Training for nonprofit boards
The program aims to
provide diversity on boards.
YOUNGSTOWN — Volunteer Services Agency Inc., a United Way agency, seeks interested individuals to participate in Project Blueprint.
The project is a nationally developed, comprehensive training program to assist local nonprofit agencies in developing strong, decision-making boards that are inclusive and responsive to the community.
Volunteer Services Agency Inc., in partnership with leaders from both the business and nonprofit community, will be offering Project Blueprint, a training series designed to promote diversity on nonprofit boards and committees throughout the Mahoning Valley. Project Blueprint recruits, trains and assists in the placement of underrepresented persons in positions of community leadership.
Communities need strong social service agencies, and those agencies are only as strong as their administrators and boards. Project Blueprint opens the door for people who believe in our community and want to volunteer their time to make a difference in a local nonprofit organization.
Project Blueprint helps create a more diverse and educated board of directors that understands the responsibilities of nonprofit administration. Diverse volunteers bring unique skills and perspective to community issues, and their leadership is needed to enhance and strengthen a multicultural community such as ours.
Community leaders assisting with Project Blueprint will be: Millicent Counts, executive director, United Methodist Community Center and Youngstown State University trustee; Cliff Johnson, retired administrator/educator, community advocate; Bruce Sherman, president, Sherman Creative Promotions; Linda Kostka, CFRE, vice president of development and community services, Planned Parenthood of the Mahoning Valley; Brian Corbin, executive director & secretary-treasurer diocesan coordinator for health affairs and liaison, St. Vincent de Paul Societies – Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown; Mike McBride, executive director, Goodwill Industries; Virginia Leskanic, executive director, Volunteer Services Agency, Inc.; Lynn Miller, corporate marketing director, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Services; Laura Lyden, general manager, Lyden Oil Company, chairwoman of Youngstown/Mahoning Valley Community Investment; and Ginny Pasha, director of community investment, Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
Project Blueprint benefits participants and the community by helping define the future of our community, connecting a network of talented and resourceful professionals and developing and sharing expertise.
To date, over 75 participants have been trained and placed in the Mahoning Valley.
Project Blueprint is a comprehensive training designed to assist people who have never served on a nonprofit board and those who would like to enhance their skill level. Participants complete the six-session training, and tuition is $100. Corporations, nonprofit organizations, communities of faith and interested people from the community are encouraged to recommend applicants and assume the cost for tuition.
The sessions will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday mornings beginning January 26 and continuing through February 9, February 23, March 8 and 29 and April 12. All sessions will be held in the Gathering Room at the Park Vista Retirement Community. Topics include: Non-Profit Governance, Teamwork, Strategic Planning, Marketing and Human Resources issues.
Graduation will be April 14 at the All Community Volunteer Recognition which kicks off National Volunteer Week.
Interested people should contact Volunteer Services Agency, Inc., a United Way agency, for a brochure and detailed class schedule. Call (330) 782-5877 or contact www.volunteerservicesagency.org.