A former program may be used once again to possibly increase the number of African-Americans and Hispanics on community boards.

The program was known as ”Project Blueprint” and was operated by the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. Project Blueprint was designed to develop leadership for community organizations, promote volunteerism on boards and committees of the United Way, its member agencies, local governments and other community organizations, with a special emphasis on the increased representation of people of color.

Participants attended 21 hours of training, including two observations of board meetings. Workshop topics included board basics, board ethics and legal issues, strategic planning and fundraising, problem solving, team building, communication and understanding a financial statement. Project Blueprint also includes direction and placement.

On Thursday, Tory Irgang, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County executive director, spoke about Project Blueprint during the city’s Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission meeting. Irgang said the program was halted about four years ago. She said Project Blueprint did a quality job of educating young people about being a board member, but wasn’t doing a good job of reaching racial minorities.

”It wasn’t doing a good job of reaching into the Hispanic community,” Irgang said.

However, following recent concern about racial diversity among local foundation boards, Irgang said with assistance from those in the Hispanic community, the program might be restarted if it is more effective. She said, following the Hispanic Immersion Action Team’s meeting with Hispanic pastors on Wednesday, those working in Hispanic churches might be able to attract more racial minorities to participate in Project Blueprint.

The Rev. Alfonso Pagan, Nueva Vida Covenant Church pastor, said bringing back Project Blueprint might be the key to attracting more African Americans and Hispanics to joining community boards. Pagan questioned racial diversity among local foundation boards during a community meeting at the Eastside YMCA, located at 727 E. Second St., on Feb. 11. He said the day following that community meeting, Irgang reached out about restarting Project Blueprint.

”Tory (Irgang) wants to bring back (Project Blueprint) with an emphasis on minorities going,” he said. ”We need to fill those seats (on local boards) with minorities. I think that is a great idea.”

Project Blueprint’s curriculum used concise and relevant materials that prepared participants to confidently serve on boards and committees. The program was open to all Chautauqua County residents who were 16 years or older and were interested in serving their community through involvement in civic organizations.There was no cost to participants.