Centurions NOW - March 4, 2019

EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST

In 2016 we started hosting a breakfast for our graduating Centurions and their executives. At this breakfast, second year Steering members will present your accomplishments over the last two years. We received great feedback, so we are continuing the tradition again this year on May 22 in the KC Chamber Boardroom (Union Station, first floor). We would like to mail formal invitations to your CEO, Supervisor, and/or a Board member within the next few weeks, but we need your help! We understand that your leadership may have changed since you started the program, so, please take this survey so we can send our invitations to the right place. Once invitations are mailed, executives and supervisors can RSVP by emailing Danielle Isbell, or you can register yourself and your guest via the online calendar. Surveys are due Friday, March 8.

GRADUATION

You and a guest are cordially invited to join us on June 14 from 6-10:00 p.m. to celebrate your hard work and dedication in the Centurions Leadership Program. We will be announcing the recipients of our coveted awards—Task Force of the Year, Outstanding First Year, and Centurion of the Year. Register here >>

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATION

On March 6, we are hosting a follow up conversation with Greg Valdovino, the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, for a recap on the themes from the 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Summit. We’ll use those to start our conversation, but we want to talk about your experiences and answer your questions on what D&I looks like locally and nationally. No worries if you didn’t make it to the Summit, you are still welcome to join the follow up conversation. Register here >>

LEADERSHIP UP CLOSE: SHARICE DAVIDS

Join us on March 20 to hear from our region’s newest Congresswoman, Representative Sharice Davids. Rep. Davids will provide an update on her first few months in D.C. and talk about her priorities and goals in representing Kansas’ third congressional district. We’ll have plenty of time for conversation and questions during this interactive forum. Space is limited, so sign up today! Register here >>

LUNCH AND LEARN: THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Join us for this Lunch and Learn on the business case for diversity and inclusion and best practices in D&I for your company. This conversation will feature Nicole Jacobs-Silvey, founder of Connection Coach KC. Register here >>

BIG 12 HAPPY HOUR

Join us at Homeslice on Wednesday March 13 to kickoff the Big 12 tournament! We will gather at 4:30 to enjoy some beverages and light snacks as the afternoon games kickoff. Swing by on your way to the Sprint Center, stick around to enjoy some friendly competition, and fill out your bracket! Register here >>

REMINDER: SIGN UP TO ACCESS SERVICE PROJECTS ON VOLUNTEERMARK

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.

Fall Start – Upcoming Projects In Need of Volunteers:

• March 7: KC Healthy Kids: Champions for Health Youth Summit
• March 18: Fall Uplift March
• March 21: The Single MOM KC Spring Fling Ticket Mania
• March 22: KC STEM Alliance/FIRST | FIRST Robotics Competition
• March 23: JAG-K (“Jobs for American Graduates – Kansas”) Career Development Conference
• March 23: Downtown Outreach
• April 3: Phoenix Family Reading Lab

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Calling all first years to attend the Kickoff Breakfast on Thursday, March 7 from 7:30 am-9 am in the KC Chamber Boardroom to recap everything you learned at one of our information sessions or networking socials earlier this spring. Meet with your fellow classmates and learn everything you need to know from second-year Steering Committee members and Chamber staff. Headshots will be taken, so come picture ready!

Join us Tuesday, March 19 at Lifted Spirits from 5-7 p.m. for the Spring Centurions Kickoff Social. This will be the first opportunity for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 to meet. Second years, if you are looking to retake your headshot, this is your chance!

Retreat is April 24-26 at the Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, MO. A more formal agenda with specific times will follow.

Steering meetings are held the third Thursday of every month. Committee reports take place from 4-5 p.m., and Task Force updates are from approximately 5-7 p.m. Please communicate with your Co-Chairs to ensure at least one Chair is present, if not everyone in your Committee/Task Force is available to attend.

Task Forces are held the fourth Friday of each month. Please note that the Benchmarking Trip will take place October 16-18, 2019.

Check out all the upcoming events on the Centurions online calendar and be sure to look for “Spring Start.”