(Syracuse, NY) The Gifford Foundation and their community partners announced today that 24 community members graduated from an 8-week course on board training and leadership. The Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders program includes classes in organizational lifecycles, conflict resolution, reading financials, running meetings, group dynamics and networking, among others. Instructors are drawn from the community and represent a variety of backgrounds.
The intention of the Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders program (which also in November 2014 graduated 28 individuals), is twofold: to address the need for more in-depth board training that is inclusive of a diverse community and also to increase the pool of effective board members.
“Wonderful overall experience, extremely helpful. Great opportunity to meet others of diverse backgrounds from Syracuse,” writes one participant. “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I truly feel better prepared and confident in my board position because of this program. I wish it could continue longer!” adds another.
The 24 graduates come from all walks of life, races, ethnicities, ages and socio-economic backgrounds. All share a desire to give back to the community, strive for a fair, just and healthy society, are interested in personal leadership development and growth, and have always wanted to join or thrive on a nonprofit board. Click to view a video about the program.
Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders was initiated in 2014 through a partnership of the Gifford Foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation, Leadership Greater Syracuse, the Human Services Leadership Council and community leaders. In 2015 additional funding was provided by the Onondaga Civic Development Corporation.
“It is important to not only educate but to inspire those who participate and make sure that we provide quality training to individuals in the community,” states project manager Sheena Solomon, director of neighborhood initiatives at the Gifford Foundation. “As the demographics of Central New York continue to evolve it is important to invest in the future leadership of our community.”
For further information about Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders, or if you are with a nonprofit interested in enhancing your board from the pool of NTL graduates, please contact Sheena Solomon at 315-474-2489 ext. 16 or by email at sheena@giffordfoundation.org.
