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Megan Cooper

Kelly-Fields is New Updayton Executive Director

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Kelly-Fields Joins Updayton Team

Last week, the advocacy organization dedicated to the attraction and retention of young talent, Updayton, announced the hiring Yvette Kelly-Fields as Executive Director.  This is a big step for the (previously) all-volunteer initiative that grew out of DaytonCREATE and hosts the annual Young Creatives Summit.  (Yvette is also a contributing writer here on DaytonMostMetro.com)

Updayton is grateful for support from numerous businesses and organizations that place high value on young talent retention.  This new position of an Executive Director was made possible by the Southwest Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).

I used this opportunity to speak to Scott Murphy (one of the original DaytonCREATE catalysts who formed Updayton) and Kelly-Fields.  These Q&As give us a little insight to the group as well as some fun facts from the woman who will be stepping in to help lead the charge.

First – a little background from Scott Murphy:

Murphy Works as Steering Committee Chair

What inspired the creation of Updayton?

There was a model that was presented to us during the DaytonCREATE launch that highlighted a group in Syracuse that had worked to get young people engaged in their city and give them a greater voice in things that were happening in the Syracuse area.  Over the past several years they’ve hosted an annual Summit to do that.  We liked their model, but we really liked the attitude they took with the community: “young people are important, we care about our community too, so you better listen to us.”  But more so, we saw the talent potential here, the economic opportunity that local universities offer, and we saw that too many folks were leaving the region coming out of college.  We were missing an opportunity to grow economically.  That more than anything spurred the development of updayton.

Are the needs of these young creatives really different than the needs of anyone else?

First of all, we focus on a younger demographic because looking at census data from communities across the country, it’s young people that are making the decisions about moving.  In their 20s people are more likely to make a major move than any other time in their life – they don’t have roots yet; so we have to be working harder to keep them here.  However, to answer your question, to a certain extent, of course needs change with age.  Someone who already has a graduate degree isn’t as likely to be looking for opportunities to continue their education.  Similarly, a good school system is probably going to be much more important to someone who has a child.  That said, certain things are going to be important to everyone regardless of age: a vibrant city, strong communities, good job opportunities and a city that is welcoming of diversity.

How are you different from the other young professional organizations in the region?

Well, we’re not a young professional organization.  We don’t have membership.  Additionally, what we do is very project based.  We look for ways to get young people engaged in the region through implementing initiatives that will help address their needs.  We also continuously solicit feedback – through surveys, through focus groups, through the annual Summit – to make sure that we understand what things are really important to this young, talented demographic and then advocate for those things to local leadership.

What activities have you done to foster that connection between young people and the region?

A few different ways.  Through our periodic email blasts, through our various social media outlets, we try to make our demographic aware of the many things that are going on in the region.  It can be a little difficult to find stuff at times, even for folks who know a lot about the region… but it’s there and you just have to look a little harder – so we try to make it easier.  Second, just through the action plan process – through implementing initiatives based around topics that young people care about, you’re going to learn more about assets and amenities in the region.  Personally, I know that’s been the case with me – getting involved with updayton, I’m much more aware of things that are here than I was when I started a few years ago.  Finally, if young, creative people see their input is being heard and valued by local leaders, then young people are going to appreciate the Dayton region that much more.

What do you hope to achieve by hiring an Executive Director?

We want to grow the organization – that’s why we hired an Executive Director, and we think Yvette is going to do a great job.  We want to get involved in more things and have an impact in more areas of the region.  There are decisions that are being made every day here in the community that impact issues that young people care about, and we want to play a greater role in influencing those decisions.  We want to do more in implementing the recommendations we’ve made for the community over the past couple years – specifically, promoting acceptance of diversity, connecting job seekers to employers, growing urban vibrancy, and strengthening our neighborhoods.  We think having an Executive Director is going to enable us to do that.

Kelly-Fields to Work with Steering Committee in 2011 Summit Planning

And now to learn a little more about the vision of Kelly-Fields as the new Executive Director:

Why did you want to a part of Updayton?

For the last few years, I have had serious concerns about where the next generation of leaders was going to come from for the Dayton area. …  (Updayton) already provides the platform and opportunity for young professionals to become meaningfully involved in solving problems in the community. (Young people) are learning how take an idea from concept to realization. They are gaining invaluable skills that they can build upon to tackle many of the problems facing this city. I believe those are the individuals who will be running this region in the near future and I wanted to be a part of that dynamic.

What do you think you can offer as an Executive Director?

Over the last twelve years, I have had the good fortune of working for a number of stellar nonprofits and with some great nonprofit leaders. As a result, I have a gained a great deal of experience in fund raising, project and volunteer management, community and public relations and relationship building.

My goal is to bring all of those skill sets to the table to move Updayton towards the vision the steering committee has established. This includes increasing community partnerships, raising the visibility of the organization in the community and securing cash and noncash resources to support Updayton projects.

What do you see as the biggest obstacle for the region in attracting and retaining young talent?

The biggest obstacle is being able to show and demonstrate to young talent that they can build a full and satisfying life for themselves and their future families in Dayton. When they look at Dayton, do they see access to employment with upward mobility or the viable option of entrepreneurism? Do they see sufficient, affordable choices to live? What about opportunities to socialize in diverse settings in varied parts of the community? Is there ample opportunity for civic and community engagement?

I have found that in this community, and I believe that the key for young talent finding it is through exposure to what Dayton has to offer through work by initiatives and organizations like Updayton.

What do you look forward to most as you start this new position?

The thing that immediately impressed me about Updayton is the tremendous community support it has. Everyone I talk to thinks is a great organization. I look forward to expanding its visibility and reach into the community.

And now for a little insight on Kelly-Fields as a Daytonian.

What’s your favorite place to go or thing to do in Dayton?

My family and I love going to the festivals. Last year we went to the Greek Festival, the City Folk Festival, the Black Cultural Festival, Oktoberfest and to the Chocolate Festival. We also enjoy Urban Nights. We always go to Wright Dunbar for ribs by Smokin Joe.  These events are always so much fun for my family.

What’s the best advice your parents gave you?

The best advice I got was to treat everybody right. You never know who you are going to need for help. It is important to maintain good relations with as many people as possible so when I need assistance with something I do not have to pause when I pick up the phone to call them or stop short of saying hello when out in public.  Conversely, if someone who has not treated me so well, I still maintain friendly relations.  I have found this advice has served me well.

Favorite restaurant or hidden gem?

I have several but my true favorite is Evan’s Café on North Main Street. I am addicted to the Baked Potato Soup, the Mandarin Orange Salad and the Jamaican Chicken Salad. When I cannot go there, I make a beeline to Coco’s. I love the grilled cheese sandwich with Tomato Bisque topped off with the Crème Brule.

Who inspires you?

It may sound corny, but my mom and dad inspire me. They told me that whatever I set my mind to I could achieve it. So far, it has worked.

What phrase do you hear coming out of your mouth too often?

I once went to an event, where after a very unusual performance, the emcee said, “That’s something different.”  Whenever I come across a person or a situation that I cannot describe, I say, “Well, that was something different.”

Learn more and get involved with UpDayton:
Web site: http://updayton.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/updayton?ref=ts
Take the Updayton Survey: http://updayton.com/survey/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/updayton
Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/updayton/

Disclaimer: I am involved on the updayton steering committee as the communication chair.  Also, the current version of DaytonMostMetro.com was created in part by a volunteer group formed from the first Updayton Young Creatives Summit in April 2009.

Miami Valley Home World

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I watch way too many home improvement shows.  I’m a big fan of both HGTV and the DIY network.  I sing along with the theme songs, and let me tell you – a lot of those shows don’t have “songs” to speak of (*Who wants a clean house?*). I even went so far as to apply to let viewers “Run My Renovation” to get a free home makeover.  Alas – competing with thousands of other viewers for one free makeover and sitting on my couch isn’t getting my basement any closer to being remodeled.  So, I figured it’s time to call in the big guns.  I headed to the Miami Vally Home World show at the Airport Expo Center for the experts.

Friday nights people get in for only $5 with a donation of a canned good, so I decided to save some cash.  (Note: If you like their Facebook page and print out the coupon, you can get in for $5 on Sundays, so you only have to pay full price ($7) if you go Saturdays.)  Here’s another hint – although it’s sponsored by a credit union – they don’t accept credit cards, so bring cash or plan to use the ATM outside the doors

I went with a couple pretty specific needs, so I didn’t stop at every booth; it took about an hour to walk by everything.  In the back corner, they have a pretty nice set-up for presentations and demonstrations.  As I expected, there’s a normal mix of HVAC, decks, window replacements, and kitchen/bath remodels, but there were also booths featuring cleaning systems, cooking, and bedding.

