Getting Involved

YP groups across the region are keeping busy this summer.  Here’s a look at some great events coming up through July.  Sometimes events get added/announced later – so – if I missed anything, I may add it in the comments to keep it up-to-date.  If you’ve attended any of these events or are planning on going – let us know what you like about it.

July 2- Okay – it’s not specifically YP, but it is BOTH First Friday and the kick-off of the City Folk Festival.  And if you visit City Folk Festival on Saturday night, say “Hi” to the big group of Generation Dayton members who are volunteering at the beer tent!  OR – you can join up with STREET BUZZ to get a unique YP view of the action hitting the Fest, the Wine Gallery, Sidebar and Garden Station.

July 2-5: Dayton Active is going backpacking in the Great Smokey National Park!  What a way to spend the 4th of July weekend – enjoying the nature that has inspired numerous anthems about our country!  This is a group of outdoor enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s who want to provide a great way for people to meet new friends and explore the rec opportunities around our region.

Wednesday, July 7  at 5:30 PM: Dayton Ballet Barre hosts their monthly Associate Board meeting.  Their Associate Board is currently accepting new members – join them at The Wine Gallery and Cafe along the river on Monument and Main for happy hour drink specials, appetizers provided by the Barre, and some new friends.

Thursday, July 8:  Generation Dayton hosts their Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour.  It’s an opportunity to mix and mingle with other YPs in a casual setting.  Members and non-members welcome.  Drinks at your own expense.  Join them from 5:30-7:30 PM at TJ Chumps, 12 East Linden Ave in Miamisburg.

Friday, July 9: Dayton Urban League Young Professionals host their monthly YP @ Play from 8-11 PM.  This is a great opportunity to enjoy some great drink specials at Therapy Cafe, meet some new friends, and enjoy some throwback games from when you were younger.  Free to members, $10 for nonmembers.  Food and fantastic games included, but drinks at your own cost.

Wednesday, July 14: The Dayton Creative Syndicate – the professional organization that provides creative young professionals with networking, professional development, and social activities – is hosting the Summer Social and Networking event upstairs at Adobe Gilas at the Greene from 5:30-8:30.  This is an event in conjunction with the GDAA.

Thursday, July 15: HYPE 3rd Thursday Social at The Caroline in Troy from 5:30-7:30 PM.  This is a great event designed to provide a way for YPs in the northern Miami Valley to network, meet friends, and get involved – but it’s open to everyone.  Check out a fun venue with great drink specials and fantastic food.

Friday, July 16: The Montgomery County Young Republicans invite you to their July Social at Valley Vineyards.  Join them to learn more about the group, discuss how to build the party locally, learn how you can get involved in the upcoming elections, and have some food and drink with like-minded YPs.  PLUS – if you join or renew your membership between now and then, your first drink is on them!

Monday, July 19: And the Young Republicans keep going – they host their monthly meeting with a new twist!  Check out the new events planned and be a part of the summer action.  6:30 PM at GOP Headquarters (8534 Yankee Street).

Tuesday, July 20: Generation Dayton hosts their monthly Business and Breakfast from 7-8 AM at Mimi’s Cafe at the Greene.  This event is free to attend, but breakfast is at your own expense.

Thursday, July 22: TWO GREAT EVENTS!

Generation Dayton is golfing!  Join in this shotgun start, scramble format to have a great time.  Register individually or as a foursome and have a great afternoon (1-6PM) at the Miami Valley Golf Club.  All are welcome (discounted costs for Gen D members).

The Junior League of Dayton is hosting a Membership Outreach event at Coldwater Cafe in Tipp City from 6-8 PM.  If you’re a woman interested in getting involved in this long-standing and highly recognized national organization focused on volunteerism, come talk to your local Junior Leaguers about getting involved.

Friday, July 23: TWO GREAT EVENTS!

HYPE continues their wine education seriesat the Piqua Country Club from 6-7:30 PM.  Learn the science and art of wine as it makes its way from the grapes on the vine to the wine in your glass.  Light hors d’oeuvres served.  $25 for advance registration and $35 at the door.

