PhilanthroFair & PhilanthroFair Board Boot Camp

Thanks to LEAD's members and our fantastic nonprofit partners, the PhilanthroFair model has been an outstanding success in connecting motivated young professionals with nonprofits who need volunteers and board members. The next PhilanthroFair brings a new crop of nonprofits with a wide range of opportunities.

We hope you'll join us for this event to network with nonprofits and other young professionals who are working to better our community!

PhilanthroFair

Thursday, May 12, 6-8 p.m.
Graves 601 Hotel

Meet Representatives from: Alzheimer’s Association, Animal Humane Society, Citizen’s League, CommonBond Communities, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Girls on the Run, Guild Incorporated, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, The LEAD Project, Opportunity International, PACER Center, Playworks, Project Healthy Smile, Rebuilding Together, ResourceWest, Rock Star Supply Company, World Without Genocide and YWCA of Minneapolis.

For additional event details and to RSVP, visit the LEAD Project website.
PhilanthroFair Board Boot Camp
Thursday, May 12, 5-6 p.m.
Graves 601 Hotel
Take the first step in creating a meaningful relationship with your community. The PhilanthroFair Board Boot Camp is great for anyone who is curious about becoming a board member and wants to know the right questions to ask nonprofits at LEAD’s PhilanthroFair. In this in-depth training, participants will learn board member roles and responsibilities, skills that translate well to serving on a board, common pitfalls that can come to boards and what young professionals can gain from board service.

Space is limited for the Board Boot Camp so register here:

Things Close to my Heart

This Holiday season with the economy in the crapper once again, there are things to brighten the soul, warm the heart and help others that make me smile. Here are few positive things that you could participate in, and help make someone else's life that much better.

As most people have heard, Xerox started a website called www.letssaythanks.com it's a simple idea that shows a tocken of appreciation to those serving in our military this holiday season. Those who are apart from their families in the God awful desert. Xerox allows you to pick a card, write a message and they will print and deliver it to a soldier. You can't pick which soldier they deliver it to, but it is an opportunity to send thanks. Regardless of your feelings of war, ALL Americans should be able to get behind our troops. Sacrifice is always hard, but sacrifice during the holiday season is just a bit tougher. I hope everyone takes advantage of this site, it's simple, free, and can share the warmth.

One of my favorite things in the holiday season is Toys for Tots. I know several people who have 'adopted' a family, and my family has done that in the past as well. However, be forewarned that not all people are people who are living in dire situations. My sister and her husband did this last year and the people they bought presents for had flat panel televisions, were living in a nice house, and had nicer stuff than they had. Talk about a rip off. While I understand that maybe they are living outside their means and still needed presents for their children, it's like downsize first before you ask for a handout. Way to ruin the holiday spirit. That being said our family adopted a family and they were really in need. It's just kind of a crapshoot. Hence why I like to participate in Toys for Tots. Our office has held potlucks throughout the year to raise money for Toys for Tots and we also have a toy drive during the holiday season to donate to the cause. I think that even $5 helps. There are many toys that can be purchased on sale that would mean the difference to a lot of people. I know from doing research last year that the need is up and the donations are down. There are many places collecting toys, such as Toys R Us; who also donate $1 per facebook fan they have on their page to Toys for Tots. Looking to go out this year? Well many holiday parties are being held with 'cover charge' being a toy for this campaign, or the actual money being donated directly to Toys for Tots. There was even a party last year that the entry was $30, but the space, food, and drinks were donated by local companies. What a great way to spend a night, eating great food in a great space for a great cause. Too busy to go out drinking because you have kids of your own? Donate at the pre-approved locations or visit www.toysfortots.com

Something that has been going on for the past 14 years is the Miracle on 19th Street in Denver Colorado. Rock Bottom Restaurant Inc. and local Denver business donate their time, money, and space to feed the homeless and hungry on Christmas. Then they ask volunteers to help do everything from set up to tear down. Surprisingly, they are always full and you have to sign up ASAP if you are interested. This year they are already full, donations are still welcome. In addition to this Christmas feeding Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. also hold one for Thanksgiving in several cities, including Minneapolis. It's nice to see restaurants give back, and next time I plan on signing up early so I can help out. For more information check out www.rockbottomrestaurantsinc.com

Another wonderful act going on this year is the teaming up of Kare 11 & Land o' Lakes donating $1 per click to local food shelves. http://www.landolakesinc.com/company/corporateresponsibility/foundation/ Simply click on the link, and then click on the green area that says 'You click, we donate. It's that easy.' The money goes towards food shelves to help the hungry and the homeless this holiday season.

