Columbus Chamber Blog: Information about economic development, economic and business trends, Columbus workforce, programs, events and the Chamber of Commerce in and around Columbus, OH

Young Professionals Spotlight: Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club

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 August, Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club is featured.
 
When and why was Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club started?
Rotaract has evolved quickly in its short but dynamic history. In the early 1960s, Rotary clubs around the world began to sponsor university youth groups as community service projects. The 1967-68 Rotary International president, Luther H. Hodges, and the RI Board of Directors considered this club activity to have international relevance, and Rotaract was approved in 1968 as an official program for Rotary clubs. Several decades later, the Rotaract program has grown into a strong, international network of 7,300 clubs in more than 150 countries and geographical areas. Rotaract's 145,000 members are young men and women who serve the needs of their communities, widen their personal and professional contacts, and increase their understanding of the world.

The Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club was founded in the fall of 2007, receiving its official charter in May 2008. Columbus Rotaract is sponsored by Columbus Rotary which supports the club through mentoring, professional development, fellowship and financial means. The Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals has over 40 members.

Why should I become a member?
The purpose of the Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club is to provide an opportunity for its members to serve the community by participating in service projects that make a difference and to develop professional skills by creating venues to learn from proven leaders. As a Columbus Rotaract member you will:

• Contribute to the community where you work and play through a variety of monthly service activities.
• Build relationships with the Columbus Rotary club, central Ohio's largest Rotary chapter.
• Gain access to Columbus-area professional through quarterly development meetings.
• Connect with new people who have common interests through social events.

How do I become a member?
Just send a quick e-mail noting your interest in joining Columbus Rotaract to our membership chair, Kirstin at membership@columbusrotaract.org. We will send you an informational packet and connect with you to discuss Columbus Rotaract in more detail! You may also attend one of our upcoming events that are listed within the Columbus Chamber’s Activities and Events for Young Professionals weekly emails. Feel free to attend events to learn more about Columbus Rotaract before joining. Membership dues are $50 annually.

Tell me about your upcoming events.
During the upcoming months we have several events planned, including:

• Alex Fischer, president & CEO of The Columbus Partnership, will join us for a luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Huntington Building, Floor 11. Alex will share how more than 600 Central Ohio business leaders have collaborated to create a bold initiative that will position Columbus to become the fastest growing economy in the country. Columbus2020! is a comprehensive economic development strategy for our region to grow 180,000 net new jobs, increase income by 40 percent and make Columbus a top 10 city in economic development in the nation. You won’t want to miss this lunch! RSVP at www.columbusrotaractalexfischer.eventbrite.com.

Join us at these two fantastic events to volunteer for in one weekend, August 21 and 22!

• Junior Achievement needs help staffing its registration tables at the Bowl-a-thon this year! Join us for a quick shift lasting an hour and half, making it easy to squeeze into your busy schedule! Saturday, August 21, 4:45 - 6:15 p.m.; Sunday, August 22, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
• PELOTONIA is a grassroots bicycle tour with one goal: to end cancer. Columbus Rotaract is extending the invitation to volunteer along the route from Columbus to Athens. For various volunteer opportunities check out http://www.pelotonia.org/ride/volunteer.jsp.

Don’t miss out on the following opportunities to network and meet other young professionals as we venture out for two upcoming events:

• Columbus Rotaract will be attending Cocktails at the Conservatory on Thursday, August 26 at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 and may be applied toward food and beverage purchases. Let us know you’ll be attending at www.columbusrotaractcoctailsatfpc.eventbrite.com.
• Don’t miss out as we support the Nationwide’s Children’s Hospital Slice of Columbus on Wednesday September 15 at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $12. Let us know you’ll be joining us at www.columbusrotaractsliceofcolumbus.eventbrite.com. We will set up a meeting location for those in attendance!

What are some successes or cool facts about Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club?

• Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club golf scramble, a Round to Remember, has contributed over $10,000 to Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter.
• Columbus Rotaract partners with Junior Achievement and Columbus Rotary to host the annual Barons of Business Professional Development Luncheon recognizing Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame. The 2010 honorees include: Larry Abbott, Retired Chairman, Abbott Foods; David Bianconi, Founder and CEO, Progressive Medical, Inc.; Sandra Harbrecht, President and CEO, Paul Werth Associates; and William J. Lhota, President and CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority. Save the Date: Monday, January 24, 2011.
• Columbus Rotaract has featured key business leaders through its Speaker Series including Tanny
  Crane, Elizabeth Lessner, Cameron Mitchell, Michael Schoedinger, Jane Abell, and Andrea Cambern.

Where can I go to learn more?
To learn more about the Columbus Rotaract YP you can go to www.columbusrotaract.org or contact us at membership@columbusrotaract.org.