Generation Dayton knows how to make your Friday go faster – meet up with friends for lunch on the fourth Friday of every month!  This month they’re meeting at Sweeney’s Seafood in Centerville.  Meet with other YPs over an enjoyable lunch.  The event is free, but lunch is at your own expense.

Saturday, July 24: Looking for a classy, fun, and tasteful night out?  Join the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals as they host a Chocolate Affair at the Doubletree Hotel from 7PM – 1 AM.  The Chocolate Affair is an upscale evening event for professionals of all levels to network, dance and have a good time for a good cause. The proceeds from this very glitzy, yet chocolaty fund raising event will support 1,200 youth in the education programs at the Dayton Urban League.  $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers, and $50 for special VIP tickets.

Sunday, July 25:  The Dayton Ballet Board picnic is coming up this month!  You bring a covered dish to share and they provide the hot dogs and hamburgers.  Join the Barre at Delco Park Shelter 2 from 12-3 PM for this fun family-friendly event.  Ever think that YP events exclude young parents?  This is the event for you to bring the little ones and enjoy the summer.  The park has a lake where people can fish, a playground and several sand volleyball courts. There will also be a Corn Hole set or two so anyone who wants to play Corn Hole can do so. Since this is a family event there will be a Fourth of July themed piñata for the kids to play with.

Monday, July 26: LISTENING TOUR.  Do you want your voice heard?  Do you want the inside scoop on the happenings with the City’s finances?  This event is specific to YPs.Even if you’re not a Dayton resident, the health of the City is important to all of us.  Join with YPs all across the region (coordinated between the City, DULYP, GenD and updayton) – this event is so valuable that major outreach is occurring to get you there!  Breakfast is served, parking is validated, and you can share your ideas for ways to improve the City’s financial situation.  7AM at the Dayton Convention Center.  RSVP to be there.

Thursday, July 29 – The last Thursday of every month you can meet up and mingle with the Young AFCEAns – a group of young professionals working in technology, intelligence, electronic, information systems and communication.  Location and place TBD – check back here for the update.  Or better yet – check out their Web page and get involved!

Well – That’s what I could track down before July 1 in hopes to get you hooked into the events happening.  As more events pop up – post there here to let us all know.  And if you go to an event or have more details, feel free to share in the comments.  Enjoy your summer!

JLD Power in Action

Volunteerism is a major aspect of most YP orgs in the region.  Maybe it’s the great feeling people get from making a difference or the perfect platform it provides for networking and socializing – either way, volunteering seems to be a on the calendars for many YP groups.  There are two YP orgs in our region that focus less on social or professional events and spend their time making a difference through volunteerism.  I talked to Jessica Saunders from the Junior League of Dayton and Lisa Henderson from the Red Cross Associate Board to learn a little more about how their groups approach volunteerism and how they’re making a difference in the region.

Saunders and Henderson have quite a bit in common – both come from other Midwestern towns and have made Dayton their home through community involvement and careers at Dayton Children’s Hospital.  Both women discovered their organizations through friends and colleagues in other local organizations.  Saunders learned about the JLD through Dayton History and her work at Children’s, while Henderson decided to get involved with the RCAB due to friends at Generation Dayton extending an invitation to a recruiting event.

But now that they’re hooked in the region and with their organizations, I had some questions for Henderson and Saunders to learn a little more about the RCAB and JLD.  You can get a lot of great information about mission, membership requirements, and upcoming events from the Web sites, but I wanted the personal stories within the organizations and the values they provide the community and their members.

I can read a Web site, but I wanted to know the short answer about the mission of these orgs and the crux of what they do.  Saunders has the elevator pitch down to a science, according to her, Junior League Dayton is “an organization that builds women to be community leaders and community volunteers.”  Henderson explains that the Red Cross Associate Board “supports the Red Cross through planning a fundraiser, The Great Escape.”  She’s quick to add,  “The funds we raise at The Great Escape stay in the Dayton region.”

