I CARE. WE LEAD. COMMUNITY GROWS.

BY JORDAN SUMMERS,  CHEMICAL BANK, YOUNG LEADERS UNITED

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

As a first time parent, I’ve found one of the great joys associated with the job is the opportunity to revisit many of the books I recall so fondly from my childhood through my daughter’s eyes.  Few occurrences elicit more nostalgic sentiments than when she pulls a Dr. Seuss book off the shelf for her mother or I to read to her.  As many of you know, Dr. Seuss’ enduring legacy is on full display at the Midland Center for the Arts and Dow Gardens this summer.  A recent visit inspired me to recall some of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes.  The quote leading into this post felt particularly relevant as I reflected upon the efforts of the Young Leaders United (YLU) Executive Council to help cultivate a community of caring and philanthropically minded young professionals.

One of the ways that we look to foster engagement is through quarterly social events.    Hosting an event at Dow Diamond during a Loons game has become a mainstay on the YLU calendar in recent years.  This year’s event, held last month, was a collaborative effort with the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce’s MYPros group.  The event was a success by a number of measures, with over 140 attendees who were able to meet new people and to learn about the volunteer and networking opportunities that both groups have to offer.  A very special thank you to MYPros’ leadership for a successful collaboration!

If you are interested in our group or would like to learn what we’re all about, I strongly encourage you to sign up for our upcoming volunteer opportunity…Meet Up, Eat Up and Read Up. You can find more information here: https://unitedwaymidland.org/get-involved/young-leaders/.   

One thing we know for sure is that while Dr. Seuss was right that it requires caring individuals to initiate positive change…it is only through the collective efforts of such individuals that we can make the most significant impact. This conveniently ties in to the Young Leaders United motto, allowing me to close with a bang…

I CARE.  WE LEAD.  COMMUNITY GROWS.