Feb 13, 2017 3 min read

Graduates of the 2016 Community Builders of Greene County leadership program recently were honored at a ceremony held at the Foundation Room of the Community Foundation of Greene County.

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 “How Effective Nonprofits Work.”

The eight individuals who earned the certification were: Eric Braun, Community Action Southwest; Caitlin Carlisle, Farmers Insurance; Don Chappel, Greene County Industrial Developments Inc.; Cathy Garber, Children’s Bible Ministries; Alisa Hatchett, PA Career Link; An’Etta Neff, Community Foundation of Greene County; Teresa Roberts, Second Sam Nine; Petrina Supler, Soup’s Marketing; and Sandy Wilson, Producers Supply.

The 2016 Community Builder of the Year Awards were presented to Don Chappel, executive director of Greene County Industrial Developments Inc., and Teresa Roberts, board member and co-founder of Second Sam Nine. 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 people interested in volunteering their time and talents to support Greene County nonprofit organizations.

The nonprofit leadership program explores leadership, nonprofit governance and boards of directors, financial management, communication and teamwork, strategic planning, public relations, grant-writing, fundraising and volunteer engagement. The series is geared to helping citizens become better volunteers with nonprofit organizations in the community, whether it be through activities, such as serving on nonprofit boards, volunteering on fundraising committees or providing volunteer services.

Instructors for the program are local and regional experts, including:

• Joy Eggleston, director of operations, Washington Health System Greene, who addressed Introduction to Leadership;

• Bruce Decker, founder and principal partner of Collective Impact, Strategic Planning;

• Lynn and Joe Manning, principal partners, Alpha Omega Communications, Marketing Your Success;

• Darlene Bigler, president and CEO of Community Action Southwest, Introduction to Board Governance;

• Thomas G. Milinovich, certified public accountant and certified financial planner, Milinovich & Co., Financial Management for Boards;

• Jon Laughner, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Effective Communication;

• Nancy Riggle, Greene County coordinator, Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, Engaging Volunteers;

• Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greene County, Developing Nonprofit Resources.

Local leaders serving on the Community Builders steering committee in 2016 were Karen Bennett, director, Greene County Department of Human Services; Bigler; Kim Grimes, vice president, CFGC board; Thelma Szarell, secretary CFGC board; Barbara Wise, executive director, Greene County United Way; Bill Monahan, Monongahela Township supervisor; and Riggle.

The 2017 series of Community Builders of Greene County will begin Aug. 28. The program will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every other Monday through Dec. 4. Registration will open later this spring. For more information on Community Builders of Greene County, or to be placed on the list, call 724-627-2010 or email cfgcpa@gmail.com.