Did you know Kansas is #8 in volunteerism in the United States? That’s pretty impressive, but one organization won’t rest until Kansas is #1. That’s the vision of Volunteer Kansas. Its newly launched website offers a means to get there.

How do we drive Kansans to the site?
We tell them to Come & Give It, of course! Volunteer Kansas approached us to create a campaign with the same energy and impact as Do the Deed. And with Come & Give It, we believe we did. The campaign inspires Kansans to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Improving the lives of their neighbors. And their communities.

The campaign kicked off with an event at Exploration Place on September 9 attended by 300+ giving-minded folks. A ceremonial chair washing demonstrated that many hands make light work. Kansas First Lady Stacy Parkinson, who shared her and the Governor’s thoughts on helping others, was one of the first to pick up a rag.

Check out our video animation to learn all the ways you can participate in this new initiative. And then decide how you’re going to Come & Give It!

Volunteer Kansas leader and energizer bunny Nola Brown

The lovely and eloquent First Lady Stacy Parkinson

Go to VolunteerKansas.org to Come & Give It

Singer-songwriter Monica Taylor

Social Media Are Really All About Age-Old Motives

To me, social media is much more about making and maintaining connections than it is about telling the world what I’m up to this second. And that’s why it’s here to stay – we all want and need to keep a link to the relationships we’ve built. Here’s a small example, one that wouldn’t have happened just a couple of years ago.

Long-Distance Organizing

Tonight (Sept. 9), a group of folks will gather in a comfy living room in Portland, Oregon, for a house concert by an extraordinary Oklahoma singer-songwriter, Monica Taylor. This gathering is happening thanks to the connections of an exceptionally friendly fellow in Wichita, Kansas.

OK, the friendly fellow is me. Last year, I received a Facebook note asking what I was up to these days. I must confess, it seemed at first like a random mistake until a couple of rusty synapses fired and I realized the note came from an old college friend. I hadn’t seen or heard from Marlene since college, which was – well, never mind how long ago.

Friends of Friends

She found me because she’d heard Taylor perform in Portland and, checking out her website, saw my name on a few of the photos. We corresponded a bit, caught up with each others’ lives, and have stayed in infrequent touch. This summer, Taylor headed back to the Pacific Northwest and, at my urging, Marlene went up to chat between sets. One thing led to another. Marlene offered to host the house concert.

Another old friend of mine lives in Portland, too. I forwarded the notice to him and now he and his wife plan to attend the concert. I wish I could go – if only to prevent all of these friends from comparing too many notes about yours truly.

Do you have a story about long-lost connections to share?

Still pumped after the recent 6th Annual Working Well Conference. I was especially inspired by Dr. Will Miller’s keynote presentation on social relationships. He discussed the weakening of close personal relationships in America and its impact on our health. Miller believes that modern culture is luring us into a lifestyle of isolation and separation. We’re losing the strong social support systems that are fundamental to our well-being. We’re moving away from our families and communities. We’re distracted by television, the Internet and other activities that pull us away from deep, personal human connections.

When It Comes to Relationships, More Is Better
And, he says, we rely on too few relationships. One person can’t be the “emotional load of you.” You need a full array of close intimate relationships. The kind with “refrigerator rights.” People you trust and would welcome in your home. Those with whom you’ve shared experiences over time. Those who will hold you accountable. Those who keep you centered. Those who mentor you. “These are the relationships that help chisel you, smoothing out your rough edges.”

His words hit a cord with me. Wellness isn’t just about our own physical fitness and nutrition. Deep personal relationships require us to look outside of ourselves. They strengthen us, motivate us, connect us and grow us in ways we wouldn’t grow alone. They give us more than we can give ourselves.

What relationships help you be your best?

Greteman Group won the Working Well Innovative award in 2009

Christopher Gulick at Artworks
Chris Gulick will be taking his kinetic sculptures to the “One of a Kind Show” in Chicago later this year. If you’d like to help him finance his adventure, make a stop at Artworks, and pick up a specially priced Gulick of your very own.

ArtWorks in Piccadilly Square – Central & Rock Road, 6-8 p.m.
http://www.artworksframes.com

mobiles by Christopher Gulick

Monika Meler at Steckline
Monika Meler uses printmaking techniques to create one-of-a-kind works, often applying layers of image on both sides of very thin paper. Her time as printmaking professor at Wichita State was short – she’s moved to California – so this may be your last chance to see her beautiful prints in Wichita.

Steckline Gallery, Newman University, 5-7 p.m.
http://www.newmanu.edu/stecklinegallery | http://www.monikameler.com

prints by Monika Meler

Jack the Spokespanther

That’s the message going out to all Derby High School Panthers as they begin the new school year. The dapper spokespanther Jack represents Verus Bank’s new Big Green School of Money. This Verus branch is not just located inside the high school. It’s student run. So they learn by doing.