And these organizations both offer unique and varied opportunities in the pursuit of their missions.  Henderson is excited about the hands-on way to make a difference through the planning of their yearly event.  She says, “The fact that (the associate board) hosts one of the Red Cross’ largest fundraisers means our board members are truly making a difference and are certainly hands on.  Each member has the opportunity to pick a committee or area that most interests them (securing sponsors, helping with marketing, etc)… It’s also a great way to develop skills – for example, I learned so much about event planning by getting involved with the logistics committee. We are able to see an event and fundraising from start to finish, which is always such a great feeling!”  Although the work the members are doing is geared toward this major one-time event, the experiences stick with the members.  Henderson explains that through the work of planning this major event, board members have the opportunity to learn more about the great work the Red Cross is doing nationally and in the region, and the board can help them connect more if they’re interested in volunteering in other ways.

Saunders is excited to talk about what makes the Junior League unique – the focus on developing women’s leadership opportunities.  For anyone who doesn’t know, the Junior League is a woman-only organizations (sorry, guys).  She believes, an “organization of all women is great because it gives you an opportunity to learn from women who are at every age and stage of their lives. There are also many leadership opportunities and training opportunities within the league – if you want to learn about fundraising there is a place for that.  If you are interested in marketing – you can learn about that.  And of course – there are many opportunities to volunteer throughout the community.”  Althought the Junior League is an organization for developing the leadership skills and community involvement for younger women (20s and 30s), they keep strong relationships with their “sustainers” who have graduated from the program and provide valuable insights and connections.

Both organizations provide great ways to get involved, meet people, and make a difference.  But – in case the descriptions aren’t enough to spark full interest – I wanted to know more.  There are plenty of volunteer opportunities out there – you can open the paper any day and find ways to give back to the community.  I asked these women what makes a volunteer organization so much worthwhile than periodic stints at individual volunteering.  Both had great insights.

JLD Holiday at Home

Saunders is excited about the total impact the League offers.  She says, “It’s really great to see what a group of people can do to improve the community. Doing something together not only results in something positive for the community but builds some bonds that last through your entire life.  The Junior League ‘sustainers’ continue to build on friendships they started in the league decades ago!    It is important for young people to join the JLD because it’s a wonderful organization that is so tied to our Dayton history.  If you are new to the community – it’s not only a great way to network but a great way to learn about the city!”  And when I challenged her that some people just aren’t “joiners,” Saunders had an answer for that, too.  She understands that feeling, but believes that “there is a time and place for joining organizations.”  Although she can’t make that decision for others, she is pleased with her choice to get involved with JLD.  She says, “I am forever grateful for the relationships – both professionally and personally – that I have from the organizations or groups that I have joined.”

If you’re anti-organization, Henderson mentions that there are plenty of nonprofits out there with great causes that provide you with the opportunity to give back -and you don’t have to “join” anything.  She points out, “You can really match your interests and time to what’s out there. Don’t limit yourself!”  But being a part of a larger organization does offer perks.  Henderson believes, “It’s great to be a part of something on an ongoing basis because you can see the long-term impact of what you do. The associate board is able to raise money, and then can see what a difference those funds have made for the community!”

Although the focus of the Red Cross Associate Board is on providing needed support to the local chapter of the Red Cross, there are great opportunities for professional development as well.  Henderson raves about the amazing people she has met through the organization both at the Red Cross and on the associate board.  Beyond networking, she says, “I have been able to participate in all areas of planning for The Great Escape and have developed skills that help me be a better leader professionally and in my other organizations.”  In addition to gaining valuable skills like leadership, communication, and project management, Henderson is also really pleased with how she’s been able to expand her social network.  She’s happy to share stories about great friends she’s met through her involvement with the associate board.  Henderson sums up her experience by stating that, “YP volunteer organizations are more than just about the volunteerism.  (By not being involved), you’ll miss out on a chance to meet new people and give back to the community!”

