Committees
Want to get connected with other young professionals in Alachua County? Interested in perfecting your leadership abilities or getting informed about what's going on in your community? Looking to become more involved with planning ACEL events and participating in the organization? ACEL committees offer all of this and more. We are always looking for volunteers, and joining a committee is the best way to get to know your fellow ACEL members.
Community Policy and Advocacy Committee
CPAC provides ACEL members with the opportunity to actively participate in their community through involvement in the public sphere. Its objectives are to:
- Educate ACEL members about the infrastructure and workings of their cities and county,
- Create a forum for discussion of important issues facing Alachua County and
- Create a voice for young professionals in their local community.
Committee members will interact with local policy makers, learn more about city and county government and gain event-planning experience.
Committee Chair: Andrew Romero, andrew@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: 2nd Wednesday of the Month, 6 p.m.
Meeting Location: Volta Coffee (48 SW 2nd St)
Community Relations Committee
The Community Relations Committee works to assist Gainesville organizations through multiple outreach efforts. We provide a forum for ACEL members to identify and participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities. Some of the committees signature events include March for Babies and quarterly blood drives.
Committee members will be able to form relationships with charitable organizations and get experience coordinating and planning events.
Committee Chair: Lindsay Krieg, lindsay@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: Last Monday of the Month, 7 p.m.
Meeting Location: Starbucks (4780 NW 39th Ave, West of 43rd St on 39th Ave)
Fundraising Committee
The ACEL fundraising committee handles both in-kind and cash contributions to the organization. The committee is responsible for developing the organization's procedures for partnering with businesses and typically takes the lead in active solicitation.
Committee members will have the opportunity to build relationships with local businesses and sharpen sales and fundraising skills.
Committee Chair: Kian Ostovar, kian@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 6 p.m.
Meeting Location: Bourbon Street Coffee (3773 SW Archer Rd)
Kickball Committee
The Kickball Committee's main focus is organizing the ACEL Champions for Charity kickball tournament, which takes place each February. The kickball tournament is ACEL's annual internal fundraiser, which also offers a unique and fun way to give back to the community through more than $3,500 in charitable donations.
Committee members will have the chance to coordinate and plan ACEL's biggest event of the year.
Committee Chair: Jodi Bennett, jodi@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: Last Monday of the Month, 7:45 p.m.
Meeting Location: Starbucks (4780 NW 39th Ave, West of 43rd St on 39th Ave)
Marketing and Communications Committee
The Marketing and Communications Committee's objective is to work with ACEL board members and committees to create quality communications tools for promoting the organization and ACEL events to the membership and the community. This is accomplished by various means, such as internal communications tools, including Facebook and ACEL’s bi-weekly e-newsletter, the ACELerator, as well as through acelfl.com and by building relationships with local print and broadcast media.
Committee members will sharpen their writing, graphic design and marketing skills while helping to brand the organization and get acquainted with local media professionals.
Committee Chair: Colleen Raccioppi, colleen@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: 3rd Monday of the Month, 6 p.m.
Meeting Location: Maude’s Classic Café (Sun Center, downtown Gainesville)
Membership Committee
The responsibilities of the Membership Committee include providing the leadership to recruit and grow ACEL's membership, tracking membership growth and statistics, personalizing and enhancing each member's experience within the organization and attempting to retain members by surveying their experiences and connecting them with involvement opportunities. One of this committee's signature events is Preview ACEL.
Committee members will have the chance to recruit and interact with ACEL members, shape the future of the organization and gain event-planning experience.
Committee Chair: John Malanchuk, john@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: 4th Thursday of the Month, 6 p.m.
Meeting Location: UF Hilton (1714 SW 34th St.)
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee has successfully hosted lunch 'n' learns with motivational speakers John Spence and Linda Cirulli-Burton and organized trivia nights with State Farm's Rosie Smith and Brent Christensen from the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. Through its signature events, Coffee with an Expert and ShowACEL, the committee offers ACEL members one-on-one access with community leaders and introduces members to local businesses.
Committee members will have the opportunity to meet some of the established leaders in Alachua County and perfect their leadership and event-planning skills.
Committee Chair: Tiffany Williams, tiffany@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: 3rd Tuesday of the Month, 6 p.m.
Meeting Location: Bourbon Street Coffee (3773 SW Archer Rd)
Social Committee
The social committee is responsible for organizing events that provide entertainment and networking opportunities for current and prospective ACEL members. ACEL events are designed to appeal to the membership's diverse interests by introducing people to an assortment of indoor and outdoor entertainment and recreational offerings available in the community. The social committee welcomes members to come to its monthly meetings and offer new ideas for social events. One of the signature events hosted by this committee is the monthly After Hours at Stonewood Grill and Tavern.
Committee members get valuable event-planning experience and have a lot of fun in the process.
Committee Chairs: Greg Forcey, greg@acelfl.com, or Kim Jamerson, kim@acelfl.com
Meeting Date and Time: 4th Tuesday of the Month, 6 p.m.
Meeting Location: Coffee Culture (2020 NW 13th St, between 16th Ave and 23rd Ave)
Executive Committee
President: Derek Lyons
Vice President: Ted Stover
Secretary: Bruce Floyd
Treasurer: Christian Long
Past President: Kim Mitrook
At-Large Director: Clay Gibbons
At-Large Director: Pete Zimek
Advisor: J.R. Anchors