Centurions NOW - May 6, 2019

May 06, 2019

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CONGRATULATIONS DAN CRANSHAW, 2019 BERNARD POWELL AWARD RECIPIENT

We are pleased to announce Dan Cranshaw as the 2019 recipient of the Bernard Powell Award. Dan Cranshaw is one of Kansas City’s strongest community volunteers and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. His servant leadership demonstrates his passion for giving back to his community and providing meaningful leadership to numerous charitable organizations.

Dan works to make Kansas City the best it can be both in and outside of his role as a shareholder at Polsinelli. He assumed leadership of Polsinelli’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee three years ago; due to his dedicated focus on diverse recruitment, Polsinelli has been featured by Law360 as one of the top law firms in the country for hiring diverse attorneys. Apart from his leadership at Polsinelli, Dan is currently the Board Chair for Swope Community Enterprises, a board member of the Women’s Foundation, the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, Shumaker Family Foundation, School Smart Kansas City, and the mayoral appointee board member to the American Jazz Foundation. Dan will be recognized at the Annual Alumni Luncheon on Wednesday, June 19.

FALL

REMINDER! INVITE YOUR EXECUTIVES TO THE EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST

In 2016, we started hosting a breakfast for our graduating Centurions and their executives. At this breakfast, 2nd year Steering members will present your accomplishments over the last two years (Legacy project, task force topics, leaders you’ve heard from, etc.). We are continuing the tradition again this year on Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 a.m. in the KC Chamber Boardroom (Union Station, first floor). Executives and supervisors can RSVP by emailing Danielle Isbell. You can also register yourself and your guest on their behalf via the online calendar.

Even if you cannot attend, we still encourage you to invite your executives. This is their opportunity to see all the hard work you have put into the program over the last two years. Your executive will be confident their investment in the program will return a more engaged, educated, thoughtful, and connected leader. If your executives cannot attend, but you can, that’s great too!

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS

Do you know someone who would make an excellent Centurion? Have them join us for our LAST INFO SESSION on May 8 at Helix Architecture + Design at 5 p.m. Register here>>

P.S. Don’t forget to tell any Centurion hopefuls about the May 22 Application Workshop in Chamber Board room at 4 p.m.! Register here>>

The Centurions application is now open and is due June 1, 2019. The application and more information about the Centurions Leadership Program can be found here.

DIVERSITY: POVERTY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Join us on Tuesday, May 14 at 9 a.m. for a panel discussion on the intersection of mental health and diversity in KC. Understand how low-income families and individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues are faring in the current social and political climate. The Diversity Committee is presenting an intimate opportunity to listen to individuals active in this space and the challenges and solutions facing the issue.

Panelists include Dr. Amy Beck, a physician with Children’s Mercy who works with low income families with chronic and mental health challenges; Mercedes Mora, who focuses on addiction treatment for Latino families at the Guadalupe Center; and Bruce Eddy, who works with the Community Mental Health Fund on how public services handle mental health and low-income and disadvantaged segments of society. Register here >>

OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH: THE CITY YOU NEVER SEE

Join us on Tuesday, June 4 at 4 p.m. at Operation Breakthrough to learn about the harsh realities of the lives of the families that Operation Breakthrough serves.

Operation Breakthrough is one of the largest single-site daycare centers in the state of Missouri, caring for over 600 children each day. 85% of these children come from families living below the poverty level. Established in 1971 the goal was to “break through” poverty. Sadly, the need today is even greater than before.

Please know that the bus tour includes explicit testimony on such topics as domestic violence, substance abuse, and prostitution. Register here>>

GRADUATION

On June 14, we’ll gather at Children’s Mercy Park to celebrate the important work that the 2nd years have accomplished and to look forward towards the leadership and service that the Centurions Leadership Program graduates will continue to bring to Kansas City for many years to come. 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.

