http://local.ee2.com/ en robert.hostetler@me.com Copyright 2012 2012-03-03T00:40:53+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/survey-to-identify-ne-indiana-creatives http://www.ylni.org/news/post/survey-to-identify-ne-indiana-creatives#When:01:12:52Z Please help us identify NE Indiana's creatives in all genre by filling out this survey and spreading it within your networks. The results of this survey will be used to better identify the needs of our creative community and spread the word about opportunities for Last Saturday events downtown, as well as information about grants and other creative opportunities. 2012-03-03T01:12:52+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/2012-ylni-nominating-committee http://www.ylni.org/news/post/2012-ylni-nominating-committee#When:00:57:10Z YLNI Nominating Committee held their first meeting on February 28th to begin working on the slate for the next YLNI Board term starting on July 1st, 2012. Are you a dues paying member and interested in participating on the nominating committee? The nominating committee is comprised of members from the various YLNI Committees, but we are looking for additional member perspective, so please contact us: nominating@ylni.org Do you think you would be a good fit for the YLNI Board or have suggestions for a good candidate? Please let us know: nominating@ylni.org URL for more info: http://www.ylni.org/nominating 2012-03-03T00:57:10+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/its-not-about-the-bowling-its-about-the-kids http://www.ylni.org/news/post/its-not-about-the-bowling-its-about-the-kids#When:00:40:53Z Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to invite you to its largest fundraiser called Start Something with Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Bowl for Kids' Sake is about having fun to help kids continue on a positive path. In honor of Big Brothers Big Sisters 40th anniversary, the groups goal is to serve 1,972 children in the local communities and improve the futures of each child, classroom, school, neighborhood and community. Big Brothers Big Sisters is growing at a remarkable rate, and serving more children every year. "Currently there are over 600 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister of their own,” said Shelley Schwab, director of development for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Our goal is to raise $200,000 and recruit 200 mentors to match 200 through Bowl For Kids’ Sake." You can help by forming a bowling team of five with co-workers, friends or family. Big Brothers Big Sisters is moving forward boldly to create brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities through the power of mentoring. We invite you to join us. You have the power to change the life of a child for the better, forever. Support Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake today! Please contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at (260) 456-1600 or www.bbbsnei.org for more information or to register a team. Your participation in this event will help to ensure that local children will be matched with a caring adult mentor to make a BIG difference in their life. 2012-03-03T00:40:53+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/board-bootcamp http://www.ylni.org/news/post/board-bootcamp#When:04:11:24Z Got skills you’re not using at work? Passionate about a community cause? Certain that life holds more than the daily grind of making ends meet? Ready to be the change you wish to see in the world? Always wondered what serving on a board actually means? Then you’re ready for… Board Bootcamp! Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana and the Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center are excited to announce this opportunity for emerging leaders to participate in an exclusive pilot training program. Expert facilitator Mike Stone from Impact Strategies, Inc. will guide you through the ins and outs of board service, your basic responsibilities as a board member, and how to find an organization that matches your passion. Three 90-minute sessions will get you on the path to building a community that reflects your interests, whether through board service or committee work. Once you complete Bootcamp, we’ll give you lots of opportunities to connect to area nonprofits with mutual interests. You’ll also be supported by Rolfsen Stewardship Award nominees.* Give us your time and appetite for learning. We’ll provide lunch and BoardSource training materials to support your hunger. Thanks to the generous support of our funder, there is no cost to attend, but participants are expected to attend all three sessions. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. Register here to attend. Tuesday, November 15 11:30 – 1:00 Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, gallery Tuesday, November 29 11:30 – 1:00 Allen County Public Library, Meeting Room C Tuesday, December 13 11:30 – 1:00 Allen County Public Library, Meeting Room C Questions? Ask Lettie, Get On Board Co-Chair and Librarian at the Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center: 421-1238 or lhaver@acpl.info Board Bootcamp is a program of YLNI and the PCNRC’s Get on Board initiative. Get on Board! is made possible by a grant from Foellinger Foundation. *What’s a Rolfsen Stewardship Award nominee? Turns out, our community is full of board members who exemplify at least three of BoardSource’s “Ten Basic Responsibilities of a Board.” Since 2005, Foellinger Foundation has honored these folks annually through their Rolfsen Stewardship Award. We’ll connect you to nominees based on their experiences and your interests and your mutual desire to connect. General, 2011-10-18T04:11:24+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/recommendations-for-the-legacy-fort-wayne-committee http://www.ylni.org/news/post/recommendations-for-the-legacy-fort-wayne-committee#When:18:36:58Z The Legacy Task Force completed its final meeting on September 29th. You can read more information regarding the recommendations at The News-Sentinel's website and the Journal Gazette's website. Led by the Community Impact Committee, YLNI members attended Legacy Task Force meetings and strategized regarding ways to impact the process.  