Blueprint for Leadership
The mission of the United Way of the Midlands Blueprint for Leadership program is to identify, engage and place leaders into leadership and policy-making positions in nonprofit organizations in the Midlands.
Blueprint for Leadership is a training program designed to develop and enhance leadership skills, and to increase diverse volunteer participation on nonprofit boards. The program gives participants the basic tools they need to be effective board members of local nonprofit agencies. The program uses curriculum-based training, nonprofit leader interviews, class project and job shadowing tocreate learning opportunities for program participants. The training program is eight three-hour sessions over a period of four months. Each session is hosted by a United Way partner agency. Topics will include strategic planning, fundraising and board roles and responsibilities, among other things.
The program targets emerging community leaders with a special focus on local employers, United Way Young Leaders Society members, and Columbia Opportunity Resource members. Community volunteers and Blueprint alumni are asked to nominate individuals for program participation. A selection committee reviews applications and selects 25 individuals per class. Program tuition is $500 with a discount for individuals sponsored by non-profit agencies.
While the United Way Blueprint Leadership Program does not guarantee placement on a nonprofit board, participants gain expsoure to a variety of United Way partner agencies. These agencies cover the scope of community impact, from services for children and youth to seniors and homelessness.
Below is the approximate timeline for Blueprint.
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Announce applications by end of November 2008
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Accept applications until mid-January
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Review applications until end of January
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Notify participants by mid-February
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Sessions start up in March
For more information on Blueprint for Leadership, email Malik Whitaker at mwhitaker@uway.org.