To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.

Citizen Engagement Efforts Strive to Revitalize Detroit and Cleveland

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Last month, I attended the Great Lakes Cities: Urban Laboratories, a conference in Cleveland for emerging leaders who are creative, forward-thinking, and devoted to the revitalization of their home towns. It was my third year attending this annual GLUE (Great Lakes Urban Exchange) conference to proudly represent Columbus. I was intrigued with two volunteer-driven movements to engage citizens in local policy, elections, and public decision-making in Detroit and Cleveland: Declare Detroit and Cleveland Coalition.

Declare Detroit
The purpose of the Detroit Declaration is “to elect leadership who will be our allies in a new vision for Detroit and to hold them accountable for upholding the principles outlined in the Declaration.” By signing the Declaration, individuals are making a personal commitment to promote these principles in their daily life and work. Furthermore, they are agreeing to help elect leaders who support them and advocate for policies that uphold them. Approximately 4,000 individuals have signed the Detroit Declaration Detroit Declaration and more than 12,000 people like the group’s Facebook page.

Cleveland Coalition
The Cleveland Coalition is a civic organization of Clevelanders working to create and sustain a more vibrant, healthy and connected community by building civic imagination, community participation and leadership capacity. The coalition’s events allow citizens to participate in policy discussions and empower citizens to take action through the philosophy of “Educate. Collaborate. Act”. The issues and ideas engaged by the coalition focus on quality of life, economic innovation and social equity. The Coalition advocates for these issues through partnerships with existing institutions. To date, the Coalition has focused on one issue, Crooked River Gaming, in which the Coalition’s desire is to make the casino successful not only for its owner and operator but also for the city of Cleveland.

These movements reminded me of local initiatives, efforts and organizations that advocate for issues that are important such as Casino-Free Columbus and the Create Columbus Commission (Columbus’s Young Professionals Commission). However, I’m interested in your thoughts. What do you think about the movements in Detroit and Cleveland? Are there similar efforts in Columbus? What issues or ideas would you like to advocate for in Columbus?

Young Professionals Spotlight: Friends of St. Jude Columbus

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 July, Friends of St. Jude Columbus is featured.

When and why was Friends of St. Jude started?
Friends of St. Jude is a group of young professionals working to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by raising funds and awareness. Through fundraising, social, volunteer, and educational events, our group aspires to be a premier outlet for philanthropy, networking, and fun for young professionals. The group is administered by a volunteer steering committee with support from St. Jude.
Friends of St. Jude began in Memphis, Tennessee in 2007, and has since expanded to forty cities nationwide, with thousands of members.

The local Columbus chapter was started in 2008 and currently has over 30 members.  In the past year, we’ve hosted a variety of events, from gift wrapping to a benefit concert to participating in the Village Valuables sale.
 
Why should I become a member?
Becoming a member of Friends of St. Jude makes you part of something special – a movement to end childhood cancer. Being a member signifies your commitment to St. Jude and helps you find ways to directly involve yourself in service. Additionally, members have the benefit of discounts at select events, receiving newsletters, and access to special social and networking opportunities.
 
How do I become a member?
It’s easy!  Become a member online at our site www.friendsofstjude.org and pay the $25.00 dues with a debit or credit card securely online. You can also attend any one of our events to pay for your membership by check or cash, or mail the dues to our affiliate office, ALSAC/St. Jude, 1135 Dublin Rd., Suite 100B, Columbus, OH 43215. Feel free to attend events to learn more about Friends of St. Jude membership before joining. To learn more about about the benefits of membership, contact Donna at fosjcolumbus@gmail.com.

Tell me about your upcoming events.
Our next event is “Experience a Night of Inspiration with Friends of St. Jude,” a fundraising party on July 23 at The Venue at Smith Brothers. This year-end culminating event will feature food from six local restaurants, including Cameron Mitchell Catering, a silent auction of unique experiences, a vodka bar, and more. Tickets for the event are $75.00 per person, and including bistro plates from the participating restaurants, drinks, dancing, and access to an exclusive after party at the Social Room. The event is open to the general public – tickets can be purchased online at www.friendsofstjude.org/columbus.
 
What are some successes or cool facts about Friends of St. Jude?
Friends of St. Jude is unique in the diversity of events hosted in the past year. From an evening at Park Street Patio to a proceeds day at Whole Foods, Friends of St. Jude is constantly looking for new opportunities to support the hospital. There is truly a way for everyone to get involved, and as a member, individuals can decide who much, and when, they can help.
 
Where can I go to learn more?
To learn more about the Friends of St. Jude, Columbus Chapter you can go to www.friendsofstjude.org/columbus or contact us at fosjcolumbus@gmail.com.

To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.

