Call for Board Members

July 20, 2022


The Compost Education Centre is seeking skilled leaders and innovators to serve on its Board of Directors.

 

The organization is looking to fill three positions at our AGM.  Ideal candidates will bring some experience to the table and share our passion for composting, waste diversion, ecological conservation and food justice.

Our mission is to create resilient communities, which support the land and all living beings to thrive, and we want you to join us in this objective!

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a project of the Victoria Compost and Conservation Education Society, a not-for-profit, charitable organization.  Since 1992, the CEC has provided in-school and community-centred educational programs for people of all ages throughout Greater Victoria and our Capital Regional District (CRD).  The CEC is mandated to provide practical, hands-on education around composting, waste diversion, soil conservation and environmental stewardship while also promoting organic and ecological gardening practices as a means of reducing the health and environmental effects of chemical gardening practices, which can be harmful to natural systems, as well as promoting the environmental and social benefits of local food production.

Benefits of Participating

  • Fantastic opportunity to build experience in organizational growth, not-for-profit and charity work;
  • Connect & collaborate with a dedicated team that is passionate about waste reduction, soil conservation and local food production, as well as the intersections between food, land, and environmental justice;
  • Training and leadership development opportunities (soil conservation and composting, team building, social enterprise development, event coordination, sustainable living skills);
  • Contribute to your community and to the wellbeing of local ecosystems and the broader environment.

Helpful skills and experience:

  • Familiarity with not-for-profits;
  • Leadership experience;
  • Prior experience on or working with a Board of Directors;
  • Financial or accounting experience;
  • Team and/or project management experience
  • A business background or experience in ethical/green entrepreneurship or circular economies;
  • HR experience;
  • Familiarity with social enterprises or revenue generation in non-profit structures;
  • A love for composting, food & environmental justice, urban agriculture, waste diversion and of course, soil health!

Responsibilities

  • Attend Board meetings throughout the year, usually held monthly from 6-7:30pm at the Centre 1216 North Park Street in Fernwood, or online via Zoom;
  • Work as part of a dynamic team to maintain the successful long term operation of the CEC;
  • Contribute 4-8 hours per month working in your area of focus;
  • Commit to a 2 year term.

How to Apply: Please submit a PDF to Board Chair, Lisette Chevalier (board@compost.bc.ca) containing a concise Letter of Interest, outlining skills, experience or interests you possess that could benefit the Compost Education Centre’s Board of Directors by Saturday, November 12th.

If you are interested in learning more about the CEC’s Board of Directors or about the organization before applying, please email Lisette Chevalier at at the previously listed contact.

To learn more about the Compost Education Centre and its programs visit our website www.compost.bc.ca

 

Board of Directors FAQ

What is the Board of Directors? The Board ensures that the Compost Education Centre is fulfilling its purpose and vision and oversees the society’s finances & human resources.

What do Board members do? They attend meetings every other month and join 1-3 committees: Policy, Finance & fundraising, Board Development – each with their own goals.

Can anyone become a Board Member? Yes! Anyone can buy a membership ($30) and express interest in being nominated to the Board of Directors at our AGM on Thursday, November 17, 2022. If cost is prohibitive to membership, please reach out, bursaries are available to cover membership cost.

What are the perks of joining the Board? Volunteering with a charitable non-profit org provides practical work skills. It’s also a way to meet like-minded folks from other professions and disciplines.

Are Board Members paid positions?  Unfortunately, no. The BC Societies Act prohibits us from paying Board Members. These positions are volunteer.

What is the orientation like? CEC board members are oriented to the society’s board work through a facilitated session led by Volunteer Victoria. Board Members have access to society docs that outline their roles and may also take free workshops. We also recommend reading the BC Societies Act.

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Annual Spring Organic Plant Sale!

