Community Builders Class of 2018

Community Builders 2018

Graduates of the 2018 Community Builders of Greene County leadership program were honored at a ceremony held at The Foundation Room of the Community Foundation of Greene County on December 10, 2018.

Eight individuals received the Community Builders Nonprofit Leadership certification for completing the course on management and leadership of nonprofit organizations. Each graduate received a framed certificate, a pin, a chocolate hammer and a copy of Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership.

The eight individuals who earned the Nonprofit Leadership certification were: Eleanor Chapman (Greene County Chamber of Commerce), Danielle Nyland (Individual), Allan Crouse (Individual), MaChal Forbes (Greene County United Way), Stewart Johnson (Individual), Michelle King (Greene County Chamber of Commerce), Christy Orndorff (Individual), and Jill Peth (Blueprints).

The 2018 Community Builder of the Year Award was presented to Allan Crouse. The award, which is based on nominations by class members, recognizes the participant who displays the characteristics of a community builder throughout the program.

Community Builders provides training for those interested in volunteering their time and talents to support Greene County nonprofits. The nonprofit leadership program explores leadership, nonprofit governance and boards of directors, financial management, communication and team work, strategic planning, public relations, grant writing, fundraising and volunteer engagement. This series is geared to helping citizens become better volunteers with non-profit organizations in the community, whether it be through activities such as serving on non-profit boards, volunteering on fundraising committees, or providing volunteer services.

Instructors for the program are local and regional experts in each of the topics: Introduction to Leadership was led by Kathy Saesan, owner of AVA (Adding Value Always); Financial Management for Boards was led by Thomas G. Milinovich, CPA, CFP, Milinovich & Company; Strategic Planning was led by Bruce Decker, Founder and Principal Partner of Collective Impact; Introduction to Board Governance was led by Darlene Bigler, CEO of Blueprints; Nonprofit Board Panel was led by board members Deborah Takach, Blueprints; Stacey Brodak, Blueprints, and Max Loughman, S.O.A.R.of Greene County; Marketing Your Success was led by Lynn Mancuso Manning and Joe Manning of Alpha Omega Communications; Engaging Volunteers was led by Nancy Riggle, Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, Greene County Coordinator; and Developing Nonprofit Resources was led by Bettie Stammerjohn, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greene County.

Local leaders serving on the Community Builders steering committee in 2018 were Karen Bennett, Director, Greene County Department of Human Services; Darlene Bigler, Executive Director, Blueprints; Kim Grimes, Vice President, CFGC board; Thelma Szarell, Secretary CFGC Board; Barbara Wise; Teresa Roberts, 2nd Sam 9, Don Chappel, Greene Alliance for Development, and Jack Burt, Southwest Training Services.

The 2019 series of Community Builders begins 8/26/19 and meets every other Monday through 12/2/19 from 5:30-8:30. Registration opens in June. FMI call 724-627-2010, or email cfgcpa@gmail.