Centurions NOW - June 17, 2019

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2019

It’s official. The Class of 2019 has graduated and will enter into Alumni status on July 1. This year’s class has so much to be proud of. Following in the footsteps of prior classes, this year’s participants continued to uphold the guiding principles of the program while excelling in service. Together, the Centurions classes of 2019 and Fall 2020 gave a total of 2,991 hours of community service during the past year and contributed to over 100 organizations over the last two years. In addition, specific Centurion Awards were presented at the Centurions graduation and included the following: 

  • Outstanding First Year – Monica Smith
  • Centurion of the Year – Shalea Walter
  • Task Force of the Year – Law and Justice 

See the full list of 2019 graduates here >>

FALL

ENGAGING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN CENTURIONS

The Diversity Committee invites Fall Actives to join us as we continue to discuss DEI experiences through the program, hone skills to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging within our organizations, talk about getting comfortable with DEI conversations, and learn how to be an ally in this space. Dr. Rodney Smith and Stephenie Smith of Sophic Solutions will once again facilitate our discussion. The event will be in the World Trade Center room at Union Station from 8-9 a.m. on June 21. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. We hope to see you there. [Note: attendance at the May 31 event is not required to participate in part two of our conversation. All Fall Actives are welcome!]

2019 – 2020 LEGACY PROJECT SELECTION

It's time to select the fall legacy project for 2019-2020! After narrowing the field to three organizations, we will need help from the fall class of 2020 to select the organization with which we'll partner. A presentation of each finalist will precede a formal vote to select the organization on Monday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments provided. Register here >>

RIBBON CUTTING: LEGACY CELEBRATION AT COMMUNITY LINC

The dust has settled. The final clean? Complete. It’s the perfect time to experience the end result of incredibly generous community support and hundreds of hours of hard work by Centurions over the course of the past year!  Please join us for tours of renovated Children’s Center and the newly refreshed warehouse at Community LINC as we say ‘THANK YOU!’ to the individuals and corporate partners who made the project possible. We’ll see you there on Thursday, June 27 at 4 p.m. Register here >>

LEADERSHIP UP CLOSE: MARSHAUN BUTLER

Join us on June 28 at 11:30 a.m. to learn from Marshaun Butler. This Leadership Up Close event will be held at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Register here >>

REMINDER: SIGN UP TO ACCESS SERVICE PROJECTS ON VOLUNTEERMARK

Beginning July 1, all volunteer opportunities will be open to both classes and are on a first-come, first- served basis. We will move to one calendar on VolunteerMark that everyone will use to sign up for opportunities. This was the overwhelming feedback that volunteer opportunities are a great way to have both classes connect. This also means that opportunities are open “year-round” for everyone, which we will track by program year (Fall: July 1-June 30 and Spring: Feb 1-Jan 31).

Ready to serve? Check out VolunteerMark for a few opportunities that are still in need of volunteers. Check the calendar regularly as new projects are added weekly and look for newsletter announcements or GroupMe to sign-up for projects in which spots still need to be filled.

SPRING

LUC: TERRY BASSHAM, PRESIDENT & CEO

Join us for our June 19 LUC with Terry Bassham at 11:30 a.m. at Evergy. Terry is president and chief executive officer of Evergy. Prior to his selection as president and chief executive officer of Evergy, Inc. Bassham served as chairman and chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy, Inc. and KCP&L from June 2012 through June 2018. Register here >>

LEADERSHIP UP CLOSE: LISA GINTER

Join us on July 18 at 9:00 a.m. to learn from Lisa Ginter. Lisa joined CommunityAmerica in 1995 and during her tenure has overseen nearly every function of the Credit Union. In her first few years at CEO, she has advanced the organization to more than $2.5 billion in assets and launched a series of new business divisions and strategies helping members achieve true financial peace-of-mind in their lives. This Leadership Up Close event will be held at Community America Credit Union. Register here >>

FAMILY BBQ ON JULY 20

As summer starts to heat up let’s all get together for a family friendly backyard barbecue party. Join your fellow Centurions (and their significant others and kiddos!) for a barbecue at Shaw Cross’ home. This casual get-together will include a 100-foot slip and slide, bounce house, yard games and smoked meats courtesy of local celeb and Dad Bod BBQ’s own Mark Nuss. We’ll also provide some soft drinks and beers but plan to BYOB drinks, sides, dessert and lawn chairs. Join your fellow Centurions (and their families!) for a summer backyard bash at Casa de Cross! Register here >>

LUC: BOARD BASICS

Are you relatively new to board service or considering serving on a nonprofit board? This is your opportunity to explore the nuts and bolts of what it means to be a nonprofit board member. Join us on August 27 at 8 a.m. in the Chamber Board Room to learn more about board service. Register here >>

REMINDER: SIGN UP TO ACCESS SERVICE PROJECTS ON VOLUNTEERMARK

Beginning July 1, all volunteer opportunities will be open to both classes and are on a first-come, first-served basis. We will move to one calendar on VolunteerMark that everyone will use to sign up for opportunities. This was the overwhelming feedback that volunteer opportunities are a great way to have both classes connect. This also means that opportunities are open “year-round” for everyone which we will track by program year (Fall: July 1-June 30 and Spring: Feb 1-Jan 31).

Ready to serve? Check out VolunteerMark for a few opportunities that are still in need of volunteers. Check the calendar regularly as new projects are added weekly and look for newsletter announcements or GroupMe to sign-up for projects in which spots still need to be filled.

Upcoming Projects In Need of Volunteers:

  • June 19: Turn the Page KC Summer Reading Splash
  • June 22: Buzzed about Bees: Family Frolic
  • June 25: WIN for KC Camp WIN
  • June 26: WIN for KC Camp WIN
  • June 27: WIN for KC Camp WIN
  • June 27: Literacy KC
  • June 29: Dig Deep and Leap Arrowhead Rappel Fundraiser for Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity
  • June 29: Booms & Blooms
  • June 30: Kansas City Folk Festival
  • July 9: Giving the Basics -Community Night
  • July 9: Harvesters Sort & Pack
  • July 12: Giving the Basics – PickUp Day
  • July 13: Gleaning with After the Harvest
  • July 14: LEGACY – High Tunnel Erection

ALUMNI

ANNUAL ALUMNI LUNCHEON

Join the Centurions Alumni Association on Wednesday, June 19 for our annual luncheon and meeting where we kick off the new membership year together and learn from a local leader. Enjoy a fantastic lunch at Grand Street Café and, of course, great networking with alumni. The graduating class of 2019 is also encouraged to attend.

Andy Rieger, founder and co-owner of J. Rieger Distillery, will share his story of reviving his family’s historic brand for a new generation of cocktail connoisseurs.  He will also share news on the progress of the new distillery and event space located in the East Bottoms, and plans for further development in the area. Learn more about J. Rieger & Co. and register here >>

This year we will be collecting donations for Newhouse at the luncheon. Newhouse provides a safe refuge and services for victims of domestic violence. Items most needed include body wash, flip flops/shower shoes, underwear, and socks. Please e-mail Meredith Webster at meredith.webster@kutakrock.com with any questions.