Running Head: Module 3

Module 3: Board of Directors and Business Model Creation

Caitlin Leffingwell
Eastern University

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Board of Directors
Although their exact roles differ slightly, each member of the board of directors
ultimately works to hold organization members (employees and volunteers) accountable to
organization stakeholders (those receiving services of any kind from the organization, according
to its mission and purpose). As such, each member may be connected tobut not receive direct
services or payment fromthe organization called the Virtuosos. (Kennon, 2015)

Chair:
Maria Colon
Job Description
In order to fulfill the general purpose required of all board members, the Chair is expected to act
as primary liaison between the community and the Virtuososlearning and advocating for
community needs in every possible way. He or she will also be responsible for organizing and
running meetings held by the Virtuosos leaders and stakeholders. These and other interactions
should be conducted with the utmost fairness, professionalism, integrity, and compassion, which
requires that the Chair have upstanding character, excellent communication skills, and a healthy
relationship with both the community and Virtuosos staff.
Bio
Although originally from Puerto Rico, Maria Colon has lived in the North End of Hartford for
decades and is considered one of the most active members of the Milner community. With three
children at the school, she can be found serving there daily in a variety of capacitiesa fact that
has given her bountiful volunteer experience helping teachers, school administration, and even
after-school staff. She has a great appreciation for music and sees the Virtuosos as one of many
ways for the North End community to expand its economic stability and cultural pride using
existing assets.
Unique Contributions
Although certainly a believer in the power of music and the work done so far by the Virtuosos,
Maria is uncompromising in seeking the best for her fellow parents and community membersa
powerful characteristic that will help this organization stay accountable to serving this
community to the best of its ability. She is well respected within the community, and all
stakeholders trust her to learn and express their voices fairly and boldly. This voice of the
community will also help the organization serve the community as effectively as possible.
(Chairman, 2015)

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Vice-Chair:
Jaheem Smith
Job Description
In order to fulfill the general purpose required of all board members, the Vice-Chair is expected
to assist the Chair in performing duties related to representing the community and organizing
meetings. In addition, he or she will take on these duties entirely in the absence of the Chair
whether short-term or long-termand in matters concerning the Chairs integrity. This position
also requires upstanding character and a healthy relationship with the community, as well as the
ability to offer insightful advice in even difficult situations.
Bio
After moving from Jamaica to the North End of Hartford twelve years ago, Jaheem Smith
opened a small corner-store on Albany Ave and has proven to be not only a successful business
owner, but also a trusted community member. His thoughtful wisdom is widely sought by diverse
members of the community, but his lighthearted humility is also one of his most defining
characteristics. His grandchildren attend Milner, and he is deeply invested in helping the
community reach its full potentialstarting with students and their families at this neighborhood
school.
Unique Contributions
As with Maria, Jaheems deep love for and knowledge of the North End community are
incredible assets to the Virtuosos board of directors. His perceptive wisdom will help this
organization serve the students and families of Milner in ways it might not otherwise recognize,
and both his business experience and heart for service complement Marias motherly zeal.
Although very different, their personalities combine to help the board of directors accomplish a
lot in a short amount of timeall for the benefit of the Virtuosos stakeholders.
(Chairman, 2015)

Secretary:
Francesca Boretto
Job Description
In order to fulfill the general purpose required of all board members, the Secretary is responsible
for facilitating reliable and efficient communication between members of the board, as well as
between the board, the stakeholders, and the Virtuosos staff. He or she must create and/or
maintain accurate records, reports, and minutes from all related meetings or board interaction
with either stakeholders or staff membersassuring that all such forms of communication are
presented to their intended audiences with maximum integrity and usefulness.
Bio
Currently earning her MSW degree from UConns West Hartford campus, Francesca Boretto is a
graduate of Milner and can frequently be found visiting two nieces that currently attend the
neighborhood school. Her heart for this community is evident in her desire to continue serving it
during and after her college education, and she believes that existing assets are the key to its

