News of 2008
April 4, 2008: YPAL Gathers Food For ChildrenOn Friday, April 4, 2008, YPAL partnered with the Junior League of Louisville to gather food and monetary donations for a program called Blessings in a Backpack. The program provides food for students in the Jefferson County Public School system to take home over weekend. Blessings in a Backpack provides students participating in the Free and Reduced meals plan with a backpack full of non-perishable foods each Friday during the school year. These students may otherwise go hungry from the time they leave school until they return on Monday morning. Blessings in a Backpack helps to “fill the void” of nutrition and meals for many lower income families. In addition to the public awareness program YPAL members conducted, the public was entertained by live music. Over 50 backpacks were collected from YPAL and many 4th Street LIVE! businesses accepted canned food donations during the week. Red Star Tavern and Hard Rock Caf were generous and provided Blessings in a Backpack with a 10% donation based upon sales during the lunch hour. At 4:30 Mayor Abramson, Stan Curtis, etc. joined us for a press conference. Kentucky Harvest announced a recent $100,000 donation to the Blessings program from the Scottish Rite. They also announced that a new school will be beginning the program in August -- Portland Elementary. April 10, 2008: YPAL Launches New Logo & WebsiteThe Young Professionals Association of Louisville updated the organization’s logo and website during a party on Thursday, April 10, 2008. The logo updates the organization’s image in Greater Louisville from the logo used since inception in 1999. Additionally, the website provides increased functionality for members while streamlining many tasks for YPAL board members. The new logo is the winning design from an earlier contest. More notably the design is the creation of Sarah Anderson and Courtney Reeves, both YPAL members. The organization is in the process of updating all branding materials including signage, internet presence, letterhead, and other media. The website enables members to post enhanced member profiles, search for members based upon expanded criteria, and provide feedback and opinions through surveys. The new website also allows the organization to quickly create print materials for events such as name tags, registration listings, and customized requests including dietary restrictions and multiple registration options. Courtney Reeves manages the creative aspect for Chilton & Medley PLC and saw the logo contest for YPAL as an opportunity to utilize her skills. The significance of the fleur de leis to Louisville inspired the design concept and Ms. Reeves wanted to couple the traditional image with a progressive, stylized look for the winning logo design. Ms. Reeves partnered with design professional Sarah Anderson of Little General Design to take her raw, edgy vision to the next level. YPAL is thankful to the companies listed below for their support of the launch party.
April 30, 2008: New YPAL Board SelectedThe Young Professionals Association of Louisville is proud to announce the 2008-2009 Board of Directors. The 2008-2009 Board includes new members and many individuals returning from the 2007-2008 Board. Executive Council
June 13, 2008: 2008 YParty a SuccessAttracting over 200 young professionals to the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center on June 13, 2008, Y PARTY was a great success. Everything glittered that evening, from the decorations donated by Essential Details, to the cocktail dresses, and awards. The theme of this year’s event was James Bond: All that Glitters in YPAL. Each attendee received drink tickets provided by Gladstone Catering and Maker’s Mark. Most of our guests could not resist the silent auction. It featured items such as an hour for 4 in the UPS flight simulator, a private VIP tour of Maker’s Mark for 12, and a teeth whitening with a cleaning. Each attendee also received a gift bag, which was placed on their table. Each bag contained gifts from donors such as City Block, Lambert and Lindsey from 102.3 The Max, Norton Healthcare, Louisville Athletic Club, and many others. During dinner, bottles of red and white wine were placed on each table, compliments of W.D Deutsch & Sons, LTD. YPAL was fortunate to be joined by Emcee Aaron Miller, of 102.3 The Max. Aaron didn’t waste any time getting the audience’s attention, by engaging them in several cell phone games to giveaway prizes. The awards were then given out, and the 2008-2009 YPAL Board of Directors was announced. Once the awards program concluded, the audience enjoyed the music of Jefferson Tarc Bus and danced the night away. Louisville Music News also posted a review of the YPARTY and the music of Jefferson Tarc Bus located here: Louisville Music News. YPAL would like to say THANK YOU to all of the sponsors for this year’s YPARTY! Without you this event would not have been possible. Gladstone Catering, City Block, Fifth Third Bank, KAIRE, Woodward, Hobson & Fulton
We would also like to thank out table sponsor for the night:
YPAL also gave out several awards to many deserving members; please take a look at the list below to find out who glitters in YPAL. YPAL Award 2008 President's Award
Outstanding Committee Members
Outstanding Board of Director
August 5, 2008: 2008 Absolut Martini PartyThe Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) is happy to announce the 2008 Absolut Martini Party. This annual event draws hundreds of young professionals from Metro Louisville for a fun-filled night of networking and drink specials. "The Martini Party has grown to become one of our most anticipated events each year. We always look forward to hosting the event," stated YPAL President Ashley Roberts. Ruth Wimsatt Trautwein, YPAL's Director of Entertainment, noted "We're excited to have the 2008 Martini Party at the Water Tower, one of the more unique locations for events in Louisville." The Water Tower will offer a beautiful setting outdoors by the river, while also allowing guests the opportunity to view some beautiful artwork inside. Previous locations for the Martini Party include Captain's Quarters (2007) and the rooftop of the Glassworks building (2005, 2006). Members and guests will enjoy $2 Absolut Martinis, cash bar, appetizers and music by DJ Bird outdoors or inside, depending on weather. Attendees are encouraged to wear cocktail attire. The 2008 Absolut Martini Party will be Friday, September 12, from 7-11 PM. Members enjoy a $10 cover, while non-members and guests can attend for $15. Members and guests can register here: 2008 Absolut Martini Party Registration August 21, 2008: 5th Bi-Annual Community ConnectionsThe Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) is hosting its Fifth Community Connections Event on October 22, 2008 at the 21C/Proof on Main! Community Connections is a networking event designed to bring together nonprofit organizations that need volunteers with young professionals who are looking to get more involved. YPAL is recruiting organizations who are interested in connecting with Louisville's young professionals. Ten nonprofits will be selected to attend the event on October 22, 2008 at 21C/Proof on Main. We do ask that the organization's executive director attending the event, please consider schedules before applying. The deadline for submitting applications is September 26, 2008.