In addition to YLNI's original proposal, YLNI also submitted the letter, below, to encourage the Task Force think strategically on how to identify transformative outcomes for the community.  As the process advances to the Mayor and City Council, YLNI is committed to continuing to be a voice for its members and the demographic in order to help make our community a vibrant and viable place to live, work and play.   Dear Legacy Task Force:   YLNI has closely tracked the Legacy process and believes that the following recommendations may be of assistance in moving forward. Please note that our recommendations are just that. However, this additional perspective is offered to the task force as a way to help build upon your existing work by promoting the next step of the dialogue and action. Recommendation 1: Eliminate Economic Development as a “Bucket” Certain proposals to the task force have been identified as core economic development projects. With due respect, economic development is not, itself, a bucket – and should not be treated as such. Indeed, any project currently identified as “economic development” should in some way accomplish some predetermined goal. Otherwise, as suggested by some members of the task force, economic development – as an ends itself – is far too nebulous. Ultimately, all of the funds should be utilized for economic development and provided to economic development entities as necessary. Identifying and prioritizing those projects is critical. Recommendation #2: Identify Truly Transformative Outcomes to Prioritize Projects YLNI believes that the task force could be more productive if it were to focus on the transformative outcomes. Legacy discussions have often focused on identifying a big and bold project idea as opposed to a big and bold outcome. Transformative change, itself, is a bold notion and does not necessarily require a large investment in brick and mortar if the desired outcome is sought strategically.  A legacy cannot be accomplished without answering the following: what transformative change does this community most need? Based upon input already received from the community, the task force is in a position to prioritize these needs. Of course YLNI would be remiss to not reiterate that the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community Survey also identified a crucial need to transform perceptions of young college graduates. Regardless, once transformative goals are identified, a logic model should be created to evaluate and integrate current and future projects to those ends. Recommendation #3: Create A Logic Model Based With Proposals that ‘Made the Cut’ YLNI proposes a basic logic model as way of building upon the existing work of the task force. Currently, the projects are grouped based upon similarities. Instead, we encourage the distillation and categorization of projects based upon transformative goals identified by the task force. Our logic model starts by changing the three “buckets” currently identified by the task force: Youth; Downtown; and Economic Development.  As previously noted, we took Economic Development out of the “bucket” because we view that concept differently (i.e. investment tools and strategies). Next, we re-categorized Youth Development as “Human Capital” and Downtown/River/Arts projects as “Social Capital.” With transformative goals identified by the task force and a way to evaluate projects, the creativity and the ingenuity of the community should spark the next creative collaboration necessary to truly implement transformation. Human Capital We discourage the segregation of “youth development” as its own initiative. Indeed, developing youth is an exercise in futility if the community cannot attract and retain. As we reviewed the totality of the projects identified by the task force, it was easy to see that there exists a heavy dose of concepts that all tied to developing human capital: youth development (arts/sports); STEM; innovation; education; and business incubation. In other words, how can we strengthen a community of people through development, attraction and retention efforts? Which of those efforts should be prioritized?  If the transformative goals are first identified, then we can better evaluate which human capital efforts are most effective to that end. Social Capital The remaining concepts, for the most part, fall under the category of capital improvements aimed at improving the societal connections in the city: river development; downtown development; transit; arts/culture; and housing. Sociologists suggest that understanding social capital is a way of understanding the glue that holds societies together through respective organizations and institutions. From the projects already identified by Legacy, we recommend focusing on institutions related to downtown, culture, and transit/connectivity. We further note YLNI’s 2020 Vision which identifies the core strengths and needs of the community as seen through the lens of 200 individuals in the YLNI demographic.  