DAWSONVILLE, Ga.–The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce is launching a luncheon series geared specifically to aid local non-profit organizations. Connect Dawson, hosted by the Community Development Committee of the Chamber will kick off its first luncheon in the series Tuesday, August 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Professional Development Center.

With more than 80 nonprofit groups in the area, Community Development Committee Chair Regina Varnado said she feels there is a great value in the seminar series.

“With such an abundance of nonprofit groups in our area, the Community Development Committee wanted to come up with a way to best serve these entities,” Varnado said. “We feel that being able to offer tools and training through this seminar series will only help strengthen these organizations and allow them to even better fulfill their mission statements.”

The August 16 luncheon will be led by Cheryl Vandiver and Blair Diaz of the North Georgia Community Foundation. Vandiver serves as the director of operations for the foundation and Diaz is a certified public accountant. Topics covered in the luncheon will be nonprofit board development, fiscal management, accounting procedures, legal issues and general responsibilities.

“The Chamber and the Community Development Committee feel this luncheon will be beneficial to anyone involved with an area nonprofit,” Dawson County Chamber President Christie Haynes said. “Whether you serve as a board member, hold a staff position or even volunteer for the organization, there will be a topic covered that pertains to your role within the nonprofit.”

The Connect Dawson seminar series is expected to be offered quarterly. Upcoming topics will include: Getting the most out of your Fundraiser and Building a Strong Board. If there is another topic that would be interesting, Haynes invites people to contact the Chamber. “We want these seminars to be as beneficial as possible to our community.”

The cost of the luncheon is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. To register, please call 706-265-6278 or email [email protected].