GAINESVILLE—The University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Service has joined forces with the Alachua County Affordable Housing Coalition to offer a series of workshops, “Up the Organization.”

The four-part workshops series, which begins Sept. 24 and continues with sessions on Oct. 1, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will help non-profit community organizations increase their productivity through better organization and leadership skill development, said Elizabeth Bolton, a professor of home economics at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“Cooperative Extension has experience in developing local leaders,” Bolton said. “Often, officers and members of community organizations frequently do not have the basic leadership skills that are needed to work in harmony with other members to pursue groups goals. Through these training workshops, we hope to help foster the leadership skills needed within local groups to enhance their work with boards, commissions, government and community organizations.”

Topics for the workshops include board development, volunteer management, strategic planning and grant proposal preparation. Cost to attend the workshops is $100, which includes all four sessions, all lunches and all workshop materials. The workshops will be held at the Alachua County Cooperative Extension office at 2800 N.E. 39th Ave. Seating is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information and to register, contact the Gainesville Housing Authority at 352-374-6661. The workshop series has been underwritten by UF’s Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing.

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