Within 36 categories we requested feedback on the region’s best assets, and the region’s greatest areas of need.  Not surprisingly, “professional opportunities” dominated the needs category, followed by mass transit and walkability, river development and culture. Accordingly, we recommend focusing on attaining results in the areas of human capital to improve professional opportunities for knowledge workers, but also to prioritize social capital projects within these institutions. Again, these areas may be prioritized if specific transformative goals are identified. The purpose of this letter is not to recommend specific funding or projects (yet!). Rather, we propose a way of building upon the existing work of the Legacy Task Force to promote future discussion of more specific, dynamic and integrated proposals to achieve the goals identified by the Legacy process. To illustrate our proposed logic model, we include a diagram depicting how the logic model might apply to one potential transformative goal: changing the perceptions of the opportunities for young college graduates in Fort Wayne. Initial Legacy funding enters the economic development tool box. Through professional guidance, projects are funded that address Legacy’s transformative goal(s). As a bottom line, every investment should be made through our economic development tool box. The Legacy Task Force has an incredible opportunity to identify transformative goals and potential means to achieve those goals. As always, the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana is ready to lend a hand. Very Truly Yours, Lisa Updike, President Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana General, 2011-10-03T18:36:58+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/2011-2012-connecting-generations-campaign http://www.ylni.org/news/post/2011-2012-connecting-generations-campaign#When:15:20:17Z Today marks the start of our 2011 fundraising campaign, "Connecting Generations," which is an important part of our mission to "attract, develop, and retain our young leaders through community, professional, and social engagement." YLNI has aligned its mission with the results of the Knight Foundation's Soul of the Community project, which asks the question, what attaches people to their community? In the three-year Gallup survey of 26 U.S. cities, including Fort Wayne, researchers learned that the communities with the highest levels of resident attachment - a person's passion for where he or she lives - also had the highest rates of GDP growth over time. This year's Connecting Generations campaign is aimed at creating attachment by connecting our young leaders to each other, to the community, and to leaders from all generations. To do this YLNI must initially raise $8,000 to fund its annual line-up of programs like the View from the Top speaker series, a four-part series aimed at connecting young leaders with those currently in leadership positions; or the Barr Street Market, a farmers market of over 250 vendors held from June to September in the heart of our downtown designed to connect our demographic to the community; and the many other programs developed, managed, and executed by the young leaders of your community. YLNI's programming and initiatives enrich the young leaders in Northeast Indiana and create a stronger community. YLNI provides an opportunity for young leaders to meet, network, get connected and make an impact. In order for YLNI to continue to develop hundreds of young leaders in the region, it needs assistance from community-minded individuals, like you. Please click here to make a donation today. Every donation makes a difference, regardless of size, but in the spirit of our Connecting Generations campaign we ask that you donate an amount equal or greater than your age. Thank you in advance for your commitment to support the efforts of YLNI to continue making a difference in our community. 2011-08-02T15:20:17+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylnis-outgoing-president-reflects-on-the-year http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylnis-outgoing-president-reflects-on-the-year#When:13:35:13Z To the Members of YLNI and Network: Tomorrow, July 1st marks the beginning of YLNI’s fiscal year for 2011-2012. At that time, YLNI also turns another important chapter in its history. The Fort Wayne Chamber has agreed to be YLNI’s fiscal agent. Since its inception YLNI has been the fiscal agent of Leadership Fort Wayne’s 501©(3). LFW was instrumental in the growth of YLNI and will forever be a part of YLNI’s history. We are indebted to them for their support during YLNI’s growth as an organization. The relationship with the Chamber, while significant, will not affect YLNI’s autonomy. However, the new agreement is made with a 501©(6) which allow YLNI the opportunity to advocate/lobby for the demographic. Moreover, the relationship will allow both entities to explore the synergies of combining YLNI’s passion and manpower with the operational support and resources available to the Chamber. As we begin the next chapter in YLNI’s history, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on YLNI’s accomplishments of this past fiscal year. YLNI the Vote was again successful in connecting the YLNI demographic to area legislators. The fall election included a mixer with local candidates and the creation and distribution of 1,000 