Make sure to watch television ads as some stores offer huge discounts for donated coats or free/reduced admission with canned food items. A little bit of thought & planning can help save your family money & help those in need as well.

As always, volunteering can help cut the cost of any organization. I am going to start volunteering at Fairview Southdale (pending the result of my second TB test) to help out. If we all give a little, maybe there wouldn't be such a need for government programs and spending. And that's something we can all cheer about.

Young Professionals of Twin Cities

Young Professionals of Twin Cities
YPOTC at Seven on June 9th!Join us on their Rooftop patio to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine while networking with other young professionals. Stop by and visit the United Way Emerging Leaders who will be in attendance to introduce their program and to discuss future cooperative efforts with YPOTC.Don't forget to sign up for our volunteer opportunity with Bridging - there are only a few spots remaining.

Bridging provides the economically disadvantaged with quality furniture and household items, free of charge, by effectively utilizing community resources. You can help make a world of difference by helping someone establish a new home and a better life. Come join other Young Professionals at this event! For more details click here!

The LEAD Project & The YMCA

The YMCA of Greater Minneapolis is seeking a group of young professionals to join the YMCA Ops Board as it grows into its second year. The mission of the Ops Board is to support the YMCA mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. In the first year, the Ops Board tackled five (5) challenging projects with remarkable results. The YMCA is thrilled!

The Ops Board is essentially a volunteer consulting service for theYMCA of Greater Minneapolis. The Ops Board is made up of young professionals who want to impact a great organization, work and network with peers and go beyond the traditional model of volunteering. This is an opportunity to engage in skills-based volunteering to support a great Minnesota institution.

The LEAD Project has been tapped by the YMCA to attract new members to add to the Ops Board members who have chosen to stay on for a second year. LEAD is currently taking applications to fill sixteen (16)positions (four positions per project). Each Ops Board initiative for the YMCA will be executed as a volunteer consulting engagement and is expected to require approximately 8 hours per month for 6-12 months. You and your fellow team members will work independently to achieve the desired goals. You will also be asked to join quarterly Ops Board meetings (and the occasional happy hour) and the Ops Board annual meeting.

To learn more and to begin your application, please complete the short web based application (see link below) and send your resume to YMCA@theleadproject.org by Friday, May 8th. A select number ofapplicants will be invited to interview with the YMCA Ops Board managers. Final decisions will be made by May 22nd, 2009.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RPuw1P8xggBL41MdEXe9xQ_3d_3d

Shelter Dogs

Today my friend came over with ice cream, salsa and People. It may see like a weird combination at first, but we were having enchiladas and chips. We needed salsa and dessert.

She brought the People on her own accord and reading a story inside of it broke my heart. It seems with job loss on the rise more and more families are having to let go of their pets. These families have cut back on cable, internet and phone service, but the lack of funds have prevented them from being able to keep a member of their family.

Reading the story broke my heart, I could never imagine giving up my pooch. I would eat less just to keep her, and at times when I was trying to figure out my budget and struggling each week to make myself become more responsible, I often did have smaller portions or eat things I didn't like to be able to afford her organic food. Why organic you might say? Well at 17lbs every ounce counts, and Chanel isn't able to keep her weight on with non-organic food. She literally loses up to 3 lbs, and when you are that small, it's very unhealthy and very scary.

The point of this blog is to encourage you to do something. If you are someone looking to add a member to your family, please look at the local shelter first. There are many well-trained loving pets who are dying for a home. And if you aren't in the position to take on a new member of your family but have some extra time on your hands, please look into donating that time to volunteering. Pets need to be played with, loved, and walked.

It's been said that only 5 minutes of petting a dog can lower your blood pressure. Isn't it almost unhealthy not to spend time with an animal?? Check out your local animal shelter for more details on volunteering your time.