Please note that this is an application process, and not all non profits interested will be invited to participate. Spaces are limited to ensure that YPAL members and guest have enough time to truly experience each nonprofit at the event. All applicants will be notified by September 30th, whether or not their application was approved. Update 10/08/2008 The following organizations were selected for the event:
YPAL members and guests should register to attend the 5th Annual Community Connects event on October 22, 2008 by filling out the registration form. For more information contact Natalie Turner at natnic9@aol.com. September 2008: YPAL Announces first Leadership Lunch featuring Louisville Mayor Jerry AbramsonThe Young Professionals Association of Louisville is pleased to announce The Honorable Jerry Abramson, Louisville Metro Mayor, as the keynote speaker of our first Leadership Lunch of the new year. October 8 is the first of four lunches in a series aimed at educating Louisville's young professionals on "responsibilities of leadership". Mayor Abramson will share his story of civic leadership, lessons he's learned along the way and advice for Louisville's next generation of leaders. This setting offers attendees a unique opportunity to interact with Mayor Abramson during an interactive question and answer session following his remarks. Leadership Lunches provide a venue for Louisville's Young Professionals to connect with one another and learn from our city's established leaders to enhance personal and professional development. This event draws a diverse group of young professionals interested in learning how to enhance their leadership to help build a stronger community for Louisville.
Register todayto take advantage of this opportunity! October 20, 2008: YPAL Issues Call to Action for Center CityBuilding a strong and vibrant downtown is vital to our community’s ability to attract and retain young professionals and an important consideration of our membership. YPAL members, please contact your Metro Council representative and encourage them to support Center City at the metro Council meeting this Thursday. We urge our local politicians to come together to help develop the downtown of our growing city at this Thursday’s vote. Our community is at great risk of losing this investment at a time in which we cannot afford to take a step backwards. In a time when, not if, thousands of Kentuckians will lose their jobs due to the economic downturn, the Center City project provides some hope for the future of our downtown. It will also add a much needed key retail component to our central business district. The arena and the increase of downtown residents – many of them young professionals – will help sustain this project. Moving forward on the Center City project will help increase the likelihood that other downtown projects currently on the drawing board are actually able to be completed during this credit crisis. If all goes according to plan, this project will enhance a vibrant downtown community that will attract out of town visitors and hopefully more businesses and jobs. Center City will help us to build on the successes of 4th Street Live!, Louisville Slugger Field, and Waterfront Park, which have all changed the face of our downtown community for the better. Center City is vital for Louisville’s future – as is the attraction and retention of young professionals. We hope that the Mayor’s Office and our Metro Council can come together this week in reaching an agreement that makes this project a reality. YPAL members, it is time that your voice is heard! Please contact your representative today to show your support for the Center City development! If you do not know the City Council representative for your district, visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroCouncil/IWantTo/councilrepresentativedistrict.htm Download a sample letter for you to show your support of the project. November 17, 2008: Thank You for Supporting Center City!!Recently YPAL issued a Call to Action requesting that members contact their Metro Council Representative and ask them to support the Center City project. As is usual, YPAL members answered the call to get involved in their community! Many of you called, e-mailed, and visited your Metro Council representatives, and our collective voice was heard. In addition to these grassroots efforts, YPAL President Ashley Roberts participated in a press conference with other community and business leaders on Wednesday November 5 at Fourth Street Live! The purpose of the press conference was to show united support for the continued development of downtown Louisville. Other actions that YPAL took to demonstrate support for the project included publishing a letter to the editor in Business First, and joining other community groups in a full page advertisement supporting the project in Business First. Fox 41 News We are happy to report that the Center City project was passed through a Metro Council vote on Thursday November 6. The YPAL Board of Directors will continue to monitor the progress on this and other downtown development projects. We want to thank all of our members for their active participation in the leadership of our community! |
