Tag Archives: young leaders

Lansing visit – recap

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The Van Andel Millennial Board took its message to the State Capitol on Tuesday, delivering remarks to the state’s House Commerce Committee, meeting with young elected officials and attending a reception with dozens of state representatives.

“I can’t tell you how many meetings I’ve sat in where we’ve talked about what we could do to retain talent,” Millennial Board founder Carol Van Andel told the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday morning.  “We all have ideas and many of them seem pretty good as we sit around a boardroom table.  But we were missing a key ingredient.  We were missing the voice of the soon-to-be graduates who we were seeking to keep.  In fact, we were simply guessing at what students thought, what they needed and what they wanted.  Well, I’m proud to say that we have stopped the guessing with the Van Andel Millennial Board.”

Casey Hoffman, chair of the Millennial Board, represented the board members and detailed much of the research that the group has conducted.

“Our research showed that talent retention isn’t a ‘this or that’ scenario,” Casey told the House Committee.  “Our peers seemingly want it all, and believe that jobs, affordability, safety, good schools, vibrant communities and multiple modes of transportation can be found together.”

Following the House Commerce Committee meeting, the board met with two young, dynamic state representatives who are in their 20s – Frank Foster (R – Petoskey) and Andrea LaFontaine (R – Columbus Twp.).  Foster and LaFontaine shared insights on what it is like to represent thousands of citizens at the State Capitol while gaining the trust and respect of peers, business leaders, lobbyists, etc.  The chiefs of staff for Foster and LaFontaine, also both in their 20s, attended the session as well and provided great insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts that make state government run.  One even had a lead on an internship for a Millennial Board member.

Following an update on the Millennial Board’s activities to the Michigan Colleges Foundation’s Board of Directors, the group attended a reception at the Michigan Restaurant Association and met with many of the elected officials who represent them and their colleges in Lansing.  It was a great day.

The trip was another part of the board’s efforts to see “the real Michigan” and provides great information to share with peers back on campus.  As we use the summer months to plan out many of our visits for the upcoming school year, we’re excited by the course ahead and what it means for Michigan’s talent retention efforts.

Grand Rapids tour stop: WMCAT

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Note: We’re pretty excited about the two-day tour of Grand Rapids on April 19 and 20.  In the coming days, we’ll highlight each of our destinations and talk a little bit about what we’re hoping to accomplish/learn at each stop.

Today: WMCAT

The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology does some amazing things.  From connecting urban youth with opportunities and new experiences to providing job training programs for adults, WMCAT is a shinning example of what can be done by dedicated individuals who seek to better their community.

Led by a young, dynamic professional, WMCAT has struck a chord with many in West Michigan. Here’s a great video summarizing WMCAT and its impact:

We look forward to hearing more about WMCAT from its executive director and touring the facility, it should be a valuable experience.

Grand Rapids tour stop: Kids’ Food Basket

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Note: We’re pretty excited about the two-day tour of Grand Rapids on April 19 and 20.  In the coming days, we’ll highlight each of our destinations and talk a little bit about what we’re hoping to accomplish/learn at each stop.

Today:Kids Food Basket

Kids’ Food Basket is a homegrown nonprofit organization that supports the dinner needs for more than 4,800 K-5 students each day.  The idea is simple – students need to eat dinner.  Yet many families can’t afford a meal at all and many more have trouble including healthy meal options.

KFB makes sure that lunch isn’t the last meal of the day for these young students, organizing efforts at 35 schools to provide 1,000-calorie sack dinners.  More than 170 volunteers help each day, and numerous organizations from around the community donate time, money and products.

The efforts are led by KFB’s dynamic young leader, a late 20-something who started at the organization as an intern when it was launched.  Today, she leads a dedicated team of more than a dozen staff members who do great things in Kent County every day.

People nationally are taking notice of KFB.  The nonprofit was recently selected for inclusion in a reality show pilot that is being pitched to major cable networks about nonprofits that make a huge difference each day.

We’re excited to see what can be done to help others when you put your mind to it.

Grand Rapids tour stop: ArtPrize

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Note: We’re pretty excited about the two-day tour of Grand Rapids on April 19 and 20.  In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight each of our destinations and talk a little bit about what we’re hoping to accomplish/learn at each stop.

Today: ArtPrize

ArtPrize is an open arts contest in Grand Rapids, Michigan and features the world’s largest art prize (cash award).  ArtPrize selects the winner via public vote, conducted through its website, smartphone apps, etc.  But ArtPrize is really much more than an arts contest. It is an experience that has completely changed the city, helping the community to see things through “new eyes.”  For nearly three weeks each fall, everyone thinks that they are an art critic.  You hear intense discussions at coffee shops, bus stops and places of business.  For Grand Rapidians, it isn’t a question of “if” you’ve been to ArtPrize but a question of how many times you’ve gone.

During our visit, we’ll meet with leaders from ArtPrize to learn more about its launch, growth, future and (most importantly) its impact on the region.

One thing is for sure, ArtPrize certainly has had an impact on how the nation views Grand Rapids.  Here’s one (of many) national segment that have aired regarding ArtPrize: The Today Show

Visit to nation’s “second best place to live in” takes shape

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In 20 short days, the Van Andel Millennial Board will take part in its most extensive visit yet — a two-day tour of Grand Rapids (with a short trip to Holland).  The trip is designed to showcase a diverse mix of items/organizations/individuals that make the city a great place for young professionals.

The visit to Grand Rapids, recently ranked “the second best place to live in the U.S.,” will include:

  • A meeting with the mayor to hear about city initiatives designed to attract/retain young talent.
  • Tours of growing nonprofits led by young, dynamic leaders (WMCAT, Kids Food Basket and Local First).
  • A networking session with more than a dozen young elected officials (state and local) and approximately 100 young professionals.
  • Visits to the area’s central transit station (The Rapid), a unique shared workspace recently featured in the Wall Street Journal (GRid 70), and the HQ of one of the world’s most innovative and inspiring social experiments (ArtPrize).
  • And much more…

We’re so excited for this visit.  It is sure to be an educational and exciting time.  Check back for updates on the visit and first-hand accounts of the sessions.