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Local African-American
Scholars Breakfast
This is an annual
event sponsored by the Indianapolis Professional Association in May
of each year. At this important event IPA highlights the scholastic
and other accomplishments of local African-American scholars. In
early 1987 IPA discovered that no other civic or community
organization honored or celebrated the scholastic achievement of our
local African-American merit and achievement scholars as a group.
IPA readily filled that void and it has been an extremely rewarding
and inspirational experience each year, for those IPA members that
have been deeply involved.
Youth Empowerment Breakfast
The Youth Empowerment
breakfast was developed in December 1988 in order to provide a
positive forum for youth, families and others to learn ways to
pro-actively deal with the educational, economic and other
challenges facing minority youth today. It is our intent to reach
not only those youth who are maintaining a high level of academic
performance and community involvement, but also those youth and
families who have experienced low school performance, involvement
with the criminal justice system, gangs, drugs and teenage
pregnancy. There are agencies, individuals and civic organizations
in our community who have worked with youth and families for years
regarding these issues, often with little recognition. We seek to
not only recognize these entities, but to also energize and help and
encourage them to continue work that is often frustrating and
thankless. We therefore make awards to agencies, groups and
individuals who have provided outstanding service to young people.
Such recognition also serves as a means of making the audience aware
of youth services available to them in this community.
Business Card Exchanges
The business card
exchange is the only fund raising activity which IPA sponsors. Any
and all net profits generated from this networking and social
activity are specifically earmarked in IPA's Treasury Records for
scholarships for IPA's Annual Achievement Awards Breakfast in May of
each year. None of the proceeds from this activity are paid to or
benefit any IPA members. IPA is involved with the sponsorship of two
business card exchanges each year, usually in June and November. The
usual activities at a business card exchange are the exchange of
business cards, food and refreshments, networking exercises,
presentation by a speaker or speakers, door prizes and recognition
of certain guests and supporters. The formal presentations are
timely, informative and normally pertain to the topics of networking
and economic development The overall program is designed to get
maximum participation and involvement from the audience. IPA has in
the past jointly sponsored business card exchanges and networking
events with the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce, Indianapolis Visitors and Convention Bureau, and the
Indiana Business Network. IPA’s first business card exchange was
given in November, 1987. The next event is scheduled to be held
on Friday, November 16, 2007, from 6-9 pm. Table sponsorship is $300
to $500.
Networking Brunch
IPA officials determined that
there was a need for more inter-organizational
exposure, collegiality, and networking among Black
professional groups in Indianapolis, and sought to
fill that void. March 28, 2004 was IPA's first
brunch, held on a Sunday afternoon at Bonefish Grill
in Indianapolis, and we were VERY pleased with the
results.
The first organizational
networking luncheon was co-sponsored by the Marion
County Bar Assn. It began with invitations sent to
representatives from approximately 16 local
professional, educational, social, and fraternal
organizations. To our surprise, over 25 were
present, due in part to extensive but free media
promotion and word-of-mouth communications.
Approximately 90 attendees represented those 25
groups. IPA received rave reviews for planning and
implementing such an important and auspicious event
for -he Black professional community. IPA has
sponsored this March networking luncheon every year
since its inception with a large attendance and
great participation.
Among the many suggestions for
improving what will become an annual IPA event is an
"organizational contacts" list. With this list, this
year's attendees or other interested organizations
could be shown with their desired contact's phone
number, business or home phone number, email or
(snail) mailing address, website link for their
organization, etc. In this manner, prospective
members or donors, groups in search of volunteers,
etc. could find, at least, a good starting point for
their search.
The Indianapolis Professional Association, Inc. seeks continuing
support from the corporate community for the implementation of its
programs and mission. Such support can include corporate membership as
well as sponsorship and specific grants for program purposes. A
representative of the IPA will be happy to meet with you to discuss
the best approach. |