Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of April, Union County Young Professionals (UCYP) is featured.
When and why was Union County Young Professionals (UCYP) started?
Discussions to establish a countywide young professionals organization began in early 2009 with officials from the Union County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Marysville. It was recognized that there was a need for a venue where young professionals could gather and network without leaving the county. Ultimately the organization took on the mission of “strengthening and engaging emerging business leaders in Union County” and currently serves as an avenue to retain local talent. We officially held our first networking event in January 2010.
Why should I become a member?
For UCYP, it’s all about connecting young professionals with the resources they need to succeed in life. This includes career and leadership programs and networking with peers and business and community leaders. We’re also involved with community service and volunteering because we believe that the key to a successful community is an engaged and active citizenry.
UCYP may be one of the newest young professionals organizations in central Ohio, but this is one of the things that make UCYP so exciting. We’re giving our members the opportunity to become involved early-on and guide the future direction of the organization. We’re opening our committees, programming efforts and positions on the Board of Directors to our membership, with the goal of allowing them to experience first-hand what it takes to run a successful organization. The skills they learn as active participants will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
How do I become a member?
Membership in UCYP is only $35 (or $25 if employer is a Union County Chamber of Commerce member) annually. Our application process is easy: just visit our website, visit us on Facebook, or contact the Union County Chamber of Commerce at 937-642-6279.
Tell me about your upcoming events.
UCYP’s events are as diverse as its membership, as evidenced by the two latest events: wine etiquette and sampling at a local winery, and a more casual social event where attendees learned to play pool and darts. Our committees are currently busy planning more social events for the spring and summer months, which includes a community concert and block party in Uptown Marysville as well as a countywide scavenger hunt that parodies the television show “Amazing Race.”
We’re also working on a number of initiatives that address leadership and career development. We hope to introduce Leadership Luncheons later this spring, which will connect members with local business and community leaders during casual, monthly luncheons. We are also researching programs that will address environmental sustainability, healthy living and preventative care for young adults, a multi-faceted mentorship program, and roundtable discussions of political issues that are important to young adults.
UCYP is a “work in progress” but we’re excited about what the future holds!
What are some successes or cool facts about UCYP?
UCYP went from proposal to reality in about a year, and we continue to grow steadily. We’ve noticed that suburban or rural communities nationwide have issues attracting and retaining young professionals, and even convincing community leaders that young professionals organizations are needed or beneficial can be tricky. Thankfully, however, we’ve had nothing but support and positive reaction from the community, employers, and young professionals in general. UCYP may be comprised of a diverse group of individuals, but we all have one thing in common: we recognize how great Union County and central Ohio is and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to stay here.
Where can I go to learn more?
To learn more about UCYP, you can visit our website, visit us on Facebook, or contact the Union County Chamber of Commerce at 937-642-6279.
To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.
Comments