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YPs This Week: Eggs, Merlot, Kites and Dancing!

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YP Events coming up THIS WEEK:

GenD hosts their monthly Business and Breakfast on Tuesday, May 18 from 7-8 AM at the First Watch by the Dayton Mall.  Everyone is welcome; the event is free to attend, but breakfast is at your own expense. 

HYPE:  HYPE stands for Helping Young Professionals Emergeand works to connect YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to great opportunities.  Thursday, May 20th is the One Year Anniversary Bash!  Have a great time with old and new friends and make new contacts with special features including a dj with music videos, year in review news and photos, and much more!  5:30 PM at Club 55 in Troy.

HYPE keeps up the fun on Friday, May 21 as they dispel the mystery of wine through our upcoming Wine Education Series.   Join the fun and education at The Piqua Country Club as they feature an amazing line-up of wine and culinary expertise. 

Dayton Creatives Syndicate: Looking for something fun do do? Why don’t you go fly a kite?  No, really — join your friends at the Dayton Creative Syndicate from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at Possum Creek MetroPark for the Go Fly a Kite Regatta.  Everyone is welcome to participate or just enjoy!

The Dayton Ballet Associate Board/Ballet Barre is holding a recruiting event on Saturday, May 22nd @ Champs by the Dayton Mall at 5 pm.  Check it out for a casual and fun way to learn more about what this group is doing to get people under 45 engaged in the region’s arts.

Did I miss anything?  If you know of a specific YP event happening between now and May 23 – post it here!

In Celebration of AmeriCorps Week

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The following was submitted by DaytonMostMetro.com reader Caitlin Closser

With any revelation arises the need to announce it to the world, and I wish to announce that I am in love…with service.  This love is not without its challenges.  However, now that I’ve experienced the warmth, inspiration, and pure joy that serving creates, I know I’ll never be without it in my life again.

Service and I were mere acquaintances in the past.  Sure, we had met a few times, on various projects.  The response had been positive, but life, as always, got in the way.  With the need to earn a living, there just wasn’t enough time for it.  That is, until AmeriCorps came along.

Laid off unceremoniously from my last job, I found myself unemployed and stranded.  My previous company unleashed nearly 300 of us into an unforgiving job market.  The months following the layoff were bleak.  There was a shortage of jobs I was interested in, and I wasn’t qualified for any of them.  That was when I discovered AmeriCorps, a program that has existed since the Clinton administration, but was little known to me.  I pursued AmeriCorps for practical reasons: to build my resume, to gain the experience I lacked in the community development field.

AmeriCorps, the domestic cousin of the Peace Corps, is a year-long service commitment.  AmeriCorps members work in widespread fields, from community development to conservation to education.  In exchange for their service, members earn a small living stipend and an education grant upon completion.

This is just the part they tell you about.  The part that doesn’t fit so neatly into word packages is the assurance that for maybe the first time ever, you are doing something meaningful with your life.  It’s the smiles, the hugs, the thank you notes from the people you are helping.  It’s the ability to see the incredible progress volunteers can make towards repairing a home in a single day.

I currently serve with Rebuilding Together Dayton, a non-profit that performs home repairs and modifications at no cost to the low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners who live in them.  We are fueled by hard-working volunteers and generous sponsors.  Our mission is a safe, warm, and dry home for every Dayton homeowner.

The work can be tedious, tiresome, and downright filthy.  Just last week I had to dive into a dumpster from one of our project sites to try and retrieve stray tires before the trash could be picked up.  On a regular basis I talk with homeowners whose life stories that are so sad they would melt your heart.

As this is AmeriCorps week, I wish to celebrate by offering this homage to a program that has changed my life.  I encourage you to pursue your own love affair with service.  Visit AmeriCorps’s website.  Seek out serving opportunities near you.

Is it challenging to live near the poverty line?  Sure is.  Is the work difficult?  At times, terribly.  Does it feel like I am working towards an unachievable goal?  Sometimes it does.

