Andy Hudak Shares His Story
Contributors:
Andy Hudak, TransAmerica Financial Advisors
Emily Dammeyer, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
Andy Hudak, TransAmerica Financial Advisors
Emily Dammeyer, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
Recently, thirty EPIC Toledo members completed the Board Member Accelerator taught by Aly Sterling Philanthropy and it generated a lot of buzz in our community. If you haven’t read Heather Gallant’s reflection on teaching the course, you’re missing out. There has been a huge need for young professionals to step into non-profit board service in Toledo, and the leaders of EPIC Toledo recognized this opportunity to help educate the next generation of board members.
Andy Hudak, Investment Advisor Representative for TransAmerica Financial Advisors, was one of the thirty. He offers an interesting perspective on the course because he already sits on a couple of boards in the Toledo area, including the EPIC Advisory Council. We had the opportunity to catch up with him and capture his thoughts on the success of the program. From personal revelations to implementing new organizational policies, Andy took what he learned and made the most of it.
Andy Hudak, Investment Advisor Representative for TransAmerica Financial Advisors, was one of the thirty. He offers an interesting perspective on the course because he already sits on a couple of boards in the Toledo area, including the EPIC Advisory Council. We had the opportunity to catch up with him and capture his thoughts on the success of the program. From personal revelations to implementing new organizational policies, Andy took what he learned and made the most of it.
| EPIC Toledo: You are already on a board or two in the community. Tell us about your role with those. Andy Hudak (AH): I am the Treasurer of Ballet Theatre of Toledo, and I am a member of the EPIC Advisory Council. I also am active within The Toledo Lucas County Public Library's Literati. |  Ballet Theatre of Toledo Dancers - Hudak Serves as Treasurer of the Board |
EPIC: How have you been able to use some of what you’ve learned in the Board Accelerator Series within these organizations?
AH: Many ways, but I will give you one tangible thing:
We have developed a binder for the Ballet Theatre of Toledo board based on best practices learned from the Board Accelerator Series. This resource will be VERY IMPORTANT for 2 reasons: Board Recruitment AND Board Performance! One of the hardest things about board service is nailing down just exactly WHAT you are supposed to do and HOW you can make an impact. This binder will clearly outline both of those things for board members.
AH: Many ways, but I will give you one tangible thing:
We have developed a binder for the Ballet Theatre of Toledo board based on best practices learned from the Board Accelerator Series. This resource will be VERY IMPORTANT for 2 reasons: Board Recruitment AND Board Performance! One of the hardest things about board service is nailing down just exactly WHAT you are supposed to do and HOW you can make an impact. This binder will clearly outline both of those things for board members.
EPIC: What is the single most impactful thing that you’ve taken away from this course so far?
AH: It's okay to have high expectations of a board and an organization. Just because it's a non-profit organization doesn't mean your standards aren't high.
EPIC: Have you felt in some way that you are exploring a deeper commitment, or are there things that you’ve discovered about yourself?
AH: I need to REDUCE my involvement with some aspects of my life/ step aside and let others lead in other situations, and to take on a larger role in another.
EPIC: Do you agree with the sense that this course is shifting the non-profit operation within the Toledo community?
AH: Absolutely. This course teaches that our community should WANT strong non-profit organizations led by young professionals. More importantly, it stresses that it's up to the organizations THEMSELVES to BE STRONG!
EPIC: Are there any takeaways from this course that you’ve found relevant in other areas of your life?
AH: Absolutely...there is so much carryover to my business (having a strategic plan, understanding roles, finances, understanding people, etc.). It is common sense once you learn about it, but running a non-profit should be very similar to running a business in many ways.
EPIC: With the first course just wrapping up, people are already noticing this course and the impact that it’s had on the community. What has that looked like for you?
AH: It's given me a chance to build and strengthen relationships with people I wouldn't have known...and to introduce people to the organizations I serve!
Thank you Andy for taking the time to share your experience and insight on the Board Member Accelerator Series. It is so important that young professionals take the opportunity to lead and appreciate it when the opportunity arises.
AH: It's okay to have high expectations of a board and an organization. Just because it's a non-profit organization doesn't mean your standards aren't high.
EPIC: Have you felt in some way that you are exploring a deeper commitment, or are there things that you’ve discovered about yourself?
AH: I need to REDUCE my involvement with some aspects of my life/ step aside and let others lead in other situations, and to take on a larger role in another.
EPIC: Do you agree with the sense that this course is shifting the non-profit operation within the Toledo community?
AH: Absolutely. This course teaches that our community should WANT strong non-profit organizations led by young professionals. More importantly, it stresses that it's up to the organizations THEMSELVES to BE STRONG!
EPIC: Are there any takeaways from this course that you’ve found relevant in other areas of your life?
AH: Absolutely...there is so much carryover to my business (having a strategic plan, understanding roles, finances, understanding people, etc.). It is common sense once you learn about it, but running a non-profit should be very similar to running a business in many ways.
EPIC: With the first course just wrapping up, people are already noticing this course and the impact that it’s had on the community. What has that looked like for you?
AH: It's given me a chance to build and strengthen relationships with people I wouldn't have known...and to introduce people to the organizations I serve!
Thank you Andy for taking the time to share your experience and insight on the Board Member Accelerator Series. It is so important that young professionals take the opportunity to lead and appreciate it when the opportunity arises.
Ballet Theatre of Toledo Dancers - Hudak Serves as Treasurer of the Board
If you are part of a non-profit organization that would benefit from learning more about the program and how to connect with EPIC Toledo members, please attend our webinar Thursday, June 2, 2016, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Email Sara Swisher to register and receive login instructions.
| Connect with EPIC Toledo | |
 | Emily Dammeyer is the Communications Manager at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has a background in Social Media Management and received a degree in Organizational Communication from Miami University |
Please contact Emily Dammeyer, Communications Manager, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to submit a story for our blog
RSS Feed
