On the Board
About 10 years ago, Vic Rozic found a unique way to make a contribution to the community.
When the United Way of Butler County sought volunteers, he joined its board of directors.
Serving on the board, Rozic was impressed with the efforts of running an operation such as the United Way.
He soon discovered there was a need he could fill by serving on boards.
When the Butler County Children's Center was looking for people to serve on its board, Rozic took the opportunity.
"I said, 'You know what? I'm going to give that a shot,'" Rozic said.
Along with remaining on the United Way board, he now is on the Butler County Chamber of Commerce board.
"You see me get sucked into this stuff, but it's very fulfilling," Rozic said.
He works with the chamber's Leadership Butler County program, which trains people to serve on boards. Through its nine months of classes, leadership members tour various agencies and companies and learn about issues in the county.
Rozic enjoys working in the community, interacting with others.
"You get to see and talk to the people," he said.
Rozic is on the United Way's personnel committee, which reviews the qualifications of applicants and the policy handbook.
He previously worked on the organization's Core and Venture program, which overhauled the donation system. Now, the United Way reviews exactly how an organization spends the donation.
Rozic, 57, spends at least several hours a month volunteering when he's not working as the health, safety and environmental manager for Calumet-Penreco in Karns City,
Rozic, who lives in Clay Township with his wife, Carolyn, enjoys working in his yard, fishing and hunting.
"I'm getting a little old for motorcycling," he joked about his other passion.
Rozic is one of hundreds of people in the county who volunteer on boards of all types, including governmental, education, religious, community, and athletic.
Stan Kosciuszko, chamber president, said the leadership program provides a way for people to learn about what is required to serve on boards.
Kosciuszko said the program encourages community participation for qualified people unsure about serving.
"It's training these professionals," he said. "Trying to give them the confidence they need."
Participants learn board ethics, see how community agencies work and meet with government officials."That was the whole purpose," said Leslie Osche, executive director of the Butler County United Way. "For people looking for some expertise."Before seeking opportunities for training, a person should have a background that could help an organization."Someone who brings a different skill set to the table," Osche said, is what many agencies are looking for.Kosciuszko agreed, saying a board may need someone with a legal, engineering or financial background, for example.But white-collar experience isn't the only type needed. Osche said some boards would benefit from people who know trades such as carpentry.Other groups need the perspective of a parent or a consumer.Often a board just needs a down-to-earth member who brings common sense to discussions."You're looking at diverse backgrounds on a board," Osche said.Kosciuszko agreed board diversity is crucial."It's not the exclusive old boys networks anymore," he said. "If anyone has an interest (in serving), they should be able to pursue it."Kosciuszko cited the Butler County Young Professionals as a chamber group not only building a future business community, but encouraging volunteerism.Osche said agency board seats are similar to holding office with new faces not being discouraged from joining just to keep the same people in those seats year after year."Call for term limits," she said, referring to cases in which people may be afraid to have the organization move forward but still want to stay on that organization's board.She said one way to bring in new board members is for an organization to create an honorary board, which maintains the involvement of long-time board members who would not deal with daily operations.Kosciuszko pointed out the chamber as another example of volunteerism.With only three chamber employees, much of the work is done by volunteers."Volunteers in tough economic times can fill in the gaps," Kosciuszko said.Rozic fills in another gap serving on the Butler County Local Emergency Planning Committee.He is one of several representatives from the chemical industry on the board, addressing how companies should handle emergencies involving hazardous materials.Frank Matis, director of Butler County Emergency Services, praised Rozic's volunteerism."Vic's a great guy," Matis said. "He's obviously very active in the community. We were lucky to get him on the committee."
<b>WHAT: </b>Butler County Chamber of Commerce<b>PHONE: </b>724-283-2222<b>WHAT: </b>United Way of Butler County<b>PHONE: </b>724-285-2260
