Indianapolis Mayor and Indy Racer Lyn St. James to Headline 2006 Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference

800 BBBS Executives Expected to Attend

INDIANAPOLIS, June 26 -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) kicks off its 2006 National Conference on Tuesday, June 27 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown with a plethora of guest speakers, celebrities, and elected and non-elected officials. Indy Racer Lyn St. James, the second woman ever to compete in the Indy 500 and the first ever to receive the title of "Indy 500 Rookie of the Year," will highlight Thursday evening's banquet. Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson will help open the conference on Tuesday.

The conference runs through Thursday, June 29. An estimated 800 Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) executives and board members from around the country will attend the annual conference.

Other featured speakers include Eugene White, the superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools (see below) and Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, giving a State of the Organization address.

  Conference Highlights:

  Tuesday, June 27
    Conference Opening featuring Mayor Bart Peterson and Indianapolis Public
    Schools' Superintendent Eugene White (Noon - 1:15 pm)

  Wednesday, June 28
    BBBS State of the Organization Address given by Judy Vredenburgh,
    president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (1:00 pm -
    1:30 pm)

  Thursday, June 29
    BBBS Banquet led by Indy Racer Lyn St. James and featuring the 2006
    National Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year (7:30 pm - 10:00 pm)

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 234,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia. To volunteer or donate, visit http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org/.

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