Local non-profits participate in focus group study
Luke Taylor-Ide (University of the World), John Stormer (American Red Cross), JoBeth Agnor (United Way of Randolph County), and Jennifer Newland (Canaan Valley Institute) share their ideas about coaching and training opportunities for the Institute for Coaching and Leadership during the July 8 focus group in Elkins.
By Sarah Cooper
The Inter-Mountain
ELKINS – Nine area non-profit organizations were represented at a focus group meeting hosted by the Randolph County Development Authority Tuesday to participate in a feasibility study.
The study is meant to access the training needs of non-profit organizations statewide so the EdVenture Group and the West Virginia Non-Profit Association can better provide educational resources for non-profits that need them.
“These focus groups give non-profit staff the opportunity to share their thoughts and make their voices heard,” said Lydotta M. Taylor, Ed.D, president and CEO of the EdVenture Group in Morgantown.
Taylor stressed the importance of sharing ideas. Laura Lee Haddad, executive director of the West Virginia Non-Profit Association, explained there are more than 10,000 non-profits in West Virginia. She said one out of every 10 people in the state are employed by a non-profit.
Both Taylor and Haddad said being able to provide research tools and means of advocacy can help prepare non-profits for the today’s reality and can contribute to their success in the future.
“This study gives everybody a chance to shape the future for training non-profits in West Virginia. It’s a unique opportunity for non-profits,” said Taylor.
Local representatives from the Tucker Community Foundation, Mountain State Forest Festival, University of the World, American Red Cross, Woodlands Community Lenders, Woodlands Development Group, the United Way of Randolph County, Canaan Valley Institute and West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Business gathered at the RCDA Tuesday to discuss the training hardships they have faced, and share ideas that could contribute to solving them.
Most commonly, some of the hardships listed were the inability to travel for training, costs, and difficulties with webinars, while some of the areas the non-profits felt they needed more readily available training in were community development and economic engagement, missions and programs, and grant planning and writing.
Other subjects listed were the need for additional training or resources in social media networking, public speaking, and peer-to-peer mentoring.
“Together we are stronger. That’s the value of working with the West Virginia Non-Profit Association,” said Taylor.
Haddad said the WVNPA hopes the exchange of ideas in the study will show areas of change, and allow organizations to adhere to each individual non-profit and help them get the materials they need.
“The training needs of each non-profit are different,” said Haddad.
Some states have chosen to construct one training facility, but Haddad said because of the nature of West Virginia’s terrain, that may be difficult to do and may not provide the access non-profits need.
Among other ideas, she feels West Virginia organizations may get more value from a training source that travels to various areas.
The next feasible study session will be held on July 15 through a webinar and on July 30, when the Faces of Leadership Conference in Charleston will serve as a source for the study.
Those unable to attend the seminars can contribute to an online poll system or complete phone calls to the organization. All information can be found at wvnpa.org.
