2016 BREN Coordinating Team Election

BREN Coordinating Team

BREN Coordinating Team Election, September 19th-25th

Please vote to elect members to the BREN Coordinating Team!

This year we have 6 seats up for reelection. The Coordinating Team is delegated to act on behalf of BREN and is responsible for providing direction to achieve BREN’s vision including setting goals, policies and procedures.

Important dates:
• Voting will occur September 19 through September 25.
• Election results will be announced on September 29.
• Coordinating Team members will take office October 1, 2016 and serve two (2) year terms.

Additional information about the responsibilities and privileges of General Members and the Coordinating Team is available in our Governance & Operations Procedures.

Voting Eligibility:
All BREN Members are eligible to vote. Note: If you were a member on our old website, you are still a member! If you would like to become a member, simply join using the link in the upper right-hand corner of the new BREN website, www.boiseriverenhancement.org

Cast your vote starting September 19, click here!

2016 Coordinating Team Nominations

Tamsen Binggeli
I currently serve as the Chairperson of the Boise River Enhancement Network (BREN) Coordinating Team and have been involved with BREN for over 5 years. I am passionate about the Boise River and finding opportunities for enhancement through collaborative action. As the Chair, I’ve worked to guide planning efforts, facilitate meetings, perform outreach and work cooperatively with stakeholders. I also helped research and write the Boise River Enhancement Plan. I currently work as an Ecologist for Ecosystem Sciences in downtown Boise. I have a Master’s of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho and have experience working in a variety of ecological systems, with a focus on riverine‐riparian and wetland ecology. I am dedicated to BREN’s mission and am looking forward to working with the BREN Coordinating Team in whatever capacity I can.

Whitney Byrd
I work for the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley, BREN’s fiscal sponsor.  I have been working with BREN for almost 3 years now. I have attended all Coordinating Team meetings and served as note taker and participated as much as I can without voting, since I have not been officially on the coordinating team to date. I have been involved in all of our administrative processes, outreach, and fundraising.  I was involved with the organization of the first Boise River Bash in 2014.  Lately, I have been focusing on updating BREN web and email communications.  My husband and I enjoy living in Boise, and floating, fishing, playing with our dogs, recreating at the play wave, and canoeing in the Boise River.  I have 5 years of experience working in environmental activism and community organizing.  I have a BS in Biology from Virginia Tech and a MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana.

Tom “Chel” Chelstrom
BREN Coordinating Team member 2014-2016. Author of “Canoeing the Boise River” and “The Boise River Water Trail”. I support the big picture views of the Boise River Trails Plan and The Boise River Enhancement Plan. My experience representing recreation interests on the Boise River spans more than twenty years and includes long standing functional relationships with local, state and federal agencies and user groups. I support improving sustainable access to the river, portage trails around dams and diversions and walking/bicycling paths along the river. Working together, we can enhance recreation opportunities and fish and wildlife habitat while improving the overall health of the river and adjacent riparian areas.

Megan Dixon
As a member of the BREN Coordinating Team, I could bring to the task a broad familiarity with water issues in the Treasure Valley, particularly in Canyon County, and because my experience as a liaison between different individuals and departments at the College of Idaho, could serve to further support BREN’s outreach efforts. I have worked at the College of Idaho since 2008. I have taught courses in the Environmental Studies Program there since 2011. My work at the College of Idaho over the past two years has included the position of liaison between faculty, student affairs staff, and students. In this role, I have learned a lot about successful communication: different modes work better for different people, and redundancy is key! I am confident that I could help brainstorm ways for BREN to continue the good outreach work it has already undertaken. I have attended several BREN Coordinating Team meetings in order to learn about the important opportunities and issues facing the organization. I look forward to supporting BREN’s work in the future in whatever role I can, but I would be excited to work with the Coordinating Team to continue spreading the message about the need for a healthy Boise River.

Mike Homza, PE
I was initially involved with BREN from its inception, including: BREN’s very first organizing meetings (before BREN even had a name), meeting with Dr. Kustra inviting him to speak at BREN’s 2011 public event, assisting with the public event as well as other BREN events. I have been a “casual” participant in a number of Coordinating Team (CT) meetings, have assisted with fundraising and have taken on other tasks as requested by the CT. I am a river restoration/civil engineer well versed in many aspects of river and habitat planning, design, modeling, permitting and construction. I therefore believe I can contribute to the CT from the technical/practical/regulatory aspects as well. I am a resident of Boise and frequently float, stroll along and bike along the Boise River: I truly believe the Boise River is the lifeblood of the Valley and want to do what I can as a responsible citizen to protect and enhance the river, its water quality and associated habitat. I was also a founding member and President of the Idaho section on the American Water Resources Association (IDAWRA) and understand the roles and responsibilities associated with professional/non-profit organizations such as BREN. I believe my history with BREN, my professional expertise, commitment to the community and passion of rivers in general – and the Boise River in particular – can benefit BREN. I respectfully request that I be considered for a role on the BREN Coordinating Team.

Liz Paul
After many years as a non-profit river advocate, I’m now self-employed as a consultant. My business name is Community, LLC and I provide community organizing services to public, private and non-profit clients. I serve on the Board of the Lower Boise Watershed Council and on the Ada County Environmental Advisory Committee. I have an excellent understanding of the values of the Boise River, the threats the river faces and the opportunities for enhancement. I also know many of the stakeholders. I have experience in working with volunteers and working with diverse groups. I’ve invested much effort into creating BREN, and I would like to help the network figure out how best it can support the enhancement of the river.

To cast your vote now, click here!