Is it worth it?  Absolutely.

Young Professionals in Dayton: Who, What and Why

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There are so many organizations that encourage involvement in the Dayton region – clubs and associations focused on topics from entertainment to networking to recreation to hobbies to philanthropy to professional development and more.  But there’s a certain niche of organizations that are specifically directed toward “young professionals,” and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you through DaytonMostMetro.com.

First, let’s get the *full disclosure* out of the way.  I’m on the team that put together the updayton “Young Creatives Summit,” so obviously this is something I feel passionately about.  I also volunteer as the co-chair of the Culture Works Associate Board that puts together deals and events to better connect young professionals to the many arts opportunities in the region.  I’ve been to events sponsored by DULYP, DCS, GenD, the Red Cross Associate Board, and more;  I like what’s going on in the region for YPs and I’m looking forward to keeping you in the loop.

Now for this term “young professional.”  Some people I’ve talked with have been turned-off by the stigma of the term “young professional” thinking that it still carries the negative Yuppie stereotype that it did in the 80s & 90s.  Others fear the term neglects those who love their careers and callings, but are not considered 9-to-5 “professionals.”  And people who are unemployed, in temporary positions as they search for their career, or doing amazing work as volunteers, may feel left out by not being “professional”  at all.  If you have better suggestions (remember, I’m part of the group who took a shot with “young creatives”) – leave them in the comments.  The term young professional is what we have, so that’s what you’ll see throughout these articles.  I’m talking to you if you’re in your 20s/30s – regardless of career choice or lifestyle.  And if there are any stipulations about the type of young professional you have to be to participate, I’ll let you know.

There are a lot of ways that people in their 20s and 30s are getting connected, making a difference, and having fun in the region.  And these organizations aren’t necessarily working against each other.  I’ve seen some true partnerhsips developing; just over the past year, a quarterly lunch has been held so that representatives from some of the local YP organizations can gather to coordinate schedules, cross-promote events, and share ideas and resources.  There is collaborration happening where groups are supporting one another and encouraging members to explore different events.  Although our region may appear super-saturated by YP organizations, I think it speaks to the critical mass of YPs in the region that so many unique organizations can exist and remain sustainable.

So, moving forward, I’m going to try and keep you up-to-date on opportunities specifically for young professionals throughout the region. For those who claim, “there’s nothing to do,” it’s because they’re not looking hard enough.  Lots of great YP organizations, events, and people making a difference will be highlighted in the future.   If there’s anything specific you’d like to see on these pages or if you’re interested in a certain topic, leave it in the comments.

Just a few events coming up this week for YPs:

Generation Dayton: May 11 at 5:30 at the Ohio Coffee Co. – Downtown Dayton: Present and Future– A great opportunity to hear about the role of YPs in changes happening downtown, learn about great opportunities to get active this summer through Five Rivers MetroParks, and talk about how DaytonMostMetro.com is working to bring the region together online.

United Way Young Leaders Series: Connecting Career with Community – Marketing yourself in the Dayton region
May 12th from 8:00 – 9:30 am at the Sinclair Ponitz Center

GenD keeps the week moving along with their monthly Thirsty Thursday.  On May 13 it’s at Brio at the Greene starting at 5:30 PM.

Dayton Urban League Young Professionals: check out the YP at Play night at Therapy Cafe on the second Friday of each month (May 14).  They pull out the old school board games, get active with Twister and Musical Chairs, and have an all out great time.

JumpstART:  JumpstART is the activity arm of the Culture Works Associate Board.  You know you’ve wanted to check out Urban Nights (Friday, May 14), but if you don’t know what to expect or where to go – they’ll take the mystery out with a hybrid art hop/pub crawl around the city.

Stivers Choreographers Showcase Fundraiser

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Here is an opportunity for you to have an evening of entertainment and help a great cause.  Thursday, May 13, the Seedling Foundation is hosting a private preview at 7:30 pm in Stivers Centennial Hall to raise funds for the dance department.

