Ceremony held to honor graduates
WAYNESBURG – Graduates of the 10th Community Builders of Greene County leadership program were honored at a ceremony at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. The achievement ceremony was sponsored by Community Bank.
Ten individuals received the Community Builders Nonprofit Leadership certification for completing the course on management and leadership of nonprofit organizations. Each 2013 graduate received a framed certificate, a pin and a special chocolate bar.
The individuals who earned the Nonprofit Leadership certification were Cynthia Andrews, Roberta Boyd, Connie Hart, Jennifer Mercer, Mary Jean Pratt, Pamela Pulkownik, Emma Jean Rutan, Earlene Schifko, Jacqueline Shriver and Heather Yeager.
The Community Builder of the Year Award was presented to Connie Hart. The award, based on nominations by class members, recognizes the participant who displays the characteristics of a community builder throughout the program. Hart is currently employed by the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce and serves on several nonprofit boards, including Second Sam 9 and the Humane Society of Greene County.
Additionally, Jennifer Mercer, Community Action Southwest and Heather Yeager, Greene County Human Services, were recognized for Perfect Attendance during the 10-session program.
Community Builders provides training for persons 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 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. They were:
• Introduction to Leadership was led by Dr. Nancy Davis, energy industry liaison, Greene County Education Center WCCC.
• Strategic Planning was led by Bruce Decker, founder and principal partner of Collective Impact.
• Marketing Your Success was led by Lynn Manning, principal partner with Alpha Omega Communications, and John Turner of Total Merchant Marketing.
• Introduction to Board Governance was led by Darlene Bigler, president and CEO of Community Action Southwest.
• Financial Management for Boards was led by Thomas G. Milinovich, CPA, CFP, Milinovich & Company and Cypher & Cypher.
• Effective Communication was led by Jon Laughner, Penn State Cooperative Extension.
• Developing Nonprofit Resources was led by Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greene County.
• Engaging Volunteers was led by Suzanne Smith, PDO coordinator, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
The 2013 Community Builders of Greene County program was sponsored by the following organizations and businesses: Community Bank, (Achievement Ceremony Sponsor), Alpha Natural Resources (Engaging Volunteers Session Sponsor), Consol Energy (Developing Nonprofit Resources session), McCracken Pharmacy (Introduction to Leadership Sponsor) and Community Foundation of Greene County (Fiscal Sponsor),
Several organizations sponsored employees or board members to participate in the Community Builders series, including Greene County United Way, Community Action Southwest, Greene County Human Services, the American Legion Auxiliary No. 330, and Southwest Regional Medical Center.
Local leaders serving on the Community Builders steering committee in 2013 were Karen Bennett, director of Greene County Department of Human Services; Bigler; Davis; Haley Finley, Community Builder graduate and Community Builder of the Year 2012/2013; Stammerjohn; Thelma Szarell, superintendent of the West Greene School District; and Barbara Wise, executive director of Greene County United Way and Community Builder of the Year 2004.
The 11th series of Community Builders of Greene County will begin Aug. 25. The program will meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every other Monday through Dec. 8.
For more information on Community Builders of Greene County call 724-627-2010, or email cfgcpa@gmail.com.