Two Fantastic Awards

It is getting to that time of year where we’ll soon be consuming mass quantities of turkey and eventually even some Egg Nog.  This is the time of year when I really appreciate the opportunity to catch up with family and just take a step back from the usual full-steam-ahead world that we live in. It is also the time where many of us take the time to celebrate the end of the year and holidays with close friends, which is just what the Young Professionals Connection will be doing on December 7th.

The YPC Annual Meeting is on December 7th at the Embassy Club in West Des Moines, in the Village of Ponderosa. The Annual Meeting will have a few of the usual “meeting” aspects to it, but it will also be a time to celebrate the successful year and catch up with friends. Two of the items during the “meeting” part of the event will be the announcement of the Amy Jennings Young Professional of the Year and the Ashley Okland Community Service Award.

The YP of the Year Award is awarded annually to a young professional who demonstrated the mission of YPC through leadership in professional development, civic, charitable, and social endeavors in Greater Des Moines. The recipient does not need to be a member of YPC, but must a professional under 40 year of age and a resident of the Greater Des Moines Area. The award was originated back in 2007 and is in honor of Amy Jennings, who was a very important member to the YPC organization who served for over 5 years.

The Community Service Award is going to be awarded for the first time, and will be a bitter sweet moment as we reflect on the on the loss of our friend and recognize an individual who exemplifies the dedication that Ashley also did. The recipient of the inaugural Community Service Award also does not need to be a member of YPC, but must be an outstanding young volunteer who exemplifies the commitment to community service that is similar to the awards name-sake.

Nominations are open through this Friday, the 18th, so if you know anyone who fits either of these criteria head here to nominate them, just follow the links at the bottom of the page. I will have the honor of announcing both of the awards this year as my last action on the YPC Board, and I have to be honest I am a little leery. Remembering Ashley will be very tough, but it will be great to be able to reflect on her accomplishments and recognize someone who is as involved as she was.