Pick Group - Young Professionals of Riverside » News

Press highlights PICK!

brent — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:26:25 +0000

Praise, nurture young leaders


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07:20 PM PST on Sunday, January 4, 2009

By JAMES H. ERICKSON, TED STREAM and TOM HUNT

Many Riverside residents appreciate the commitment of the young professionals in our community, for they recognize that the future greatness of the city is determined by the quality and involvement of its youth.

In fact, many Riverside leadership organizations aspire to develop young leaders who are dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life in our community. But some have been concerned that there was not a group to which these outstanding young people might belong for the support and organizational power they need.

That objective has now been achieved with the establishment of the Pick Group. The Pick Group is an organization of 250 young people, all younger than 35, who have organized in honor of the late Chamber of Commerce executive Art Pick, a remarkable champion for the city and its activities.

We applaud the efforts of these young leaders in encouraging civic involvement through an increased presence on boards and commissions, nonprofit councils and committees. They are witnessing what philanthropy is all about.

The Pick Group supports education, the environment and the arts, as well as the strengthening of ties between the business and charitable communities. After all, it is through civic involvement that young people develop leadership and other important skills.

These young leaders are interested in making Riverside an even more attractive city for others their age, encouraging them to become involved and to live and raise their families here.

They are concerned about the "brain drain," where so many of the talented graduates of our fine local colleges and universities leave our region to pursue careers elsewhere.

The Pick Group is also committed to mentoring Riverside youths, establishing a "pipeline" through junior high, high school and college to lead them early on to civic engagement.

What has impressed us most about this young group of leaders is that they have backed up their words and their goals with concrete actions to better their community. For example, a number of the Pick members are working actively with Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, teachers in the middle schools and high schools of Riverside to prepare students for college.

They are also assisting foster families, and more than 40 of the Pick members have helped with landscaping and cleaning duties at the YWCA and Operation Safe House, a shelter for children in crisis.

The Pick Group also recently brought together some 70 community leaders to present a panel discussion on race and sexual orientation in its continuing effort to emphasize the critical role diversity plays in our community.

They are also trying to determine how they might stimulate greater involvement of young people in pivotal public-policy issues.

It is our collective opinion that the Pick Group is thus filling an important void by engaging young leaders in the affairs of our city. In this way, they will ensure a future of more enlightened leadership and civic involvement for Riverside.

James H. Erickson is president of The Community Foundation, a public, nonrofit corporation created to enhance the quality of life in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Ted Stream and Tom Hunt are with the local volunteer Raincross Group.

Ramona High AVID Thanks PICK!

brent — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:20:33 +0000

PICK members have participated in more than 100 AVID class presentations. Below is a Thank You from the Ramona High AVID program:

” On behalf of the Ramona High School AVID Program, we would like to take this time to thank you for being a guest speaker in our classes. We are thankful that you were able to share your knowledge and experience with our students about your career. You are a great resource and we appreciate your efforts to enlarge the scope of our AVID Program.

One of the most important aspects of AVID is the network that we build with positive self-motivated, and educated people who are willing to dedicate their time to our students. You are one of those very special invidviuals who help to make AVID the success that it is. we greatly appreciate your time and interest in our program.

You have helped our students realize that achieving higher education is within their reach. Our students identified with you strongly, they were moved by your words and motivated by your example. Thank you so much for speaking to our students. We hope to have the pleasure of having you as a guest again in the future.”

Contact Civic Involvement Committee to volunteer to speak to local AVID students about your career!

Pick Member Jennifer O’Farrell featured in Press Enterprise

Robert Frye — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:30:52 +0000

Our own Jenn O’Ferrell was recently spotlighted in Riverside’s Press Enterprise newspaper for her amazing work with The Arc of Riverside County and the Riverside EDvantage program. Part of Pick’s agenda is to create what we call an “Educational Pipeline,” a conduit for students to make the most of the many educational opportunities in the Inland Empire, and to try to encourage higher education, and reduce the brain drain. Jenn’s work has been instrumental in working toward these lofty goals, and it’s good to see the local press taking notice. Read the entire article here:

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_News_Local_W_winterns19.47cfa3b.html

Now Recruiting locally for Nationwide Dr. Seuss Literacy Campaign

test member — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:16:03 +0000

Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day is a nationwide literacy effort held on Monday, March 2, 2009 in an effort to boost children’s interest in reading.

If you sign up by February 20, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a classroom in the Alvord or Riverside Unified School District and read your favorite children’s book.

Now more than ever, the time you share with our local schools and local students makes a big difference.

Details:

Your business or organization will be recognized in the March edition of the Chamber’s newspaper, Greater Riverside Business.
No more than 2 hours required to join this nation-wide event.
Monday March 2, 2009 (Dr. Seuss’ Birthday)

To sign up or for more information, contact:

Angel Rodriguez – (951) 683-7100 ext.227, arodriguez@riverside-chamber.com

City Council Approves AVP tournament coming to Riverside!

test member — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:00:37 +0000

Mark your calendars for April 17-19 when professional volleyball comes to Riverside!

