Glastonbury Attorney and Resident Gives Back by Serving on Arts for Learning Connecticut Board

Leadership Greater Hartford’s award-winning Leaders on Board program has successfully matched more than 360 individuals with 95 nonprofit organizations. Attorney Steve Zakrzewski, Associate at Gordon & Rees LLP, recently participated in Leaders on Board and now serves on the Board of Directors for Arts for Learning Connecticut.

According to Zakrzewski, “I decided to participate in Leaders on Board because I was ready to commit to a nonprofit whose mission I believed in, and ready to make a positive difference for the organization, instead of spending my time sporadically volunteering for different events. Several of my good friends had already participated in Leaders on Board and said that it was the best way to find a nonprofit that I could be passionate about, so I signed up. The program was extremely well-organized and helpful. The Orientation was a concise and valuable refresher on the obligations of a board member, delivered by well-informed and engaging presenters. And the Express Match (like speed dating) made it as easy as possible to find the right nonprofit for me. I met at least ten nonprofits at the two Express Matches I attended, and ultimately fell in love with Arts for Learning Connecticut, a Milford-based organization that puts artistic and creative learning programs in schools and communities across the state.
It’s a very fulfilling experience to sit on the board of Arts for Learning Connecticut. I’ve helped organize and promote fundraising events, and have already made meaningful contributions to the organization’s financial practices and legal compliance. I also made some valuable professional contacts through the board, and the firm that I work for loves that I’m involved with such a positive and important organization. Overall, I would recommend Leaders on Board to anyone who is ready to make an impact on a Connecticut nonprofit.”

Leaders on Board is a program created by Leadership Greater Hartford with support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The program began in 2009 and strengthens nonprofit organizations by training and connecting participants with boards of directors seeking new members. It attracts individuals who want to serve on a board, develop their leadership skills and serve the community. The program also attracts nonprofit organizations who are looking for board members who have been trained in the basics of board membership. In addition, corporations and businesses participate in the program by offering board governance training to prepare their employees who are interested in serving the community.

Leaders on Board is actively looking to for more civic-minded individuals who would like to make a difference by serving on a nonprofit board. For more information about how you can get involved, email Mae Ryan at mae.ryan@leadershipgh.org or call 860.951.6161, x1900.

Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH) is the most comprehensive nonprofit community leadership organization in the country. It provides leadership training to individuals ranging from high school age to retirees, with community service projects featured in most programs. These projects and the program graduates continue to have lasting impact in the Hartford region. For more information about how to be a participant or sponsor, or to inquire about customized training with Leadership Greater Hartford, call 860-951-6161 (x1800), email info@leadershipgh.org, visit www.leadershipgh.org, or like LGH on Facebook.