Whether you plan to run, walk, or something in between, the 2013 participant application for our Dash for Ca$h event is now available and we want YOU to fill it out! Signing up in advance means you are guaranteed to get a SWEET tech shirt on race day (July 20th). Oh, and you save $5 if you get your app mailed in by July 8th. Click here now to open and print, what are you waiting for??

Ottawa Network of Young eXecs (ONYX) announced plans recently for several upcoming events, including an all-member meeting, family picnic, and 5k run/walk. eXec Connect, an informal networking event usually held the first Thursday of the month, has been cancelled for April 4 in lieu of the all-member meeting later in the month.

ALL-MEMBER MEETING

Scheduled for Thursday, April 25, an all-member meeting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at JJ’s Sports Pub and Grill, 104 W. Main St., Ottawa. Complimentary appetizers will be available as part of the social/cocktail hour beginning at 5 p.m. The meeting itself is slated to begin at 6 p.m. in the upper room.

The all-member meeting is open to current ONYX members and their guests, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the group or applying for membership. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, learn how to get involved in the group, and promote your business and/or industry. RSVPs are not required, but questions about the meeting may be directed to Robb Hasty at (815) 228-7253 or rehasty@gmail.com.

FAMILY PICNIC

A family picnic is being planned for Fathers’ Day weekend on Saturday, June 15. A new activity for the group, this event aims to involve the spouses and/or children of members in a fun and safe setting.

Hayrack rides, games, and a small petting zoo are among the activities to be provided. The club will provide the meat and attendees are asked to bring a dish to pass. Weather pending, swimming and/or canoeing may be available. For more information, contact Robb Hasty at (815) 228-7253 or rehasty@gmail.com.

5K RUN/WALK

This year’s fifth annual Dash for Ca$h 5k run/walk will take place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. Proceeds from this event will help to fund a newly created scholarship program benefiting local high school students.

Mail-in (paper) applications postmarked by Monday, July 8 require a $25 fee. Online registration is available through www.active.com until Monday, July 8 and carries a $30 fee. Custom-designed men’s and women’s technical shirts are guaranteed to runners and walkers who pre-register within this timeframe. Race day registration will also be available for $30 per person, though technical shirts will not be guaranteed to these participants.

Medals will be awarded to the overall male and female winners, as well as the first, second and third place male and female winners in each age division. Results will be posted online within 48 hours of the race at www.starvedrockrunners.org.

Group/team registrations are available, and event volunteers and sponsors are needed. For more information, contact race director Matt Skelly at (847) 287-1566 or Matt@starvedrockcountry.com.

The Times Red Stocking Fund provides Christmas gifts to local needy children, ages 12 and under. Last year, Red Stocking delivered gifts to more than 2,300 children and positively impacted nearly 900 families.

Many volunteers make this project a success each year. This is a fun and rewarding experience.

If you can help deliver gifts, please meet your fellow ONYX members and friends on Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 a.m. near the China Inn restaurant at 221 W Etna Rd. The staging area is actually in two nearby outlet stores on the far north side of that complex. This is a really convenient location right off I-80 with plenty of parking.

Rumor has it, some folks will be going for breakfast after gifts are delivered so keep that in mind when making plans

If you have questions about this event, call (815) 993-3995.

We will host an informal networking event on Wednesday, December 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Corner230, 230 W. Madison Street, Ottawa. The monthly happening, called eXec Connect, is open to current ONYX members and their guests, and anyone interested in learning more about the group or applying for membership. Special thanks to Events Committee Chair, Robb Hasty of Farmers Insurance Group, for coordinating this outing! Hope to see you there – no RSVP is necessary.

Last year, several ONYX members were honored in the area’s first ever 40 Under Forty list put together by the Small Business Development Center at Illinois Valley Community College. Among those honored were Karen Brodbeck, Brian Carnes, Dr. Brett Casanova, Jason Cavanaugh, Nick Fascetta, AJ Hauser, Dave Rabideau, Brianne Riley, and Meg Skelly.

This year, we were thrilled to see even MORE of our ONYX friends recognized! Please join us in congratulating the 2012 nominees, including Jeff Cook, Doug Patterson, Brian Riley, Matt Skelly, and Andrew Terry!

(If we accidentally missed anyone in either the 2011 or 2012 list, please let us know so we can give them a shout out here!)

Way to go!! Can’t wait to see next year’s list

We received a letter today from Linda Freehill, Administrator of the Health Center of Eastern LaSalle County, located at 315 E. McKinley Rd. in Ottawa. In her letter, Ms. Freehill thanked ONYX for the “very generous donation in the amount of $2,000.00″ to the Center as a result of the group’s annual 5k run/walk event. She went on to say: “This will go a long way to help many people in our county receive the medical care and medications they need. Your support aids us in meeting our goals.”

Robb Hasty, Farmers Insurance Group, has accepted the position of Events Committee Chair for ONYX and will join the Executive Board at monthly meetings starting in September. As Events Committee Chair, Robb will be responsible for recruiting other young professionals to help plan and implement special functions related to social and business networking, community involvement, and cultural and career development. A little birdie told us Robb knows much about good food, homebrew, firearms, swimming, canoeing, fishing, homemade ice cream sandwiches, camping, campfires, and fireworks. We can’t wait to see what he comes up with! Please join us in welcoming Robb to this new role.

PS: The Fundraising Committee Chair position is still open…spread the word!

Upcoming events are many. The group will host an informal networking event on Wednesday, September 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at JJ’s Sports Pub and Grill, 104 W. Main St., Ottawa. The monthly happening, called eXec Connect, is open to current ONYX members and their guests, and anyone interested in learning more about the group or applying for membership.

Night golf will be offered on Friday, September 28 at Pine Hills Golf Club in Ottawa. The outing will consist of five holes and the cost will be $20.00 per person and includes glow in the dark golf balls and mini glow sticks. Socializing and dinner will begin at 6 p.m., with golf to follow at 8:00 p.m.

The group will assist Ottawa’s Downtown Merchants with the annual Scarecrow Festival on Saturday, September 29. ONYX volunteers will be on hand to help run a fun, kid-friendly activity or two.

ONYX will also participate in Labor of Love on Saturday, October 6. Organized by the United Way of Eastern LaSalle County, Labor of Love is an annual one-day blitz to repair and rehabilitate the homes of the poor, elderly, and disabled. It is based on the belief that the age old idea of “barn raising” can be revived and applied to our community today to assist others in need. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for volunteers working during this community outreach event.

The group also intends to contribute to The Times’ annual Red Stocking Christmas project that takes care of needy children in the area. ONYX members have volunteered to help deliver gifts in previous years. More details will be announced as they become available.

The Annual Meeting of the Ottawa Network of Young eXecutives will be held Thursday, August 16, 2012. Join us for cocktails and appetizers from 5 to 6 p.m. The meeting will take place from 6 to 7 p.m.

Please plan to attend as we will be electing officers. Members who have paid their annual dues will also receive a member t-shirt!

This is a great time to meet fellow young professionals and help shape ONYX for the coming year.