When Yvette Vinson moved to Evansville in July 2011, there weren’t many outlets for her to become involved in the community, besides her employer.
Becoming a part of Connect and Engage was the right choice, she said.
“It gives you an opportunity to meet with other folks who have connections and interests in community services or resources that you may not be aware of or know who to contact,” Vinson said.
Connect and Engage, a collaborative project between the October 2012 and February 2013 LE classes assists in bringing citizens from the community together by brainstorming ideas and events at times that are convenient for most.
A consensus among the classes was a need to connect others in the community while also educating them on how to become engaged in the community.
“The event has a fun element, but stayed true to the agenda and the focus of the organization,” Vinson said. “My experience has been an opportunity to network with others in a smaller setting.”
So far, two Connect and Engage events have made a large impact on the Evansville community. Acropolis and Tin Man were areas that hosted Connect and Engage events. LE alumni and community members had made an outstanding impact, with almost 100 people in attendance.
A goal of the organizing classes was to highlight local organizations like Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, Community One, HOLA, Junior League of Evansville, Lampion Center and shed light their needs for those attending to learn how to be involved in their community.
The classes strategically planned events to accommodate schedules, so they planned an event in the morning and evening to make it easier for people to connect with their busy schedules. Also, the locations chosen are designed for people to talk and share ideas with each other, which makes it easier for community members to feel comfortable with each other.
Jonathan Lamar, an architect at Hafer Associates, moved to Evansville six years ago from Atlanta and hasn’t looked back. A lot of that has to do with the impact of Connect and Engage.
“To me it felt like it was a way forcing the members to go out and bring in new members and I was one of those people who was brought in,” Lamar said.
The first event Lamar attended was at Acropolis, which was held from 8 to 9:30 a.m., to accommodate schedules of the attending community members who could only meet early.
“I thought it was pretty neat, the way they allowed you to mingle,” Lamar said. “It was definitely a good experience. The more comfortable the atmosphere, the better. I really enjoyed it.”
Connect and Engage also strengthens relationships among existing community leaders.
“I thought the events were great,” October 2012 Alumna Shelly Kirk said. “Once you get in that positive environment, you’re kind of hooked.”
Kirk, Marketing Director at Fifth Third Bank, attended two Connect and Engage events and even brought someone from the community to get involved.
“I brought someone from Fifth Third Bank,” Kirk said. “She knows about LE, but I still invited her.” She really liked it, she said.
There are still opportunities to Connect and Engage! The LE classes are meeting soon to plan more events to bring people in from the community. Stay tuned for these awesome future events.