The mission of this exciting new project is three-fold: Educate. Volunteer. Recycle.

Our goal is to engage local volunteers dedicated to helping New Orleans become a greener, more sustainable place to live through the education and community service. Our volunteers will work as a team to provide recycling services for festivals, concerts, and other great events all over the New Orleans area. At the same time, we will be providing education to the community about which materials they can recycle locally, why recycling is so important for our city in particular, and what recycling options are available to them at home, work, and school.

Would you like to volunteer? Email Project Leader, Katie VanDeventer at katiemvan@gmail.com

Dear YLC Members and Friends,  

I’d like to begin by saying, “thank you” to the staff, former executive directors, volunteers, project leaders, board members, past presidents, sponsors, and supporters of the YLC. Without your collective contribution of time, funds, knowledge, and passion, this organization would not have been nearly as successful as it has been since 1986.  It is both thrilling and humbling to assume the role of executive director in an organization with such an impressive history.

The lasting effects of this organization’s past accomplishments stand as testaments to the belief that a small group of committed individuals can make a tremendous difference. You need only look at the lights on the Crescent City Connection, spot a “Proud to Call It Home” bumper sticker, or swing by YLC Wednesday at the Square to be reminded of the hard work of our predecessors and peers.  As the YLC’s membership has grown, so too has its impact on the community.

Entering its 27th year of leadership development and community service, the YLC has built a legacy of positively impacting quality of life in our region.  And it is well positioned to build on this legacy, which is important to note, because there is still — and will always be — work to be done. I look forward to having you beside me as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.

May New Orleans always be a work in progress.

Best, 

Curry W. Smith
YLC Executive Director 

Q: What would you says is your favorite project and your least favorite project?

JG: I think my favorite is definitely the lighting of the Crescent City Connection. I wasn’t directly involved or even knew what the YLC was at the time, but that project put YLC “on the map” and lighting the CCC has been an iconic symbol for our city.

I don’t have a least favorite, but I have two pet peeves. When I served as VP of Projects people would constantly tell about these great project ideas they had which would only cost the YLC “this much money.” The YLC is not an ATM machine. Second, we give a lot of freedom to our project leaders. That is the way projects should run. I didn’t want to have to micromanage project leaders who weren’t holding up their end of the deal.

Q: How would you describe the role of a Board member to a Project Leader?

JG: Well, I think it’s important for the YLC Board to make sure information at the board level filters back down to our PLs so they know what we are doing. Not all of it, but the information that is applicable to them and their projects. I also think it’s important for PLs to remember that Board members have a duty and obligation to the organization in a way that no other volunteers do. We have to make financially responsible decisions based on the best interest of the entire organization and that decision may not be in line with the vision they have for their project.

Q: Someone in their mid-twenties moves to New Orleans and wants to become a leader within the YLC. Do you suggest the joining the board or becoming a Project Leader?

JG: That’s a good question. It depends…if you’re a Project Leader you’re running your own show. There is a lot of ownership. Your project will only be as successful as you and your co-project leaders make it. If you join the Board you may not have as much of that ownership. However, I feel like a position on Exec, particularly the VP positions, would be a huge step in the leadership department. Ideally, project leaders progress from their projects to the Board and then into senior leadership positions.

Q: What the best advice you ever received?

JG: Always be nice to the lady who gives you food. Just kidding, although, that is great advice. The best advice I have received is to step back from the situation before passing judgment. I can’t and don’t know what is going on with someone. I’ve learned to take into account those personal and professional issues, which can have a big effect on people’s performances.

 To view a list of our 2013 Role Models, click here.

We’re so happy to bring back our community events section to our website. This section will keep YLC members and friends informed on other great events and opportunities around town, while also giving the non-profit community another avenue to get the word out. 

We hope you’ll check back regularly. 

Check out the Community Events Section.

The second episode of the Power Ties Web Series is all about resume writing. On Friday, October 19, 8th grade students from Langston Hughes Academy attended the second Power Ties workshop. During this time, YLC volunteers taught the students about resumes, why they are important and how to create one. Students wrote the first draft of their own resume and learned how their own experiences can translate to different jobs.

Power Ties Web Series, Video #2 from Young Leadership Council on Vimeo.

Check back for new episodes of the Power Ties Web Series.

For more information, please email the project leaders at ylcpowerties@gmail.com.

If you missed the first episode of the Power Ties Web Series, you can find it here. We hope you enjoy learning more about what Power Ties does.  Leave a comment and let us know what you think of Power Ties and its Web Series!

We’re shaking it up with a Leadership Dinner Q&A style to end the year. Save the date for Monday, December 17 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Join us for a private dinner at Crabby Jack’s with guest speaker, Joseph Giarrusso III, YLC Past President. 

Click here to view the full menu. Dinner will be $30.00 and is inclusive of tax and gratuity.  

Reserve your seat today by purchasing your ticket. Seating is limited.  

Click here to reserve your seat. 

The short-term goals of B2P are to encourage literacy, to make prison-life more endurable, and to support prisoner interests to the best of their abilities.

Questions? Please contact Tiffany Diller, Tiffany.Diller@phoenix.edu. 

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