United Way of Summit County is committed to assisting agencies to become more inclusive, responsive and reflective of its culturally diverse community.

Project Blueprint is an ethnic minority volunteer development program designed to help United Way, its member agencies, and other nonprofit organizations become more inclusive, responsive and reflective of the culturally diverse communities which they serve. The goal of Project Blueprint is to accelerate involvement of African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino and Native American volunteers to become policy-makers on agency boards and committees.

Project Blueprint Advisory Committee

Project Blueprint Nomination & Application Form

• To identify, recruit, train, place and retain African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino and Native American volunteers for leadership positions on the boards of nonprofit organizations in Summit County and Northeast Ohio.

• To create a network of talented and resourceful ethnically diverse professionals who will facilitate the establishment of strong and lasting relationships that are personally and professionally beneficial.

• To increase awareness of nonprofit agency boards and professionals of the knowledge and talent available in the identified communities that traditional recruitment procedures do not often reach.

Project Design

• Intensive training sessions will help participants develop the skills necessary to be a successful board member. Topics such as "Effective Boardsmanship"... "Team Building"... "Strategies for Boards"... "Strategic Planning"... "Nonprofit Financial Management"... and "Ethics" will be covered in depth, allowing participants to make the most effective use of their volunteerism.

• The program sessions will run Thursdays, 6 pm to 9 pm, January through March. Each session is important and attendance each evening is expected.

• Project Blueprint seeks ethnic minority candidates exemplifying strong leadership qualities with a proven track record of community involvement

• Project Blueprint ideal candidates will have a keen interest in expanding their role in policy-making and nonprofit organizational development.

How Your Organization Can Help

• You can identify and sponsor individuals who will benefit by participating in Project Blueprint.

• Employees experience personal and professional growth through their volunteerism, and agencies benefit from the diverse pool of talent Project Blueprint delivers.

Brenda Cox
Project Blueprint Coordinator

United Way of Summit County
P.O. Box 1260
Akron, OH 44309-1260

Phone: 330.643.5508
Fax: 330.762.0317

email: bcox@uwsummit.org