Scope/Responsibility
The scope of responsibilities will be determined based on experience but will likely include:
- Regularly attend Board meetings, which are usually held monthly and last about two hours.
- Chair a committee and/or actively serve on at least one committee.
- Take an active role in reviewing VAC’s operating and capital budgets, monitoring budget execution through monthly financial statements, and reviewing the annual audit.
- Actively participate in the planning process by identifying and clarifying specific organizational goals and actions needed to achieve these goals.
- Be active in personally contacting donors in major fundraising campaigns.
- Make a yearly cash donation beyond annual membership dues according to the member’s means.
- Attend a one-day Board retreat each Spring.
- If possible, volunteer to participate in at least two Volcano Art Center activities each year.
- Attend, observe, and provide feedback on at least two additional Volcano Art Center activities each year.
- Provide adequate resources and support to the Executive Director to carry out the day-to-day operations of the organization.
- Assess whether you meet your Board responsibilities during the year.
Click here for the downloadable application form! Please email the completed form to director@volcanoartcenter.org.
Volcano Art Center Board of Directors
President Lynn Melena brings to our board a wide variety of skills and experiences to share as a co-founder of a mainland Hawaiian civic club as well as serving as a governing board member of the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. She is also a member of the Friends of VSAS. As a civil servant for 31 years, Lynn brings organizational expertise as a former contracts manager with the US Department of Interior. Lynn has a PhD. In Education with a specialty in Learning, Instruction, and Innovation. A native of Maui, Lynn’s interests are in all aspects of Native Hawaiian culture, especially hula, travel, and family.
Vice President Joan McDonald Retired professional educator and past CEO of Girl Scouts of Maine and Central California. Joan brings to VAC a strong background with specific non-profit organizational education from Harvard Business School in accounting, volunteers and fundraising. She is also active in our Volcano community as a member of the Volcano School of Arts & Science board of directors.
Secretary Deborah Oakley-Melvin has had a lifelong commitment to community service and volunteerism. Deb spent her small kid years growing up in many places in the US and abroad; however, her secondary and college years were primarily on O’ahu. After working in San Francisco, New York City, and Rome as a writer, editor, appraiser, auctioneer, and director of an Italian not-for-profit organization, she returned to Hawai’i in 2002. Needing to care for family members on O’ahu, Deb commuted weekly between islands while building her home in East Hawai’i. Her extensive nonprofit experience includes involvement with the Hawai’i County Democratic Party, Hawai’i Island Board of Realtors, Businessman’s Paddling Competition, Hawai’i Numismatic Association, ‘Iolani Palace, San Francisco Pride (president/fundraising, PR, event coordinator), International Association of Pride Coordinators Executive Board. Deb holds a B.A. and a masters’ degree in Pacific History, Journalism, and Writing as well as certifications in Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditation. Even as a realtor, Deb’s commitment to serving others is evident in her efforts to assist local families. She is interested in the support of present and future creatives as well as local art venues and organizations.
Treasurer (Acting) William (Buddy) Norwood is a returning VAC Board member. He is a lifelong resident of Hawaii. Born on Oahu, he moved to Kona in 1969 and has owned a home in Volcano Village since 2000. He and his wife Casey are retired as permanent residents since 2020. Bud had an extensive real estate career in Kona and was the Principal Broker for Maryl Realty and Coldwell Banker Maryl Realty. He has served on several boards including, The Kona Board of Realtors, Hawaii Information Service, and Kona Historical Society where he was board president for multiple terms. He is also a lover of Hawaiiana, art, and antiques.
Ken Charon is a returning VAC Board member. He is a lifelong artist with over 40 years as a painter, illustrator, and teacher. In addition to serving previously on the VAC board, Ken has served on the boards of the East Hawaii Cultural Center and Hawaii Island Art Alliance. Trained in Paris, he has received many awards in juried art exhibits here and abroad. Ken serves as an artist advocate, having exhibited at VAC since 1987. He has worked extensively with VAC leadership, staff, and VAC artists.
