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WHAT: Blueprint for Leadership is a community leadership training program designed to identify, recruit, train and place potential community leaders on nonprofit boards and other governing or advisory bodies in Jacksonville. This program began several years ago as part of a national effort to provide training and community service opportunities to minorities as well as to assist area nonprofits in diversifying their Boards and volunteer leaders.

The program has evolved to become more than simply a minority outreach program. Volunteer Jacksonville has expanded Blueprint for Leadership to be inclusive of all races and ethnic groups with emphasis on targeting female and ethnic minorities as candidates for the class. With focus on a Total Quality approach, Blueprint for Leadership provides community organizations with a well-trained, motivated corps of volunteer leaders.

WHY: Historically, minorities have had limited opportunities for community leadership development. Volunteer Jacksonville initiated Project Blueprint (now Blueprint for Leadership) in 1988 to promote the value of diversity within the nonprofit sector through training and experiential learning. By recruiting and training minorities in community service responsibilities and leadership skills and by assisting their entry into leadership positions with community organizations, Project Blueprint (now Blueprint for Leadership) overcomes racial stereotypes and promotes cultural diversity in the Jacksonville community. By diversifying the Blueprint training class to be inclusive of all racial and ethnic groups, Blueprint for Leadership demonstrates the value of diversity in the decision-making and governing process.

how/WHEN: Blueprint for Leadership offers a comprehensive 6-month training program that focuses on development of leadership skills particular to the nonprofit sector. Blueprint for Leadership consists of three components that prepare participants for community leadership: Training Workshops and Supplemental Readings; Nonprofit Board Internship; and a Mentor Program. Program trainers consist of business professionals, nonprofit agency directors, corporate CEOs, foundation presidents, and political leaders. Blueprint for Leadership training covers organizational management and governance, fiscal management, funding and fund development, legal responsibilities and liabilities of nonprofit and public organizations, and other areas of nonprofit operations. When the training concludes, each participant is given the opportunity to apply his/her talents and skills and gain valuable insight into the internal functions of boards through a one-year board internship. As an intern, each participant is paired with an experienced board member from a nonprofit agency. Through periodic contact, mentors are able to enhance the participants' board experiences by answering questions, providing historical background on particular issues and networking with other board members.

The response to Blueprint for Leadership has been overwhelmingly positive. If you would like more information about the Blueprint for Leadership program, call Volunteer Jacksonville at 398-7777 and ask for Betty Asque Davis, Director of Volunteer Leadership Programs.