Three Local Leaders Earn Completion Certifications
The Nonprofit Leadership Center at Angelina College on Wednesday recognized three new graduates of its program with a ceremony held inside AC’s Technology Workforce Center.
Happy Willhoite (Love INC, Nacogdoches), Erin Gentry (Naranjo Museum of Natural History) and Stanley Cleberg (Sleep in Heavenly Peace Organization) each received the Nonprofit Leadership Management Certificate following completion of the course, which includes six eight-hour core classes: Nonprofit Financial Management, Donor Development, Board Governance Essentials, Marketing and Communication, High Impact Leadership and Human Resources Management.
Also required is a minimum of two electives, which includes various conferences and “Lunch-and-Learn” sessions.
Heather Kartye, Director of the NPLC, praised the recipients for their ability to work together while completing the rigors of the course.
“I know you guys are kind of your own cohort now after bonding throughout these classes, and it’s amazing to see you here and celebrate your accomplishment,” Kartye said. “You guys worked very hard to meet all the requirements, and we’re so proud to see you receive your awards.”
Willhoite, a Nacogdoches native, said Love INC – a national organization with just two chapters in Texas – partners with area churches to “mobilize them to serve the community.”
“My director, Patty Goodrum, showed me this Nonprofit Leadership Center here at AC, and Heather (Kartye) was once part of the Family Crisis Center,” Willhoite said. “We had some relationships already in place, but I wanted to learn more about nonprofits while understanding how other organizations work together. We want to promote this program (Love INC) as much as possible.”
Gentry, who serves as Executive Director of the Naranjo Museum of Natural History in Lufkin, said the NLPC
“I believe in the community, and I also believe it’s important to pursue education to continue to bolster yourself so you can give back even more,” Gentry said.
“This is a very creative community, and we’ve seen a rise in artists coming together,” Gentry added. “We’re looking into a variety of what I like to call ‘Edu-tainment’ spaces where one gets a little bit of entertainment and a little bit of education. It’s a perfect blend, and that’s really what I’m trying to bring into the museum and expand for us as we move forward.”
Cleberg is chapter co-president for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Organization, an international group with chapters in 49 of the 50 United States, as well as in Canada and the Virgin Islands.
“We build beds for kids who don’t have them. Our mission is to solve child ‘bedlessness.’ It’s a made-up word, but it works,” Cleberg laughed.
Cleberg said currently the total of beds delivered is up to more than 275,000 nationally. His Woodville chapter supplies Tyler, Jasper, and Sabine counties.
“These are all hand-crafted beds built by volunteers, and it’s made of wood, so if I kid can break it, he’s going to have to work hard at it,” Cleberg said. “We build beds once per month, and we try to deliver around 25 beds per month in our service area.”
Cleberg said completing the NPLC course at Angelina College offered several benefits, including expanding recruiting efforts.
“For me, it’s an opportunity to improve my ability to work with other organizations,” Cleberg said. “We try and work with our local organizations such as Child Protective Services, local law enforcement and local churches. I wanted to use this opportunity not only to connect, but also to recruit in hopes of finding people willing to jump in and help start new chapters.
“We’re hoping to find another brave soul to help us start a chapter here in Angelina County. We’re always looking for volunteers. Our website is shpbeds.org, and we have a Facebook page at ‘Sleep in Heavenly Peace Woodville.’”
For further information on Angelina College’s Nonprofit Leadership Center, contact Heather Kartye at hkartye@angelina.edu.
Gary Stallard’s email address is garystallard@angelina.edu.
Happy Willhoite:
happy@lovincnac.org.
Erin Gentry:
eringentry@naranjomuseum.org
Stanley Cleberg:
stanley.cleberg@shpbeds.org