The negative of going to a home show is you’ve got to actually care about going.  I admit – it’s not really a *fun* place if you don’t plan on some sort of home remodel or purchase in the future (even though there’s a food court with beer).  But – if you are planning to work on your house, it’s a great way to talk to a few different contractors/businesses and get a few hundred bucks off (lots of companies offer discounts, coupons, and free estimates if you sign up at the home show).

So – if you’re planning on doing some work on your house in the near future, check out the Miami Valley Home Show to get to know a few different contractors, business, and see who might be the right fit.  And register to win $10,000 toward your home remodel before you leave.  The show runs weekends through February 13.

YP Roundup – February

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We’ve made it through the longest day of the year and now we’re into the shortest month; fingers crossed that the pesky groundhog misses its shadow and spring is just around the corner.  Groundhog or not, time seems to be flying by, but before it gets too far away from us – we can enjoy a lot of great YP events coming up this month.

Wednesday, February 2: Start off February by making a commitment to better your city!  A way for YPs to get involved is the “Street Level” committee for the Vacant Storefronts Project.  The Downtown Dayton Partnerhsip (in collaboration with many community leaders, businesses, volunteers, and organizations) has been crafting the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan.  They handed over control of this important project to any and all young people in the region who want to make a significant visual impact on the vibrancy of the region.  There are three committees working hard to fill the empty storefronts in different ways.  Contact Sherri to learn how to get involved.

UPDATE:  CANCELLED!  Also, the first Wednesday of the month brings the Ballet Barre/Associate Board meeting at the Dayton Racquet Club.  As always, they start with a social and an opportunity to check out the view from the top of the DRC, then they get into the business of the meeting.

Have you checked out Meetup yet?  If you’re a 30-something in the region and interested in meeting some new people while checking out some fun venues, maybe this is for you.  Their schedule changes often as new events are added as people decide to host a party or schedule a dinner out.  They’re planning a couple fun ones on Friday, February 4 (downtown with First Friday as the setting) and Saturday, February 5 to watch the UFC fight at Champps down south.

To keep with the Meetup spirit, the Dayton Young Professionals are hitting Meadowlark for a fun, social, and casual brunch on Sunday, February 6.

Are you a reader?  Or do you love the social aspect of a book club?  Either way, join Generation Dayton on Monday, February 7 at Books & Co. at the Greene for their monthly book club meeting.  They are discussing The Little Black Book of Leadership written by Dr. Todd Dewett.  Who’s going to be there?  Oh yeah, Dr. Dewett himself!  Don’t miss this chance to get great insights on an inspiring book from the author himself.

Head up north on Wednesday, February 9 from 12-1 PM to have lunch with HYPE.  They’ll be at The Backyard Bistro in Piqua where you can meet some new friends, keep up with some upcoming events, and check out a great location in the northern Miami Valley.  New members welcome!

Thursday, February 10 brings a collaboration for all networking, social, and arts minded YPs.  JumpstART hooks up with Generation Dayton during their monthly “Thirsty Thursday” to make it bigger and better than ever.  Get some free appetizers, happy hour drink prices, and 1/2 off small plates at downtown’s newest hot spot, De’Lish.  THEN head across the street to the Human Race Theatre for half price tickets to Twelfth Night.  Stick around after the show to meet the cast and get a special YP backstage tour.  It’s a big night open to ALL young people in the region.  Details on the whole night here.

Did you know that one of the local YP groups – Generation Dayton – is actually a program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce?  It just demonstrates how much local businesses value the role of young professionals in the region.  Learn more about it from Phil Parker, the President and CEO of the Dayton Chamber, at the Business and Breakfast Speaker Series on Tuesday, February 15 at the Dayton Racquet Club.  Free to attend, breakfast at your expense.

So, you got your breakfast YP fix – now get those creative juices flowing on the evening of February 15 as the Dayton Creative Syndicate presents speaker Brian Hoff from The Design Cubicle. Time: 6-7 PM – Only $10 for DCS members, $20 for nonmembers, $5 for students.  Learn more about Brian and the DCS here.

Are you a 20-something in the region looking for some new people to hang out with?  There is no shortage of great events with the 20-somethings of Dayton Meetup.  On Wednesday, February 16 they are partying it up at the Soft Rock Cafe for Karaoke and drink specials.  No worries if you’re a non-singer, you can shoot pool, throw darts, or make fun of cheer on the signers.

The 20-somethings love their mid-week get togethers.  Wednesday, February 23 they test how many brain cells they’ve kept since college with trivia at Harrigan’s South.  These and lots more meetups for the 20-somethings at: http://www.meetup.com/20somethings-of-Dayton-Ohio/#upcoming

Generation Dayton often opens its events to all YPs in the region.  But this month’s Lunch Speaker Series on Friday February 25 is for dues-paying Member’s Only.  If you’re a member of GenD or want to consider joining, check out the Web page for details on this lunch topic.

Et. al: Not specifically YP events (oh, no – I’m breaking the rules!) but some great options for YPs include:
Pecha Kucha night on Thursday, February 3 at the Neon, a graffiti party at upcoming downtown restaurant Olive during First Friday, Dayton Diode (self-described as a YMCA for nerds) open house on Saturday, February 5, the YMCA Valentine’s Ball on February 11, WYSO’s silent auction on February 12, and EVERY Sunday in February you can enjoy brunch to benefit Stivers School for the Arts at Coco’s.  For these (and so many more) great Dayton events, keep an eye on the weekly Jane’s Best Bets.

So – those are a handful of events keeping you busy in February and introducing you to lots and Lots and LOTS of new YPs who are active and involved in having a great time in Dayton.  Go to everything and you’ll average an event every other day.  Check out something new and let me know how it goes.

YP Roundup – January 2011

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Happy New Year!

December went out with a bang with special discounts for big YP New Year’s Eve parties and a lot happening.  Not to be outdone, there are some great events coming up in January.  Also – make sure you look into the meetups that are popping up.  In additional to the Twenty-Somethings group and the Young Professionals I’ve told you about – a new group has emerged just last month, the Thirty-Somethings.  So – there are professional groups, social groups, networking groups, arts groups, recreation groups, and lots of overlap among them all.  Check out something new this month!

First up: HYPE – the YP group nestled in the Northern Miami Valley invites you to join them for an informal lunch on Wednesday, January 12 at the Tin Roof in Troy.  It’s a great chance to meet new friends, keep up with their events, and enjoy lunch together.  New members always welcome, but RSVPs are required by Noon on January 11.

Thirsty Thursday on January 13 gives you a way to wet your whistle with other YPs and meet new people without any membership requirements.  Join Generation Dayton at The Wine Loft at the Greene from 5:30 – 7:30 PM for a cash bar with special happy hour prices.

Have you been Ice Skating on RiverScape yet this season?  Now’s your chance – Saturday, January 15 from 3-5 PM.  With a tiny cost of $5 for admission and skate rental, you get plenty of fun.  Skate, enjoy some hot chocolate, and sit around the fire pits with friends from Generation Dayton.

You can count on Generation Dayton to bring you great conversation over good food with the Business and Breakfast Speaker Series. In January, hear from Andy Snow – a top regional photographer sharing his experience catching the action for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.  Tuesday, January 18 at the Panera on Main Street in Centerville from 7-8AM.  No cost to attend (food at your own expense), but you need to RSVP.

Third Thursday of the month brings you the Dayton Ballet Barre’s monthly Wine and Ballet at the Wine Gallery on Monument and Main in Dayton.  Get together with other arts-minded YPs for conversation, drinks, and fun.

Dayton has a major history and future of invention.  Former Governor Bob Taft has been leading discussions and actions regarding the partnership between education and innovation.  He’ll share his insights at a Generation Dayton Fourth Friday Lunch at the Stars Restaurant on top of the Crowne Plaza in downtown Dayton on January 28 at Noon.  RSVPs required.

The final Gen D event of January gets everyone together for bowling at Woodman Lanes in Kettering on Saturday, January 29 from 6-8 PM.  Only $12 includes 2 hours of bowling, shoes, and pizza.  Pay at the door and everyone will be assigned to lanes as you arrive.  Remember to RSVP!

January 29 is also your chance to “Jump into Bluegrass” with JumpstART.  It’s a great deal on a arts opportunity that may be new to you, so check it out with other YPs.  Grammy-winning bluegrass superstar Ricky Skaggs and his fire-breathing band Kentucky Thunder return to the Dayton Masonic Center stage to headline an outstanding traditional bluegrass double-header.