• Meet the choreographers

•Hear about the creative process from idea to dance

• Learn how the dances are created, practiced and performed

Stivers School for the Arts
2010 Choreographers Showcase

The evening starts with a 6 -7:30 pm hors d’ oeuvre buffet served by Coco’s bistro
$30 for buffet and preview
(includes $15 tax deductible donation to the seedling Foundation)
Call 937.430.6402 for reservations

Calzones, Community & Culture Works: Help Milano’s support local arts in Dayton

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On select days in May, Milano’s Atlantic City Submarines will be doing their part to help support Dayton’s rich and vibrant arts community.

Every Wednesday in May, Milano’s will donate 20% of each sale to Culture Works, the united arts fund and service agency that provides funds and services for many non-profit art agencies in the Greater Dayton area.

All three restaurant locations are participating in the promotion.

Present this flyer to a staff member at Milano’s on the designated days to donate a portion of your sale to Culture Works.

9572 Springboro Pike, Miamisburg

2260 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek

1834 Brown Street, Dayton

May 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Dayton is going to the dogs: Furry Skurry 2010

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The Humane Society of Greater Dayton will hold its 19th annual Furry Skurry fundraiser on Saturday, May 8.

Check-in for the annual event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Miami Valley Hospital South (off Wilmington); the walk begins at 10:00 a.m.  Participants can walk solo (with their pet) or form teams of walkers.

The walk, which starts at Miami Valley Hospital South Campus and ends at the Dayton Care Center in Centerville, will  take place rain or shine!

Furry Skurry 2009. Photo courtesy of Humane Society of Greater Dayton.

Festivities will include:

  • Food from City Barbeque
  • A Flea (less) Market
  • Pet/Person Look-alike, Best Pet Kisser,
    Best Costume and Best Trick contests
  • A raffle, with a chance to win a 50″ flat panel TV, an Apple Ipad, and a $250 gift card to Complete Petmart

You can register for this event in person at the shelter on 1661 Nicholas Road, online at www.humanesocietydayton.org, by mail or by calling (937) 262- 5920.

The Furry Skurry raises funds that provide for the food, shelter and veterinary care of  dogs in the Dayton area.  Last year’s walk attracted more than 1,400 participants.

Click here to download a brochure for Furry Skurry 2010!

3rd Annual Hunks in Heels Event coming May 8th

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hunks_heels-1161An event created so that men in our community can honor the women in their lives and the balancing act they perform by racing around the track at the Greene on Saturday, May 8th at 2pm. While this sounds like great fun, and in fact is, what makes these hunks even more special is that they do all of this to support Clothes That Work. CEOs, community leaders, firefighters, and even that guy down the street are undeniably hunky when strapping on a pair of heels to help provide interview appropriate clothing and image training for those looking to enter or reenter the workforce. Swooning and giggles, guaranteed.  You can enter Hunks In Heels as an individual or a team, contact Lacie at 937-416.8503 for more information.

Last years Best Legs champ, Vince Corrado

Last years Best Legs champ, Vince Corrado

New this year is the online BEST LEGS competition. Nineteen of our true community leaders have let us turn them into eye candy  for a great cause.  With help from photographer Andy Snow, each of our hunks has two photo’s on line for your viewing pleasure.  Help us pick the winner with your votes!  Each vote is $5 and  benefits Clothes That Work. The cost to aid one job-seeker with wardrobe and image assistance is about $135, so vote early and often!

UPDATE!!

Here is a video of the event – special thanks to our friend Sherif Hedayat (always good for a laugh!)

Spring cleaning in southeast Dayton

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easy-volunteer-activities-for-kids-3Dayton-area residents are invited to participate in Southeast Clean-up Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 24, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will work in targeted areas in southeast Dayton neighborhoods to pick up litter and beautify public areas.

