OUR MISSION, VISION, & VALUES
MISSION:
To enhance Greater Akron by investing in the development, connection and engagement of our membership, comprised of evolving leaders with a passion to impact our community.
VISION:
We envision a culture of empowered and diverse leadership in which our members are making meaningful contributions to the Greater Akron community.
CORE VALUES:
We value Connection, Growth, and Service. We strive to connect our members to the community and to each other. We enable our members to grow personally and professionally and to facilitate growth in our community. We provide meaningful service to the Greater Akron area.
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Torchbearers is comprised of an active membership of roughly 100 members. Our 5 committees are each led by 2 co-chairs and our 2 taskforces are led by 1-2 chairs. The organization is governed by 14 board members, including a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and 10 board members that serve as liaisons to our committees and taskforces.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COMMITTEES
Community Impact (CIC)
CIC collaborates with local organizations to select and coordinate the service events for Torchbearers that promote community involvement and improve the Greater Akron area.
Co-Chairs
Events
The Events Committee implements inspiring and creative social events that strengthen the relationships between Torchbearers, further the mission and vision of the organization, and engage Torchbearers with the Greater Akron Community.
Co-Chairs
Leadership & Development (L&D)
The L&D Committee provides Torchbearers with a comprehensive year-long curriculum devoted to professional and personal development, board leadership, and community exposure.
Co-Chairs
Marketing & Communications (MarComm)
The MarComm Committee is responsible for upholding the TB brand and collaborates with all other committees to facilitate internal communication and promote the organization externally.
Co-Chairs
Membership
The Membership Committee recruits a diverse class of emerging leaders from the Greater Akron area into TB and tracks membership requirements for current members to ensure an engaged and vibrant organization.
Co-Chairs
OUR HISTORY
Torchbearers was founded in 2003 to foster collaboration and strengthen the connection between Akron-area non-profits and emerging leaders. We strive to connect and retain service-minded individuals that are committed to making Akron a better place for its citizens. The organization is a bridge between established community leaders and rising leaders of the future.
GROWING MEMBERSHIP
Torchbearers maintains over 100 active members with a growing alumni network of over 450 members. Our membership reflects the diversity found across the Greater Akron emerging leader community.
DEDICATION TO SERVICE
Torchbearers contributes over 2,500 volunteer hours to the greater Akron community on an annual basis. We’ve worked with over 300 local organizations, including the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, PorchRokr, ACCESS, Inc, the Akron Snow Angels, Downtown Akron Partnership, the International Institute of Akron, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron Rotary Camp, Big Love, Summit Metro Parks, United Way of Summit County, and many, many more.
AFFILIATION WITH LEADERSHIP AKRON
Since 2009, Torchbearers has collaborated with Leadership Akron in efforts to advance community leadership in the Akron area. In early 2013, the two organizations officially became affiliates in order to collaborate more closely on an ongoing basis through coordinated fundraising, ex-officio board representatives, and collaboration on marketing efforts.