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_W_avp11.f93e24.html

Opportunity for Involvement

test member — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:03:30 +0000

The Riverside Community Health Foundation has established a collaborative among health and business professionals in the Riverside area to address our region’s need for a high quality, comprehensive, and streamlined system of healthcare. They have done so hoping to ensure our regions economic and medical health long into the future.

The collaborative is called the Health Executive Exchange (HEXEX for short).

The Riverside Community Health Foundation wants also to ensure that the specific needs and concerns of young families and citizens (who will reap the benefits of this work in the future) are accounted for and addressed in the plans and work.

In turn, The Pick Group has been asked to provide names of its members who would be interested…

For more information, click the link below:

in providing their observations, knowledge, expertise, perspective, and questions through their participation in one of the sub-committees as well as the general meetings. It goes without mentioning that this is a great opportunity to become more informed about developments affecting every sector of our city while deepening your relationships with contacts and other leaders in the community.

If you are interested in participating in this exciting venture and helping to shape the future of the healthcare system (from prevention to treatment) in our region.

Please email damienryanofarrell@gmail.com with your name, a brief bio, and your particular area of interest or expertise.

Please find the categories of sub-committees below with the dates of their next meetings, as well as the dates of upcoming general meetings. The Foundation will get back to you with more information on the meetings and your potential participation.

GENERAL MEETING DATES (Held at 7:30 – 8:30 AM)

Monday, March 30
Monday, June 29
Monday, October 26

The sub-committees are as follows:

Group 1: Healthcare Entities and Medical Institutions –meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24, 8:00 a.m.

Group 2: Academic Institutions & Health Education and Prevention –meeting Monday, March 23, 8:30 a.m.

Group 3: Agency Partnership, Resource Mapping and Needs Assessments –meeting TBD

Group 4: Business Leaders, Health Advocacy & Public Awareness –meeting Thursday, February 19, 1:00 p.m.

United Way Board Opportunity

test member — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:57:31 +0000

Are you a Pick member who is interested in becoming a board member for the United Way of the Inland Valleys? The opportunity to apply is open for any Pick member who feels qualified.

Read on…

The executive board of the Pick Group invites you to submit the following information, if interested in this opportunity, to help with the decision for selecting a United Way board member:

Resume
Short description on other civic involvement activities
Any additional information you may feel is relevant

Also please understand this opportunity comes with the following expectations:

Be conscientious in your role as a Board member. Newly elected Board members will serve a term of three (3) years, to begin February 1.
Attend scheduled orientation session.
Attend ten Board meeting per year (August and November are dark) make a generous personal donation to United Way. (Landmark Gift: $1000; Leadership Gift: $500)
Participate in the work of at least one United Way committee. Attend special events, campaign kickoffs and the annual meeting (1 hour in May after Board meeting)
Participate in the annual campaign; demonstrate your involvement and support with colleagues, civic group and others in Western Riverside County. Help to open doors for new campaigns.
Conduct an employee campaign at your organization or company. As a CEO or a decision-maker, leverage a corporate donation in addition to your personal donation.
Help United Way of the Inland Valleys achieve its vision “to excel at bringing our communities together to build resources for improving life in Riverside County.”

Your prompt response is requested. Please email Brent Lee at brentwlee@yahoo.com by Monday December 19th. Once again thank you for your time.

Vacancy on Downtown Parking Committee (Ward 3)

test member — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:56:14 +0000

Council member Rusty Bailey is calling out to all Pick members with the following message:

“Ward 3 (the area I represent) has a need to fill a vacancy on the Downtown Parking Committee. I know it’s not one of the more glamorous/sexy boards and commissions, but it is a start. If members don’t know which ward they live in there is a finder on our web site in the council section, www.riversideca.gov. ‘

Red Ribbon Night Fundraiser

test member — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:59:50 +0000

You are cordially invited to the 23rd annual Red Ribbon Night Fundraiser hosted by Marie Fritts and the Fritts Ford Family. The event will be held on Saturday, October 11th, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We need your help.

There are several ways for you to participate:

Purchase a table for 8 people for $300.00 for the Red Ribbon Night Fundraiser. You and your employees or friends and family can attend our fun event, which includes dinner, soft drinks, dessert, entertainment for the evening and a huge silent auction. Or, if you prefer, you may purchase a table and donate the seats back to RAD. We will then fill the seats with students and volunteers.

Donate a Silent Auction item. You may drop your gift by the dealership at 7990 Auto Center Drive, Riverside, attention: Bill or Debbie Chamberlain or you may call Debbie at 951-352-1610 to arrange for it to be picked up from you. Any physical items such as gift baskets, etc. would be appreciated. We also appreciate foursomes for golf, dinners or lunch for 2, overnight stays, tours, memorabilia items, etc.

Make a Charitable Contribution. Your donation is tax deductible. Tax ID # 33-0748536. All funds are deposited and distributed through The Community Foundation. The Community Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3)organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Copies of The Community Foundation’s most recent audited financial statements are available upon request by mailing your request to 3880 Lemon Street, Suite 300, Riverside, CA 92501 or call 951-684-4194.

We hope that you will join us in participating in this important community function.
Erin Phillips

United Way Day of Caring Pics

test member — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:01:41 +0000