February 2025
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Joanna Peyton
PRESIDENT
Hello to my Scottsdale Leadership Community!
So much going on this time of year! We've wrapped our keystone event, marched through the Parada del Sol in great company with leaders all over our community, and now if you can believe it, class 39 is well on their way with ther Project Lead It Forwared (PLIF) projects!
To our alumni, do you remember what an amazing accomplishment your PLIF project was? And the blood, sweat, tears (and money) that went into every single initiative? Well, this year's PLIF teams are in the throws of it. If you're interested in volunteering or learning how you can support this year's projects, please see below!
We're also already building our next Board of Directors and recruiting for committees. Merle Riepe, our President Elect, is meeting with applicants and interested leaders to serve with Scottsdale Leadership. If you're curious, reach out! We'd love to share our experiences, and tell you about the diverse set of roles & opportunities we're building.
Meet Your
Board Member
Jason Glenn,
Chair, Outreach and Recruitment, Class 37
Good day all and I hope this note finds you and your family doing well. My name is Jason Glenn, and I have the honor and pleasure serving as Your Vice Chair on the Scottsdale Leadership Outreach & Recruitment Committee along with Nick Alamshaw who is the chair of the committee.
The O & R Committee is charged with the responsibility for identifying, contacting, and forging meaningful relationships with potential future Scottsdale Leadership class members. As a reminder, an ideal Scottsdale Leadership candidate is one who exemplifies the mission of Scottsdale Leadership by inspiring and empowering Leaders to champion and strengthen the interests of our community.
As you know, class members have the ability and platform to make real changes in their community while becoming a better leader. Scottsdale Leadership stands by the notion of, “Give us Someone Good and we will give you Back Someone Better!”
Do you know someone who may be an ideal candidate or would simply like to learn more about the Scottsdale Leadership Program? If so, please see below for the upcoming Applicant Receptions. We are offering three convenient opportunities for potential applicants to dive into the Leadership Program and have any questions answered. Or, if you would like to send in the name and contact information of someone you think would be a great candidate, please enter their name HERE.
Blast from the Past
Rick Kostopoulos, Class 37
Written by: Craig Miller, Class 7 and Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger, Class 16
What a joy it was to sit down with Rick Kostopoulos of Class 37. He is a warm, engaging man who rose up from humble beginnings to make a great life for himself and his family. He learned early on to embrace the need for change and actually use it as motivation to keep going and succeed. We were just drawn in as he described all his varied life experiences. One after the other they built upon themselves to create the person he is today. But make no mistake, Rick had to endure some very difficult circumstances growing up. He has the quiet confidence to know that whatever life throws at him, he can handle it, because he has seen worse. We are sure that his fellow classmates in Class 37 enjoyed his unique perspective on things, and we know you will enjoy finding out more about him and the wonderful life he has lived.
Mark Your
Calendar
NOAH Fest ~ Coming Up March 2nd!
Scottsdale Leadership members once again have an opportunity to help Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH)
at the third annual
NOAH Fest Carniival and Health Fair
Saturday, March 8th
Volunteers are needed to assist with inflatable activities (Plush Axe Throw, Basketball, Football Toss, etc.), midway carnival games, craft/coloring tables, and participant wayfinding.
There will be two volunteer shifts to choose from: 7:00am - Noon and 11:30am - 2:00pm. You are invited to join the festivities before or after your shift, and snacks, coffee, and water will be provided.
This volunteer opportunity is open to all alumni, current class members, friends, coworkers, significant others, and children over 16.
Check out this fun video from a previous year’s event and sign up to volunteer by using the link below.
Parada del Sol 2025 !
It was a great turn out for Scottsdale Leadership from marching with our float to announcers, and alumni on every entry! Special SHOUTOUT to Nick Alamshaw of Class 35 for doing a fantastic job as Parada Chairman! And great job Erin Krivanek and Larry Hewitt of our board ~ working along side of Class 38 volunteers as they designed and built our covered wagon float.
Heads Up, Class 39, they will be a hard act to follow!
Thank you, Long Realty and Ryan Rybarczyk for your generous sponsorship of our float!
Here are a few ways you can help the PLIF teams
make a difference in our community !
Team Desert Stages
Please consider coming out to support
"Pack The House" Night
Desert Stages Theatre
Saturday, February 22nd
Your $50 ticket includes enjoying the stage production of "School of Rock" and an after-party with the cast & crew along with refreshments.
Funds will go towards Desert Stages Theater's annual gala and relocation efforts.
Can’t attend? Please consider supporting this local theatre with a $30 donation to celebrate their 30 year anniversary!
Team Happily Ever After League
The Happily Ever After League (HEAL) supports mothers recovering from cancer with at least one dependent child living at home
Team Happily Ever After League is fundraising to enhance the organizations "Healing Farm" experience by expanding expanding space for families and adding new features to improve visitor comfort
We Need Your Support!
Please consider donating to help us provide more resources and a heeling environment for mothers recovering from cancer.
Our Fundraising Goal
$25,000
Every donation will make a difference to a mother's healing journey!
Team Playground Pals
Questions?
Contact Team Member
Lori Schneider
Lori@LoriSchneider.com
Team Playground Pals, in conjunction with Scottsdale Police Department, is updating two SUSD playgrounds in south Scottsdale. Our goal, through students and police playing Four Square together, is to promote mutual respect and understanding, encouraging students to see police officers as approachable role models while giving officers deeper insight into the needs and experiences of our community’s youth.
We Are Fundraising to Help Pay For:
Sports Equipmentand Supplies: Basketballs, soccer balls, uniforms, tournament signage, and other essentials for the events.
Student Four Square Tournament Costs: Ensuring equitable access for all participants regardless of socioeconomic status and tournament day costs.
Program Promotion: Raising awareness about PALS through marketing materials and outreach campaigns.
How You Can Donate
We are utilizing the Scottsdale Police Foundation EIN: 92-2262464 to build an ongoing endowment for this program. Please visit https://scottsdalepolicefoundation.kindful.com/ and choose “Scottsdale Leadership PALS” to select the campaign.
The New LeaderSHOP is Here!
We have great new merchandise in our LeaderSHOP! Check it out. You can even pick items that can be customized with your class number. AND, if you take a photo of yourself in your new swag and send it to Dana Close you can be in our new promotional video!