***New on the radar!  Did you graduation from the University of Dayton in the last 10 years (or you’re under 35)?  UD now has a special YP alumni group – Day10.  There’s a whole list of events they have coming up, so if you’re a flyer grad – check them out.

Between professional and social networking, volunteer opportunities, food, education, and arts – there’s something for everyone.  What kinds of events get you excited to try something new and meet some new people?

Choirs, Choruses & Holiday Concerts

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Is Glee getting you “gleeked” out for choral music?  Sure, you can get more with the reality TV show The Sing-Off (featuring local group, Eleventh Hour as the FIRST high school group on the show), but maybe you’re looking for some local opportunities to experience some cool harmonies and hear songs re-vamped for voice.  Luckily, in Dayton you have a variety of outlets specifically for choral fun, so here I highlight a handful of groups with upcoming holiday concerts.

Disclaimer: There’s no way I can highlight them all even as I attempt to stick to adult groups, so if you want to share info on the fantastic college/university and youth choruses in the region – or if I missed an adult group, share in the comments.  But before we dive in, I will let you know that if you want to catch a short concert and take a break from the hustle of your work day, you can enjoy music from some local school groups when you visit downtown for Holiday in the City Noontime Entertainment.

When you hear Dayton Philharmonic, you may think orchestra – but I’m talking about the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus (DPOC).  Having just recently become  members of Chorus America, the DPOC is the official chorus of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.  DPOC member Pam Miller Howard shares that their “goal is choral excellence and community involvement.”    It is part of their mission to serve as part of the orchestra during the regular and summer seasons, but they also offer choral-only concerts, workshops, clinics, joint concerts and other educational outreach.

The DPOC has been around for a while.  According to their Web page, it was back in 1935 that the DPOC was founded as an all-volunteer chorus to enhance the Orchestra’s programming.  They’ve grown since then; their October concert boasted a chorus of over 140 members.   And they’ve become a well-travelled and well-versed group, too; they’ve toured Europe and performed recently (2008 & 2010) in New York City.  But even with all those perks, this chorus is driven by quality and the love of the music.  Howard says, “Singing and hearing choral music is good for the soul.”  Wanna know if the DPOC is the kind of music good for your soul before checking them out in person?  You’re in luck – Dayton Public Radio airs concerts featuring the DPOC.

Check out the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Chorus (a select chorus of the DPOC) at the December concert: Messiah with the DPO which will be December 12 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton at 4:00pm.  This year they will be performing the entire work which is a unique opportunity.

The Bach Society of Dayton is our next stop on this tour of choral music.  “Dedicated to bringing the art of the great choral singing to Dayton,” they are 54-singers strong highlighting the history of top-quality choral music.  The focus for the Bach Society is the classics – music that has stood the test of time yet continues to inspire.  Some things are beautiful in any century, and they introduce Dayton to the great works first made famous by Vivaldi, Barber, and (of course) Johann Sebastian Bach.

Collaboration is key to the Bach Society of Dayton as they strive to develop an appreciation for choral music.  Their Web site speaks about collaboration in a powerful way, “when we reach out to our community we share something each of us holds dear.”  They are truly singing for the love of the music.  They are most dedicated to their young person outreach; in recent years they’ve worked with the Muse Machine, many local high schools, the Gem City Ballet, Sinclair Community College, Wittenberg University, Carillon Brass, and players from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sweet Sounds of the Holidays on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. The Bach Society, along with the Kettering Children’s Choir Chorale under the direction of Bruce Swank and the Kettering Advent Ringers directed by Joan Ulloth Dorgan, present this seasonal favorite of Christmas and Hanukkah music.

So – you may think of the DPOC or the Bach Society when you think of choral music, but there’s more than traditional choral offerings in our fair city.  The classics are well-represented, but for people who enjoy voices coming together for more contemporary works – there are numerous options for you as well.

Celebrating their 20th Anniversary, Musica!(yes, the exclamation point is included) is a smaller ensemble of singers who explore many different forms of music.  Their Web site shares their home-grown history – Musica! was started by a group of 8 friends who sang for a friend’s party and they decided to keep going and share their voices with the public.

Now they have expanded to offer a subscription series, CDs, and specialized performances.  Local singer, Megan Rehbring, is excited to be a part of Musica!  She says, “We do an interesting mix of music, and not much ‘traditional’ choir music, so the concerts are really fun.”  Rehbring is right that it’s not what is generally considered traditional; selections from this season include songs from musicals, spirituals, seasonal carols, and classic fare.

The Sounds of the Season concert is advertised to “ring in the holidays with several new Christmas arrangements and a festive medley of carols entitled A Baroque Christmas.”  December 18 @ 8:00 PM at Fairhaven Church and December 19 @ 3 PM at Lutheran church of our Savior.

The Schuster Center Celebration Choir was established to sing at the grand opening of the Schuster Center – that’s it, story over.  Except it’s not over – the singers had such a good time doing it, that they wanted to stay together and continue singing.  Dayton Power and Light sponsors this choir that’s by the community / for the community.  According to Dave Brush from the Victoria Theatre Association, the 40-50 members of this group are a demographic microcosm of the city, and they focus on giving back by singing at Urban Nights, the Grande Illumination, the Spring Concert (together with the Children’s Choir), and in partnership with community groups.  They’ve also been selected to sing the National Anthem at the Dragon’s Games a few times.   With a wide-spectrum of singers with different tastes and talents, they’ve been known to sing everything from Broadway to opera and classical to holiday.   But what remains the same is the focus on providing an outlet for community members to sing, grow their skills, and share their talents with the greater community.

The Schuster Center Celebration Choir joins with a collection of choirs from local churches, the  Sinclair Handbell Choir, and the Oakwood Accordion Band to bring full voice to the Dayton Philharmonic’s upcoming SuperPops performance Holiday at Homethis weekend at the Schuster Center.

For even more contemporary fare in this tour of the diverse choral options in town, we come to the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus.  Their mission is two-fold in their attempt to encourage excellence in vocal arts as well as achieving a gay-affirming presence in the region.   Board President, Allen Kimbrough says, “The DGMC promotes the idea of obtaining and sustaining our individual and human rights, celebrating diversity within our culture and community, and the freedom to express our commitment to the value of opening minds and eliminating prejudice by honoring our differences.  Our music is a testament to these core values, which move us ever forward to succeed in reaching these goals.”

The crowds that they are getting at their shows and the partnerships they’re developing regionally and nationally are a testament to their drive and dedication to produce great works that support their mission.  But while they are serious about their goals – I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how FUN this group is.  In addition to great harmonies for exciting and unique musical selections, they include some simple choreography, fun costumes, and various props to keep the audience engaged and enjoying the overall experience of each show.  These boys, inspired by music director Jason Schuler, know how to have a good time and that energy is contagious.

Kimbrough continues, “Our audiences can expect a broad repertoire of music in a variety of visible and accessible venues.”  December shows include  Celebrate! Songs of the Season on December 4th, at St. John’s United Church of Christ in the Cannery District on 3rd Street.  Community outreach performances are scheduled at First Baptist Church on December 5th, Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield on December 10th, the monthly PFLAG December meeting on December 14th, and Barnes and Noble Bookstore on December 19th.

And finally, there’s the phenomenal group from Fairmont High School, Eleventh Hour.  I know, I know – I’m not highlighting youth choirs in this article – but c’mon!  Starting December 6, they’re on national television on The Sing-Off, so they have to get a little love.  Check out their version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” to get into the spirit and then catch their free concert at Fairmont High School on December 8.   Voices only as this small acapella group makes contemporary songs sound like they don’t need any instruments besides these seven voices.

So there’s a *small* sampling of some of the great choral options in the region and ways to get into the holiday spirit while supporting these local music groups.  How are you fitting music into your winter schedule?

December YP Roundup

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December brings holiday parties galore for people already involved in various YP organizations, and plenty of opportunities for the casual observer to network, get involved, and explore some of the many YP groups in the region.

Kicking off December’s activities, you can join Generation Dayton at their holiday wine/chocolate tasting at Winans Coffee and Chocolates at the Dayton Mall; for $20, you can try 5 wines and 5 chocolates. YUM! Another option to kick-start your December is Karaoke night at Blind Bob’s with the 20-somethings of Dayton. This meetup utilizes events of interest that are already happening around town and gets a group together to make it a party. Then Thursday brings the Young AFCEAns Holiday Party at the Pub (at the Greene). From 5-7 PM, they provide the food, soda, and beer – you come ready to network with other local defence contractors. Don’t know if this group is for you? Contact cweinstein@rhinocorps.com for more info. And the launch of the new group Culture Mash is also on December 2 at Wright State – this is a new organization dedicated to bringing together young leaders to give back to the community.

