2018 Project Blueprint graduates (From Left) Jennifer Peace, Gina Blackwell, Willie Bass, Bill Anderson, Steering Committee Chairman Guy T. Phillips, Nate Dears, Katherine Lindsay, Judy Giese, Jill Rogers and UWDC Director of Community Impact Leah Jordan
DENTON, TX (Feb. 6, 2018) – The United Way of Denton County (UWDC) Board of Directors recently recognized the dedication of fourteen community members as graduates of Project Blueprint: Board Leadership Training.
Created in 2009, Project Blueprint is a series of classes designed to train potential nonprofit board members across the community. Since inception, the Project Blueprint Program has trained and certified approximately 150 residents of Denton County to serve on nonprofit boards across the region.
“The Class of 2017 was another great group of individuals, with a wide variety of backgrounds, skill sets and objectives,” said Guy T. Phillips, Project Blueprint Steering Committee Chairman.
Fourteen 2017 graduates were recognized for their dedication in completing the board training: Bill Anderson, Willie Bass, Richard Beatty, Gina Blackwell, John Briley, Nate Dears, Judy Giese, Jeremy Hardy, Katherine Lindsey, Matt Mars, Jennifer Peace, Jill Rogers, Nathan Stafford, and Courtney Cross. More details on each graduate are below.
The training program is offered in the fall and taught by local experts in each field. Topics include: Board Operation and Governance, Fundraising, Strategic Planning, Conflict Resolution and Advocacy, among others.
“The 2017 Class represents a broad range of experiences and expertise, but each share a passion for improving lives in Denton County,” said Leah Jordan, Director of Community Impact with United Way of Denton County. “From the first meeting, the attendees asked the hard questions about community needs, engagement, and gaps. Many are already plugged into local non-profits that are serving those with mental health diagnoses, who are homeless, who are in early childhood programs, and veterans.”
Applications for the 2018 Project Blueprint: Board Leadership Training class will be available in June.
Fall 2017 Graduates
Bill Anderson- Realtor, Ebby Halliday Relators – TREPAC Chair of GLAR (Greater Lewisville Association of Realtors) and President of Your Home Team Cares; Willie Bass – Pathologist Assistant, ProPath Labs – Executive Director of the Continuing Progression Center which focuses on coaching young adults through critical life decisions; Richard Beatty – board member and past president of the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club; Gina Blackwell – Direct Care, Kenman Residential Services – Business Administration student who plans to attend law school and also serves on the Board of United Through Hope; John Briley – Retired and serves on the Board of Directors for The Arc of Denton County; Nate Dears – Rehabilitation Therapist, Denton County MHMR – Board Member of Our Daily Bread, Inc.; Judy Giese – Retired from Denton ISD – Volunteer and Board Member of Denton Christian Preschool and volunteer at the Denton Animal Shelter; Jeremy Hardy – Director of Business Development for Carrollton Springs Hospital – board member for Solutions of North Texas, founder of South Plains Suicide Prevention Coalition, and member of the Denton County Mental Health Court work group; Katherine Lindsey – Former Intern, United Way – Social Work graduate who is attending University of Texas at Arlington to earn dual degrees in Social Work and Public Administration; Matt Mars – Specialist/Trainer – Southwire –Board Treasurer of Denton Music and Arts Collaborative. He is also involved in 35 Denton, Holiday Lighting, and Thin Line Film Fest; Jennifer Peace – Executive Administrator, Orison Holdings –Vice President of the Denton Festival Foundation, President of Music Theatre of Denton, and board member of Denton City County Day School; Jill Rogers – Homeschool mother of 4 and Executive Board Member for United Through HOPE and Elijah’s Retreat, as well as the Steering Committee for Project Blueprint; Nathan Stafford – Vice President/Branch Manager, UMB Bank – help to drive his bank’s outreach efforts in the Denton community, and wants to connect with a local non-profit to be an advocate to improve lives in Denton County; Courtney Cross – Director of Homelessness Initiatives - Board member for the League of Women Voters of Denton, and member of the KERA/KXT Community Advisory Board.