comprehensive candidate brochures. YLNI also hosted its first mayoral debate in the spring primary. Melissa Beber chaired this initiative along with 7 volunteers under the guidance of Community Impact VP, Sam Graves. Barr Street Market completed another successful year, including its first with Riverfest in 2010 and again in 2011. Approximately 36 vendors realized the impact of providing their products to over 20,000 patrons over the course of the summer. Chairs Dan Douglas and Dana Barrett along with 30 volunteers make this volunteer business a reality. Katy Silliman and Andy Welfle helped lead yet another successful Leadership Institute in collaboration with IPFW. Leadership Institute continues to impact the emerging leaders of the community through skill development and networking opportunities. Since 2006 the institute has trained 155 participants. This year’s committee, comprised of 9 volunteers, also continued to personally develop real world, professional skills. Masquerade Ball continues to be YLNI’s flagship social program, providing a unique, higher class, yet edgy venue for young leaders to connect for New Years Eve. This year’s event surpassed all projections for attendance and revenue – and provided fireworks for the downtown community. A leadership team of Ryan Hart, Justin Clupper, Emily McCabe and 9 volunteers made this year’s event a success. Through the dedication of Amy Johnson and her 6 person team, the Membership committee shattered its previous membership numbers. Dues paying membership nearly doubled from 2010 AND added free memberships for this year’s 40 Under 40 Award winners. Membership continues to develop opportunities for members like the successful General Membership Meeting in the fall and highlighting volunteers in the weekly emails. Hot Spots continue to provide a consistent offering for social networking. In 2010 the Hot Spots introduced exclusive benefits for dues paying members in attendance. Meredith Palmison and Justin Shurley lead this initiative for 2010. A committee of nine brought back View from the Top by popular demand. The program provides YLNI’s emerging leaders with the opportunity to learn from and interact with CEO’s, business owners and other established community leaders and inspire them to become engaged in our community. Get on Board connects emerging leaders with nonprofit boards and other public boards and commissions. In conjunction with the Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center, YLNI has retooled the program and is currently using strategic planning specialist, Mike Stone, to conduct focus groups to help implement the revised Get on Board programming. Wendy Stein and Lettie Haver lead the way. In an effort to help integrate the YLNI demographic in philanthropic activities the Foellinger Foundation and Community Foundation have committed to a foundations panel in the fall to assist with programs to help connect the foundations with YLNI members. Planning for these programs is well underway. Kelly Pautler and Beth Bobay help with this initiative. The Community Impact committee continues to engage members on issues like Legacy, Discover Fort Wayne, permitting, and other community efforts. Comprised of a dozen members, the committee has implemented Project Oversight to help ensure that the YLNI demographic is included in the important decisions of the community. Issues regarding diversity, quality of life, advocacy and economic development drive these efforts. Relationships with our community’s chambers offer individuals the opportunity to influence legislation. As a member of the Regional Chamber, the YLNI demographic adds a unique perspective to their policy meetings. Several YLNI members also took advantage of the opportunity meet with elected officials like Governor Daniels and Superintendant Bennett during the Chamber Day at the Statehouse because of these relationships. Economic development agencies such as the Partnership, chambers, Alliance and Vision 2020 continue to use YLNI to connect to our community’s emerging leaders. YLNI members actively participate on important community projects such as Vision 2020. Monica Freeman and John Hudson led a dozen volunteers in connecting YLNI to area human resource professionals in an effort to help businesses recruit and retain our region’s emerging business professionals. With the assistance of Kelly Lynch, YLNI’s 2020 Vision committee filmed a pilot HR video to show how existing area venues can be showcased in a light different from the norm. The video can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0nFea-9-C0&feature=youtu.be&hd=1 With assistance from the Olive B. Cole Foundation, Noble County will kick-off a young leaders event sponsored by YLNI on July 7th in Kendallville. Mayor Handshoe and the Regional Chamber’s Matt Bell have already sent in their RSVPs. In this digital age, YLNI’s Communications Committee continues to update the 1,000 person network with weekly emails, tweets and Facebook posts to nearly 500 followers. Thanks to Heather Schoegler, Chelsea Meyers and Jon Palmer for helping lead Communications efforts. When YLNI celebrated its 6th birthday on May 20th, it was a party with a purpose. Sure there was beer and wine tasting; however, attendees also had the opportunity to film Discover Fort Wayne videos, win lunch with the Mayor and share ideas on how to improve the community. Meanwhile YLNI also distributed en masse the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community survey, discussing community attachment in the Greater Fort