First Firday conveniently fits in right here – although not an official YP event, local arts group JumpstART has been highlighting a lot of great places to buy local art to finish up your holiday shopping – hit downtown and explore the galleries for some unique shopping. Continue your weekend with the Generation Dayton Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 4. At the Old Courthouse, this semi-formal event is a great time to reflect back on the accomplishments of GenD members, announce the winners of the election, and generally have a lot of fun. Free for members and $25 for nonmembers (RSVP required). If you’re up north of town this Saturday, you’ll want to party it up with HYPE as they try out Cosmic Bowling from 9PM – Midnight; cost is only $13 for shoe rental and all you can bowl.

Second week of December starts slow but then ends with a lot of great activities. Midweek HYPE gets things started with a Wednesday lunch to catch up with your fellow Northern Miami Valley YPs – free to attend, but lunch is at your cost.  Also on December 8, you can learn more about the Dayton Ballet at their monthly meeting at the Dayton Racquet Club. Starting with a happy hour, they discuss business, break into committees, and talk about how to better connect YPs with the ballet scene.  Then, join your friends from Generation Dayton for their Thirsty Thursday starting at 5:30 PM at the Dayton Racquet Club (Kettering Tower) – open to all YPs in the region. Also on December 9, the Dayton Creative Syndicate joins up with the Greater Dayton Ad Association for their Holiday Party and Auction. Learn more about this young professional creative group online and see if this might be the party for you.

Friday kicks off your weekend with the fun brought to you by YP @ Play – The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals provide a creative alternative to the typical club scene! It’s a supercharged ‘play date’ for adults; a nostalgic night of fun including familiar games such as Twister, Uno, Spades, Dominos, Monopoly, along with today’s flyest games such as Wii, XBOX…all with an adult twist! On Saturday, a great collaboration between the Dayton Ballet Barre, JumpstART, and the Young Lawyers Division provides all YPs – regardless of membership affiliation – with a fantastic deal to enjoy a holiday classic. Jump into Ballet with A Night with the Nutcracker. Get 1/2 price tickets (that’s only $30) to this popular holiday show and enjoy an afterparty at the Wine Gallery. (NOTE: Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling Kathy at 937-449-5060 for this deal.)

The third week of this month is packed with events as your local YP groups make holiday adjustments. The 20-something meetup has a handful of great events on their calendar – like shopping, shooting, eating and drinking – that you can check-out. Then join HYPE for their regularly scheduled monthly happy hour on the Third Thursday of the month at The Caroline in Troy. Also on the third Thursday, the Dayton Ballet Barre meets for a happy hour with Wine and Ballet at the Wine Gallery at Main and Monument starting at 5:30 PM. Generation Dayton makes a slight adjustment as they move their Fourth Friday lunch to December 17. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to catch up with some friends, pass around a business card or two, and enjoy some seriously delicious food from Rue Dumaine.

Rounding out the list of YP events for December is Generation Dayton’s Business and Breakfast on Tuesday, December 21 at the Brunch Club from 7-8 AM.

Hope you have a great December and get a chance to get out there and explore some of the great groups providing fun events for YPs to mix and mingle.   Don’t forget to add any events I may have missed in the comments section and to the DMM Event Calendar.  Finally, happy holidays whenever and whatever you may be celebrating this month!

Updayton to Hire Executive Director

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A few years back when the Creative Class Task Force called for volunteers to become “catalysts” to help reinvigorate the region through what would become DaytonCREATE, the application said they were signing up for a one-year commitment from March 2008-March 2009.   However, the excitement for the updayton project and the progress made kept many of the catalysts actively engaged in the mission over these past three years.  Although some of the original catalysts moved on, many new volunteers joined the fold.  Updayton continues to grow, advocate for young talent in the region, and produce projects to impact the experience of young talent in the region.

The growth and development of updayton, its projects, and the annual Young Creatives Summit has been due to the efforts of an unpaid steering committee with a team of dedicated volunteers.  To ensure sustainability moving into the future, updayton announces the search for a paid part-time Executive Director to coordinate all aspects of the updayton initiative.  This position has been made possible in-part through collaboration with the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education.

Bringing on an Executive Director provides updayton with the potential to grow in areas relevant to young talent in the region. Updayton has been asked to provide support and input on projects for many local organizations; an Executive Director allows updayton to take on additional tasks and make a greater impact for recent college graduates and young professionals.

Updayton chair, Scott Murphy, believes that this is the logical next step in the growth of updayton.  “We’ve brought young people to the forefront of getting involved and determining the future of the region – both on projects already in existence and by giving them the tools to launch their own ideas.  As these efforts move forward and new initiatives begin in 2011, we also need to take steps towards greater sustainability.  That’s the goal of bringing an Executive Director on board.”

Do you know a person who would be a good fit for updayton’s Part-Time Executive Director?  Is that person YOU?  Check out the job description here.

November YP Roundup

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With Thanksgiving ending the month, there are some changes in the regular schedule for the YP events in November.  Take a look at what’s available here, click on the Web sites or event calendar links and get out there to meet some new people.

And, although it’s not a *specific* YP event, I gotta use this chance to say – VOTE!  Regardless of whatever else you’re doing on Tuesday, November 2, make sure you take the time to have your say on the future direction of our schools, cities, counties, and state.  A lot of people don’t bother to get involved during midterms, but there’s a lot at stake, so take the time to make a difference.  Soapbox put away – back to the YPs…

Something new I’m discovering – Meetups!  A couple casual groups who coordinate events that may be fun:
20 Somethings of Dayton: http://www.meetup.com/20somethings-of-Dayton-Ohio/ and
Dayton Young Professional group – http://www.meetup.com/Dayton-Professionals/

Let’s get to events in November:

November 1-6

First up, for you aspiring photographers, Dayton Creative Syndicate (with Ohio Photography) is hosting a contest for you to win a free photo session on November 6 at the beautiful Cox Arboretum MetroPark with Jim Crotty (big photography deal).  The contest ends November 3, so check it out now if you’re interested in learning more!

After you submit your entry, head over to the Dayton Racquet Club to enjoy complimentary appetizers, happy hour prices, and free parking in the Kettering Tower garage while you meet and mingle with members of the Dayton Ballet Barre.  Happy Hour is from 5 – 5:45 and then the Associate Board meeting begins.  Not on the Associate Board?  Use this meeting as your opportunity to learn more about this group, try it out by volunteering, or sign up that night.

Nothing specifically YP that I’ve discovered on Friday, November 6, so you’ll want to make sure you head downtown for First Friday, the Courteous Mass bike ride, or one of the great dining, music or arts options.   Check the DaytonMostMetro.com event calendar for your options.

November 7-13

My gift to you for the second weekend of November – not only great YP events, but another hour in your day as we “fall back” for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, November 7 at 2 AM.  Don’t forget!

Tuesday, November 9 – Generation Dayton combines your entrepreneurial spirit with tasty spirits from The Wine Gallery at “Smashing Glasses,” an entrepreneur event presented by Jeff Van Horne.  He highlights what it takes to start a small business – the hard work and the fun.  Limited to only 35 participants, so make your RSVP early if you want to go.

Also on Tuesday, the Dayton Creative Syndicate has great opportunities for members.  Together with the School of Advertising Art and the Greater Dayton Advertising Association, DCS presents guest speakers Ben Nunery and Pat Jones from Powerhouse Factories.  Ben and Pat have a great story – hear it at 6 PM ($10 for members, $20 for nonmembers, $5 students w/ ID).  And like many a good YP groups, the Dayton Creative Syndicate does more than *just* the educational and professional stuff, so mix and mingle with the DCS members right after the speakers at the November Happy Hour beginning at 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, November 10 – Join up with the HYPE members for lunch at the Cracker Barrel in Piqua.  It’s a great opportunity to meet other YPs who live or work in the northern Miami Valley and get involved with this great group.

Thursday, November 11 is the day to “Jump into Art” as jumpstART visits the Dayton Visual Arts Center.  Stop by after work starting at 5:30 PM for light snacks, some adult beverages, and Art to Buy.  It’s a casual opportunity to explore one of Dayton’s great art resources.  And just in time for the holidays, Art to Buy is an exhibit that provides you with affordable and accessible art items (jewelry, wine toppers, ornaments, etc) perfect for gift giving!

Looking for some fun south of town on Thursday?  Be sure to stop by Champps Americana for the Generation Dayton Thirsty Thursday from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.  Meet in the side room to enjoy Chips and Salsa and $2.50 pints of any beer.  No membership requirement – just come to learn more about Generation Dayton and have a great time with fellow YPs.