Barbara Dunn is a retired Administrative Director and Librarian of the Hawaiian Historical Society in Honolulu. She holds a BA from Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and a Masters in Library Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She has taken coursework in the Pacific Islands Studies Program and the Art Department at the University of Hawai‘i and has studied at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, The Sorbonne in Paris, and Oxford University in England. Barbara has served on boards of professional organizations including the Hawai‘i Museums Association, and the Association of Hawai‘i Archivists, and on the board of the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and the Mauna Loa Estates Road Maintenance, Inc. board. She has served on Advisory Committees for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the State of Hawai‘i Records Advisory Board, the Pacific Regional Conservation Center at Bishop Museum, and the U.S. Newspaper Project. She is currently Recording Secretary of the non-profit Volcano Community Foundation board. She joined the Volcano Art Center board in 2017. Barbara is a longtime member of the Volcano Art Center and moved to her Volcano home full-time in 2017. She enjoys volunteering at the Art Gallery in the Park, taking watercolor classes, and bird watching. She facilitates a Hawaiian History Reading Group that has been meeting since 1996 and is currently a Volunteer Librarian at the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Library in the Visitors’ Center.
Christiane Friese has been an active volunteer spearheading and supporting our annual fundraising event for the past 5 years. 3 of those years she co-chairing the ‘Love The Arts’ event, our annual fundraiser for Volcano Art Center. In addition she produced a successful fashion show last year showcasing 3 of our local artists. In her spare time she is an artist who paints Contemporary works on large canvases using acrylic paint. Chris has also been an active member of the Honolulu Board of Realtors for over 45 years as well as a member sitting on the Professional Standards and Arbitration committee. She and her family recently moved to Volcano from Honolulu to make it their new home.
Tanya Lazar possesses a wide range of skills, education and experience. A California native, she has an arts degree with a master’s degree in marketing. Her background includes teaching art, counseling, medical research editing, public relations, landscape design and management. Tanya has taken on the leadership role as chairperson for the 2026 Love the Arts event.
Alan Rosehill brings a diverse set of skills and experience to the board. Alan earned his bachelor’s degree at USC and is a licensed realtor. His background interests include community service, board experience, education, and arts advocacy. He started the U of H Men’s Volleyball program and led the team to a national championship in 1978. Alan’s interest in art is a woodworker. He has a passion for koa wood and ran several hardwood businesses for 13 years.
Janet Six has been a Hawaii resident since 1978. She is the Principal Archeologist for the County of Maui, working remotely from her home in Puna. She also serves on the Hawai’i County Cultural Resources Commission. Dr. Six has a Ph.D in Anthropological Archeology with a focus on the archeology of capitalism. Her research focused on the archeology of sugar plantations and the control of water. She has taught at UH Hilo and UH Maui College. She spent six years as a grant writer for UH Maui College. As a Special Projects Coordinator, Janet secured around $5.0 million in federal and private funding. She has overseen several cultural/ecosystem restorations and archeological excavations on Maui. She was a writer and co-producer of the documentary film Ho’okele Wa’a: Turning the Canoe – Navigating a Sustainable Future for Maui. She spends most of her time working on the clean up and rebuilding of historic Lāhaina town. Prior to her academic career, she was a graphic designer and studied ceramics and jewelry.
Ina Wolfe possesses extensive financial expertise with over 50 years in management and accounting for small businesses and nonprofits. Her bachelor’s degree is in Business Administration from U of H. A retired CPA, she was licensed in California for 5 years and Hawaii for 15 years. She has served on numerous boards, including VSAS and Hospro as Treasurer. She also served as director on Cymbidium Acres Road Maintenance, and Hawaii PTSA. She is past president of Hilo HS Band Boosters. Ina wants to share her expertise with VAC to ensure its programs remain healthy and financially sound.