Community Impact

Emerging Leaders

Professionals 20 to 40 years of age

There is a clear desire for younger professionals to become more actively involved in the civic life of Brevard. With a strategic focus on increasing civic involvement in the community, United Way of Brevard’s Emerging Leader Initiative encourages up-and-coming leaders to give their time, talent and treasure through United Way in order to meet needs in the community. This group of young professionals takes an active role in effecting positive change through volunteer efforts, networking and development opportunities and personal giving.

Current Activities include:
• Leadership Development - "Breakfast with Leaders"
• Education and Advocacy - Board training and placement
• Community Service - Volunteer opportunities every other month

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Dayle Olson, President of Brevard Achievement Center, shares his “Life’s Lessons” with Emerging Leaders

On February 16th, 20 young professionals convened at Brevard Achievement Center to listen to Dayle Olson tell the story of his life and how he came to Brevard County from Iowa in 1985 and took up the helm of Brevard Achievement Center.   In his 25 years with BAC, they have grown from an annual budget of $2 Million and 80 paid workers, to having a budget of over $25 Million and 700 paid workers at locations in Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico.  His presentation included what he felt were his top Life Lessons, some of which were:

  • No matter what you do, there’s a lesson to be learned – be sure to learn everything to can. 

  • If someone needs your help – do whatever you can…you will never be sorry you did!

  • Know your strengths and hire your weaknesses. 

  • It doesn’t matter what your “IT” is – find it and do it with passion!

 


 

Emerging Leaders Give Back to Community!

On January 20th, nearly 20 Emerging Leaders got together to assist Healthy Start Coalition in preparing information packets for new mothers in Brevard.  For over two hours volunteers collated, bagged, tied, sorted and boxed (and told stories, joked and laughed).  At the end of the evening Healthy Start had 6,000 packets for new moms – enough to last them for months to come! 

What we did tonight in a few hours would have taken their small staff weeks to complete.  Helping the community and working with such great people truly epitomizes what being a part of Emerging Leaders is all about.” - Eric Hostetler

 

 


 

Emerging Leaders Give Back to Community!

The Emerging Leaders partnered with Harris’ GRAD group to volunteer at the South Brevard Sharing Center on Saturday, August 22, 2009.  Volunteers spent the morning repainting the lines in SBSC’s parking lot as well as removing weeds and landscaping.  At the end of the morning, everyone was tired and sweaty with sore backs and arms, but the SBSC parking lot had been completely transformed.  It was a great day’s work!   A really big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who participated in the project!!


Charla and Kevin Frederick (and son, Shawn), Mike Haig, Alecia McCoy,
Brett Lamb, Natasha Irizarry, Doug Blair, Angela Montez

 


Brett Lamb and Mike Haig

 


Natasha Irizarry and Doug Blair

Sure it may be hard to landscape and paint parking lots on a warm August Saturday morning in Florida, but it makes it a breeze when you know that your hard work is going to help a worthwhile group like the South Brevard Sharing Center or any of the other groups United Way Emerging Leaders support.” - Doug Blair, a Harris GRAD member


The following Emerging Leaders are recognized for their 2008 leadership gifts:

Torch Society - Silver Circle
Tom and Whitney Baldwin
Frank and Jennifer Barger
Chris and Michelle Fox
Susan McGrath

Torch Society - Bronze Circle
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Perers
Jay Sutton
One Anonymous Giver

Torch Society - Crystal Cirlce
Mindy Baker
Justin and Alison Bogart
Tara Gerace
Betty Gillander
Michael Haig
Eric Hostetler
Ann Luke
Ryan McGill
Nicole and William Meyers
Dr. Melinda and Mr. Rodd Newcombe
Jennifer and Brian Noonan
Nicole A. Pease
Travis and Teresa Proctor
Gina H. Rall
Marsha Singh
Two Anonymous Givers

Chairman's Club
Sherrie Arflin
Michael S. Batson
Deborah L. Carter
Melissa Clapp
Ann M. Cullen
David Domske
Coleen A. Dorman
Erik and Trizia Eavenson
Aaron Focacci
Michael Gordon
Michele M. Hriciso
Stephen A. Jeffress
Erica Lemp
Grady Marshall
Alecia McCoy
Heather K. McDonough
James and Janice Mills
Ronald and Doreen Muller
Gary Murphy
Emily and Craig Orndorff
Ms. Pamela Paquette
Caron and Kevin Partridge
Amar Patel
Jerrold and Sharon Pierce
Marie L. Pruitt
Winston and Marilyn Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Dwain Stilson
Joy Suttles
The Weitz Family
Errol and Heather West
Holly Rae Woolsey
Cinda Yandell
Mr. Jason Zimmerman
One Anonymous Giver

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Who are Emerging Leaders?

• Individuals between the ages of 20 and 40

• Individuals who want to get involved in the community but have no conduit to achieving this goal

• A group of individuals who are underrepresented in the civic, cultural, health and human service and professional associations of the community

• Individuals who are climbing the ladder within the structure of his or her workplace or career


Goals for the Initiative:

• To develop relationships with younger professionals in Brevard County and increase their knowledge of United Way not only as a fundraising organization, but a community innovator.

• To educate these individuals about the needs in the community and how they can be a part of the solution, effecting positive change.

• To provide opportunities for these individuals to become involved in the community through United Way initiatives, both existing and specially created.

• To contribute to the personal and professional development of these individuals through volunteerism, networking and mentoring activities.
• To encourage charitable giving to United Way in order to meet needs in the community.

 

Committee Members

Joy Suttles - Chair

Becky Deppe

Eric Hostetler


Eric Blattler


Special thanks to Veronica DeBoisbriand of V Designs for creating the fabulous Emerging Leaders Logo!

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