Upcoming Projects In Need of Volunteers:

May 14: KIPP KC Reading Testing
May 15: KIPP KC Reading Testing Day 2
May 16: KIPP KC Reading Testing Day 3
May 17: KIPP KC Reading Testing Day 4
May 19: Tour de Bier KC
May 20: Folly Gold Tournament
May 25: Downtown Research
June 1: Starlight Theatre | Young Friends of Starlight Moonlighter
June 8: HopeBUILDERS

SPRING

LUC: GEORGE GUASTELLO

Join us on Friday, May 10 at 9 a.m. to learn from George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station. George Guastello is President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Station Kansas City, a historical landmark and civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. He is responsible for operation, management and development/growth of the Station and surrounding property it owns. Guastello oversees a staff of over 50 and manages an annual budget of $20 million. The Station features a science center, planetarium, rail museum, national traveling exhibits, one of the region’s largest giant screen 3D movie theaters, live theater, shops, restaurants and offices. A bi-state cultural sales tax, the first of its kind in the country, funded nearly half of the $250 million renovation. Register here>>

SPRING SOCIAL: ROOFTOP REVELRY

Before summer gets going in full force, let’s take our class to new heights. Join your fellow Centurions (and their significant others!) for a summer kickoff in the Crossroads Arts District. This casual happy hour will include drinks, bites and one of the best rooftop patios in KC. Best of all—spouses and significant others are invited; make plans to join us for this “elevated” evening in the city. We’ll see you there on Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. Register here>>

IUC: THE FUTURE OF NEWS AND JOURNALISM IN AN UNCERTAIN MEDIA LANDSCAPE

As the media, news, and journalism landscape seems to constantly evolve, have you ever wondered, “in a decade, how will I get the news or what information will matter to our community?” Join us on Friday, June 14 at 8 a.m. for this year’s first Issues Up Close program where Centurions will visit with leaders in local media, journalism, and news to discuss these and other relevant topics. The conversation will be based loosely around the theme of the future of news and journalism. But Centurions and our guests will also explore the current state of media and what it means going forward.

Panelists include Chris Hernandez, Director of City Communications for Kansas City, Missouri; Steve Kraske, host of "Up to Date" on KCUR-FM, Professor at UMKC, and longtime Kansas City Star columnist; and Jay Senter, Editor and Publisher, Shawnee Mission Post. Register here>>

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS

Do you know someone who would make an excellent Centurion? Have them join us for our LAST INFO SESSION on May 8 at Helix Architecture + Design at 5 p.m. Register here>>

P.S. Don’t forget to tell any Centurion hopefuls about the May 22 Application Workshop in Chamber Board room at 4 p.m.! Register here>>

The Centurions application is now open and is due June 1, 2019. The application and more information about the Centurions Leadership Program can be found here.

REMINDER: SIGN UP TO ACCESS SERVICE PROJECTS ON VOLUNTEERMARK

Upcoming Projects In Need of Volunteers:

May 9: Lung Force Glam
May 12: Kansas City Royal gate Giveaway Volunteer
May 14: KIPP KC Reading Testing
May 14: Harvesters
May 15: KIPP KC Reading Testing
May 15: Happy Bottoms
May 17: KIPP KC Reading Testing
May 18: Habitat for Humanity ReStore
May 19: Tour de Bier KC
May 20: Folly Golf Classic
May 23: Junior Achievement Day at Troost Elementary

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>>

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS

Do you know someone who would make an excellent Centurion? Have them join us for our LAST INFO SESSION on May 8 at Helix Architecture + Design at 5 p.m. Register here>>

P.S. Don’t forget to tell any Centurion hopefuls about the May 22 Application Workshop in Chamber Board room at 4 p.m.! Register here>>

The Centurions application is now open and is due June 1, 2019. The application and more information about the Centurions Leadership Program can be found here.

ALUMNI ART TOUR

Join Centurions Alumni for a behind-the-scenes look into the UMB art collection. The Kempers and UMB have played a huge role in the arts community and have boosted arts awareness in Kansas City. Come see their collection and mingle with your fellow Centurions Alumni on Wednesday, May 8 from 5-6:30 p.m. Register here >>