APRIL 2010                                                                       a monthly e-newsletter of the Young Professionals Network

YP SPOTLIGHT



Garrett Gingerich
Team Member
YPN Marketing Team

Job Title/Employer
Marketing Director for
CB Richard Ellis | Bradley

Hometown
Kokomo, Indiana

Tell Us About Your Job
"I’m responsible for all marketing and public relations for our offices throughout the Michiana region. More specifically, I’m responsible for the creation, production and distribution of all corporate and property marketing materials, including brochures, presentations, advertisements, press releases, flyers, targeted mailings and other marketing packages."

Why Did You Choose to Become Involved in YPN?
"When I moved to the South Bend area I knew no one except my colleagues. It was through YPN and other organizations that I met some wonderful people who really made me feel part of this great community. YPN has been an outstanding avenue to meet new young, energetic professionals who have similar goals and a passion for making a difference."

Something Most People Don't Know About You
"I’ve helped to deliver a baby calf."

Hobbies/Interests
"Freelance design projects, volunteering my talents in the community, attending and participating in athletic events, international travel, golf, fishing, live music, snowmobiling and simply hanging out with friends and family."

Community Involvement
Young Professionals Against Poverty and the Center for the Homeless, Mennonite Economic Development Associates, LaCasa Inc., Ambassador for The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, American Marketing Association

IMPACTING LOCAL EDUCATION

SO…you say you'd like to get engaged in something meaningful? Well, here's your chance. There are three seats on the South Bend Community School Corporation Board up for election this fall in the Adams, Riley and Clay districts.

The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, through its School Board Endorsement Committee, is seeking interested, committed and qualified individuals that The Chamber can endorse, financially support and provide the resources to get elected. As of now, there are no candidates in either the Riley district or the Clay district that have expressed a strong interest in running for those seats, and time is of the essence since the filing deadline is August.

If you or someone you know would like to get engaged in a unique, long-term volunteer opportunity that can have an immediate impact on the future of this community, please contact Paul Laskowski at The Chamber at 574.234.0051, ext 313 or plaskowski@sjchamber.org to answer any questions.

Many of you have expressed a desire to get involved in something truly meaningful and to have a seat at the table. Well, this is your chance, and it won't come up again until the fall of 2012.

Develop - Connect - Empower - Retain
I don't know of a better way than this to get involved.

Gregory S. Downes
Immediate Past Chairman of the Board
The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
574.245.3502 l gdownes@gibsonins.com 

   Here Come the Irish
Check out the Notre Dame football team in action at the 81st annual Blue-Gold game on Saturday, April 24 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at www.und.com/tickets, at the Ticket Office (Gate 9 of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion) or by phone at 574.631.7356. General Admission tickets in advance of the game are available to adults for $12 and youth (18 and under) or groups of 20+ for $8 each.

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   Get Your Pink On
The second annual Susan G. Komen Northern Indiana Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday, May 1 at 9 a.m. The event consists of a 5K run and fitness walk which will take place along the Riverwalk in downtown Mishawaka. Participants can register individually or as part of a team at www.komennorthernindiana.org through April 20, or on race day between 7:30 and 8:45 a.m.

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   Spring (and Art) is in the Air
The Spring Art Walk will be held in downtown South Bend and along the East Bank on Saturday, May 1 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The walk provides a setting for numerous galleries to open their doors and features art, music, food and fun for the whole family. Look for more information at www.artseverywhere.com or www.downtownsouthbend.com.

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   Bike the Bend
Bike the Bend is a recreational, non-competitive bicycling event where casual and experienced riders can ride the streets and trails of St. Joseph County. The ride will take place on Sunday, May 23 from 6:30 – 11:30 a.m. Riders may start anywhere along the approximately 30 mile route and ride for as long as they like. It is not a race! Volunteers are also needed for the day of the event. The City of Mishawaka will host a Post Ride Festival at Kamm Island from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. that will include refreshments, live bands, BMX demo, bike safety demonstrations, Bike Medics for after-the-ride repairs and a volunteer appreciation tent. For more information or to register go to www.bikethebend.com.

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   High Notes
Have you ever played a musical instrument? Do you enjoy classical music? Have you been to a symphony performance or do you want to learn more about our local orchestra? The South Bend Symphony Orchestra is seeking eight to ten YPs to become symphony champions by actively participating in and attending events. For $39, you can attend eight special sessions, including concerts and meet and greets with symphony members and the maestro, from August to October. For more information contact Matt Money at matthewmoney@sbcglobal.net.

VOLUNTEER

March for Babies
The March of Dimes is looking for volunteers for the annual March for Babies walk held on April 24. Volunteers are needed for set up, registration, and miscellaneous day-of activities. To volunteer please contact Laura O’Sullivan. 

Comcast Cares Day
The Center for the Homeless has been selected as this year’s local beneficiary for “Comcast Cares Day” on Saturday, April 24. Volunteers are invited to meet at 813 S. Michigan Street in South Bend at 7:30 a.m. to focus on various projects including cleaning and painting, assisting with the new Miller Veterans’ Center, assembling care packages for deployed soldiers, and performing yard clean-up in the Community Garden. Comcast will in turn donate funds back to the Center for the Homeless based on the number of volunteers involved. Contact Taya Groover at tgroover@cfh.net for additional information or to participate.

YPN Presenting Sponsor

YPN Supporting Sponsors

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Young Professionals Network
The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 310, South Bend, IN 46617