MAHONING VALLEY Bringing diversity to nonprofit boards

If you are black, Hispanic or American Indian, and want the opportunity to serve the community, your time has come.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Project Blueprint, a program to promote diversity on Mahoning Valley nonprofit boards and committees, is seeking people from underrepresented segments of the population to train for membership on those boards.
The focus for the first 20-member training class, beginning in January 2003, is on young minority men and women who have professional experience, community involvement and board leadership potential, said Carol Salmon, project director for the Volunteer Center of Youngstown/Mahoning Valley, a program of Volunteer Services Agency.
Project Blueprint, which has been successful in other areas of the country, is a joint venture among the Volunteer Services Agency, which is organizing the recruitment and training; Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, which is funding the effort; and an advisory panel of community volunteers, who will screen applicants. It is for nonprofits organizations only, Salmon added.
The Volunteer Services Center was a natural fit for the program, since its mission is to provide training and professional development for nonprofit boards, said Virginia Leskanic, executive director of Volunteer Services.
The United Way encourages its agencies to have more diversity and members from underrepresented parts of the communities on its boards, said Larry Moliterno, director of community investment for the United Way.
Underrepresented groups
In this area the underrepresented are blacks, Hispanics and to a lesser degree, American Indians, Moliterno said.
Project Blueprint aims to identify, recruit, train and place quality individuals who will make real contributions to area nonprofit boards, he said.
Boards should reflect their communities. Diversity helps agencies better understand the needs and issues important to the community, Moliterno said.
"We believe diverse volunteers bring unique skills and perspectives to community issues, and that their leadership is needed to effectively serve a multicultural community such as ours. There are people out there that want to become involved but perhaps haven't been asked. This program provides an avenue," Moliterno said.
The training will encompass topics such as nonprofit governance, board and agency relations, operations of a board, financial management, fund raising and marketing.
Project Blueprint is a helpful tool for boards looking for new people and new ideas, and to give more people a chance to serve and broaden their experiences, Barbara Orton, director of diversity and minority employment at Youngstown State University.
Hearing new voices
Orton, a member of Project Blueprint advisory panel, said the tendency on boards is to return to the people they know, and to ask the same people over and over again.
That can leave out younger people and others who are not as well known. Some people are probably eager to serve, but need a vehicle, she said.
The volunteer advisory committee will review applications to ensure that each class is demographically diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and professional occupation, Salmon said.
The training consists of six classes that will meet once a month, January through June, and attendance is required at all six classes. The program fee is $100.
Community leaders will serve as instructors and develop the curriculum with the class. Agency directors or their representatives will be coaches, and experienced nonprofit board members will act as mentors to the trainees, Salmon said.
alcorn@vindy.com