April 27, 2022


The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is hosting our annual, all-organic spring plant sale! Located at the end of North Park near the Chambers Street intersection, this popular market-style event is on Saturday, May 7th, from 10am-2pm out front of our demonstration gardens and retail site located at 1216 North Park Street. Entry is by donation. The Spring Organic Plant Sale features local farmers offering a wide variety of organically grown vegetable, flower and herb seedlings to get you off to a successful start this growing season.
What you can look forward to:
The largest selection of organically grown heirloom tomato varieties all in one place for easy shopping, Organically grown vegetable starts from arugula to zucchini, Perennial edibles like berry bushes and other fruiting shrubs, Medicinal herbs, Culinary herbs like Genovese basil, dill and chives, Companion plants like marigolds, and comfrey, Native plants, and Live music!
VENDORS:
Saanich Organics
Metchosin Farm
Cam Kidd Perennials
City’s Edge Farm
Compost Education Centre
Crooked Fir Farm & Nursery
Fireweed Farm
Growceries
Joyful Agriculture
Little Crescent Farm
We host this event to highlight the importance of locally produced food and ecological gardening practices; support local organic growers; and supply difficult-to-find organic plant varieties to the community.
Posted in Announcement, Events, News

We’re Hiring: Marketing and Communications Assistant (Funding Dependent)

March 31, 2022


Please note: This position is dependent upon Canada Summer Jobs Funding.

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a charitable, not for profit organization that provides composting, organic gardening and conservation education to residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD).

Work Week:  The workweek is currently Wednesday-Saturday, 9:00am – 4:30pm, (30-hour per week with a paid 30-minute lunch break; 60 hr pay period).

Job Start Date: April 27, 2022, runs for 16 weeks.

Job End Date: August 14, 2022

A total of: 480 hours

Wage: $19.39 p/hr

For More Details, Click the Link Provided Below. 

Marketing and Communications Assistant Co-op Job Description 2022

Posted in Blog, Featured, Job Posting, News

Food Security Connections Film

October 27, 2021


In 2021 the Food Security Connections Video came together as a collaborative project of the Food Literacy Working Group of the Good Food Network and the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable (CRFAIR). This project was funded by an Island Health, Community Wellness Grant and supported by the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable (CRFAIR).

The video is meant to spur dialogues and discussions around food insecurity, hear stories from people in our community and from individuals and organizations that are working to alleviate food insecurity through food justice efforts.

Video Production UATE Storied Learning | www.uatestories.com/

Locations in Video The Compost Education Centre www.compost.bc.ca

Victoria Native Friendship Centre www.vnfc.ca/

Saanich Neighbourhood Place www.saanichneighbourhoodplace.com/

Food Rescue Project of the Food Share Network(Capital Region) www.foodsharenetwork.com/-

 

To learn more about the Food Security Connections Video and it’s complimentary education package please visit www.crfair.ca

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Bees & Pollen with the GVPL

October 22, 2021


What’s all the buzz about bees? Join the Compost Education Centre and the Greater Victoria Public Library to learn about the importance of pollinators and discover little known facts about native bees and the integral role they play in our local ecosystem! We’ll chat about how you can help care for bees, and demonstrate a fun and simple way to make your yard and garden more bee friendly!

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March 22, 2021


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February 3, 2021


Our Schools Program is now taking youth workshop bookings for Winter and Spring 2021! We have 6 different workshops to choose from for students in Preschool to Grade 12, on topics including composting, worm care, soil ecology, organic gardening and sustainable living. We will be offering our programs in-person with COVID safety protocols in place – such as teaching in outdoor spaces, with smaller groups, and maintaining physical distance from students. Online workshops are also available upon request. See below for full descriptions of all our current youth workshop offerings:

Compost Education Centre – 2021 Schools Program Flyer

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Our 2021 seeds have arrived!

January 29, 2021


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Job Posting: Executive Director

January 13, 2021


We are Hiring and Executive Director! Please click here to view the whole posting and application instructions.

 

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Our 2021 Workshops are now Open for Registration!

December 19, 2020


Click here to see what new and exciting workshops we are hosting.

Posted in News