Community Development Works is recruiting participants and nonprofit partners for the 2022 session of Cenla Boardbuilders, a program aimed at developing emerging leaders for service on boards of local nonprofit organizations. The deadline for participants to apply is July 15.
The free program is open to professionals identified by their employer as “up-and-coming” leaders with a desire to become involved in their community, to nonprofit board members wanting an orientation to their new role on a board, and to individuals who may be retired, self-employed, or looking for higher-level volunteer opportunities. Interested nonprofit board members must be from a nonprofit with an actively engaged board with a working committee structure.
The program runs August through October and consists of a series of sessions about the roles and responsibilities of being an effective board member. A graduation ceremony is scheduled for November 4. Participants choose between two learning tracks for the program: Track I is for newly seated board members with limited service experience who are only seeking training; Track II is for individuals with no previous board service who are seeking training in preparation for nonprofit board service and help to connect with local nonprofits.
The program includes a September networking lunch and a recruitment session in October that give participants and nonprofit leaders a chance to connect. These networking opportunities allow participants to learn about different organizations that meet their interests, and it gives nonprofits the chance to recruit new, energetic board members.
Nonprofit organizations that are looking to recruit new members for their boards of directors are encouraged to apply to be a nonprofit partner. Nonprofit partners are asked to commit the executive director and at least one board member to participate in the networking lunch and recruitment session. These events will require total commitment time of less than four hours. The board member will serve as the board mentor to any new Cenla Boardbuilders participant recruited to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
Local employers are encouraged to sponsor their emerging professionals for participation in the program, allowing for a meaningful professional development opportunity for the employee and community development opportunity for the organization.
To learn more about joining the 2022 program either as a participant, nonprofit partner or employer partner, visit the CDW website or call CDW toll-free at 800-803-8075. Community Development Works is a program of The Rapides Foundation