Message from the Chairman - Leslie Ingram
I hope this letter finds you well and that each of you is still committed to achieving your New Year resolution. In addition to resolutions this year, I would like each of you to think about your commitment and involvement in PYP. It is that time of year when we begin the election process to select new leaders for our organization. This year has flown by so quickly that I actually do not believe it myself that my term is coming to a close.
Following the February 1st board meeting the open board positions will be announced to membership. I encourage everyone to consider a leadership position on the board. We will also need members to serve on the selection committee. The selection committee will serve for one week interviewing candidates and selecting candidates for recommendation to the board. The proposed slate will be voted on by membership in an open board meeting on March 1st. The new board will be introduced later that month at the Annual Meeting. Please put those dates on your calendar and consider a future leadership role with PYP.
If you are unsure about your role in PYP I encourage you to think about these words from the late President Reagan, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things; he is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.”
Leslie Ingram, Chairman
Member Spotlight - Charity Hamilton
Pensacola native Charity Hamilton is a licensed insurance agent with Barnes Insurance and Financial Services. Committed to her community, Charity serves as the Sponsorship Chairperson for the Pensacola Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society event, and is active with both the Pensacola Young Professionals and the Pensacola Professional Development Institute.
Charity has most recently been an integral part of PYP by helping to organize the recent Sam's Fun City fundraiser in December. She attends as many PYP events as possible. Charity is actively involved with the Pensacola Professional Development Institute's Implementation Team. She also enjoys participating in various walks like the Heart Walk, Making Strides for Breast Cancer, and Relay for Life.
Charity also is an avid reader, loves word puzzles of all kinds, hiking trails, and the COLTS!
Expert Advice - Escambia County Consolidation
by Matthew Fiebig, Chairman of the PYP Economic Development Team
Six months have passed since the first meeting of the Escambia County Consolidation Study Committee, and a proposal has been submitted with the support of a majority of the members of the committee. Several important events are about to take place, which will determine whether or not the citizens of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County will get to vote on the proposal this year, whether a referendum will be postponed to a later date, or whether a vote will take place at all. For PYP members that are seeking to make a meaningful impact through civic participation, particularly concerning matters of government and economic development, now is the time to get involved.
Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission:
The Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission was created by legislative mandate to research the viability of consolidated government for Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, and the Town of Century. After months of work, and over 50 public meetings, the ECCSC submitted its consolidation proposal to the local congressional delegation on January 15, 2010. According to the original legislative mandate which authorized the creation of the ECCSC, the proposed charter should return to the Florida legislature, and if approved, will be placed before the voters for a referendum in November 2010.
However, the initial response from local governments has been to oppose the effort to varying degrees. The Town of Century has withdrawn any support for the consolidation effort, although it is not clear whether the town government has passed any referendum or measure to this effect. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has passed a measure which requests that the congressional delegation delay any vote on consolidation until at least 2012. A similar measure was proposed to the Pensacola City Council, but was defeated. Notably, the support of the local governments is not required for the congressional delegation to proceed with the original legislative time line.
The issues being addressed will potentially impact all of the Greater Pensacola Area, and will be particularly important to Escambia County. The PYP Board of Directors wants to know what you think. Is the concept of consolidation good for the Century/Pensacola/Escambia community? Should we support the proposal as submitted on January 15th? What are the key issues that will determine whether or not you will support the plan?
If you would like to know more about these topics, or share your point of view, please contact me at matthewfiebig@yahoo.com. The PYP Board would love to know what you think!
Welcome New Members!
PYP would like to welcome the following new members who joined in December:
- Renee Baggett
- David Dicket
- Tiffany Durst
- Samantha Hayward
- Amy Klotz
- LaBruce MIller
- Kia Painter
- Matteo Rebeschini
- Angie Schlosser
- Holly Strickland
- Matthew Touart
- Matthew Villmer
If you are a new member, the Membership Services Team invites you to attend a PYP 101 session. Learn more about PYP, our mission, teams, and projects, and most of all - how to get involved! To sign up for a PYP 101 session, contact Chad Stacy.
All Member Meeting
Please join Membership Services Chair Chad Stacy for an all-members meeting on February 3 at noon at McGuire's. The Member Services team needs full participation of PYP members in an upcoming golf tournament to benefit our organization. RSVP for the lunch to Rachael Gillette in the PYP office.
The Month(s) in Review
December and January were busy months for PYP. In early December, The new PYP Technology Development Team kicked off with its first meeting. If you are in a technology field and would like to join this initiative, contact Eric Branch at (850) 7960. Also in early December, Fundraising held its annual sponsor breakfast - a chance to thank past sponsors and recruit new ones. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring PYP and receiving some great perks in return, contact Nolan Sylvester for more information. Also in December, the Quality of Life, Membership, and Networking teams held a joint meeting, PYP hosted a holiday party, and members had a fun evening at Sam's Fun City as part of a PYP fundraiser.
January 1 kicked off a new membership year for PYP. Please remember to renew your dues. Log in to the website to pay online or send you payment to the PYP office.
Also in January, the Pensacola Professional Development Institute kicked off the 360 Leader series. This six-week series aimed at leaders in the middle of their organization will benefit anyone seeking to grow their leadership skills. For more information on this series or other opportunities for leadership development, visit the PPDI site.
Quality of Life Team Updates - Mardi Gras Bowl
Friday, February 5 - 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Saturday, February 6 - 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Quality of Life Team has been working toward their signature goal of improving financial literacy in our community this year by partnering with Junior Achievement. In support of JA, PYP members are invited to participate in Junior Achievement's 13th Annual Mardi Gras Bowl on Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6 at Cordova Lanes.
Five shifts of bowlers, over 500 bowlers will help raise funds for the Junior Achievement program while having fun. Teams of five to ten bowlers per team will bowl for two hours, but also will be doing the electric slide, hokey pokey, limbo and watching a parade inside the bowling center.
To join PYP's bowling team for this event, contact Quality of Life Chair Liz Adams.
Internship Pensacola
Internship Pensacola is now recruiting businesses to participate in this year's program. Participating employers are expected to provide interns with a full-time schedule of meaningful labor for the entire thirteen -week duration of the internship. The interns' work should be both educational and challenging for them, as well as beneficial for your company. To learn more, visit http://www.internshippensacola.com/employer.asp.
Now Online
Did you know you can find all this on our website?
- Minutes of the Board of Directors meetings - read what's going on at board meetings
- Calendar of events - find out what's coming up for PYP
- The 2009 Annual Report - read our most recent report for sponsors, members, and the community
- Member Directory - pay your dues, update your information, search for others by job field, and much more.
Visit us at www.pensacolayp.com for more.