Saunders also has great experiences beyond the valuable community-based work she does with League.  She says, “I love the opportunity to work with some really great women on issues that affect our community.”  And although the JLD focuses on volunteerism, it has been very valuable to her in other realms.  Saunders says, “Professionally – it’s a wonderful way to network.  Socially – it’s my escape from my professional life!  There are many opportunities throughout the year to hone both of these skills.”

By speaking to these two charismatic and engaged women, I learned a lot more about the Junior League of Dayton and the Dayton chapter of the Red Cross Associate Board.  But before wrapping up, I wanted to know more about their impression of the Dayton region as a whole, what it’s like to be a YP in the city, and why some people perceive a sense of apathy from local YPs.  Saunders cited a unique “problem;”  She says, “I think there is too much to do!”  Her solution for YPs who don’t feel involved is to do some homework, explore the various opportunities out there to find the one that “clicks,” and get hooked up with one of the many nonprofits (or volunteer organizations) out there that are always looking for volunteers.

For some final advice, Henderson says, “I think there has to be personal initiative to get engaged, but there is no lack of opportunity here in Dayton. (Nonprofits) want our input, expertise, fresh ideas and energy. Get involved in one group and word tends to spread – soon you’ll have so many opportunities it will be hard to select which ones you want to do!”

Thanks to these ladies for taking the time to share their stories with me.  Learn more about these great organizations at their recruitment events this summer.  The Dayton Area Red Cross Associate Board and the Junior League of Dayton are both hosting recruitment events THIS THURSDAY so you can learn more.

Dayton Area Red Cross Associate Board Recruitment Event
When: Thursday, June 24th from 6-8PM
Where: Norton’s Sports Bar and Grille – 580 Lincoln Park Blvd. (Near the Fraze Pavilion)
*Appetizers sponsored by the Red Cross*

Junior League of Dayton Recruitment Event
When: Thursday, June 24 from 6-8 PM
Where: Blue Star Mothers #3 at Town and Country Shopping Center (near Figlio)
*Make a difference for our troops at this Care Package Party and learn more about JLD*

There seems to be a lot concentrated at the end of this first official week of summer.  Maybe it’s just too hot to be out and about early in the week or maybe all the YP groups know you really need some time to focus on that big project at work.  But check out the great number of events taking you into the weekend.

ALSO: NEW FEATURE on the DMM Event Calendar – now YP events are designated as such!  Want to search for what’s happening in YP?  Click on Young Professional as a category and see for yourself what’s going on.

Thursday, June 24: If you’re not doing something Thursday evening – you’re not paying attention!  Happy hour, city management, volunteerism, and new friends are all available for the taking.

The Junior League of Dayton is getting together to create care packages for our troops at this Care Package Party with the Blue Star Mothers.  Join them at the table in Town and Country (Kettering) near Figlio and help out from 6-8 PM.  This is a recruitment event – so everyone is invited to come, make a difference, and learn more about the JLD.  Questions or want to RSVP?  Contact Caitlin Krebs – [email protected] or 937.853.2563

Dayton City Manager Tim Riordan wants your feedback and suggestions!  He has been hosting Listening Tours across the region for your feedback on the current state of financial affairs in Dayton.  In collaboration with the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals, Generation Dayton and updayton – YOU ARE INVITED to hear about what’s happening in our City and provide your feedback.  Join us  at 5:30PM at City Hall, City Commission Chambers.  RSVP to: [email protected]

The Red Cross Associate Board is hosting a recruitment event at Norton’s Bar (across from Fraze Pavilion) from 6-8 PM.  Want to meet the members of the RCAB, learn more about this great organization, and see how to get involved.  They provide the appetizers and information – you just show up!

The Young AFCEAns (or YAC) host their monthly networking happy hour on the last Thursday of every month – this week it’s at Fox and Hound at 5 PM.  Sure, the group is fairly industry specific – serving mostly the government and government/IT contractors – but they always open their doors to new people and have had pretty regular attendance from non-contractor YPs.  And who doesn’t like a Happy Hour?