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renewal. In fact, she actively sought the secretary position for this board of directors after
hearing the Virtuosos perform and speak at her campus.
Unique Contributions
Francescas friends, family, and even professors all speak highly of her deep convictions,
impressive work ethic, and attention to detail; these particular traits, along with her bright
research skills and independent thinking, greatly enhance the mission of this organization by
helping it keep records that are legally sound, exceptionally effective, and easily understood by a
wide variety of audiences. Her experiential knowledge of the Milner community helps her to
communicate effectively with local stakeholders, while her education and work experiences
helps her to communicate with funders and other more technical audiences. Her bubbly
personality and strong work ethic also make her very easy to work with!
(Garber, 2014)

Treasurer:
Robert Bobby Lane
Job Description
In order to fulfill the general purpose required of all board members, the Treasurer is responsible
for maintaining all aspects of the organizations finances. This includes overseeing or directly
managing the budgets, banking, transactions, and reporting, although approval for major
decisions and transactions must also go through either the Chair or entire board of directors,
depending on level of significance. This responsibility necessitates that the Treasurer possess
excellent character and at least five years of experience working with organizational finances
ideally in the nonprofit sector. Similarly, the Treasurer must also be of high repute, comfortable
operating with open and transparent communication, passionate about serving the community,
and very creative.
Bio
As a fifth-year teacher at Milner, Robert Bobby Lane is the only member of the board who
does not have longstanding ties to the Milner community, yet he recently proved his commitment
to this area by purchasing a home in the North End for himself and his familya rare choice in
light of the negative view most outsiders currently have of this area. In fact, Bobby is already
well-respected by Milner staff and families for his consistency, kindness, and unwavering
optimism. Although very good at sticking his ground in even very intense situations, Bobby is
known for avidly seeking the objective truth at all timeseven if it means accepting that he was
in the wrong. He has degrees in both math and business and ran his own nonprofit for almost a
decade before entering the education field.
Unique Contributions
In addition to his relevant degrees and nonprofit experience, Bobby is an excellent match for the
Treasurer position in large part because of his honest and respectable character. Even as a
relative newcomer, he has earned the trust and love of this community through his
commitment and kindness, and this helps the Virtuosos to foster open, caring, and effective

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relationships with its stakeholders even through its approach to finances. Moreover, his
receptivity to diverse ideas and even criticism helps him to find cutting-edge options for
fundraising thatwhen combined with detail-oriented bookkeepingcan go a long way in
helping this organization achieve sustainable growth.
(Chan, 2009)
References
Chairman (2015). Wikipedia. Retrieved on 3/13/15 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chairman
Chan, E. (2009). Duties of the treasurer of a nonprofit organization. Nonprofit Law Blog.
Retrieved from http://www.nonprofitlawblog.com/treasurer-duties/ treasurer
Garber, N. (2014). Secretary of the board of directors. Nathan Garber and Associates. Retrieved
from http://garberconsulting.com/Job_Description_Secretary.htm
Kennon, J. (2015). The board of directors. About.com. Retrieved from
http://beginnersinvest.about.com/cs/a/aa2203a.htm

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Business Model Creation

More than three years ago, a seemingly strange series of events found me teaching violin
for an after-school program at one of the lowest performing schools in Hartford, Connecticut.
Although the work has proven challenging in virtually every way imaginable, it has allowed me
to experience how music not only creates meaningful connections despite drastic differences, but
also actively transforms lives. The changes in these studentsdespite their challenging
backgrounds and a suburban violin instructor without a degree in music or educationhave been
nothing short of inspirational. As such, this program has since evolved into the Virtuososan
organization driven by a vision of this community as a place known for strong families, cultural
vibrancy, and valuable resources. To make this vision a reality, our mission is to help students at
Milner Community School develop a sense of personal and community value through music
instruction and performance.
In large part because this vision and mission centers on social restoration, I believe that
the Virtuosos would operate most effectively as a nonprofit organization. Its revenue is entirely
dedicated to furthering social justice in this community rather than producing profit for its
employees or owners. Furthermore, although I see and envy some of the benefits of an LLC, my
ultimate goal is to see this program run entirely by former Milner music students, such that I lean
away the idea of a sole proprietorship. Similarly, the accountability offered by a board of
members comprised of stakeholders from the community helps to balance my inherent outsider
trait and aids the organization in accomplishing its mission to benefit the community with as
much integrity as possible.