By Carol McCracken (Post # 854)

The Bank of Maine has announced that it will be conducting a statewide search for Maine’s most effective nonprofit board members. The search will culminate on December 1, 2011 with an event, to be called “Focus on Philanthropy 2011: The Art of Leadership”, which will recognize five leading nonprofit board members. At the lunchon concluding the program, The Bank of Maine will present these directors with Leaders & Luminaries Awards totaling $20,000.

“In today’s challenging economic climate, the nonprofit sector is struggling with limited resources and reductions in funding,” according to John W. Everetts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Bank of Maine. This award will honor “effective and creative leadership of some of the state’s critical nonprofit organizations.”

The Leaders & Luminaries Award competition will be free and open to any board director of a 501(c)(3) organization based in Maine who can demonstrate how inspiration, creativity and ingenuity in governance has led to his or her organization’s success. An independent selection committee appointed by The Bank of Maine will select the five winners. The grand prize winner will received $10,000 for his or her nonprofit and four runner-ups will each receive $2,500 for their organizations.

In addition to the awards presentation, Focus on Philanthropy 2011: The Art of Leadership will include a panel discussion, moderated by former Govenor Angus King and comprised of a distinguished panel of guests. The luncheon is to be held at the Harrasekeet Inn, Freeport.

For complete details and entry information, visit The Bank of Maine website at www.thebankofmaine.com/focus2011. Deadline for entires is September 15, 2011.