Friday, Friday, Friday!  On the second Friday of every month, you can “USUALLY* count on the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals to enjoy kids play in an adult way at YP @ Play.  They pull out the Wii, Twister, Jenga, cards and more for you to enjoy.  But, in November it’s GALA time – no YP @ Play this month.  But you will want to catch up with your DULYP pals at the Dayton Art Institute for this beautiful, fun, and fancy-schmancy event.  Learn more here.

And the fun on Friday continues.  The Young Republicans are hosting a party for members at Chappy’s Tap Room beginning at 7 PM.  Learn more about the group and how to get involved.  Questions?  Call 937-689-6084.

November 14-20

Tuesday this week gets you started early with the Generation Dayton Business & Breakfast.  Get to Tank’s at 7 AM for some tasty and affordable breakfast and hear from David Grupe – the General Manager of the Bach Society of Dayton and Chair of the Community Arts Network.  Free to attend, but RSVP so they can save a seat for you.

You can count on the Dayton Urban League YPs to host an interesting membership meeting on the third Thursday of every month.  Only $5 for nonmembers (members free) to get up to date on all the happenings and what’s next for this exciting group.  Start time – 6:30 PM.

Head back up north on Thursday, November 18 for the HYPE Holiday Kickoff and Gift Drive beginning at 5:30 PM.  This is a great charity event PLUS a fantastic party.  Raffle prizes, music, games, drink specials, 20% off food, and so much more!  Plus = everyone who brings a new, unwrapped gift for kids to the Buffalo Wild Wings in Troy receives a coupon for 5 free wings.  This is quite an event – make sure you’re there to help a great cause and have a great time.

Also for your drinking and dining pleasure on Thursday, you can join the Ballet Barre for their monthly Wine & Ballet happy hour at the Wine Gallery downtown (new digs – not over by the Cannery anymore!).  They meet from 5:30 – 7:30; enjoy some happy hour pricing and great wine tastings with this YP group.  Plus – parking is available in the lot just West of the Wine Gallery for only $1.

Here’s when holiday math gets tricky.  Many people will be busy on the Fourth Friday (due to Thanksgiving), so Generation Dayton has moved their lunch to the THIRD Friday so you can still have a great lunch with great friends in November.  Join them at Spinoza’s at the Mall at Fairfield Commons to eat, drink (a work-appropriate beverage) and be merry before Thanksgiving.  Lunch at your own cost at this free event – RSVPs required.

November 21 – 30

 
Not a lot happening near the end of the month as groups are coordinating schedules around the beginning of the holiday travel season, but Generation Dayton invites members to come to a membership meeting after hours to provide feedback, meet the Chamber staff, learn more about volunteer opportunities, and network with peers.  Not a member of GenD yet and interested in learning more?  Check out their Web page.

So that’s what I could dig up for November. And Spoiler Alert -I  just learned about a new group that is getting going specifically for social media types who want to give back to the community.  Can’t tell you much about them (as their launch event is in December), but you can follow them here.

As always, if I missed an event, please post it below.  Hope to see you around!

Commemorate the Dayton Peace Accords

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From OhioHistoryCentral.org: The agreement reached at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio in November 1995, and formally signed in Paris on December 14, 1995. These accords put an end to the three and a half year long war in Bosnia, one of the armed conflicts in the former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia.

You’ve heard of the Dayton Peace Accords.  You know it’s a big deal.  But you may not know exactly who, why, and how it all came together right here in Dayton, Ohio to end the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  November 5th thru 7th, you can join in the commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary and experience fuller understanding of this important turning point through great events featuring distinguished guests.

More information is available here: http://www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org/accords_update.htm

The commemoration includes a banquet at the Hope Hotel on Friday, Nov. 5 and a public forum in Kennedy Union on Saturday, Nov. 6.  These events will be held in conjunction with the awarding of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize on Sunday, Nov. 7.  These events are being supported by The City of Dayton, Montgomery County, Dayton International Airport, University of Dayton, Wright State University, Sinclair Community College, Central State University, Dayton Literary Peace Prize Committee, and Dayton Sister Cities Committee.

The banquet and forum will feature many distinguished guests, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs for BiH (H. E. Sven Alkalaj), the Mayor of Sarajevo (Dr. Alija Behmen), and the Executive Director of Migration and Refugee Services for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (Amb. Johnny Young).

Please consider attending one or more of these events, and help spread the word about them.  The hosts are particularly interested in having students and community members attend the forum.

Details on the November 5 BANQUET: There will be a banquet on the evening of November 5th for Dayton residents and others to remember the negotiations and the many people we came into contact with during those days and in the last fifteen years. The banquet will be held at the Hope Hotel at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the same place where the Accords were negotiated and initialed in 1995.  Tickets for the banquet ($45) may be purchased on-line at:  http://daytonpeaceaccordsat15.eventbrite.com/.

Details on the November 6 FORUM:

Now, fifteen years later, they are holding a forum (free to attend) on November 6, 2010, at the University of Dayton, with three goals in mind.

  1. To discuss the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and take a look at what US policy towards BiH should be now and in the immediate future.
  2. To discuss how our experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina has and will change US policy approaches in resolving other conflicts.
  3. To hear from those who left Bosnia and Herzegovina, and who now live in Dayton, about their positive and negative experiences here in the US.

The forum at UD on Nov. 6 is free-of-charge, but they request an on-line registration.  People who want to attend the forum can register at http://daytonpeaceaccordsat15.eventbrite.com/.  A buffet lunch will be offered free-of-charge.

Details on the November 7 Authors Event: If you missed getting your tickets to the big reception for the Literary Peace Prize winners (or couldn’t afford them), you can still hear the winners  speak on Sunday, November 7th at 11:30 AM at Books and Co. at the Greene.  Attached are details directly from the Books and Co. event calendar.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7; 11:30 AM @ The Greene

Conversation and Brunch with the Winners of the 2010 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Come for a luscious brunch prepared by Brio Tuscan Grille and enjoy conversation with our visiting authors: DAVE EGGERS, author of Zeitoun, Nonfiction Award winner, MARLON JAMES, author of The Book of Night Women, Fiction Award winner, and GERALDINE BROOKS, Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and author of March (Pulitzer Prize winner), Year of Wonders, and People of the Book. Marsha Bonhart from WDTN-TV2 will emcee the program.

There is a $10 donation for the brunch, which is a fundraiser for The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation. You can pay at the event, but please RSVP to worldpeace2010@att.net by November 2, so Brio can prepare accordingly. Those who want to hear the authors but not partake of the brunch are certainly welcome to attend at 12:15 pm, with no charge.

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So there are quite a few ways to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.  The event coordinators share their mission that, “after these events are complete, we hope to be able to say that we have advanced the understanding of BiH by US citizens and perhaps that we have helped shine a light on some ways to improve peoples’ lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

For additional information, please call Kate Evans in the Dayton City Commission office at:  333-3659.

“Struck by Living”

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A lot of people just don’t understand depression.  Comments like “buck up,” “just don’t worry about it,” and “what do you have to stress about?” demonstrate the lack of understanding in our society surrounding clinical depression.  Author Julie Hersh is addressing that lack of understanding with her new book Struck by Living: From Depression to Hope.

Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, the region’s largest, private nonprofit mental health agency, is pleased to welcome Julie Hersh to speak about her experiences on Thursday, November 11 at the Dayton Art Institute.  The luncheon will feature Ms. Hersh sharing her story and include a book signing.

Struck by Living is a narrative non-fiction which traces the author’s search for identity through her career, interfaith marriage, motherhood and clinical depression.  With humor and brutal honesty, Hersh picks apart the irony of her life.  Loving husband, healthy children, financial security and …  she tried to kill herself three times.

Hersh says, “My goal with Struck by Living is to dispel the fear associated with mental illness and make it more real for those who have never experienced depression.”  Her book provides a personal account of what a clinically depressed person feels and the challenges faced for a medical problem with an inexact methodology for recovery.  For more information on Ms. Hersh’s story, visit the book’s Web site: www.struckbyliving.com.

About the Author: Julie Hersh is Board President of the Dallas Children’s Theater and active supporter of the Suicide and Crisis Center, Mental Health America, Empower African Children, and other nonprofit organizations.  After earning her BBA at the University of Notre Dame, Hersh worked in high-tech product development and marketing/sales in Silicon Valley.  She “retired” from a lucrative sales management position after the birth of her first child.  A long-time member of the Cooper Center, Hersh ran her first marathon at age 48.  She lives with her husband and two children in Dallas, TX.

