Page 24 - Chester County Chamber - 2023 Guide & Membership Directory

LEADERSHIP
SERVING THE NEEDS OF NONPROFITS, BUILDING FUTURE LEADERS
For more than 20 years, the United Way of Chester County has facilitated a program that trains Chester County professionals to serve on the boards of local nonprofits.
Working in partnership with the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and West Chester University, Leadership Chester County (LCC) offers its participants an education in important topics such as board governance, fiduciary responsibility, community awareness, and diversity and inclusion. The annual program meets one full weekday a month from October to May of the following year.
“Area nonprofits need qualified professionals to serve on their boards,” said Kelly Cockshaw, Director of Leadership & Innovation at the United Way of Chester County. “In addition, there are a lot of
people who are passionate about making a difference, but don’t know what’s involved in being on a nonprofit board. LCC enables participants to channel their skills and gifts in the ways that best serve the community.”
The program’s impact has been tremendous: since its inception, it
has had 541 graduates, 143 employer sponsors, and 435 nonprofits have benefited from LCC graduates on their boards or as staff.
The Chester County Chamber was a co-founder of LCC and has been a valuable partner ever since then, Cockshaw said. “They help us promote and recruit for LCC. They are a great resource for getting the right candidates into the program.”
As to who those right candidates are, “we encourage our corporate sponsors
to look within their organizations for those who exhibit leadership skills and
are interested in giving back to the community,” Cockshaw said. “The program also helps the sponsoring corporations in that their employees bring back enhanced leadership and teamwork abilities. Graduates forge meaningful connections with fellow leaders, creating a network of support and collaboration that endures well beyond the program.”
At the end of each program session, graduates are introduced to nonprofits that best fit their interests and skills. “You’re able to perform best when you’re with an organization that matches your passion,” Cockshaw said. “That’s something the United Way has great insight into. We can help our graduates find the best position for them because we know the community so well.”
22 Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry