insights with me. This guidance has been invaluable in shaping my perspective and approach to my work, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to learn from them.