Volunteers should register in advance by calling 225-4999 and report to the Bomberger Teen Center (1306 E Fifth St.) by 8:30 a.m. Parking is available at the Bomberger Center and at the nearby Liederkranz-Turner Center and Stivers School for the Arts. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

More than 150 volunteers are expected to join in via Global Youth Service Day, a national program encouraging young people to complete community service projects, the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area and Disney Rewards.

Southeast Clean-up Day is coordinated by the City of Dayton Division of Citizen Participation and the Southeast Priority Board.

Young Creatives Summit – Opinion

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summit-3719Okay – so one more Summit behind us…  Almost 150 participants pre-registered, about 25 people came as walk-ups, and there were 100+ volunteers involved in different aspects of the event.  So – we’re talking about 275 at the Dayton Convention Center working on getting young, creative professionals and students engaged in the region.  Not bad for a few hours on a Friday.  Now for my opinions on it: There were obvious improvements from last year (added professional development and networking opportunities and really, really streamlined the final voting process) and a couple aspects that people didn’t love as much (the move from Saturday to Friday).  Let’s talk about the good and the not-so-good from the Young Creatives Summit.

First – some FYIs:
1)  Keep in mind that the mission of updayton is about young talent retention and attraction.  So – building toward that – the Summit is about getting the largest number of young people excited about these projects.  We’re going for the people who still wonder, “What’s in Dayton?” and “Should I move away?”  And about the projects – would an individual or government taking action implement it quicker, better, and bigger?  Maybe – but remember that we’re about the engagement process, and for that you need lots of people and group buy-in.  Hence the all-powerful dot voting (at least no clickers!).
2)  There’s been a lot of behind the scenes work happening in prep for the Summit, and for every survey, focus group, and session – we listen and actually keep the info people tell us (I hate going to sessions where you share your ideas and then all the work ends up in the trash).  So – if something was “magically unveiled” during your breakout session or if questions were pre-plugged into your workshop session, it’s because over the course of the last two years our participants have stated those concerns and asked for solutions.  Want to know more? Read some of our research here.

Now that you know the “why,” here are some general thoughts.  YEA!  Overall, we are really excited about the success of the Summit and happy with the outcome.  We just came out of a great town-hall where people were engaged and active, and community leaders were seeing young professionals stating their concerns about the region.  We aren’t asking for the government to solve our problems, but we’re letting them know our top concerns – and if they’re smart, they’ll remember what we need/want!  It was good.  And it went smoothly.  And it was fun.  And it’s only 5:20 PM. And as soon as I’m done with this, I’m going to the afterparty.  =)

So – going through the Summit session by session:

Registration went smoothly and participants had the opportunity to have some lunch and learn about some organizations (employers, resources, and YP groups) they might not have known about.  After a welcome from Scott Murphy, the project lead, participants headed off to break-out sessions to get the juices flowing and talk about their ideas for Dayton.  We tried to keep the sessions smaller this year to let the conversation flow and get some really good dialogue.  Still had about 15 people per room, but some great stuff came out of it.

After the break-outs we moved on to the skills workshops.  This was a new part of the Summit, and we’re pretty excited about it.  A lot of people from our 2009 action plans struggled with the actual implementation of their projects.  Kinda like when you’re an entrepreneur – you might be really good at your specialization, but you might not know how to run a business.  We wanted to provide some of the basics of community projects before we sent our participants out the door.  It was also a great way to highlight twelve of the local young professional organizations in the region.  Overall, it went smoothly – people provided the questions they wanted asked during online registration, so we didn’t have to waste time with people raising hands.   Some were exciting and fun – some were a little more “dry.”  The other challenge (con) is that so many people with different backgrounds are in the same session – we had development professionals and people who had never written a grant in their life sitting in the fundraising sessions.  So – there’s no way to meet all needs, but the workshops did what they were intended to do: give a crash course in the skills that people need to advance their projects.  And we are so grateful for our panelists – there are people in the top of their field who took the time to come and share their knowledge with the next generation of community and business leaders.

