The Key is Participation
New missions, programs and awards keep young professionals moving

Young professional organizations in Louisville and Lexington continue to have new opportunities for members to participate and to connect with their communities. The Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) has announced a new mission statement, and the Lexington Young Professionals Association (LYPA) has begun a new networking program. A LYPA member has also won a prestigious award.

A new mission statement was recently unveiled for YPAL at its first general membership meeting. YPAL’s new mission is to “engage and empower Louisville’s young professionals through community, professional and social opportunities.” YPAL President Jessica C. White unveiled the new mission and introduced YPAL’s strategies for the next year. One plan will be to implement member dues as an important step in establishing YPAL’s permanence in Louisville. The membership meeting also gave YPAL members an opportunity to network with each other, the new YPAL Board of Directors, and the YPAL Executive Advisory Board, which consists of corporate and community leaders.

YPAL also holds networking events affectionately referred to as YNE (wine) and Cheese events. These events are presented as a great opportunity for YPAL members to meet and network with new and old YPAL members over cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres. The dates for future events are September 17 and November 19. The time and place will be announced on YPAL’s Web site at www.ypal.com.

In a continuing effort to adhere to its mission statement to groom the next generation of community leaders and improve networking opportunities for its members, LYPA recently started a new monthly luncheon program. The first luncheon had Nick Rowe, vice president of operations for the Kentucky-American Water Company, speaking to LYPA members. He addressed a larger than expected crowd of about 50. He told LYPA members that this generation can change things within the Lexington community.

Rowe discussed the details of Kentucky-American’s merger with the RWE/ Thames Water Company. He told LYPA members that the company’s dedication to customer service will not change with the merger and said customers can expect the same rates for water service. He also discussed the company’s long-term vision and its efforts to meet future water regulations, not just present ones.

Volunteering
YPAL’s Community Relations Committee recently organized 25 volunteers who participated in a Habitat for Humanity project. The volunteers became instant home-building experts as they constructed the framework for a new home. Teamwork enabled the volunteers to exceed the productivity expectations for the project. Habitat for Humanity uses volunteer construction crews to fill a need for decent housing for qualified families.

Awards
LYPA member Melia Hord won a prestigious award during the Lexington Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Month. Her business, Elegantly Handled, Inc., was selected as the 2002 Independent Professional of the Year. This was the first time the Independent Professional award was given, and Hord said she is thrilled to be the first recipient.

”It’s so wonderful to be recognized as the Independent Professional of the Year,” Hord said. “Elegantly Handled has always thrived on making others look good by offering our customers upscale, customized gift solutions. We are hoping to educate people that gift baskets are not just cheese and crackers, but rather a unique way to deliver your personal or corporate message. But more importantly, it enables me to be a wife and mother first while still managing to be a successful business woman.”

Besides her association with LYPA, Hord works with over 10 organizations, including the Professional Women’s Forum and the National Association for Women Business Owners, and is an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Kustes is a columnist for The Lane Report and also a member of the Lexington Young Professionals Association.
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