Wayne community – courtesy of the Greater Fort Wayne Community Foundation. This spring the YLNI Board refined its mission to reflect its goals to: “attract, develop and retain emerging leaders through community, professional and social engagement.” This change is not a departure from the core values of YLNI; rather, it simply helps explain what YLNI is all about. We raise awareness of the intergenerational barriers in our community to facilitate attachment of the demographic and the community. Our committees continue to develop new and interesting ways to connect with each other such as with the Mad Anthony home brewers event, Tin Caps games and the “I Will Stay” event last summer. Our connections are made in order to make Northeast Indiana a more vibrant and viable place to live, work and play. While I’ve highlighted some of the individuals leading our committee efforts, there are so many others that help YLNI on a daily basis. Scores of committee members make YLNI programming possible. Lisa Updike, Ryan Hart, Beth Bobay and Tamesha Fikes served on the Executive Board, helping lead the strategic direction, while Mike King, Courtney Tritch and Luke Squires wore several hats for YLNI. Andrew Thomas, always the vocal champion for YLNI, leaves the Board after six years of dedicated service. Lisa Updike takes the reigns as President next year. In the upcoming weeks you will have the opportunity to hear from her regarding the next Chapter for YLNI. Meanwhile, as my tenure on the Board and as President comes to an end, I would like to say that it has been a privilege and honor representing YLNI and its demographic. I hope that I gave to the organization as much as it gave to me. Michael Barranda 2010-2011 President Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana General, 2011-06-30T13:35:13+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylni-brings-back-the-view-from-the-top-speaker-series http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylni-brings-back-the-view-from-the-top-speaker-series#When:13:36:23Z The YLNI Leadership Development Committee has been working hard to bring back the “View From The Top” speaker series F/K/A " The CEO Experience." On Tuesday, May 3rd we kicked off the 2011 series with “Home-grown Entrepreneurs.” Michelle Gladieux facilitated a discussion with Fort Wayne business leaders, TK Herman (President, Aptera Software, Inc.) and Dave Corcoran (Founder, TrustBearer Labs), which gave a fresh, new perspective to leadership in our community. On July 6th, Emily Bermes will facilitate our second installment of the series “Organizational & Community Health” with Fort Wayne business leaders, Joe Dorko (President, Lutheran Health Network) and Jim Marcuccilli (President/CEO, Star Financial Bank). Join us, and get inspired as Joe and Jim share their insight of leadership, teamwork and community involvement. Calhoun Street Soups, Salads & Spirits (Tiger Room) 1915 South Calhoun Street Wednesday July 6, 2011 6-7:30pm The cost to attend is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Appetizers and cash-bar. Only 40 seats are available, so please rsvp today! To RSVP or ask questions, email: rsvp@ylni.org General, 2011-06-20T13:36:23+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylnis-block-party-allows-opportunity-to-record-your-own-my-fort-wayne-video http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylnis-block-party-allows-opportunity-to-record-your-own-my-fort-wayne-video#When:13:37:11Z On May 11, 2011 Mayor Tom Henry announced an initiative called Discover Fort Wayne – a project aimed not only at being proud of our city, but also “about ensuring that Fort Wayne is ready to compete for the good jobs, business investment and talented workers that will make Fort Wayne a vibrant place – a first choice place – for generations to come.” On Thursday May 19th from 5:30-8:30pm in the 800 block of Calhoun Street, Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana will host a Block Party that will serve as an opportunity for the YLNI demographic to showcase the future of Fort Wayne. YLNI will also celebrate its 6th year of operations since founding in May 2005. The Discover Fort Wayne initiative focuses on the issues raised in the recent Soul of the Community survey conducted by the Knight Foundation to understand what drives community attachment. As detailed in the report, “a community’s most attached residents have strong pride in it, a positive outlook on the community’s future, and a sense that it is a perfect place for them.” Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana feels it imperative that Discover Fort Wayne serve not only as a way of promoting pride in our city, but also for our community to learn more about itself – and where it can improve. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for all demographics to work together towards meaningful solutions. In other words, this is an opportunity to Discover Fort Wayne – the way it can and should be. YLNI has received a commitment from the Mayor’s administration to work together towards this common goal. Through Discover Fort Wayne the administration asks that we take the time to know our community better, and become ambassadors for it. They ask that we share our stories of what makes Fort Wayne great through My Fort Wayne online video vignettes. During the YLNI Block Party, attendees will be provided opportunities to share their My Fort Wayne stories – how this community can be better. In addition to the opportunity to film your “My Fort Wayne” story, there will be activities including cornhole, hillbilly golf, live music, and a beer and wine tasting. YLNI will also paper walls and tables encouraging graffiti with a twist; asking attendees how to make the community better and specifically how to create better community attachment. My Fort Wayne is great. Our Fort Wayne is better. Let’s roll up our sleeves and find out what Our Fort Wayne can be. To participate on YLNI’s Community Impact Committee, contact impact@ylni.org. YLNI’s mission is to attract, develop and retain emerging leaders through community, professional and social engagement. General, 2011-05-18T13:37:11+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylnis-project-oversight-makes-recommendations-to-legacy-fort-wayne http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylnis-project-oversight-makes-recommendations-to-legacy-fort-wayne#When:13:38:56Z Earlier this year, the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) began “Project Oversight” in order to help facilitate a better connection between community projects and the engagement of the YLNI demographic (individuals in their 20-30s). As part of this initiative, we promised to provide a report regarding the Legacy Fort Wayne process and encourage further engagement of our demographic. Members of YLNI have participated in several groups making recommendations to the Legacy Task Force. They have participated in the community forums, attended task force meetings, provided online comments on Feedback Fort Wayne, and conducted Meetups. The Legacy process is of tremendous significance to our community because it not only will decide the future of approximately $75 million of public funds, but it will also send a clear message regarding how this community views the young leaders demographic. By 2014 the Millennials and Gen Y will comprise more than half of the entire workforce. How our community responds and engages our demographic will significantly impact any legacy that we hope to accomplish. The following recommendations are made to Legacy Fort Wayne following Project Oversight’s assessment of the Legacy process to date. First, YLNI has made only one group proposal to the task force. YLNI recommends the creation of a “young leaders’ fund” using 1% of the Legacy funds. YLNI’s full proposal can be downloaded here. The money will not only help fund projects and programs of the current generation of young leaders but also those in the future. Indeed, it will create a true legacy. Second, YLNI offers the following to the Legacy Task Force in an effort to help engage our demographic in a more substantive discussion on the proposals before the Task Force. Discussions with City officials on the best ways to engage the YLNI demographic for additional feedback on existing proposals An opportunity for YLNI to present to the Task Force Open invitations extended to the Mayor, staff and City Council to discuss potential uses of the funds at any time during this process Review of the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community survey discussing the community’s need to improve attachment of recent college graduates and young adults without children Review of YLNI’s 2020 Vision brochure YLNI strives to attract, develop and retain the emerging leaders of Northeast Indiana through community, professional and social engagement. The Legacy process presents one of the most significant opportunities for our generation to make a long-term impact on our community. YLNI is prepared to embrace that opportunity! General, 2011-05-01T13:38:56+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylni-announces-project-oversight http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylni-announces-project-oversight#When:13:41:40Z An Initiative to Spur Engagement of Young Leaders in Community Development Fort Wayne, Ind. – Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) introduces a new initiative called Project Oversight. A part of YLNI’s Community Impact committee, this initiative goes to the heart of YLNI’s mission of ensuring that young leaders actively participate in the community. Although young leaders are found in various levels of community involvement, significant improvements can be made to strengthen the voice of the younger generations. Project Oversight is a conscious effort to target such areas for improvement and bolster the demographic’s voice in the community. Many other communities have developed initiatives to better engage the young professionals demographic in community endeavors. In Cincinnati, Mayor Mallory’s Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet is a collection of 100 young professionals that regularly meet with and advise the mayor from a younger perspective. In New Orleans the young leaders movement is backed by a $1,000,000 endowment ensuring that the demographic’s voice is heard. In Nashville the city celebrates a collection of over forty (40) different young professional organizations. These and other programs strengthen the attachment of young professionals to their respective communities. Northeast Indiana can do a better job of engaging this demographic and increase their connection to the community. Young leaders already serve instrumental roles for many of our community’s non-profit organizations and economic development entities such as our Chambers, the Regional Partnership, the Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs) and the Downtown Improvement District. As part of this initiative YLNI aims to better utilize those established connections and bolster