BRATTLEBORO — Seventeen local residents have been selected to serve the community and learn valuable leadership skills through a collaborative initiative of Marlboro College's Division of Graduate and Professional Studies in partnership with Youth Services, SeVEDs, United Way of Windham County, and Latchis Arts.
In Marlboro College's “Get on Board” program, Windham County residents aged 22-44 are eligible to become “Get on Board” fellows: Following a competitive selection process, applicants were matched with boards - in a non-voting capacity - based on issue interest, skills and knowledge, and board needs.
“Get on Board” assists local nonprofits and their boards of directors' members with their growth and development. Because nonprofit organizations can only be a strong as their volunteer boards, the program has the dual mission of providing skills development and networking opportunities for young professionals while supporting local nonprofits, Marlboro noted in a press release.
Nonprofits are required to have a board of trustees that helps define their vision and direction and provides financial oversight.
Windham County has numerous nonprofits, many of which are looking for new board members. By providing young professionals with the skills they need to be quality board members, while providing training to existing board presidents, “Get On Board” aims to help boards and their nonprofits remain strong now and well into the future.
Fellows committed five to 10 hours per month from October 2013 through May 2014. This includes three to six hours of workshops, social/networking events and volunteer service, and two to four hours monthly in service on a participating board.
Workshop topics include board roles and responsibilities, finances and fundraising, strategic thinking, and conflict resolution.
The new fellows will work with the following organizations this year:
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center: Josh Traeger and Sarah Bergh; Brattleboro Senior Meals: Chelsea Nunez and Julia Etter; Morningside Shelter: Anthony Summers; Parks Place: Emilie Kornheiser and John Stiteler; Rich Earth Institute: Lyndsey Runyan and Molly Dowd; Sandglass Theater: Cortney Donahue and Ian Hefele; The Gathering Place: Chelsea Ferrell and Elisha Wamsley; Windham Childcare Association: Laura Schairbaum; Winston Prouty Center: Autumn Kendall and Meredith Anton.