Young Leader Society

YLS Sponsors First College Tour with the Durham Performance Learning Center

On November 13th, YLS sponsored the first of many College Awareness Tours in partnership with students at the Durham Performance Learning Center.

Twenty students, mostly high school juniors and seniors had the opportunity to visit three Triangle area schools: Louisburg College, NC State University and Shaw University.   The trip was fully underwritten by the YLS group who raised the money during their August 2009 Campaign Kick Off and Silent Auction.

The partnership is one that provides financial support to the PLC and its students, while creating opportunities for YLS members to serve as volunteers and tutors thereby remaining engaged and connected in their community.  The partnership also provides instruction for ways to complete the college application and guidance on strategies for funding a college education.

While the group hopes to expand their partnership with other agencies over the years, members were extremely satisfied with this year’s efforts and collaboration.  The students enjoyed visiting various academic buildings and facilities, recreational sites for campus life and enjoyed lunch in a university’s student cafeteria.  In the end, students were able to assess the similarities and differences in the schools in hopes of narrowing down which college or university would be best suited for them. 

YLS Kickoff at Mez

Members, guests and friends of the Young Leaders Society (YLS) launched their 2nd annual campaign kick off on August 13th in Durham.  Over 30 business and professional leaders under age 40 assembled at the Mez Contemporary Mexican restaurant in Durham for the event to increase the awareness of and generate support for this group of young philanthropists.
 
This year YLS members partnered with the Performance Learning Center, a high school program with the Durham Communities in Schools to launch their College Awareness Program. Aimed at educating at-risk youth of the accessibility and affordability of a college education, the YLS College Awareness Program will also provide opportunities for these students to tour local colleges and universities. 

A silent auction was held in conjunction with the campaign kick off and event attendees showed their support by bidding on auction items ranging from car detailing, spa and sports related event packages to free rounds of golf at three local country clubs.  Two thousand dollars was raised to offset expenses often incurred in facilitating local college tours. This year YLS members hope to raise thousands of dollars to advance the common good for many families in the Triangle during the United Way of the Greater Triangle's regional campaign efforts.  Membership for YLS begins with an annual contribution of $800 if under 40 and $500 if under 30 to the UWGT. 

Click here for the full photo gallery 

YLS Members Enjoy a Night Out at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The first exclusive event of the year for YLS members was held in partnership with the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on May 13 for the Durham Bulls game against the Louisville Bats.  The 7 p.m. game was a great social networking opportunity for members.

Click here to view all the photos from the Bulls Game Event.

If you were unable to make this event, remember that the 2nd Annual YLS Kick Off event will be held on August 13 at Mez Contemporary Mexican restaurant in Durham.  Click here to see pictures from last year’s kick off event!

Deloitte Wins Award of Excellence for Young Leaders Society Campaign

It was a fun-filled evening as Allison Taylor, the 2008 Deloitte YLS Company Advocate, accepted the Campaign Award of Excellence for running a successful YLS campaign last year. Taylor, along with managing partner JR Shearin, accepted the prestigious award for their efforts to recruit new YLS members during their 2008 campaign at the annual Triangle United Way Chairman’s Award celebration in March. 

Key factors to their success of recruiting over 19 young professionals to join the group were securing support from top executives, an active and engaged campaign committee, and email blasts used to share information about upcoming YLS events and activities with prospective members.

Taylor currently serves as the vice-chair for the 2009 Young Leaders Society Steering Committee.

Announcing New Giving Levels

Donors under 30 years of age may now join with a gift of $500 or more per year! With your gift, you can enjoy the benefits of professional development, volunteer engagement, social networking opportunities, and make a difference in your community! For additional information, contact Risha Hamlin at (919) 463-5028