Year in Review: 2010-2011

Our growth as an organization this year has been tremendous. With the help of our members, board leadership and advisory council, we recognized the need to reorganize our committee structure to better reflect the interests of our membership. Our members responded by getting involved with these committees at an unprecedented level by planning events, luncheons and fundraisers. We’re seeing this new structure as a catalyst for positive change for YPAL.

We’re dedicated to helping our community grow as well. YPAL’s premier project this year was our Green Initiative. Over the past 15 months, our members have contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours to the community through the Olmstead Parks Conservatory, Commonwealth Computer Recycling and Habitat for Humanity.

In October 2010, we completed construction on our capstone project for the Green Initiative: building the city’s first Platinum LEED Certified Habitat for Humanity home and this past May, the home became the first in Kentucky to earn a Platinum LEED status. YPAL is proud to say this project was entirely planned, funded and built by our members and sponsors.

Thank you for helping make Louisville a better place to live, work and grow.

2010-2011 Highlights:

• YPAL concluded its Green Initiative with the Platinum LEED Certification of its Habitat for Humanity home located on Clay Street. The Green Initiative also saw YPAL contribute over 3,000 volunteer hours to various community organizations.
• YPAL’s newly formed Membership Committee to lead retention efforts, actively assess member needs and improve member benefits. One such benefit was a University of Louisville MBA full-time scholarship.
• YPAL established a Finance Committee, which aided in the creation of the quarterly CFO Series and a six-month budget process for all committees.
• The Community Outreach Committee planned various volunteer opportunities for YPAL members geared towards engaging them with the community, including the Salvation Army Angel Tree and the Special Olympics.
• The Professional Development Committee partnered with a variety of community organizations to host events, including a “Financial Pitfalls” seminar with Philip Cook, “5 Things a Networking Professional Needs to Know” with Micheal Strickland, a how-to “Entrepreneurship” seminar for YPs looking to start their own company, “Whiteboarding the Next Business Idea” with the University of Louisville College of Business.
• The Recruitment Committee revamped YPAL 101s to improve the level of information available and increased access to the directors attracting new members as well as current members wanting to learn more about the organization. They also hosted a first-ever Singles Mixer with over 70 attendees present.
• The Technology Committee planned various events, including an E-Recycling Event that diverted nearly 2500 lbs. of e-scrap from landfills.
• The Diversity Committee sponsored several events focused on the culturally diverse city that is Louisville, including a young professionals’ party with GLIP, which saw over 300 attendees.
• The Public Issues Committee planned various events, including the Young Professionals Day at the Capitol with record attendance and participation from young professional groups in the state, a Mayoral Debate and the first-ever Metro Council Meet and Greet.