From L.E.A.D. to Leadership Greater Valley
Back in 1996, the Valley United Way recognized a need to create volunteer leadership opportunities and a diverse pool of new volunteers to meet the needs of the community.
Valley United Way wrote an initial grant in collaboration with the Valley Council that created the original Leadership Program (called L.E.A.D. at the time). Very soon after, the first class was recruited and, over the course of a couple of months, given background training on leadership skills, nonprofit volunteer management, and the nonprofit community in the Valley. At the end of the training, the graduates were placed in leadership positions including board positions with a variety of Council members.
The program took on a new name and a new look when Bill Purcell came to the Valley to head the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. The original committee was looking for more corporate involvement in the program, and Bill was looking to start a leadership program at the Chamber similar to those offered by many larger Chambers.
A new and improved Leadership Greater Valley Program resulted from the ensuing collaboration. The Chamber has taken on the day-to-day coordination of the program, which is still guided by a collaborative committee drawn from United Way, the Chamber and the Valley Council. The Volunteer Center at United Way works with the graduates to find their ideal placements in volunteer leadership positions throughout the Valley. It is a unique partnership, and the community is the real winner.
Valley United Way wrote an initial grant in collaboration with the Valley Council that created the original Leadership Program (called L.E.A.D. at the time). Very soon after, the first class was recruited and, over the course of a couple of months, given background training on leadership skills, nonprofit volunteer management, and the nonprofit community in the Valley. At the end of the training, the graduates were placed in leadership positions including board positions with a variety of Council members.
The program took on a new name and a new look when Bill Purcell came to the Valley to head the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. The original committee was looking for more corporate involvement in the program, and Bill was looking to start a leadership program at the Chamber similar to those offered by many larger Chambers.
A new and improved Leadership Greater Valley Program resulted from the ensuing collaboration. The Chamber has taken on the day-to-day coordination of the program, which is still guided by a collaborative committee drawn from United Way, the Chamber and the Valley Council. The Volunteer Center at United Way works with the graduates to find their ideal placements in volunteer leadership positions throughout the Valley. It is a unique partnership, and the community is the real winner.
The Valley United Way mission: A Commitment to Volunteerism
Valley United Way's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Valley United Way will measurably improve the lives of people in our community through:
- Philanthropy – Raising dollars to invest in identified community priorities.
- Volunteerism – Inspiring people to make a difference by giving their time.
- Collaboration – Working with others to build coalitions that leverage resources to address identified community priorities.
Events
To learn more about Valley United Way events and volunteer opportunities in the Valley click please visit www.valleyunitedway.org.