YMF

Table of Contents

• Group Photo and Summer Social (September 2019)
• Board Members Attend the ASCE YMLS (August 2019)
• Life Do Grow Service Day (August 2019)
• Phillies Game and Tailgate (July 2019)
• Ben Franklin Bridge Tour and Presentation (June 2019)
• Election Happy Hour (May 2019)
• Volunteer Cleanup on the Schuylkill River Trail (May 2019)

Group Photo and Summer Social - September 5, 2019

The YMF gathered at Urban Village Brewing Co. in Northern Liberties to celebrate the final days of summer with its annual group photo and networking social. After posing for a group photo with the Urban Village murals in the background, the nearly 60 attendees proceeded to enjoy appetizers and drinks amongst the company of their fellow members and colleagues, as well as pose for additional photos of alumni and students from many of the local colleges. With perfect weather, a beautiful sunset, and many pins and stickers handed out, the event was a complete success!

Board Members Attend the ASCE YMLS - August 2019

Several members of our Board took part in the 2019 edition of the ASCE Younger Member Leadership Symposia (YMLS) at ASCE Headquarters in Reston, Virginia. Session 1 was held August 9 - 11 and Session 2 was held August 23 - 25. Two of our Board members, Joe Natale and Dennis Wilson, were directly involved in the planning and organizing of the weekend. Board members CJ Medora and Dani Schroeder attended YMLS for the first time this year. The Symposium included excellent sessions on a wide range of topics including developing your personal vision, influencing corporate culture, and strategic networking. During these weekends, the Board members in attendance were able to connect with colleagues from the many different YMFs and YMGs around the globe and bring back exciting new ideas to our local Section.

For more information on the ASCE YMLS, visit ASCE's website.

Life Do Grow Service Day - August 17, 2019

In collaboration with Urban Creators, ASCE YMF volunteered at Life Do Grow farm on Saturday, August 17th. The farm is located a couple blocks north of Temple University, nestled against a Septa regional rail retaining wall. You’ll know you’re there once you start to see colorful murals, solar panels, painted signs, and sunflowers. But that’s not all. At Life Do Grow farm you can find jalapenos, bell peppers, sweet peppers, scotch bonnet, watermelon, carrots, tomatoes, basil, mint, lavender, thyme, beets and more depending on the season.

After greeting us, Alex, one of the farms founders, and Jovon, a farm manager, brought everyone into the farms kitchen. They started by giving us a background of the farm. It all started when how group of community members and curious Temple students got together with a vision for the land which at the time was serving as a public dump. Today the land has flourished into a self-sustaining farm.

Most of what we accomplished on Saturday was in preparation for an event they were having the next day. We first helped clean up and organize the kitchen and classroom areas in preparation for a chef that would preparing with the vegetables and herbs found on the farm. Then we moved a pile of compost between the office and tool shed to make way for a seating area where guest could come and listen to a DJ that would be playing the next day. Finally, we got to weed two rows of a variety of peppers. Some of the weeds had become entangled with the peppers and were drawing precious nutrients away from the peppers.

Throughout all of these activities, Jovon and Alex were sweating right there next to us. They answered questions about the history of the farm, the neighborhood, and the different projects that have launched from service days like ours on the farm. At the end of the day we were sweaty, covered in dirt, exhausted, smiling, and laughing. Thanks to Alex and Jovon for hosting us at their farm. We hope to be back soon.

Click the picture below for more photos from this event!

Our Volunteers working hard!

Phillies Game and Tailgate - July 26, 2019

On Friday, July 26th, the ASCE Philadelphia YMF hosted their annual Phillies Game and Tailgate event. The event was well attended, with over 100 attendees ranging from college students to section members. The weather was perfect and the tailgate was very well received. Thanks to everyone who came out and made for a great end of year event!

Ben Franklin Bridge Tour and Presentation - June 4, 2019

On Tuesday June 4, 2019 ASCE Philadelphia YMF held a tour of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Mike Venuto and Mike Howard led a presentation on the history of the planning, design, and construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The tour then started on the new pedestrian and bicycle ramp for the south walkway that had just opened earlier that morning. The tour continued onto the bridge and into an exclusive room within one of the towers.

The tour concluded with a walk over the bridge into Philadelphia and refreshments at La Peg.

Click the picture below for more photos from YMF events!

Election Happy Hour - May 30, 2019

On Thursday, May 30th, 2019, the ASCE Philadelphia YMF held the annual election happy hour and younger members of the ASCE Philadelphia Section were able to vote to elect the upcoming year's Executive Board (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer). Following the election, the incoming, current, and past Presidents met to appoint members to fill the other Board positions. These appointed individuals typically either held a Board position previously or reached out to express interest in serving on the Board this past April/May. All elected and appointed Board members serve a one-year term, which began on June 1st.

Volunteer Cleanup on the Schuylkill River Trail - May 25, 2019

On Saturday, May 25th, 2019, ASCE YMF board members Kevin Brown, Joe Natale, and CJ Medora, along with 5 other volunteers, and Blaise Syrnick from the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, spent the afternoon performing trail maintenance, repairs, clearing and grubbing, and cleanup of the Bartram’s Mile section of the Schuylkill River Trail. After a close battle with a snake, and lots of branches, the group took in some well-deserved sights of the new trail construction along the SRT. Look for the next community service event later this summer, as well as other volunteer opportunities with the YMF Outreach Committee!

Click the picture below for more photos from YMF events!