PROJECT BLUEPRINT
Improving diversity in board leadership
Submissions for Project Blueprint are now closed for the spring session. You can submit your application below for the fall session.
A limited number of participants will be selected through an application process.
“Project Blueprint is such a blessing. Every meeting, I walk away with valuable information and I am extremely excited to put what I’m learning into good use. Thank you United Way and Flo for allowing me the opportunity to be part of quality change.”
- Courtney Chester, 2020 Project Blueprint graduate
Nonprofit boards and committees should reflect the rich diversity of our community.
In 2019, United Way of Greater Stark County launched Project Blueprint, a program designed to recruit, train and connect diverse volunteer leaders to policy-making roles and enhance the effectiveness of nonprofit agencies.
This 9-week program is designed to increase the involvement of underrepresented groups on local nonprofit and public-sector boards, committees and leadership roles. The weekly, 90-minute sessions introduce participants to the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members, while sharpening their leadership skills.
Our goal is to ensure that local volunteer leadership is representative of Carroll and Stark Counties, and that their passionate, diverse perspectives become a greater voice in our community.
Program benefits
Through this program, participants will:
- Sharpen leadership and communication skills
- Learn about board governance and procedures
- Gain a deeper awareness of challenges in our community
- Connect and network with community leaders and agencies
- Discover opportunities for board placement
Class Topics and Program Schedule


- Orientation
- Economics
- Board Roles/Responsibilities
- Parliamentary Procedures/Robert Rules
- Financial Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning
- Boardsmanship
- Presentations
- Agency Fair/Graduation
Meet our graduates
Get to know our leadership program members
Apply to project blueprint
Project Blueprint applications can be submitted year-round. They will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee prior to the start of each session. All applicants will be notified before the sessions begins. Cost for the total season is $200, due a week before the session starts.
All applicants are encouraged to seek employer sponsorship, either in part or in full. A limited number of partial scholarships are available based on need. Scholarship requests are considered independently from the applications.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Director of Project Blueprint, LaFlovia "Flo" Gianni at 330-491-9984 or laflovia.ginanni@uwstark.org