NKBPA White Elephant Gift Exchange Dec 9th

Join us on December 9th at 7:45am at the O’Connor Senior Center (611 Winona Street) as we celebrate the holidays as a business community. Not only will be recognizing businesses and non-profits for their involvement this year, but we will swear in our new board for 2023 and we will also have a White Elephant gift exchange!

Rules for White Elephant Gift Exchange:
In order to get a gift, you must bring a gift. 
If you are bringing a guest, bring an extra gift so they can share in the fun.
Gifts can represent your business, be fun or be special, the choice is yours. 

We hope to see you there! Happy Holidays from the current NKBPA Board Members! 

Note: If your organization has an event coming up, please bring flyers or information to be placed on the tables. This way our members have a tangible reminder and we can use it to publicize your events on social media. Thank you, this helps us to wrap up the meeting on time.

Not a member yet? Join today! Get your membership application here.
Pay at the next meeting, dues are $50 annually.

Questions, email nkbpa.info@gmail.com.

Raise Funds for Fulton’s Secret Santa

Hey NKBPA, this is one of our favorite meetings, so mark your calendar now for the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:45 am at Fulton High.

The next NKBPA meeting on Veterans Day, November 11th will be an auction to raise funds for Fulton’s Secret Santa program. The program gives Christmas to kids who otherwise don’t have anything for Christmas. If you have items to donate for the auction please email nkbpa.info@gmail.com. If you don’t have any items to auction, please come to the meeting with $$$$$$.

If you can’t attend, please make a donation. Donations can be made by mailing a check to NKBPA Attn: Secret Santa, PO BOX 27479, Knoxville, TN 37927-7479 or by making your donation by selecting the donation option here as you would register for a ticket.

PLEASE REGISTER so we know how much coffee and breakfast to have on hand. You can register here

We are also taking recommendations and nominations for the 2023 board that will be voted on in December. If you would like to be active on our board or know someone who would be great please let us know at nkbpa.info@gmail.com.

Give us your program suggestions and tell us what you’d like to see in the NKBPA, take our survey.

Join us on October 14 for Mayor Kincannon and Chief Noel

Mayor Indya Kincannon introduced Paul Noel as Knoxville’s Chief of Police. Noel is a 25 year-plus police veteran and served as Deputy Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. Mayor Kincannon said, “Paul is passionate about serving and believes transparency, accountability, and accessibility are key to being an effective leader.

“He is also a nationally recognized advocate for preventing mistakes and misconduct by police officers and I look forward to him bringing his experience and expertise to our city.”

Mayor Kincannon and Chief Noel will be at our October 14th meeting. Come learn more.

If you would like to sponsor a breakfast email Ethan Kirk ekirk@emeraldyouth.org.

Meeting Details

When: October 14th

Time: Networking and breakfast 7:45 am, meeting begins at 8, adjourns at 9 am

Where: Emerald Youth Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex Lonsdale (1740 Texas Ave.)

Mark your calendars – We meet on the 2nd Friday of every month at varying locations. Problems, please email nkbpa.info@gmail.com and let us know how we can improve.

OCT 14th Membership Meeting image

When: OCT. 14th, Mayor Indya Kincannon and Police Chief Paul Noel

Time: Networking and breakfast at 7:45 am, meeting begins at 8, adjourns at 9 am

Where: Emerald Youth Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex Lonsdale (1740 Texas Ave.)

September 9th: Dr. Jon Rysewyk, Superintendent

Jon Rysweck, Knox County Schools Superintendent

Dr. Jon Rysewyk returns to visit the North Knoxville Business and Professional Association meeting on September 9th. While Rysewyk was principal at Fulton he was also a member of the NKBPA and we are looking forward to spending some time with him in September.

Rysewyk began his education career as a teaching intern at Bearden High School, and went on to serve as a science teacher, department head and assistant principal. In 2008, he was hired as Executive Principal at Fulton High School, at the same time that the school was being reconstituted by the State of Tennessee.

During his time as principal at Fulton, Dr. Rysewyk led the implementation of small learning communities, which were designed to foster a sense of belonging among students and improve academic performance. Graduation rates rose significantly during his tenure, and the school saw students from every testing group make “adequate yearly progress” according to state standards.

Dr. Rysewyk went on to serve as the district’s Supervisor of Secondary Education and Executive Director of Innovation and School Improvement, before being hired as the founding director of Emerald Academy. In 2017, he returned to Knox County Schools, where he served as assistant superintendent and chief academic officer.

In 2007, Dr. Rysewyk received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. In 2010, he participated in the Leadership Knoxville program; was recognized by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal as part of its “40 Under 40” Class; and received the University of Tennessee’s William J. and Lucille H. Field Award for Excellence in Tennessee Secondary School Leadership.

Larry Cox and Homstead Inc. will be our breakfast sponsor this month. If you would like to sponsor a breakfast email Ethan Kirk ekirk@emeraldyouth.org.

We will be taking donations for VMC’s new Caswell Manor. See below.

Don’t forget it is almost time to elect the 2023-2024 Board members. We are taking nominations now. You must be a member and be able to commit to helping out for the next 2 years. We need good people who care about our local businesses and the community. If you are interested send an email to nkbpa.info at gmail.com

We are taking nominations for board positions.

These are the current Board Positions and their roles in the group:

Board of Directors Officer Positions:

President – Preside over both Board of Director and Membership meetings occurring monthly. A spokesperson for the NKBPA.

Vice President – Steps into the role of President when necessary and gives support to all activities of the Board of Directors.

Secretary – Records and maintains files of meeting minutes for monthly board meetings. Maintain a list of the current Board of Directors and send out reminders of scheduled meetings, sharing the agenda and financial report.

Treasurer – Charge, and custody of NKBPA funds.

Additional Positions and Roles:

Immediate Past President

Communications – Sends out newsletter and meeting invitations to the membership each month, updates website information, and creates an Eventbrite for registration and social media. Coordinate updates and information with the membership chair.

Membership – Keep a current list of NKBPA members and coordinate production of the Directory.

Fulton Liaison – Create monthly content for Fulton Radio and set up Business Spotlight recordings.

Programs – Coordinate monthly speakers and meeting locations.

Breakfast Sponsors – Recruit and compile a list of potential breakfast sponsors. Help with the delivery and set up of food and beverages. Collaborate with the Programs Chair.

Greeting Committee – Recruit a couple smiling faces to welcome folks each month. Arrive early to set up directional signs.

Fundraising and Events – Lead the efforts for proposed events and recruit the help of membership.