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Non-profit and Leadership Training Opens Doors of Opportunity
| Name | Eleanor Jones | | Situation | Non-profit organizations are growing at an astronomical rate in our state and area. Yet, many of them lack the skills and resources needed for efficient operation. Many local non-profits have stated that they need reliable training and assistance.
Our geographical area had not had a Community Development agent in the recent past. The Advisory Committees Issue Identification Meetings in local counties identified community development needs for the area. These included developing a better perception by the public of what Extension has to offer; education for public, government, and corporate entities on public issues such as our environment; leadership programs for youth and continued education for adults; provide training and assistance for land use planners to better enable local government to handle growth issues; and assisting local government to recruit and attract business and support the self-employed.
| | Response | The local CD agent began making community contacts to reach the non-profit segment and to build skills in efficient operation of non-profit groups. Programs were planned and publicized. The CD agent worked with local agencies, community leaders, and individuals to build leadership skills and community development skills. A Community Development Initiative was established in the area. Participants in initial DIRECTIONS training for non-profit groups in York and Chester Counties requested additional training in Locating and Writing Grants and in Forming and Maintaining Effective Boards. The agent conducted the additional training sessions requested. The CD agent also worked with the Children and Weight Coalition on Forming and Maintaining Effective Coalitions and Designing Mission, Vision, and Plans for Coalitions. During the period of June ’03 through March ’04, the CD agent conducted 7 programs and activities to train non-profit groups, with 106 individuals participating. From June ’03 through March ’04 the CD agent conducted a total of 22 other Economic and Community Development (ECD) programs/activities involving 310 people. The agent assisted 150 individuals through non-program contacts (phone and face to face).
| | Impact | As a result of the formation of the Community Development Initiative, participants learned about trends in non-profit organizations; the importance of vision and goals; effective planning process; ethical and financial responsibilities, risk management, recruiting volunteers and maintaining effective boards; fund raising; and networking. The evaluations returned from the non-profit group training revealed that 95 gained knowledge, 79 specifically expressed plans to adopt the practices, and 48 follow-up contacts showed 48 adopted the practices. Of the 310 people involved in other ECD programs, 269 reported gained knowledge. Ten adults were involved in Extension Intergenerational Service Learning programs.
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Last update7/8/2008
This website is maintained by Dawn Lee.
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