Then we get to the Town Hall.  Everyone coming back together with only about 25 minutes remaining.  Time to kick-it into high-speed.  Thanks to Andre Wilson (updayton vice-chair who’s responsible for everything starting in 2011), we got back, settled, and ready to go.  The new format seemed to work a lot better.  For those who don’t know (technical difficulties aside), last year EVERYONE got to vote on every project that came back to the town hall.  When devising this year’s Summit, it didn’t seem fair that a some projects didn’t get any love because people weren’t interested in that particular topic.  So, this year people split up in the Town Hall and picked one topic to discuss and make the final decision on.  Although it would have been cool to be in the discussions and hear what everyone else was up to, we wanted participants to know that one project out of their topic will be selected by the end of the day.  There are pros and cons, but overall, I think it led to better focus as well as making it go quicker.  Still ran a bit over, but 5:10 isn’t a problem, especially when the afterparty starts at 5:30.

To end the day, Adam Coatney, chair of one of the 2009 projects got up to talk a bit about how the process works.  Maybe we don’t offer a lot of money and maybe we’re not making a huge impact in highly-visual ways, but when 2009 participants of the Summit drive down Wayne Avenue, they know that it’s because of them that there are murals on those walls, the street is cleaner, and lights are going up to make it more walkable.  And people know that because they demanded an “online resource hub” that Billy and DMM worked with volunteers (and the cash we could provide) to make-over this site.  But it’s not just about the projects, it about the fact that 250 people came together to have their say in making the region more user-friendly – it’s about the involvement.  But project are GREAT.  Feasible projects do come out of the Summit and we’re excited for the ones we’ll be starting soon:

Entrepreneurship – “Make me over, Dayton”  This group is going to connect entrepreneurs to opportunities in building deconstruction.  Groups hope to deconstruct old houses and businesses – get sellable materials out, clean it up, and re-purpose it for another viable project (be it a home office for an entrepreneur or not).  The goal is to clean up the neighborhoods as well as provide a business experience.  The group is aware of Deconstruction Depot and they hope to team with them as they move forward.
Diversity – “Greater Dayton Stories”  This group wants to overcome the negative press by creating weekly videos, radio stories, or press releases that highlight the good news in Dayton.  They want to promote the positive stories from all areas of the region and demonstrate the people who are making Dayton great.
Entertainment – “Street Buzz”  This group will be throwing weekly parties to create some buzz around town.  Young creatives will know that there will always be something happening with the Street Buzz.  They will create hot spots around town by moving to different neighborhoods for the weekly party, and they will advocate to close 5th Ave to street traffic.

Communities – “Howdy Neighbor”  This group will partner with neighborhood associations and priority boards to recognize the good work that is being done by individuals in the neighborhoods.  They intend to highlight the people who are creating vibrant spaces and work to create a sense of community.  Using South Park (and other revitalized neighborhoods) s a model, they can create a weekly newsletter and format other ways to let neighbors know about the good work that’s being done.

At this point, the projects are a little nebulous, but that’s the way these things start.  (Also, I could have missed the point a little bit – there was a LOT going on.)  It’s at the action plan launch that the details will start to come together.  If you want to be a part of it – the launch is on Monday, May 3 at c{space starting at 6 PM.  Although our mission is to engage young creatives in the region, anyone who wants to be a part of the change is welcome to join us.

I know it wasn’t a perfect event – and we’ll make more improvements next year.  So, add your comments below or link to your blog where you can tell us your thoughts.  We can all stand to do a little better, but remember: updayton is a group of volunteers working to plug the brain drain, giving young people a say in the future of the region, and inviting young creatives to dig in and be part of the change that makes the region more vibrant and accessible to them.

And overall – thanks for coming!

(sorry I rambled – long day and off to that after-party now)

Looking for a new furry friend? Humane Society holds adoption event this weekend.

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adopt The Humane Society of Greater Dayton will hold an Adoptathon event at Coldstone Creamery this Saturday, April 17 at the Greene.

Interested parties can find a new friend between the hours of 12 and 3 pm.

