Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Okay. So if you're tuned in, you probably care about what's really moving the needle here in Memphis.
[00:00:05] Speaker B: Absolutely. It's good to know who's doing the work.
[00:00:07] Speaker A: Exactly. So today we're doing a deep dive into leadership Memphis. Using their own materials to kind of see what they're all about and what's coming up.
[00:00:16] Speaker B: Sounds good. They have quite a history here.
[00:00:18] Speaker A: Yeah. Let's start there. Founded. Let's see, December 1978. That's way back.
[00:00:24] Speaker B: It is. And think about this. They've trained and graduated over 4,145 leaders.
[00:00:30] Speaker A: Wow. 4,145. That's. That's a significant number for one city. What does that actually look like on the ground?
[00:00:38] Speaker B: Well, their whole vision is connecting those leaders, you know, to other leaders, to key information, and crucially connecting them to the community.
[00:00:45] Speaker A: Right.
[00:00:46] Speaker B: So the mission is really about developing people who want to make change, connecting them up, and then empowering them to actually, well, make a difference.
[00:00:53] Speaker A: And it's framed around equity, isn't it? Creating a Memphis where everyone feels like they belong, can contribute.
[00:00:59] Speaker B: Precisely. They talk about strengthening impact networks. Yeah, Basically groups of leaders and volunteers working together.
[00:01:05] Speaker A: How do those networks function practically? Is it formal groups or more organic?
[00:01:10] Speaker B: It could be both. I think the key is the ripple effect. People go through programs, learn stuff. Sure. But maybe more importantly, they meet other passionate folks.
[00:01:18] Speaker A: Ah, so connections lead to action.
[00:01:20] Speaker B: Yeah, Collaborations, new projects, startup. It kind of multiplies everyone's efforts. Instead of everyone working in a silo.
[00:01:26] Speaker A: Makes sense. Okay, shifting gears slightly, but related, the volunteer side, Volunteer Memphis. They're hiring a coordinator right now.
[00:01:32] Speaker B: They are. Which, you know, suggests things are active.
[00:01:34] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:01:34] Speaker B: And speaking of volunteers, there's that big event coming up.
[00:01:37] Speaker A: Oh, right, the Volunteer Memphis Awards ceremony. That sounds like a really positive thing.
[00:01:42] Speaker B: Definitely. It's a chance to actually see and celebrate the impact people are having. It's Wednesday, June 12th.
[00:01:49] Speaker A: June 12th, 2025.
[00:01:50] Speaker B: Yep, 2025. From 6.000pm to 8.00pm and where is it being held? At the Memphis Botanic Gardens. Lovely venue.
[00:02:00] Speaker A: Nice. So if people listening want to go celebrate these volunteers, how do they do that?
[00:02:05] Speaker B: Tickets are available. The best way is to contact volunteermemphas.org just check out their website.
[00:02:11] Speaker A: Okay, good to know. Volunteermemphas.org June 12th. Got it.
[00:02:16] Speaker B: It's a great way to just, you know, acknowledge the work folks are doing.
[00:02:18] Speaker A: Totally. Now, there's also been movement at the top, right? Leadership changes.
[00:02:22] Speaker B: Yeah. Relatively recently.
[00:02:23] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:02:24] Speaker B: Dr. Bobby White was named president and CEO that was announced back in October 2024.
[00:02:29] Speaker A: And he leads both Leadership Memphis and Volunteer Memphis.
[00:02:33] Speaker B: That's right. And before him, Shirley Ford was the interim president for a few months. So bit of transition there.
[00:02:39] Speaker A: Hmm. What does bringing both organizations under one CEO typically signal, do you think?
[00:02:46] Speaker B: Well, often it suggests a move towards maybe greater synergy. Aligning the leadership development side more closely with the hands on volunteer mobilization.
[00:02:55] Speaker A: Like a unified strategy.
[00:02:56] Speaker B: Could be fresh perspective, maybe renewed energy, combining resources, perhaps.
[00:03:01] Speaker A: And if you put that together with them. Hiring a new Volunteer Memphis coordinator.
[00:03:04] Speaker B: Exactly. It does kind of point towards future plans, doesn't it? So real emphasis on boosting those volunteer initiatives alongside the core leadership programs.
[00:03:14] Speaker A: It seems like they're doubling down on that connection between leading and doing.
[00:03:18] Speaker B: That's how it looks. Yeah. Strengthening Memphis through both developing leaders and getting people involved on the ground. It fits their mission.
[00:03:25] Speaker A: Okay, so let's try and bring this all together then. Leadership Memphis. Long track record, decades of developing leaders here.
[00:03:31] Speaker B: Over 4,100 of them.
[00:03:33] Speaker A: And right now, a key thing to watch is the upcoming Volunteer Memphis Awards ceremony. It's a real celebration of community impact.
[00:03:41] Speaker B: That's Wednesday, June 12, 2025, 6pm at the Memphis Botanic Gardens.
[00:03:46] Speaker A: And for tickets or info, you should head to volunteermemphas.org right.
[00:03:51] Speaker B: So maybe a final thought to leave you with.
[00:03:53] Speaker A: Go for it.
[00:03:54] Speaker B: How important is that act of recognizing volunteers? You know, like with these awards, how does formally celebrating that effort actually fuel more involvement and sort of strengthen the whole community fabric? Something to think about.
