A recent
study indicates that young, college-educated workers are
capable of counteracting an impending economic shift because
of their entrepreneurial nature and willingness to relocate.
The key for growing cities will be to attract and retain
young professionals.
Recognizing
that opportunity, the Eugene Chamber created the Young
Professionals Network (YPN) in November of 2005. The focus
of YPN is to provide young professionals with programming
specifically targeted to meet their needs for networking,
professional and personal development, community
involvement, awareness and influence.
The YPN
Monthly Event
YPN
meets the first Thursday of each month from 5-7pm. A typical
meeting features networking and some content. The latter
consisting of a brief training (up to 45 minutes). Content
is typically adapted to the demographic and has included a
host of personal and professional development topics.
Examples of programs hosted by YPN include:
-
Communication
between the sexes
-
Business
Law 101
-
Feedback
without fight
-
Business
Lessons Learned on the Golf Course
-
Tax
tips for young professionals
-
First-time
home buying/investment properties
YPN
Community Connections
Among
the goals of the Chamber’s Young Professionals Network (YPN)
program is to build future community leaders through
connections to the community and the Chamber. With that in
mind, the YPN Steering Committee has created YPN
Community Connections. It is held on the second
Friday of each month from 12-1pm at the Eugene Chamber of
Commerce (1401 Willamette St.). YPN Community Connections
features programs on contemporary issues facing business and
the community…over a light lunch featuring pizza. There is
no charge for YPN Community Connections, yet reservations
are required. (Check out upcoming events on the Chamber’s
online calendar.)
Governance
The
programs of the Eugene Chamber’s Young Professionals
Network are guided by the YPN Steering Committee and Chair.
How to
Participate
All young
professionals are welcome to participate. Membership in the
Chamber is not required to participate in YPN. However, only
Chamber members may serve on the YPN Steering Committee. All
YPN programming promotion takes place through regular
e-mails.
Contact
Stephanie Saiz, Director of Membership Services,
541/242-2353 for more information.
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