News

16 graduate from United Way Rising Leaders program

By Bill Moss, Published: April 13, 2016

After eight months of education and community service, 16 members graduated from the Rising Leaders Program of the United Way of Henderson County 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. The United Way created the free program as a direct response to a need that many Henderson County non-profit agencies had expressed to recruit and train the next generation of board members and key volunteers.

The 2015-2016 Rising Leaders Program graduates are Grace Barron, Meritor; Allison Cheadle, Flat Rock Playhouse; Marcia Cunningham, PNC Bank; Mindy Denney, Safelight; Shane Dunn, formerly of Sycamore Cycles; Beth Edwards, community volunteer; Ian Edwards, Appalachian Coffee Company; Lee Homan, Blue Ridge Community Health Services; Andrea Little Gray, Pardee Hospital Foundation; Lynn Pearson-Brown, Atlantic Bay Mortgage; Vincent Pizzo, Pardee Hospital; Heather Sherman, Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry; Jonathan Temple, Hubbell Commercial and Industrial; Rebekah Torres, NC National Guard Family Programs – HRCI; Whitney Whitson, First Bank; and Cynthia Wilcox, AmeriLife & Health Services of Asheville, LLC.

The United Way is recruiting new members for the next Rising Leaders program, which begins in the fall. UWHC will be accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Rising Leaders Program beginning May 12. Application materials will be available at an informational event that evening at Dandelion (127 5th Ave W, off Main Street) from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend this free event; please email Kristen Freeman at RL@liveunitedhc.org to RSVP or for more information. After May 12, application materials will also be available on the UWHC website, www.liveunitedhc.org.

Rising Leaders participants, volunteers and professionals representing a wide variety of Henderson County businesses and organizations, receive 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 project and attended a nonprofit board meeting as part of the program.

On April 7, the Rising Leaders Program held a graduation celebration at the UWHC office. In addition to the graduates, representatives from 17 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. The committee is led by Kristen Freeman. Committee members are: John Igharas, Colton Groome & Company; Jay Wilderman, First Citizens Bank; Kristie Harris, The Cliffs; and Erica Woodall, Smart Start of Henderson County.