All animals have been:

  • Spayed or neutered
  • Vaccinated
  • Heartworm or feline leukemia and FIV tested
  • Examined by a veterinarian
  • Flea treated and microchipped

Below are adoption prices.

Puppy -$120

Adult Dog- $105

Kitten- $65

Adult Cat- $55

Additionally, 15% of the proceeds from ice cream sales during the event will go toward the care of  animals at the Humane Society’s shelter located at 1661 Nicholas Road.

Help give a dog or cat a new leash lease on life!

PUSH hosts Bachelor Auction

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meninthecityPUSH (Professionals United for Sexual Health) is a group of Planned Parenthood volunteers who advocate for the use of prevention to promote sexual health and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. On Thursday, May 6th  PUSH will put a dozen men on the auction block to raise funds to continue their mission to  educate and promote sexual health.

Eligible bachelors from their early 20’s through mid 40’s will be on the block to the highest bidder. An engineer, lawyer, stand up comedian, nonprofit executive, social media expert, Fitness Trainer- PUSH has recruited men from all over the Miami Valley, offering  someone for every taste.  Each bachelor comes with a date package that compliments their interests, from dining and the theater to rock climbing and a picnic.  Click here to view bio’s on each bachelor.

Advance tickets are recommended, this event has already outgrown it’s first venue!  So bring your appetite, your check book and don’t believe it when they say you can’t buy love!

Date: Thursday, May 6th
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Location: El Meson Restaurante
903 E. Dixie Drive West Carrollton Map

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door (if any remain) and
include complimentary gourmet appetizers. Reserve your tickets
online now or call Karen Meade at 937-528-4678

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the Young Creatives Summit

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Make a difference, make connections and build you skills on April 16

Make a difference, make connections and build you skills on April 16

You’ve heard a lot about the updayton Young Creatives Summit.   If you’re a young, creative student or professional in the region – make sure you’re there.  If you’re the boss, friend, or family member of a 20- or 30-something – encourage them to take advantage of this great opportunities.  And now – with just a few days of pre-registration remaining – the top 10 reasons to attend the Summit:

  1. It’s an opportunity to put your stamp on Dayton – real things happened because of last year’s Summit.
  2. Build skills to help your career – learn from local experts on topics like fundraising, entrepreneurship, leadership and more.
  3. It’s got to beat a Friday afternoon in the office.
  4. Meet others who share a passion for starting a business, creating a vibrant nightlife, cultivating diversity or strengthening neighborhoods.
  5. We assume you’ll eat lunch on April 16th – why not do it with us?
  6. Connect with volunteer organizations, employers, arts groups, YP groups, and more at the Summit Resource Fair.
  7. Discounts – you’ll get you reduced prices at many local businesses.
  8. The Summit After-Party – free for all Summit attendees.
  9. At the end of day we’ll have four new projects to change Dayton. Do you have the next big idea? You won’t find out by just sitting there.
  10. This infomercial about an amazing product for the Dayton area has piqued your interest so much – you just have to be there.  http://updayton.com/on-the-wall/updayton-infomercial/

NOTE:Walk-up registration will be available on Friday, but those that pre-register online will be more likely to get their first choice for the breakout and workshop topics. Also, we will only be able to take cash or checks at the door – no credit cards.

The Summit: Worth a Lot for (a little) Money

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Make a difference, make connections and build you skills on April 16

Make a difference, make connections and build you skills on April 16

You already know about great skills workshops and networking  opportunities for professional development, the chance to make a major difference in our region, and a fantastic after-party (food, drinks, music by BJSR and fun!).  But there’s more!  The Young Creatives Summit provides an easy way to learn about great opportunities in the region and convenient deals and discounts at venues in Dayton.  You get so much for the low price of $15 (only $5 for students).

Discovering Dayton Resource Fair:
Connect with young creatives & local organizations including:
Employers • Arts resources • Civic groups • Social clubs • Professional organizations • Recreation agencies • Volunteer projects …and more!  Lunch included.  Sponsored by the Dayton Development Coalition.

