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Needing to energize and expand their governing board, the South Shore Drill Team & Performing Arts Ensemble (SSDT) engaged Smith Beers Yunker & Company for a year-long initiative to strategically grow its board. Donna Drinan and Jim Yunker guided the Leadership Development process which culminated with a day-long Leadership Orientation and Planning Retreat. The project was funded by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust’s African American Legacy Initiative.
Commenting on the services provided and the outcomes of the project, SSDT Board Chair Rev. Dennis Langdon said, “We made it clear to the Smith Beers Yunker team that we expected and needed a lot of ‘hand-holding.’ At the end of the process, we needed to receive more than a thick report. We needed to see actual results. And I’m happy to say we received more than we requested. Their process worked exactly as promised.”
“Donna and Jim were both a dream to work with. Donna brought her many years of experience as an executive director to the project, so she had a good perspective on board responsibilities as well as the day to day challenges of our staff. Jim was gentle in his prodding for us to do what we needed to do, while also being respectful of our time and volunteer status. We never felt put upon. We were never talked down to.”
Rev. Langdon noted that the Leadership Development process resulted in the recruitment of ten new board members and a fully functioning, culturally diverse board, offering high levels of both professional and nonprofit expertise. “When we sat down with the Chicago Community Trust to report on our positive outcomes,” he added, “they were impressed with the unique way in which we accomplished our goals in a short amount of time.”
In a thank you note to Smith Beers Yunker, SSDT Director and Founder Arthur Robertson said, “Words cannot describe all you have done for our organization over the past year. We are so very grateful for your invaluable assistance with our Leadership Development Project.” |