Tri-county leadership development programs hold graduations

Sixty business professionals from across the tri-county region recently graduated from three professional development programs that have given the graduates the tools they need to represent their companies in serving area nonprofits.

Leadership TriCounty, Leadership Berks and Blueprint for Leadership all held their graduations June 8.

Leadership TriCounty

Since its inception in 1993, the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership TriCounty program has prepared more than 250 community members for leadership positions across southeastern Berks, western Montgomery and northern Chester counties. This year’s program class had 18 participants.

A 10-month professional development program, Leadership TriCounty participants leave the program with the personal skills and understanding of the problems, opportunities and resources that exist within the communities of the tri-county area, according to the chamber.

The program year begins in September, with the class meeting one day each month. During that time they receive cohort coaching, a DISC behavioral assessment, team building activities, nonprofit and community interaction, presentations/discussions with community leaders, volunteer engagement and board development workshop, nonprofit engagement and project completion, as well as diversity and inclusion training that includes a completion certificate.

In addition, the chamber has an agreement with Alvernia University to provide a 20% discount on tuition for graduates on undergraduate and graduate studies and three credits that can be used toward a master’s or bachelor’s degree.

Leadership TriCounty is led by Jenna Armato, growth and success coach, and director of the program.

“In addition to the direct benefits of the program, the class is provided a unique, behind the scenes opportunity to visit various locations and hear from and discuss leadership with the individuals heading those businesses, facilities,” Eileen Dautrich, president of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

The program also provides the foundations for participants to build a strong local network and deepen their connections to the community.

Dautrich said one change to the program since the COVID-19 pandemic has been the elimination of group projects for nonprofits. This year’s class was asked to complete 10 hours of community service.

“Some were introduced to opportunities with local nonprofits as a direct result of the program and being connected with local organizations as they toured facilities as part of their monthly sessions and/or heard from local organizations as panelists speaking to the class of 2023,” she said.

Leadership Berks/Blueprint for Leadership

Administered through the United Way of Berks County, Leadership Berks and Blueprint for Leadership provide provide a rich learning experience to develop community leaders to serve with local nonprofits, according to Jean Morrow, senior vice president of Leadership United

She said both programs are important to the community.

“Through United Way’s annual survey, we know that over 50 nonprofits are needing volunteers to help accomplish their missions. The graduates go on to serve on committees and boards with these organizations providing their time, expertise and leadership,” Morrow said in an emailed response to questions. “They feel prepared and ready to serve having completed these programs.”

Leadership Berks has a more than 30-year history of preparing individuals to serve in volunteer leadership roles with nonprofits in Berks. Since its inception, more than 1,000 have graduated from the program. In December 2020, management of the program was transferred from the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to the United Way of Berks County.

This year’s graduating class, according to Morrow, had 29 participants, up from 20 the year before.

The Leadership Berks program year begins in September, and the class meets monthly from October through May, with graduation in June. Through the course of the year, participants are exposed to nonprofit and community issues through tours, panels, presentation and leadership skill building. It is an experiential program led by business and community leaders and content expert instructors.

Members of this year’s Leadership Berks class participated in six group service projects for area nonprofits:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County – Defenders Assemble! — Creating a comprehensive volunteer recruitment toolkit.

• New Journey Community Outreach — Develop marketing strategies that focus on expanding agency awareness to increase volunteers, in-kind donations and contributions.

• Reading Area Firefighters Museum — Outreach to engage new people in support of the museum.

• Reading Science Center — Spanish inclusion at the Reading Science Center.

• VOICEup — Marketing communication plan for Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading.

• Western Berks Free Medical Clinic — Conceptualize, develop and implement a marketing plan with a strategic goal of expanding services for the medically underserved.

Blueprint for Leadership is a professional development program designed as a seven-week training opportunity for individuals from Berks County’s under-represented communities as they develop skills to serve in a leadership role with an area nonprofit.

The program taps into the significant diverse talent in Berks, according to information on the program’s webpage, and trains individuals to serve in key leadership volunteer positions.

This year, 13 participants from 10 area companies and groups participated in a series of sessions — one full-day workshop and six half-day workshops — focused on leadership and communication skills, roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board/committee members, and nonprofit board governance.

“Through the Leadership Berks and Blueprint for Leadership programs, we engage talent and commitment, and in turn, help develop future community leaders,” Tammy White, president at United Way of Berks County, said in a statement. “Program graduates possess the spirit, passion and dedication needed to help lead community change.”

New classes forming

According to Morrow, United Way of Berks County is recruiting for the Leadership Berks class that will start in September. To learn more, visit the Leadership Berks webpage at https://www.uwberks.org/leadership-berks/ or contact Morrow at jeanmor@uwberks.org or 610-685-4587.

In addition, the Blueprint for Leadership program will begin recruiting in November for the class that will be held in the spring. Contact Mary Jimenez at maryj@uwberks.org or 610-685-4609. For more information about Blueprint for Leadership visit https://www.uwberks.org/blueprint-for-leadership/

According to Dautrich, the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Leadership TriCounty class of 2024. The application is available on the chamber’s website at https://www.tricountyareachamber.com/our-programs/leadership-tricounty.aspx or contact Dautrich at eileen@tricountyareachamber.com or 610-326-2900.