Are you involved in an organization that young creatives need to know about?  Are you interested in a table? There’s only a little space left. Click here to secure your spot.

Discounts: The value doesn’t end with the Summit. Each attendee will also receive discounts at local businesses such as: • The Dublin Pub • Jay’s Seafood • The Neon Movies • Coldstone Creamery • The Pub at the Greene…and more. Your Summit registration will pay for itself!

Have you secured your spot yet for the Young Creatives Summit? You’re just playing hard to get, aren’t you? Maybe our latest commercial will seal the deal.


Launch the Next Big Idea at the Young Creatives Summit

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Mural Art Along Wayne Avenue

Mural Art Along Wayne Avenue

Register for the 2010 updayton Young Creatives Summit now.

If you’re reading this right now, you know (at least a little) about DaytonMostMetro.com.   And if you drive down Wayne Ave by the railroad overpass, chances are you’ve seen some cool street art popping up.  What you may not know is that these ideas came from participants at the 2009 Young Creatives Summit.  The 2010 Summit breakouts will challenge you to devise ideas and put them into action.  Do you have the next big idea?

You’ve heard that at the Summit you can put your ideas into action…  Are you wondering what we mean by that?!?  What is the Summit?  How does it work?  What does it mean to you?   I talked to Adam Coatney, co-chair of the Wayne Avenue Corridor Committee, and asked him about his experience with Summit breakouts.  With a nod to Lisa Grigsby’s 10?s , here’s Adam Coatney.

Q: Where did the idea for the Wayne Avenue Corridor come from?
Many times after going out to dinner in the Oregon District, we would walk to the Cannery to go to Therapy or the Wine Bar and I realized that the two areas are so close, but were separated by a poorly lit, uninviting stretch of Wayne Ave.  With the arrival of Garden Station, it seemed a natural extension to create an appealing place for people to walk and relax between 5th and 3rd.

Q: People have the opportunity to join the action teams before they leave the Summit.  Was it hard to get other people on board with your project idea?
Fortunately, this was a popular idea and we have had many people on board for the first projects and, as new projects arise, more people come along, each with unique insight and resources to help!

Q: At the 2009 Summit, this idea received enough votes to be designated as part of the updayton action plan.  What happened after the Summit to turn it from an idea into action?
We had a meeting with the group and realized early on that we had to have some immediate, hands-on projects.  We planned clean up days to go through the summer and fall and started within a few months to write a grant proposal for the Dayton mini-grant program.

Q: This project spans two blocks on one street – did you ever think about going for something with a bigger impact?
We started with this area because it is between 2 popular entertainment and arts areas and it was more practical with our volunteer base to stay focused.  However, many groups around Dayton have contacted us about ways to beautify their area, get contacts for the muralists that submitted to our contest for further projects, etc.  We are still focused on our area, but are always looking to help where we can in other parts of Dayton.

Wayne Ave Clean-Up Day (Photo: Libby Ballengee)

Wayne Ave Clean-Up Day (Photo: Libby Ballengee)

Q: Were you able to find partners who were interested in being a part of this idea?
Garden Station and the Circus have, far and away, been the most involved in cooperating with us, thanks in large part to our co-chair, Lisa Helm, who is very involved with the Garden.  The Garden has been in invaluable resource for donated items, volunteer hours and the like.  The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Kristen Wicker was an integral part of the grant writing success for the mural project, as well.  We have been very fortunate to have dedicated people from various groups step in to help.

Q: It’s been almost a year since the Wayne Avenue Corridor Committee got its start at the Summit – what have been some of your successes?
We have had the most success with winning a grant for 10 murals to be painted under the train overpass near Garden Station.  We held a contest and got a tremendous response from area artists.  We chose 10 artists who each got an area on the East or West wall.  We used the grant money to get supplies and award the winning artists.

We also set up regular clean up days on a monthly basis and are starting up this year with a bang on May 17th.