Event Information:

WHAT: Struck by Living: Eastway Welcomes Author Julie Hersh
WHERE: Dayton Art Institute
WHEN: Thursday, Novemeber 11 11:30-1:30 (lunch served at noon)
Advocate Ticket: $75 Individual
Champion Tickets: $500 table of eight
Corporate Sponsorships Available

Contact Megan at MCooper@Eastway.org or 937-496-2000 ext. 2055 for tickets for more information.

YP Roundup – October Events

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As the weather turns cooler, events keep heating up..  Check out one (or many) of the great options for YPs in the month of October.  And be sure to check the DMM event calendar for more details.

Okay – to start out the month, I’m plugging a few events that aren’t specifically YP, but c’mon – these hit pretty close to the home of awesomeness…
Friday, October 1: FIRST FRIDAY – General fun and festivity – you know how that goes.
Saturday, October 2: Dayton Music Fest – $10 to see 20 bands all across Dayton.

Wednesday, October 6: Ballet Barre welcomes new associate board members at their meeting at the Dayton Racquet Club at 5:00 PM
Thursday, October 7: The Generation Dayton Golf outing from this summer was rescheduled for a great crisp, fall day.  Members $60 and nonmembers $65.  RSVPs required.
Thursday, October 7: The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals host a Professional Development Leadership Lunch featuring WSU President Dr. David Hopkins at the Dayton Racquet Club at 11 AM.  $20  RSVP by October 1!
Thursday, October 7: The Archdiocese of Cincinnati presents Theology on Tap at the Oregon Express in the Oregon District.  Join with other singles and couples in their 20s and 30s to discuss topics.  7:30-9PM
Friday, October 8: The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals present YP at Play at Therapy Cafe.  This monthly event is gaining in popularity as grown-ups get together to play kids’ games.
Friday, October 8: The Young Republicans of Montgomery County enjoy a social night out at the Melting Pot.  More information here.

Monday, October 11: The Young Republicans host their regular monthly meeting at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Town and Country.
Wednesday, October 13: JumpstART (aka the Culture Works Associate Board) is hosting an open meeting to welcome new associate board members and answer questions for anyone interested.  At the Culture Works offices at 5:30 PM
Wednesday, October 13: HYPE hosts an informal lunch to welcome new members, highlight upcoming events, and have a good time.  Join them at Night Sky in Troy at Noon.
Wednesday, October 13: updayton hosts their second annual Candidates Night at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  Last year, this was one of the most popular candidates forums hosted by the League of Women Voters.  Again they’ll challenge candidates with questions about revitalization, jobs, and budget issues as they relate to young people.  6 PM.
Thursday, October 14: Generation Dayton hosts Thirsty Thursday at Sidebar at 5:30 PM – free to attend, cash bar.
Thursday, October 14: The Archdiocese of Cincinnati presents Theology on Tap at the Oregon Express in the Oregon District.  Join with other singles and couples in their 20s and 30s to discuss topics.  7:30-9PM
Saturday, October 16: JumpstART invites you to Jump into Dance with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.  Discounted tickets for the show and a fantastic afterparty at Sidebar.

Tuesday, October 19: Generation Dayton continues their monthly Business and Breakfast series with grub at First Watch in Town and Country at 7 AM.
Tuesday, October 19: The Dayton Creative Syndicate, the YP arm of the GDAA,  is focused on all things creative.  Now they present SummitUP – This is your chance to get the inside scoop on all things social media.
Wednesday, October 20: The Dayton Urban League YPs host their monthly meeting at 7 PM at the Urban League offices downtown.
Thursday, October 21: HYPE- the YP organization for the Northern Miami Valley invites all YPs from the region to their Third Thursday social at The Caroline in Troy.
Thursday, October 21: The Ballet Barre hosts a Happy Hour at the Wine Gallery in downtown Dayton – just a great time to get together with other arts minded YPs.
Friday, October 22: On the fourth Friday of every month, you can count on Gen D to introduce you to a great new lunch spot and throw in some networking and friends.  This month – check out Amber Rose at Noon.
Saturday, October 23: A major initiative of HYPE is service and they show it at HYPE Make a Difference Day.  Volunteer and see the major impact that people can have when they work together.

Monday, October 25: Generation Dayton has a book club!  Get your literary groove on with them at 7 PM at the Cannery – no number 2 pencils required as there are no pop quizzes.
Tuesday, October 26: Dayton Creative Syndicate invites you to get creative with pumpkin carving and join them at Harrigan’s Tavern South at 6 PM for some drinks, socializing, and pumpkin fun. 
Thursday, October 28: Every Fourth Thursday, the Young AFCEAns host a social  – join them and chat them up to get the dish on communication, technology, and contractor stuff around the mysterious WPAFB.
Thursday, October 28: Generation Dayton has a hard-knocks workshop for anyone interested in entrepreneurship – “When Reality Bites” presented at The Entrepreneurs Center.  Get the inside scoop on launching your business.

So – that’s what I was able to dig up from the approximately 20 YP groups that are floating around Dayton.  If you’re already an active member in an organization specifically for people in their 20s and/or 30s, I encourage you to use the DaytonMostMetro.com online event calendar to promote your events – it makes it a whole lot easier for people to know what’s going on in the community and maybe, just maybe someone who didn’t know about a cool recreation group, 20-something group, or professional group may find that it’s a good fit.

And if you haven’t checked out one of these organizations yet – what are you waiting for?  Most have pretty small membership requirements (if “official” membership is even required) and hook you up with a lot of great people to build your social and professional contacts.  Whatever you’re looking for – there’s a YP group out there for you.

YP Roundup – September 2010 Happenings

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August went out with a bang with great events like First Friday with updayton’s Street Buzz, Generation Dayton’s Volunteer Speed Matching, the Ballet Barre British Bash and the Litehouse Tour and Firefly Afterparty.  But if you missed these great events, there’s lots lined up for September.  Back to school means back to action for a lot of local YP groups with only 30 days in the month, but almost 20 events planned!  There are great options to find the events you’re interested in and get involved.

Wednesday, September 1 – The Dayton Ballet Barre hosts their monthly meetup at the Dayton Racquet Club with food, drink and fun at 5-6:30 PM.
Friday, September 3 – Generation Dayton invites local newsman Dan Edwards to present Body Language 101 at this free event (lunch at your own expense).  Learn what your body language is giving away about your thoughts and learn how to read others, too!
Friday, September 3 – FIRST FRIDAY! All sorts of great events filling the streets of downtown. Official info here.

Thursday, September 9 – Generation Dayton hosts Thirsty Thursday – an after work get-together at Beef O’Brady’s in Centerville for great happy hour drinks and your opportunity to network and meet new people in a casual atmosphere.
Thursday, September 9 – The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals presents International Protocol with Leah Hawthorn from 6-8 PM at the Dayton Urban League building.  You’ll learn proper etiquette and the importance of image when dealing with international clients.
Friday, September 10 – URBAN NIGHTS – so, So, SO much going on.  It’s like you take First Friday and “turn it up to eleven!”  Urban Bikes (with a Dragons game), Tap Factor (don’t miss this great troupe), Karaoke with the Human Race Theatre Co. (and your chance to sing before one of their shows), view the winners of the Downtown In Focus Photo Contest, and more.  Just come downtown and you’ll find all sorts of action.  Even better – Join the updayton Street Buzz as they catch some live acts and grab some great food or the Dayton Creative Syndicate;s Poker Crawl (because You, Too, Can Hold ‘Em Like They Do in Texas) to check it all out with other YPs
Friday, September 10 – Hit Therapy Cafe during Urban Nights to join the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals at YP @ Play.  It’s kids games in a grown up way – Twister, Musical Chairs, Wii, Jenga, Cards, and more keep your attenti0n while sharing great drink specials and good times with friends.  $10/person
Friday, September 10 – The Montgomery County Young Republicans host a fun social at Elsa’s on Stroop.  This is your chance to get together with like minded YPs and get revved up for the upcoming election season.

Monday, September 13 – The Young Republicans have their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings in Town and Country in Kettering starting at 6 PM.
Thursday, September 16 – HYPE hosts their Third Thursday social at the Caroline in Troy – it’s a great opportunity for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to socialize with food and drink specials.  All invited – regardless of if you live north or south of 70!
Thursday, September 16 – JumpstART hosts their monthly jump into arts activities by highlighting the Dayton Art Institute and their newest exhibit, Modern Masters.  For $10, you get two drink tickets, food, a special viewing of the exhibit, a great way to meet YPs from all across the region and your ticket to Oktoberfest!
Friday – Saturday, September 17-18 – Check out Taste of the Miami Valley for a great selection of fabulous local foods!

