Welcoming the new Board Pt. 3

Last week, we had our first board meeting, and it was a great opportunity for the new board to get to know each other and how they can best support us in the work we do. I am just finalising the board minutes and reflecting on how our new board is well placed to help us into the next stage of the organisation.

You can see the list of all the Board members on our website at https://www.bearwood.cc/team/. This is the final of three blog posts where you can find out a little bit more about them all! 

Last up, all nature lovers - Jo, a long-term board member embedded in the local community, Nasar, a volunteer at Bearwood Community Hub who loves hiking and Jennifer, an experienced professional bringing her varied expertise to our work. Thanks to them all!

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Jo Capper

1. What qualities are important in a board for a community organisation?

Kind, Helpful and able to deeply listen to the board and community and provide advice and support.

2. What is your favourite place to eat in Bearwood?

This is hard! we are so lucky to have so many places to choose from, my newest discovery is the amazing veg stall in the indoor market.

3. Please provide a little about your previous experience

Founder of Bearwood Pantry, Jo is passionate about equitable food distribution and the power of the arts to bring people together and foster belonging.  Jo brings a wealth of experience in involving excluded groups in her work, particularly those who have experienced homelessness

4. What do you do for fun?

Growing fruit and vegetables, cooking, reading, and being in nature

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Nasar Mahmood

1. What qualities are important in a board for a community organisation?

A good board should be diverse, dedicated to the organisation’s mission, and work well together to serve the community.

2. What is your favourite place to eat in Bearwood?

My favourite place to eat in Bearwood is Za’atar.

3. Please provide a little about your previous experience

I have project management experience and experience in running my own business, where I gained experience in planning, negotiation, and managing projects.

4. What do you do for fun?

In my free time, I enjoy hiking and gardening.

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Jennifer Hemingway

1. What qualities are important in a board for a community organisation?

Honesty, openness (transparency), accountability, democratically run with everyone having an equal voice, social responsibility, co-operation and caring for the community at its heart.

2. What is your favourite place to eat in Bearwood?

A La Mexicana! My family is quite mixed and I have several Hispanic cousins. It smells like coming home to a warm hug every time I walk through the door.

3. Please provide a little about your previous experience

I have experience in governance, finance and policy from being a school governor in two schools, a finance officer in a local council and an elected local councillor. Over the years I have also been a cleaner, child minder (possibly my favourite role!), professional baker, ESOL teacher and I currently work as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Professional.

4. What do you do for fun?

Reading, gardening, looking after my 11 pets, board games and especially camping. I love getting out among nature - it's so good for the mind and soul.