communications with its network in order to ensure that the demographic is best represented throughout the community. Where improvement is needed, YLNI hopes this initiative will help all generations work together. Project Oversight will begin with following the Legacy Task Force and its recommendations regarding the nearly $75 million in funds targeted to create a lasting legacy for Fort Wayne. From March 7-16th the Legacy Task Force will conduct a series of nine public forums. Through Project Oversight YLNI will commit to attending these forums and report to the network regarding the various discussions. “Where these funds are directed is very important to our community, and YLNI is hoping to spur our demographic into realizing that this is the opportunity they have been looking for if they really want to be involved in helping shape our future,” stated Sam Graves, YLNI VP of Community Impact. Where appropriate, the committee will provide its own feedback and recommendations to the task force. Through its own oversight of community projects, the demographic can avoid becoming one. The Legacy Task Force marks the beginning for Project Oversight. YLNI will also follow renewed discussions regarding the North River property and other community planning projects. Project Oversight embraces the spirit of inclusion. All YLNI members and members of the demographic are encouraged to participate in this initiative, and may do so by contacting impact@ylni.org. The legacy of Fort Wayne demands the involvement of the young leaders’ demographic – and all generations need to work together if we want to create a legacy worth embracing. If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please contact Michael Barranda or Sam Graves. About YLNI – The Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) is a dynamic group that is connected to the community and committed to making it a vibrant and viable place to live, work and play. The mission is to engage and empower our young leaders through community, professional and social opportunities. General, 2011-02-24T13:41:40+00:00 http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylni-board-member-tamesha-fikes-featured-in-journal-gazette http://www.ylni.org/news/post/ylni-board-member-tamesha-fikes-featured-in-journal-gazette#When:13:46:07Z Leaders don’t just say ‘Do as I say’ but can walk the walk Laura J. Gardner | The Journal Gazette Tamesha Fikes is on the board of directors for Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana. Tamesha Fikes, 29, is a contracted quality-control analyst with Lincoln Financial Group. Community and leadership involvement: On board of directors for Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana; member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., a public service sorority; volunteer for Junior Achievement; a past board member for Habitat for Humanity; past ambassador for New Haven Chamber of Commerce; member of Irwin Elementary Parent Teacher Association; member of New Covenant Worship Center Praise Choir Most recent accomplishment: “I was chairperson in November for our sorority’s annual jazz event, and we had a sellout crowd. It was actually a fundraiser for a scholarship we give out every year. We had over 200 people at the event. The scholarship usually goes to one person or a few people, it just depends on how much we’ve raised through the year.” What makes a leader: “Someone who can not only give directions but can take them as well. A leader to me is someone who doesn’t just say ‘Do as I say’ but can walk the walk as well. They can take it along with anybody else. They have the will to carry out whatever it is they’re asking other people to do.” Leadership traits you most value: Integrity, optimism, risk taking, dedication and tenacity Best leadership book you’ve read: “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell. Best ways to overcome self doubt: “I would have to say just believe in yourself. You have to find whatever it is that you’re good at and run with it and try to find whatever it is you think you’re lacking about yourself and try to improve upon that.” Time management tips: “When working on multiple projects, I work on each one a little at a time. Once you get to a dead spot, you can revert your attention to something else. In doing that, you may stumble upon something, an idea that you may use for the other projects.” Role model(s) and why: “My mom (Dorothy Williams) was one because she taught me determination; my father (the late Sim Nelson IV) being the next one, and he taught me perseverance and gave me a competitive nature; and then my grandmothers because they taught me humility and caring for others.” Describe one leadership challenge and how you resolved it: “At a previous employer, I had a staff member who wasn’t open to the idea of female authority, and in that situation I had to learn to control my opinions and try to let that person get to know me and try to find common ground. … Eventually, we addressed how that was affecting their performance and we had to talk about ways to get around it. We talked about stereotypes and how that can affect things, and it’s easier if you don’t have that bias.” What are your goals: “To watch my children grow into successful people. And then another goal of mine is to become an entrepreneur of some kind.” Hobbies: Singing, reading and spending time with my kids. Family: Married, husband is Eric Fikes; two children: Jayla, 7, Eric Jr., 3. Compiled by Lisa Green, The Journal Gazette General, 2011-01-17T13:46:07+00:00