About Us

A local group of funders had a vision of an organization that would nurture a community of strong nonprofits to improve and transform the quality of life in Southeast Texas.

The Center would provide management support services to nonprofits and funders enabling them to effectively serve the surrounding counties.

This vision became a reality in April 2008, as the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center opened its doors to serve the community.

The mission of the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center is to provide quality management support services to nonprofits and funders, enabling them to effectively serve the community. 

For fifteen years, the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center has been a leading advocate, educator, and service provider for nonprofits and funders throughout Southeast Texas. 

The Center’s Board of Directors and Executive Director is a diversified and well-informed group of community leaders whose goal is to lead this organization in assisting nonprofits to become more effective and efficient.

Executive Board

Natasha Garrett, President
CEO, G&G Enterprises

 
 

Candace Carver-Brooks, VP
Director of Events and Marketing, BBB Southeast Texas

Aarin Penry, Secretary
Owner, Aarin Penry Insurance

Paul Freitag, Treasurer
Vice President of Institutional Trust Services, Hancock Whitney Bank

Board

Mellie Bevilacqua
Executive Director, Foundation for Southeast Texas

Karen Do
Public Affairs Representative, Entergy Texas

Jean Moncla
Vice President & Trust Advisor, Hancock Whitney Private Wealth Management

Heather Montagne
Owner, State Farm Insurance

Ronnie Ramirez
Branch Manager, South Land Title

Vanessa Rodriguez
Loan Officer, Supreme Lending

Staff

Kayla White
Executive Director
700 North Street, Suite O
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Work 409.832.6565
director@setxnonprofit.org

BOARD SERVICE

Mission

The mission of the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center (Center) is to provide the tools, resources, and cross-sector relationships necessary for nonprofits to effectively fulfill their missions. The Center serves nonprofits and funders in Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, and Chambers counties.

Position

The Board will support the work of the Center and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by the Center’s Executive Director (ED), the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

Leadership, governance and oversight

  • Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as s/he develops and implements the Center’s strategic plan
  • Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by the Center for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings
  • Approving the Center’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
  • Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the ED
  • Partnering with the ED and other Board members to ensure that Board resolutions are carried out
  • Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
  • Assisting the ED with Center programming; including, but not limited to, identifying workshop speakers, funding prospects, networking sources, and collaborative opportunities
  • Representing the Center to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
  • Ensuring the Center’s commitment to a diverse Board and staff that reflects the communities the Center serves
 

Fundraising

The Center’s Board members will consider the Center a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that the Center can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, the Center expects to have 100 percent of Board members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.

Board terms/participation

The Center’s Board members will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Board meetings will be held every other month and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full Board meetings. (The Board calendar consists of six meetings, 1 to 1 ½ hours each, fourth Tuesday of February, April, June, August, and October at 4:00 PM plus a December retreat.)

Expectations

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Center, I acknowledge responsibility for the following expectations:

  1. To attend and participate in regularly scheduled Board meetings and planning sessions/retreats).
  2. To serve on at least one committee of the Board.
  3. To become educated about the Center whenever possible by attending orientation, training, conferences/workshops and events.
  4. To financially support the Center annually or help identify/facilitate funding sources for the Center.
  5. To provide leadership, guidance and support to ensure the visibility and quality of Center services to the community.
  6. To serve as an informed partner/consultant and advocate for the Center.
  7. To represent the Center at meetings or public events in the community.
  8. To trust and support the Center’s Executive Director in the administration of the Center by maintaining a professional, advisory relationship with staff.
  9. To evaluate the performance of the Center on an annual basis.

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