For this and other PSA Media Relations news releases,

							Date: 5/27/04
Contact: Kerry Coffey, (864) 656-0312, kcoffey@clemson.edu
or Richard Campbell, (864) 656-6323, rcmpbll@clemson.edu
or Meagan Smith, (864) 656-0312 meaganatifnl@hotmail.com
Writer: Kerry Coffey, (864) 656-0312


National Expert To Train Nonprofits On How to Build Stronger, More
Engaged Board of Directors

Spartanburg -- Top board development expert will present valuable information
and training to aid nonprofits in maintaining an effective board of directors.
        Allison Black, professional consultant and children's advocate as well as
expert board director, will provide board development training on June 8, 2004
beginning at 12:30 p.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
         The various sites that she will be visiting are listed below along with
building and room numbers. This distance learning event will be broadcast live
throughout the state at all locations.
        Black began her advocacy career in 1998, when she began working with
abused children at an Exchange Club Family Skills Center and was one of the
first graduates of United Way of America's Project BLUEPRINT (board
development for women and minorities).
        She also was the director of development for Prescott House (child
advocacy center) and spent six years as the director of development and
community relations for child services.
        After finishing a two-year speaking tour in 1998, she settled in Alabama
and was appointed by Governor Don Siegelman as Deputy Director of the
Children’s Trust Fund, where she stayed until she retired in 2002.
        Prior to her current training tour, Black recently created her own consulting
company by the name of BlackBOARD - set up to train community and faith-
based organizations in charitable choice, board development, strategic thinking
and other organizational strengthening solutions. Board members of nonprofit
organizations hold a great deal of responsibility and should be able to identify
and fully understand their responsibilities. Black will speak on achieving
maximum board participation.
        "I am very excited about educating these groups in superior board
leadership; it will provide them with a solid foundation to succeed," said Black.
”South Carolina has always proven to have strong nonprofit organizations and
this training will help them to continue their outstanding work."
        The responsibility of nonprofit board members will be covered, highlighting
the top ten basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards. Job description, personal
characteristics that should be examined upon hiring a board member and
obstacles faced by boards will be included in the informative training.
        The South Carolina Center for Grassroots and Nonprofit Leadership
Center, under the auspices of the South Carolina Collaborative for Grassroots
and Nonprofit Leadership and the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life, a
Public Service Activity of Clemson University, is one of the original 21
organizations in the country awarded the Compassion Capital Fund as part of
President George Bush’s Faith Based and Community Initiative.
        "Black is a highly distinguished speaker and I know that South Carolina
will greatly benefit from her expertise. She has proven to be very knowledgeable
on the topic of board leadership. I am very proud to have her be a part of the
Compassion Project, and I strongly encourage attendance at the conference as it
is an excellent opportunity to educate nonprofit boards and staff members
throughout the state," said Richard Campbell, director of the Center.
        This event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to
register early to assure seating availability.
        To register call (864) 656-0201, visit http://sclc.clemson.edu or email
enhance@clemson.edu.


Locations and Building Room Numbers:

Beaufort Co.- USC-Beaufort, Performing Arts Bldg., Room 206, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, SC
Charleston Co. - Charleston County Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC
Georgetown Co. - Georgetown County Library, 405 Clevland Street, Georgetown, SC
Greenville Co. - Greenville County Library, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, SC
Richland Co. - SCETV Studio 1, 1101 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia, SC
Spartanburg Co. - Spartanburg Technical College, Ledbetter Bldg., Room 253, I-85 & New Cut
                  Rd. Spartanburg, SC


SC Rural Communities Compassion Project
The South Carolina Center for Grassroots and Nonprofit Leadership (Center),
under the auspices of the South Carolina Collaborative for Grassroots and
Nonprofit Leadership and the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life, a Public
Service Activity of Clemson University, is one of the original 21 organizations in
the country awarded the Compassion Capital Fund as part of President George
Bush’s Faith Based and Community Initiative. The Center is now implementing
the SC Rural Communities Compassion Project (Compassion Project) which
includes technical assistance to the state in the form of informative workshops,
funding resources, the Resource Associate Network, one-on-one skills training,
distance learning events and web resources. For more information on the
Compassion Project please visit: http://sclc.clemson.edu.



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