Q: Do you have future plans for the Wayne Avenue Corridor?
Lighting, lighting lighting!  Our big plan is to work with DP&L and the city to get some bright lights under the overpass to show off the new murals and create an inviting walkthrough.  We have an urban garden in the works, and we’ll be approaching local businesses about projects to beautify the chainlink fencing in the area.

Q: Will you be there again on April 16?
Undoubtedly!  We will have a booth at the Resource Fair to show off last year’s work and our plans for this year.  We will have a sign up sheet for volunteers to rally more man- and woman-power to help out!

Q: Any last thoughts or recommendations for people wondering if they can make a difference?
Any little bit helps!  We have folks coming in and out of our group as their lives allow it, and they have been invaluable.  Sometimes you are too busy to help, that’s fine!  But get on a mailing list, read the emails and if you have the time or a group is asking for something you are really good at…help out!  It doesn’t mean that you have to become volunteer of the year and give up everything else.

Well – there you have it.  The excitement, accessibility, and fun of a project developed from the 2009 Young Creatives Summit.  This shows how a simple idea and a few people can make a big impact on the region.  Join us on at the 2010 Young Creatives Summit on Friday, April 16 and bring your big ideas to make the Dayton region a better place to live, work and play.  More info here.

No spelling required for this volunteer opportunity!

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images-103 But you will need some basic math skills, as you’ll be assigned to keep score for a table at the Literacy Council’s annual Scrabble Tournament.  The event will take place on Arpil 22nd at the Engineers Club, starting with cocktails at 5:30pm.

If you’re interested in finding out more, there will be a 1 hour volunteer orientation meeting on April 17th at the Literacy Council, located at 333 W. First Street, Suite 130,  in downtown Dayton.  Contact Brian .

Young Talent Have Their Say (While Furthering Their Careers)

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Make a difference, make connections and build you skills on April 16

Make a difference, make connections and build your skills on April 16

Here at updayton we made a name for ourselves last year with the inaugural Young Creatives Summit. This year, we are streamlining and updating the Summit in a lot of ways – including professional development.

Sure – you can call it professional development for the great networking opportunities. And we all know that volunteer and community involvement is a great way to further your career (people you meet, learning new skills, leading initiatives), but we’re not stopping there either. When we say professional development – we’re talking serious skill building.

Maybe you’re a brilliant designer or a razor-sharp lawyer or a ground-breaking engineer. But have you ever tried to coordinate and inspire volunteers (it’s like herding cats)? Or maybe you can project manage the hell out of something, but how about utilizing the best forms of communication to get your message out to your stakeholders, sponsors, team members, or media partners? Or as much as you believe in the mission of your volunteer organization – do you know the best way to approach someone and ask them to hand over their hard-earned cash for your cause? We each have great skills, but when it comes to making a difference in the community, it’s nice to be a Jack (or Jill)-of-all-trades. That’s where updayton is upping the stakes for this year’s Summit.

Like last year, the 2010 Young Creatives Summit offers idea-generating breakout sessions (streamlined voting process – yes, we listened) and a unique Resource Fair opportunity over lunch. But NEW this year are the Skills Workshops; these are “crash courses” to cover valuable topics to help you make a difference in your community. Expert panelists from across the community offer hints, tips, and insights on Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, Leading in the Community, Communication, Event Planning, and Demystifying Local Government.

We all know that making a difference in the world is about what you know and who you know. So, this is a great opportunity to enhance both. Panelists include community leaders as well as CEOs, VPs, Executive Directors, government leaders and serious movers-and-shakers in business and the community – they’re sharing practical knowledge and helping you make connections with the people you need to know.

So – take a half day on Friday, April 16 to make your mark on the community and further your career. Wondering how to convince your boss that it’s a good use of company time? Tell him or her that you’ll be giving a Friday afternoon to build your skills, network with other young leaders, and create a region where you’ll want to stick around. (And if you ARE the big boss – consider the Summit as a great employee retention opportunity!)

Registration is open NOW and more information is available at http://updayton.com.