News

Rising Leaders ready to volunteer

By United Way, Published: May 12, 2015

After eight months of education and community service, twenty-three members of United Way of Henderson County’s fourth annual Rising Leaders Program have graduated and are better prepared to start making a difference as volunteers with Henderson County nonprofit organizations.

Launched in 2011, the Rising Leaders Program is sponsored by Friday Staffing. United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) created the free program as a direct response to a need that many Henderson County non-profit agencies had expressed - a need for access to the next generation of board members and key volunteers.

The 2014-2015 Rising Leaders Program graduates are Renee Bindewald, formerly of the Times-News; Denise Burns, Park Ridge Hospital; Susan Crist, formerly of Foxworth Advisors; Lori Dorsey, Mast General Store; Jessica Freeman, self-employed; Ryan Giannini, Morrow Insurance Agency; Katarina Glomb, formerly of Friday Staffing; Kenya Hill, Keller Williams; Sarah Hoffert, Children and Family Resource Center; John Igharas, Colton Groome & Company; George Johnson, retired; Caroline Livengood, formerly of Allison Development Group; Lynde Mickey, formerly of Pardee Hospital; Catherine Morris, Dixon Hughes Goodman; Cody Muse, Buncombe County Sheriff; Lisa Olson, community volunteer; Rebekah Owens, Kimberly-Clark; Dan Poeta, Horizon Heating & Air; Paula Roberts, Hendersonville Lightning; Andy Romagnuolo, FBI; Jacob Stout, Todd C. Webb, CPA; Julie Wilkie, Pardee Hospital; and Amber Wilson, formerly with Henderson County public schools.

Rising Leaders participants, volunteers and professionals representing a wide variety of Henderson County businesses and organizations, received training in the essential knowledge and skills for board service: the demographics and needs of our community; the principles of governance and management of a non-profit; the rights and responsibilities of board members; best practices of financial and legal leadership; the basics of fundraising; and the power of advocacy. Participants also completed a community service requirement and attended a nonprofit Board meeting as part of the program.

On April 2, the Rising Leaders Program held a graduation celebration at the UWHC office. In addition to the graduates, United Way staff and volunteers; David Modaff of Friday Staffing, the program’s sponsor; keynote speaker Jeff Miller, Hendersonville City Councilman; representatives from 20 Henderson County nonprofit organizations were on hand, ready to meet these trained and eager volunteers. Graduates and Agency Directors participated in a “speed-dating” activity to explore volunteer opportunities at the various agencies. During fast-paced, three minute conversations, Rising Leaders introduced themselves, shared their interests and skills that they will bring to non-profit service. Agency Directors explained the work that their organizations do, and numerous matches have already been made!

The Rising Leaders Program is coordinated by United Way of Henderson County’s Rising Leaders Committee. Chaired by Graham Fields of Park Ridge Health and Incoming Chair Joyce Biddix of Morrow Insurance, the committee members are: Brett Shaffer, Morrow Insurance Agency; Summer Stipe, Children & Family Resource Center; Jay Wilderman, First Citizens Bank; Kristie Harris, The Cliffs; and Erica Woodall, Smart Start of Henderson County.

UWHC will be accepting applications for the 2015/2016 Rising Leaders Program beginning May 19, 2015. Application materials will be available at an informational event that evening at Dandelion (127 5th Ave W, off Main Street) from 5:30 pm – 7pm. Anyone is welcome to attend this free event; please email Kristen Freeman at kfreeman@liveunitedhc.org to rsvp or for more information. After May 19, application materials will also be available on the UWHC website at www.liveunitedhc.org.