Tuesday, September 21 – Generation Dayton hosts Business and Breakfast at the Bob Evans on Miller Lane
Tuesday, September 21 – You got to check out Speed Volunteer Match last month; need more speed?  Hit the Gen D annual speed networking event.  Meet new people in a structured atmosphere and make introductions so quickly that if you don’t like them, they’ll be gone soon enough!  Coco’s at 5:30 PM.
Tuesday, September 21 – Do you want to know how to take your exuberant, creative energy and translate it to a long-term career?  Join the Dayton Creative Syndicate for guest speakers Tony Neary and Tom Kisker from Traction.
Wednesday, September 22 – HYPE invites you to learn more about how health care is changing in our nation and how it affects you at a special event – Demystifying the Nation’s Health Care Bill at the Troy Chamber of Commerce with conversation continuing at the Caroline.
Friday, September 24 – Breakfast not fit into your schedule?  No worries – Generation Dayton fits into your schedule with lunch on the fourth Friday of the month for good food and great conversation at Murray’s Place in Moraine.

As always, if I missed anything – please post your info to the DaytonMostMetro.com Event Calendar and click on Young Professionals so we know what’s happening!  And let us know in the comments below where you plan to be…

HYPE in the Northern Miami Valley

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HYPE stands for Helping Young Professionals Emerge and is the centralized way for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to meet new people, have fun with creative social events, and volunteer together to make a difference in the community.  I spoke to HYPE chair, Doug Eakin to get the scoop on this “new” YP group.  Doug grew up in Columbus, but spent most of the last 10 years in Indiana.  A job opportunity as a Business Banking Representative for Unity National Bank brought him to the Miami Valley.

There was no HYPE for a long time.  Doug was contacted by the Executive Director of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce and invited to get involved with this new initiative.  In January 2009, the EDs from Covington, Tipp City, Piqua and Troy invited a group of young people together to come up with a way to represent YP interests in the Northern Miami Valley.  Eakin dove as the chair of this new organization in and started planning.   In May 2009, the group launched with their official kick-off and have been going since then.  According to Eakin, “HYPE is a group developed for and by young professionals who are dedicated to Social Opportunity, Professional Development, and Community Involvement, and have a shared interest in promoting the Northern Miami Valley as a place to live, work and play.”  And they have grown substantially since the beginning – social events (like monthly happy hours and a successful canoeing collaboration with Gen D), volunteer opportunities, and really creative networking events (like their wine education series) have helped them gain momentum.

HYPE members volunteer at Habitat for Humanity Miami County

But although they are growing quickly and getting more people involved, one of their greatest opportunities is in the newness of the organization.  According to Eakin, “Given that we’re still such a young organization, people still have the opportunity to get on at the ground floor and really have an active role in shaping the organization.”   And it’s in the leadership opportunities that Eakin has found some of the greatest rewards.  He says being in a leadership position give him “the chance to make a difference.  It lets me see how my ideas and thoughts play out to the members of the organization… it’s very rewarding.”  And beyond Eakin’s leadership role, just being a part of the organization has “absolutely” helped him professionally.  He’s a big believer in the tried-and-true argument that “success in the business world relates directly to the people that you know.”

Similar to the downtown Dayton region, the Northern Miami Valley struggles with some negative stigma about what’s available for people.  Eakin is adamant about where it comes from; he says, “I don’t think for a second that this negative stigma comes as a result of lack of opportunities.  Some of the bad feedback we’ve gotten about our organization has come from people that show up at an event and take no personal responsibility for involving themselves in what’s going on.  Getting involved is an attitude – you have to make the decision to do it, it’s not going to happen if you’re not open to the possibility.”

Steering Committee at Holiday Kick-Off Party 2009

Final words regarding his mission with HYPE and involvement?  Eakin shares that “The world doesn’t stop at I-70; there’s plenty of things to do and places to see up north.”  HYPE doesn’t cost a penny to ‘join.’  So, for any YPs who are interested in learning more about what’s going on – check it out!  If you want to know more, visit www.hypenmv.org.

JumpstART Announces Upcoming Events

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As the 2010-2011 arts season starts to get underway, JumpstART – the YP activity arm of Culture Works – announced some new deals and upcoming events.  This is a group dedicated to providing great arts opportunities to plug local young professionals into the arts scene.  From their email:

Lots of great arts opportunities abound in Dayton – ranked #1 for arts and culture in midsized cities.  But sometimes YPs have a hard time knowing about what’s happening and finding events that fit well into the pocketbook.  That’s where JumpstART comes in – a no-membership/no-commitment way for YPs to get great deals on arts events and stay in the know.  All you have to do is “like” us on Facebook for all the latest updates.

JUMP INTO MODERN MASTERS at the Dayton Art Institute – Thursday, September 16 at 5:30 PM.
RSVPs are requested for this event to get a proper food count – Email Claire at CNerl@cultureworks.org.  For only $10 (payable at the door), each YP gets:

  1. a tour of the special exhibit, Modern Masters (featured in the Columbus Dispatch here and highlighted on Bucher’s Beat here),
  2. two drink tickets,
  3. appetizers from Elegant Fare,
  4. a ticket to the upcoming party – OKTOBERFEST,
  5. and great networking with other YPs from many different groups.

PORGY AND BESS at the Dayton Opera with music by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

(Note – This is not an official “jump,” but it is considered THE Great American Opera, so we wanted to provide ways to get a great ticket deal and encourage YPs to check it out together.  JumpstART will be attending on Saturday, October 23, but your group can use this discount for any performance.)

Porgy and Bess is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, and Dayton Opera is honoring this George and Ira Gershwin classic with an extraordinary international cast of rising opera stars. Neil Gittleman conducts the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the production includes Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and chorus members from Central State and Wilberforce Universities.
Here’s the DEAL: Order your Porgy and Bess tickets now before they go for sale to the public and save 15% on groups of 10 or more. Mention the JumpstART group deal for the group discount when you call Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630.

COMING UP:

  • Saturday, October 16 – Pre-party with other YPs and enjoy dinner and drinks as we meet DCDC company members and then use a special JumpstART discount to enjoy their Fall show, JazzArtistically.  More info coming soon.
  • November (Date TBA) – Finish holiday shopping at the Dayton Visual Arts Centerwith “Art to Buy” – a selection of accessible and affordable gifts created by local artists.  Buy some prints, beautiful glass ornaments, jewlery and more to take care of those hard-to-buy-for friends and family members.  Join us for some music, food, drink, shopping and then an after-party.
  • Saturday, December 11 – JumpstART joins with the Dayton Ballet Associate Board/Ballet Barre to invite YPs to a Night at the Nutcracker.  Includes a great ticket deal for this holiday classic plus “cocktails with Santa” – it’s a great way to celebrate!
  • In 2011 – Join us for theatre, music, dance, and more!  Become a fan on Facebook for all the updates.

    • updayton releases Year Two Report

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    updayton asked young creatives why they are sticking around (Photo by Joel Spitsnaugle and Val Smith)

    Cities across the nation (or at least the people who acknowledge the theory of the Creative Class) are battling to attract creative, professional talent.  Local volunteer organization and DaytonMostMetro.com partner updayton has zeroed in on the next generation of these creative professionals and focuses on retaining and attracting those they term the “young creatives.”

    On Tuesday, updayton released their Year Two Report to highlight the latest data on the region’s “brain drain,” actions taken by updayton volunteers and others in the community to plug it, and the latest things they’ve heard from young people at the 2010 Young Creatives Summit.

    The statistics they present tell two stories.  One is of a brain drain gap that is growing.  The Dayton region has a larger number of students attending college here – we’ve added 22,000 college students from 2005-2008.  However, the number of adults with a college degree in the region has only grown by less than 8,000.   This discrepancy demonstrates that students are still leaving the region after graduation.  However, the data isn’t all gloom and doom.   American Community Survey published that in 2008 the region gained 4,000 individuals aged 18-34.  For the first time in years, the Dayton region has a positive net increase in attracting these young creatives. The gap is closing.

    The American Community Survey published that the Dayton region is finally showing a net increase in young people aged 18-34,

    Also included in the report, updayton takes a look back at progress made over the past few years.  They update the community on the success of action plans from 2009 (including the Wayne Avenue Corridor and DaytonMostMetro.com), but they also recognize the important work done by numerous organizations throughout the region.  In the 2009 report, updayton listed recommendations to address issues of utmost importance to young creative.  Although they recognize that much of this work was in motion before updayton even existed, they take time in the 2010 report to acknowledge the important projects that are making Dayton more welcoming and accessible to young creatives.  But although the region has advanced significantly in urban vibrancy and connectivity, there are still important steps that must be taken in cultivating greater diversity and better connecting college students to the job market.

