Thank you for your interest in serving as a board member of the Experiment in Rural Cooperation. We hope you will apply.

In 1997, the Experiment in Rural Cooperation was formed, through legislative funding, as a citizen-led, University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership. Citizen leaders from Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Houston, Olmsted, Fillmore, Dodge, Mower, Rice, Steele and Freeborn counties as well as 1 or 2 University representatives, make up the 18-member board of directors. Our role is to link regional opportunities in agriculture, natural resources, community vitality and tourism to resources of the University of Minnesota and to provide financial support for innovative ideas. The goal is to foster practical, sustainable solutions that will enhance the community, economic and environmental assets of southeast Minnesota. See our mission, vision and commitment statements. To date, over 75 community-based projects have been supported with over $1 million of Experiment funds.

Board members are elected for three-year terms and can choose to serve two terms. New directors usually are invited to a first meeting between November and January. Meetings are scheduled on 2nd Mondays in a 5:30-8:30 PM window, depending on the type of meeting. Our 2008 meeting schedule includes 10 monthly meetings (8 in-person & 2 conference calls). Five of the 8 in-person meetings will be open-to-the-public presentation/dinner meetings to encourage project cross-fertilization in the region and more communication between board members and community-university project partners.

Directors receive a per diem for meetings and reimbursement for mileage and meals. Active participation at meetings and on working group assignments has been high and is expected. The Experiment is a lean organization with one full-time staff person and little overhead. See the "Board Member Expectations" document below for more information.

If interested, download the application form below and submit to me via email or USPS. There may be more nominees than open seats. The board periodically reviews and votes upon a slate of nominees.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 507-536-6313 or tegtm003@umn.edu.

Erin Meier

Director