Groups aim to diversify boards of nonprofits
There is a group of about 100 Rochester-area residents who serve on at least five local nonprofit boards, according to a March Democrat and Chronicle investigation.
Their average age is 60.
The Rochester Young Professionals and the United Way want to see more age diversity among the top ranks of local nonprofit organizations. Toward that goal, these organizations hosted a nonprofit fair Thursday evening at the George Eastman House to connect service-minded young professionals with nonprofits who are seeking to include them in leadership positions.
Carolyn Wetherby of Sodus, Wayne County, stopped at the YWCA booth as she searched for a nonprofit that could benefit from her marketing background. “I’m looking for an organization I can be passionate about,” she said.
Representatives from more than a dozen local nonprofits manned information booths that lined the museum’s entrance.
Lauren Gallina, a 25-year-old associate board member of Gilda’s Club, came to recruit more volunteers for this organization, which provides support to people touched by cancer. She said Gilda’s Club is looking for candidates who are energized and ready to work. “It’s not necessarily hard work because it’s fun,” she said.
Anne McKenna, director of development and community relations for East House, said her organization is hoping to find someone who has social networking and technology skills. “They could add a lot of energy,” she said of young professionals.
Rochester Young Professionals President Maria Thomas-Fisher hopes the event will help give more young professionals the opportunity to get critical leadership experience. “Young professionals are going to inherit this community, so it’s important that they engage in it now,” she said.
Tony Jordan of the Tony Jordan Youth Sports Foundation agreed. He is hoping to add younger faces to the board of his foundation, which supports city youth sports programs.
“Then you know you have someone who is going to be in our community for a while to carry on your mission,” he said.