Derby High Finance
The branch is off to a good start with 40 students signing up before school even began. Students can drop in to open a free checking account, complete with a debit card sporting the school colors: green and black. They can also take a photo with a life-sized, cutout Jack and post it to their Facebook pages. (Jack has his own Facebook profile, of course. You can friend him and join some pretty enlightening conversations. Who knew things like ROI and APY could be so fascinating?)

Test Results You Can Take to the Bank
To help students become more financially literate, the bank will be posting weekly online quizzes that offer the chance to win some really cool prizes. Can’t wait to see how many Derby High Panthers become dollar scholars.

What do you know about Jack? Learn more at:
http://www.verusbank.com/derby_high_finance.php.

Jared Brickman

When Jared Brickman moved to Wichita a few years ago, he found a surprisingly robust arts and entertainment scene. But no easy way to find out about them. He set out to correct that by creating an organization that intelligently leverages the power of social media. Almost instantly, ROK ICT became the city’s go-to source for art and music. It popped on our radar because of its clever aviation reference (ICT is Wichita’s airport designator). Plus we like to know where the cool stuff is showing.

Jared’s a self-professed geek (how many folks do you know who played with PowerPoint as a kid?), an accomplished jazz pianist and an absolute whiz at harnessing digital media for effective promotion. As he puts it, he tempers his inner nerd with a solid business background and strong creative vision. Jared’s quick to see patterns and combinations in seemingly unrelated data. He connects the dots to identify strategic opportunities in social media, mobile and other interactive technologies. Keeping our clients on the cutting edge of the constantly changing digital scene.

Jennifer

When Jennifer Szambecki joined Greteman Group she described herself as a “compulsive joiner.” So, we have to assume she’s here because she really, really wants to be and not just responding to an involuntary impulse. Actually, Jennifer came in eyes-wide-open, having crossed paths with us many times since 2000 in a career that’s involved fundraising for a couple of our favorite organizations: Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Jennifer spent two years in Boston for another leading nonprofit. This avid runner lived happily on mile 24 of the Boston Marathon just down the street from Fenway Park. But Wichita called her back, and we’re glad it did.

First-Name Basis

About the time she become our newest brand manager, Jennifer announced she was getting married. Part of our jubilation was the thought that now we wouldn’t have to learn how to spell Szambecki. Then we find out she’s going the hyphenation route. Szambecki-Benninga. Thanks, J. Much better.

This young professional has no “off” to her “on.” She has a handshake to rival a campaigning politician’s and builds relationships as deep as they are plentiful. The Rotary Club of Wichita, Young Professionals of Wichita and her church all benefit from Jennifer’s big-hearted enthusiasm and electric personality.

A BA in psychology helps Jennifer probe the mind of the consumer. And she can tell if you’re telling the truth by the way you hold your mouth. At least, she says she can. Mostly her interest in human behavior and thought processes translate into a deep desire to understand her clients’ needs. Her favorite concept from Take a Stand for Your Brand is the call to serve as a vigilant brand guardian. Indeed, her clients can see this brand manager’s halo from miles away.

Celebrating the Legend of Learjet – and the Living Legends of Aviation – has been cool fun, baby. We had the privilege of helping market these two highly exclusive, invitation-only events. GG brand director Ashley Bowen Cook even provided onsite support. Not that we’re jealous or anything. What’s so special about sipping cocktails at the Beverly Hilton with the likes of John Travolta, Kurt Russell, Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman? OK. Let’s just say Ashley’s still walking on air.

http://www.livinglegendsofaviation.com/ •   http://www.legendoflearjet.com/

Legend of Learjet

Legend of Learjet

Training for a high-wage, high-demand career is now easier than ever to find. Our recent rebranding for WATC (pronounce each letter separately and proudly, please) does more than reposition and elevate the college. It captures your attention and compels you to take the next step. Learning more.

The new identity instantly communicates that this isn’t the Wichita Area Technical College of years past. The academic crest suggests a prestigious college, not a low-tech vo-tech. Wing shapes personify the school’s commitment to “Give your career lift.” WATC’s an open book, offering real-world knowledge and hands-on learning to those on a quest to achieve more.

WATC.edu

Sophisticated yet inviting. Elegant but functional. Signature Flight Support’s new digital efforts perfectly reflect the company – the world leader among fixed-base operators that nevertheless makes each visitor feel right at home. Drop your airstairs at any of Signature’s 102 locations and you’ll think they’ve been waiting just for you. And people are taking notice. Aviation International News’ annual survey recently identified Signature as one of the world’s best FBOs.

Exceptional Service

Visit the website, you’ll immediately find what you need – as though they knew you were coming. Moving aggressively to increase market share, Signature has been expanding its digital presence, while scoring a series of hits with fun, smartly aimed evites producing outstanding turnouts for promotional events at the NBAA International Operators Conference, EBACE and other targeted aviation functions. For those on the go, Signature’s dynamic new mobile site lets pilots quickly access everything from locations to up-to-the-minute news.

The Signature Flight Support website.

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