River Bend NAYGN Chapter Earns National Recognition

The River Bend North American Young Generation in Nuclear chapter received one of the organization’s highest honors while at the national conference in Scottsdale, AZ. In an awards ceremony May 19, the River Bend Chapter was awarded best chapter in North America for their achievements in 2013. The chapter also won the first ever innovation competition, which has provided them the opportunity to turn their innovative idea for knowledge transfer at your fingertips into a reality.

[caption id="attachment_3369" align="alignnone" width="640"]Pictured Left to Right: Orlando Rivera Luna, 2014 RBS Chapter Chair; Natalie Wood, Entergy Southern Fleet NAYGN Vice President; Katie Damratoski, 2013 RBS Chapter Chair and 2014 Entergy Fleet NAYGN President; Shonique Miller, 2014 Innovation Competition Presenter; and Rob Barrios, 2014 RBS Chapter Co-Chair. Pictured Left to Right: Orlando Rivera Luna, 2014 RBS Chapter Chair; Natalie Wood, Entergy Southern Fleet NAYGN Vice President; Katie Damratoski, 2013 RBS Chapter Chair and 2014 Entergy Fleet NAYGN President; Shonique Miller, 2014 Innovation Competition Presenter; and Rob Barrios, 2014 RBS Chapter Co-Chair.[/caption]

With over 2,000 hours logged by its members in the areas of public outreach, professional development, community service and networking, River Bend far exceeded their personal goals and expectations set forth by site leadership.

“I met with the organization following the national convention in 2013 to celebrate and congratulate them on their hard work the previous year,” commented Site Vice President Eric Olson. “They had just received an award for best chapter in the southeast region for their performance in 2012 and I challenged them to reach 1,000 hours in 2013. Though I had no idea they would take this challenge and smash it, I had no doubt that this group of young professionals would be successful in meeting it and making a difference while doing so. I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved and look forward to seeing what they will do next.” 
The River Bend chapter put a special focus on building a trusting team by increasing their social activities, which would in turn increase the morale and drive of the entire organization.

[caption id="attachment_3366" align="alignnone" width="640"]Chapter Members Educate Kids about Energy on Earth Day Chapter Members Educate Kids about Energy on Earth Day[/caption]

“We made a conscious effort to increase the amount of activities, both social and philanthropic, and to have fun while doing it,” commented 2013 chapter chair Katie Damratoski. “It is incredible what you can do when you get a group of people to rally behind a challenge. Our goal was not just to exceed Eric’s challenge, but to earn the best chapter award, and we did it!  I couldn’t have asked for a more engaged and active group of individuals, no matter what the event or cause, we always had members willing to participate.”

So what exactly did they do? Here is a brief glimpse into some of the activities the young professionals at River Bend tackled with zeal on their quest to be the best.

[caption id="attachment_3365" align="alignnone" width="480"]Entergy Employees at the Color Run Benefitting the Global Citizen Organization Entergy Employees at the Color Run Benefitting the Global Citizen Organization[/caption]

In the area of professional development the chapter continued a series of lunch and learns entitled “What it Takes to Be” where site leadership would share with the group their lessons learned and experiences throughout their careers. Members also participated in multiple professional development webinars throughout the year and championed the site’s summer intern program.

Chapter leadership constantly solicited members for ideas for social activities, allowing everyone to participate in something they enjoyed.  Activities ranged from recreational football games, running clubs and beer tasting events to concerts and charity galas.

[caption id="attachment_3367" align="alignnone" width="300"]Entergy Chapter Members Help Local Girl Scouts Earn a Badge Entergy Chapter Members Help Local Girl Scouts Earn a Badge[/caption]

Community service projects included volunteer hours and money raised to benefit the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, St. Jude, childhood literacy, art education, drug and alcohol awareness and children in foster care. The chapter served as the host and organizer for the station’s Children’s Christmas party for plant employees and their families.

[caption id="attachment_3364" align="alignnone" width="640"]Entergy Collects Big for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Toy Drive Entergy Collects Big for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Toy Drive[/caption]

The biggest event for their public outreach in 2013 was their first annual recycled fashion show during national nuclear science week. This event involved over 80 local students from elementary to high school. Through their partnership with the local school art teachers the concept of recycled fashion and renewable energy was introduced into the classroom.

[caption id="attachment_3368" align="alignnone" width="571"]Chapter Members Bike for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Chapter Members Bike for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)[/caption]

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including more than 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power, making it one of the nation’s leading nuclear generators. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $11 billion and approximately 14,000 employees.

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