Luther Maddy: Board of Directors Best Practices Course Provides Opportunities to Serve the Community
Luther Maddy, a young professional, was wary and nervous about joining the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg board of directors when approached by current board members asking him if he would be interested in serving.
Maddy has a rich athletic background which he has used to found his company, The Mad Assist, LLC., which is a sports training program for middle and high school students. In addition to The Mad Assist, he also sells real estate full-time, making for a very busy schedule.
Maddy said, “I explored the thought of joining a board earlier this year with a mission to give back to the Lynchburg community. I was on the fence and told myself plenty of excuses of why I wasn't ready yet.”
After thinking about the possibility of joining the board, he got an email about the Board of Directors Best Practices certificate course that SHARE Greater Lynchburg and CVANE were offering in September. “When I saw that email come up, I was already thinking about joining the board for the Boys and Girls Club so I went ahead and signed up and it went well.”
The board training course made him more comfortable with what to expect as a board member. Maddy continued, “I told myself if I really want to be a part of this, then I can find a way to make it work, “ and with that he made changes in his schedule and came onto the board in the fall of 2021.
He says, “The training better helped me understand what a board member actually does. As I went to the first meetings I was really able to speak up and provide my opinions. I didn’t feel like I was just a young member with no idea what was going on. I actually was very active within the first two meetings almost as if I had been there before when I hadn’t.”
Part of the appeal of joining the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg board was the relatability Maddy felt towards the kids who are a part of the program as well as his mentorship experience with The Mad Assist. He says, “When I was playing football, that kind of served as the boys and girls club for me where it kept me off of the streets and I was at practice, hanging out with my friends. It kept me out of trouble.”
Maddy is able to serve the board through his different perspectives and backgrounds through football, real estate, marketing and his general upbringing. “I think that football and my friends and family helped keep me grounded and I think that’s what the Boys and Girls club does, it keeps these kids off the streets and gives them something to do after school,” says Maddy.
The Boys and Girls Club’s greatest need right now is for more mentors for their mentorship program. More information about applying to become a mentor can be found at the Boys and Girls Club SHARE Greater Lynchburg profile.
Another Board of Directors Best Practices certificate course will be held in January 2022 for more young professionals to experience and build new skills serve the community.