Chester County Leadership Connection
Chester County Leadership Connection is a collaborative partnership of United Way of Chester County, West Chester University and the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry. The program mission is to strengthen nonprofit organizations in Chester County by educating skilled and concerned citizens in nonprofit governance, then matching them to positions on boards of nonprofits.
Chester County Leadership Connection is unique in its highly academic and fully comprehensive approach to educating volunteer leaders. Eight sessions cover 15 topics in 3 key training areas:
Community-Specific Awareness - includes a bus tour of nonprofits in some of the neediest areas of the county with demographic reviews begins the course year and a later session covers "Influencing Public Policy";
Nonprofit Organization Management - Strategic Planning, Board Governance, Board Development, Board Fiduciary Responsibility, Nonprofit Financial Management, Investing for Nonprofits, "Fund-raising/Philanthropy 101", and "Nonprofit Perspective" giving case studies on how local nonprofit board leaders and staff have managed difficult situations;
Leadership Skill/Professional Development - Interpersonal Skills, Principle-Centered Leadership, Balancing Commitments, Diversity
More information can be found by downloading the program brochure which outlines the core learning objectives and describes the course experience. Nearly 200 participants from corporate, nonprofit, and private organizations have realized the benefits of this course in its eight-year history. Existing board directors and novice volunteers alike, non-profit organization staff, government agency employees, and retired professionals have formed diverse and dynamic classes.
"Contributing well-trained employees to nonprofit boards demonstrates commitment and the connections employees make on boards lead to business development opportunities."
- Stephen Shapiro, Esquire
Partner, Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis LLP
Class of 2009
"CCLC has opened doors for many people in our area who wanted to help out and give back to the community but didn’t know how. While the program has ultimately been of great value to the needy in our community, it has also provided the opportunity for tremendous personal and professional growth for those who wish to serve."
- David Farrington, Brickhouse Environmental
CCLC Class of 2002
For more information, email Mary Anne Feeley, Manager of Community Engagement at United Way, or call 610-429-9400.