Friday, June 25:
Generation Dayton hosts their monthly Fourth Friday lunch.  This time, join the group at Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District (try the pickle soup – seriously) at Noon.  It’s free to attend, but lunch is at your own cost.  RSVP to Andy at [email protected].

Saturday, June 26:
The Dayton Ballet Barre is hosting their Barre Crawl II (witty, eh?).  This second annual pub crawl follows the popular path through the Oregon District from last year with great drink specials at each location, a discounted rate at the Crown Plaza (safety first) and a fun time with friends for only $10.  Learn more here.  Or check out the flyer here: Barre Crawl II

Did I miss something?  Let me know in the comments.  And, as always, check out the DMM Event Calendar for more great events happening in the region – like live music, comedy, the Clambake for Kids’ Sake, drink specials, happy hours, art shows, Phantom of the Opera, walking tours, educational lunches and more!

June is hoppin’ with opportunities specific to YPs who want to get involved.  There’s a pretty wide range of options – everything from education and networking to socials and meetings.   You can do something every night Monday through Friday this week.

Monday, June 14: The Montgomery County Young Republicans have their meetings on the second Monday of each month at the BW3 at Town and County in Kettering.  Want to get involved with the Republican campaigns and meet other like-minded YPs?  Check them out at 6:30 PM.

Tuesday, June 15: Generation Dayton hosts their monthly Business and Breakfast at the Cracker Barrel at 5770 Wilmington Pike in Centerville from 7-8 AM.  Breakfast is at your own expense, but it’s free to attend!  RSVPs requested.

Wednesday, June 16:

Dayton Urban Leage Young Professionals host their general meeting – but it’s so much more than just talk!  Free to members and $5 for non-members – here’s what you get in June.  Professional development speaker Mr. Jose “Rafi” Rodriguez, President of the Greater Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  And the second installment of “The Reel World: A Black Film Series.”  Up this quarter – it’s a viewing of the local hit – The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant documentary.  And they end the night with some ice cream to kick-off summer and thank everyone for their participation in the National Day of Service.  Yum!  It happens from 6:30-7:45pm at the Dayton Urban League in the Fifth Third Room.

The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission is coming to share information and ask for your feedback.  This is a valuable way to be a part of the discussion on the future of land use in the Miami Valley.  Hosted by Gen D at SideBar – all YPs are encouraged to come.  Free to attend, but dinner and drinks at your own expense.  Learn more here or here.

Thursday, June 17 – A busy, busy, busy day:

HYPE hosts their 3rd Thursday Social at The Caroline in Troy from 5:30-7:30 PM.  This is a social mixer to meet up with other YPs in the Northern Miami Valley, learn more about HYPE, and have some fun.

The Montgomery County Young Democrats host their spring mixer at Franco’s Italian Restaurant on 5th Street near the Oregon District from 5-7 PM.  Want to learn more about how to get involved in the upcoming campaigns, talk to like-minded YPs, meet David Pepper (candidate for State Auditor), and learn more about this politically engaged group?  Check them out this Thursday.

Updayton – the organization dedicated to attracting and retaining young, creative talent is hosting an Action Plan Launch Update.  Whether you made it to the Young Creatives Summit or not – this is your opportunity to learn about the projects that YPs determined as most important for the region.  Hear about their progress, sign up to volunteer, and see the action that is being taken to make the Dayton region exciting for all of us.  The event is at the Cannery Art and Design Center (E. 3rd Street) at 6 PM with a stop at Therapy Cafe afterward.  More info on the day and how to RSVP here.

Friday, June 18: HYPE offers the second of four installments in their Wine Education Series.  6-7:30 PM at the Piqua Country Club.  Join Sunny Brown, International Brand Manager for Vanguard Wines of Columbus, OH, and learn how European wines earned their status as well as what makes them different from other wines.  Register in advance by emailing Kara Foster, Professional Development Chair, at [email protected]. (Deadline for advance registration is the Tuesday prior to the event).   Cost: $25 per session (advance registration) / $35 at the door

Looking for some fun this weekend?!?  Check out the DMM calendar for lots of great music, arts, party, and fun options.