    Summit attendees discuss important issues (Photo by William Murdock)

    The Year Two Report also focuses on the 2010 Young Creatives Summit.  They provide the community with the complaints and concerns of the young professionals who attended the Summit, and they highlight the possible solutions brainstormed by those same YPs.  For each topic: Entrepreneurship, The Dayton Scene, Neighborhoods / Community, and Diversity – updayton presents the common themes that recurred in each breakout session and recommendations for future progress.  Although some of these recommendations require implementation at a higher organizational or government level, there are many steps that businesses, nonprofits, and individuals can take to make a difference.

    Finally, updayton utilizes the Report to spotlight the Action Plan projects that volunteers are undertaking to make a difference in the community.  Updayton prides itself on connecting young creatives back into the system to be a part of the solution.

    Read the full report here or at http://updayton.com.

    Portrait of an Artist – Rodney Veal, the Blue Sky Project and Dayton

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    Rodney Veal is a talker.  He’ll talk to you about his art, his family, and his passion for this city.  Upon a first meeting, he’ll talk to you like you’re old friends, and he’s not afraid to tell you what he thinks.  I got the opportunity sit down with Rodney over a long lunch to talk about his experiences.  He’s doing something right – as a Dayton native making it as an artist and giving back to the community through the Blue Sky Project.  I wanted to know his story in hopes that it could help others on a similar journey.  Luckily, Rodney is happy to tell his story.

    Who is Rodney Veal?

    Rodney Veal is a performance artist who hesitates to use that term to define his art.  He uses visual art, dance, film, photography, music, and more to create experiences for his audiences.  Originally, he was drawn to art school for design, but dabbling in dance while in college gave him a new direction.  After graduation, he found himself clerking at the Department of Transportation, but missing the vibrancy of movement.  He decided that he needed to find a creative outlet.  Luckily, he knew he could take a beginning ballet class at Sinclair Community College at a cost next to nothing and revive his excitement for dance.

    That class started the ball rolling.  Basic Ballet at SCC shifted to adult dance classes at the Dayton Ballet which opened further doors for him.  His teacher and soon-to-be champion, Barbara Pontecorvo, told him that he had good qualities; he was musical with good turn out (and he was a man), but he would have to lose weight and learn technique.  Pontecorvo’s honesty and encouragement pushed him along to work harder.

    Photo Credit: Kenny Mosher

    Rodney believes it was the feedback, criticism, and encouragement from local dance professionals that kept him in the scene.  Bess Imber was his “catalyst for change,” making him take dance seriously as a career.  DeShona Pepper-Robertson shared with him her great passion and positive spirit to transform lives.  It was meeting these women in the Dayton community – and so many more – that created an atmosphere where he could work and thrive.  That’s what he claims makes Dayton such a special place – the support system available to artists.  He argues that the history of Dayton in the dance world is a “history of legendary performers and teachers” all with reputations that extend beyond Dayton.

    With more feedback, he kept getting better.  The success he achieved as a choreographer really enticed him and that became his passion.  He learned he was honestly good when four of his works were performed and recognized at Regional Dance America.  He credits his continued success to the fantastic support structure that exists in Dayton; his work with friends at the Dayton Ballet, Gem City Ballet, DCDC, and other dance organizations have built him into a professional dancer/choreographer.  With a light in his eyes, Rodney says, they “gave to me and they didn’t have to be generous – but they were.”  He is forever grateful for his mentors and teachers; it is because of them that he is excited to give back to his own community through the Blue Sky Project.

    His days of clerking for the Department of Transportation are long gone.  Now he teaches at Sinclair (the same college that re-introduced him to dance years ago) and Stivers, acts as the President of the Board of Involvement Advocacy which operates the Blue Sky Artist Residency Program, and he freelances as an artist.  Good work brings about more good work.  Because he was a Blue Sky resident artist in 2009, Rodney has been asked to install exhibits and create other works.  Local boy definitely makes good.

    The Blue Sky Project

    It’s through Blue Sky that I learned about Rodney’s story.  According to their Web site, Blue Sky is “an artist-centered program committed to producing significant works of contemporary art.”  They provide a communal environment for diverse artists to collaborate with local young people, they use the creative process to teach important lessons to the youth participants, and they build up the Dayton community by contributing to the cultural experience.  Blue Sky is changing the landscape of the Dayton region with their creative and collaborative approach to art making.  Rodney believes in the mission and its benefits for Dayton, stating “if we support individuals in what they’re passionate about, it’s a win-win for the community.”

    Photo Credit: Betsie Molinsky

    Rodney was a resident artist in 2009, and is so pleased to be involved in the Project again this year.  He gushes about youth participants from last year and the difference the Project has made in their life.  Each year, forty young people have the opportunity to be next to someone making art at a professional level, and those youth get to be actively engaged in the process as artists with ideas that are critiqued, validated, and utilized.  Talking about the kids from 2009, he believes their whole demeanor has changed; they see life in a different way.  And he believes that even if they choose to leave Dayton – they leave with a good story to share, and that story will make outsiders more interested in the region.

    But it’s not only the youth participants who benefit; the professional artists from around the world are finding that they can work freely in Dayton.  Artistic collaboration is available and resources can be utilized.  There are so many possibilities available if you only ask.  Giving an example from his own experience, on Thursday, July 22, 2010, Rodney filled the Schuster Center Wintergarden with music, silk and dancers for two spectacular performances.  How in the world was this allowed?  He asked.  And Ken Neufeld, the President and CEO of the Victoria Theatre Association, said yes.  According to Rodney, this type of access isn’t available anywhere else – Dayton is a welcoming arts community.

    In the Wintergarden - Photo Credit: Betsie Molinsky

    Although the summer residency program is coming to an end, you haven’t missed out yet.  Coming up this weekend is the R U Experienced Final Exhibition; there are three ways to check it out.  How you enjoy it is up to you.  Thursday is a special gala with a ticket price that goes to support the project.  Dress up, meet and greet, and put your money toward this great cause.  Low on cash?  Friday is about hipsters and hanging out and seeing the art during First Friday.  Saturday is a friends and family event; although it’s more intimate, it’s not closed to the public.

    In the future, Rodney hopes Blue Sky will expand to a year-round program.  The artists this year love the freedom and collaboration available in Dayton and they really want to come back.  Blue Sky hopes to host them through the year and connect them to what they need.

    Future Growth in Dayton

    The story could end there.  It was a great conversation about his history and what makes Dayton such a great place for young artists.  But I told you Rodney likes to talk, and our conversation didn’t stop with the good news about his history and the Blue Sky Project.  He also has strong ideas about what might be holding Dayton back.

    When talking about the art scene in the region, Rodney calls it “an embarrassment of riches.”  But he fears that the audiences aren’t always “present” to enjoy it.  I asked what he means.  He points out that too often audiences will “stop the experience to beat traffic.”  Too many people don’t live life as it comes– they are always thinking of what comes next.  Rodney sounds like he gets his philosophy from an inspirational poster when he encourages that people should work to live rather than live to work, but you can tell that this is a man who honestly lives by that credo.  Life is about the choices that you make; he asks, “What are you running toward on that treadmill?”

    He encourages more artistically-minded people to get involved in civic leadership.  New voices at the table will bring fresh, new ideas.  The myth that artists are too removed from “real people” and aren’t hard workers also must be dispelled.  Rodney says he has learned management and finance through the arts business, and he argues that many artists have the capability to use both sides of their brain for creative project management.  These individuals who bring the artistic “full-mindedness” can help implement the changes our region needs to succeed.  It’s a two-sided challenge; our region’s leadership must value the work done by the artists and call on them for help, and the artists must take up arms to help in the revitalization of the region.

    Beyond the individual motivations of audience members and the commitment of artists, Rodney has recommendations for the region.  He wants Dayton to be the city that changes the mindset of middle-class America.  Believing that Dayton is behind the times in relations to many societal norms, Rodney wants to see more people feeling empowered to be themselves.  Rodney argues against what some people call “hometown values,” he says that it’s the region’s antipathy toward gay rights, a pigeon-holing of women, and the expectations that our young people should be on a track to marry and start having children quickly that results in stagnation.  In his opinion, breaking out of this mold can encourage more openness, creation, and progress.

    Rodney’s last words of advice for those working to make a difference in the region: affect change for the people in front of you – don’t worry about how many are moved, just be sure that you can move those people as much as possible.  Trust the people around you to work.  Critique and feedback is good – Blind validation is bad.  And finally, he has words for the naysayers in Dayton.  “Change it or get out – find the place that makes you happy.”

    Learn more about the BLUE SKY PROJECT here or here.