United Way’s Center for Nonprofits is accepting applications for the organization’s second session of this year’s Chattanooga Area Board Diversity Program (CABDP) which starts Oct. 23 with a Saturday retreat.

“The Chattanooga Area Board Diversity Program’s mission is to enhance our community by developing diverse, skilled leaders for service on nonprofit boards,” said Angie Hatcher Sledge, vice president of impact services for United Way’s Center for Nonprofits.

CABDP applicants are solicited community wide. The goal is to identify an ethnically diverse pool of individuals who have the potential to assume leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Candidates may self-submit or be nominated by an organization or company. Call United Way at 752-0300 for an application.

Program class members will be selected based on professional experience, community involvement, skills and interest areas, as well as leadership potential.

The program begins Oct. 23 with a Board Retreat from 8:30 a.m to noon at the United Way building located at 630 Market Street.

A $250 program fee covers all costs related to the program, including a retreat, five lunchtime workshops, meals and a graduation luncheon. The five workshops will be held on Thursday’s in October and November from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m (excluding Thanksgiving Day).

The six-week curriculum offers an array of topics related to nonprofit board governance: leadership, team building, strategic planning, diversity, board roles and responsibilities, legal and financial issues, fundraising and meeting management. The leadership theme is woven throughout all CABDP activities. Following graduation, CABDP alumni are offered placement opportunities with area nonprofit organizations as they become available.

“This program delivers results–18 of our 37 graduates are currently serving on local nonprofit boards,” said Sledge.

The lead facilitator for the program is Jim Hill. Mr. Hill is a retired business executive and community volunteer. He currently serves on several local and regional boards including: the Tennessee Education Lottery, United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s Board of Advisors, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, the Public Education Foundation and the Southeast Center for the Arts.
Mr. Hill earned bachelor and masters degrees in chemistry from West Virginia State College and Pennsylvania State University respectively and a Master of Arts degree in business management from Central Michigan University.

United Way’s Center for Nonprofits serves as an umbrella organization for the Volunteer Center, Gifts in Kind Chattanooga and First Call for Help/ United Way 2-1-1, programs that provide non-cash resources to area nonprofit agencies. The Center also offers training workshops, tailored training, consulting services, facilitation of planning processes, board development and a library dedicated to excellence in nonprofit management.

The Center was created by the combined efforts of United Way of Greater Chattanooga, several local foundations, government entities and community groups. Center services are available generally to area nonprofits, be they faith-based organizations, government agencies, schools, social service providers, neighborhood associations or emerging nonprofits.