Young Professionals Demonstrating Community Trusteeship

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Young professionals (YPs) often ask my advice about how they should become involved in the community beyond participating in YP events and activities. I suggest demonstrating community trusteeship, whether that means volunteering for a non-profit organization or participating in a local leadership program. Why should you participate in a leadership program? Well, I can tell you from personal experience that leadership programs will help you build your personal and professional network, develop your leadership skills and prepare you to serve on a non-profit board of trustees. In fact, it helped to prepare me for the coolest job in the land as the young professionals manager.

As a proud graduate of the Leadership Columbus class of 2007, I had an invaluable experience during the 10-month program. Meeting and connecting with fellow classmates, such as Debra Penzone, president of Charles Penzone Family of Salons, as well as community leaders like my then-future-boss, Ty Marsh, president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber, was incredible. “The Leadership Columbus experience is a unique combination of relationship-building, learning, problem-solving, civic engagement and personal growth.” It was a tremendous opportunity that my previous employer supported as part of my career and leadership development. (I'm pictured on the far left with some of my Leadership Columbus classmates in the photo on the right.) 

A few months after starting at the Columbus Chamber, I was presented with an opportunity to serve on my first board – the board of trustees for Capital Crossroads SID (Special Improvement District) on behalf of the Chamber. I also serve as the chair of the SID’s promotions committee. I take both roles very seriously and consider it an opportunity to exercise my community trusteeship. I have a great sense of ownership of downtown Columbus and the community as a whole. I don’t know that I would have been asked, let alone prepared, to serve in this capacity without my Leadership Columbus experience.

Not all leadership programs are the same – some have no or low tuition, as few as 12 program participants or sessions on Saturdays. To learn more about local leadership programs, I highly recommend that you check out the following links (not a comprehensive list):

• Central Ohio Leadership Organizations: http://www.leadershipcolumbus.org/news-and-events/central-ohio-leadership-organizations.php
• Capital Club’s Ladder Society: http://www.capitalcolumbus.com/ladder-society
• Leadership Union County: http://www.unioncountychamber.com/leadershipunioncounty.aspx

Think about how YOU can be a community trustee. Apply for local leadership programs. Ask others about their experiences in various leadership programs. Be ready to serve your community. Columbus needs your leadership.

Young Professionals Spotlight: Network of Indian Professionals, Columbus Chapter

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 June, the Network of Indian Professionals, Columbus Chapter is featured.
 
When and why was the Network of Indian Professionals (NetIP) started?
The Network of Indian Professionals (NetIP) is a professional, non-profit organization dedicated to the overall achievement and advancement of South Asian professionals. The primary focus of the organization is to foster a bond among South Asian professionals to unite and support each other locally, as well as to give back and contribute positively to the communities in which they live and work. South Asians are defined as those with roots in the modern day countries of Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.  Memberships are open to anyone and we value a strong diversity of professional experiences in our membership base.
 
NetIP evolved in Chicago in 1990 initially as a small-scale forum. Today, the organization includes over 3,000 members and more than 40,000 subscribers in 24 cities across United States and Canada. NetIP has become a premier networking brand in our community over the years. It is the unequivocal voice for an emerging group of South Asians, who excel in every aspect of western society, from business to politics to the arts. The rise of NetIP and its affiliated chapters reflects a general “Coming of Age” by South Asian professionals. The organization focuses on four core pillars: Professional Development, Cultural Awareness, Community Service, and Political Awareness.
 
The local Columbus chapter was started in 1998 and has about 100 active members today.  Columbus is one of the most active chapters; in terms of activity it was ranked #2 across all 24 national chapters in the second quarter of 2010.
 
Why should I become a member?
Membership to the Network of Indian Professionals allow you access to both local and national events and special benefits.  For example, your local Columbus based chapter provides one hour of time with Human Resources professional that is trained in resume makeovers, interview coaching, and career counseling.  Your local chapter also provides a wide variety of local events such as networking receptions, cultural celebrations, community service opportunities, and regularly covers political issues that important to the South Asian community. 
 
Nationally, you have access to national webinars and live streaming events with South Asian leaders specifically addressing issues on how they progressed in their own development and taking questions live from members.  These leaders range as internationally recognized in a wide variety of fields- from Business to the Arts to Medicine.  In addition, we host an annual networking conference, which allows members to meet one another across our 24 chapter cities.  This year we are hosting our national conference in Seattle, Washington. In addition, as a national member, our organization helps negotiate discounts at a wide variety of merchants, click here for a full listing.
 
How do I become a member?
It’s easy!  Become a member online at our site here and just select “Columbus” as your local chapter- you can with Debit or Credit card securely online.  You can also attend any one of our events to pay for your membership by Check or Cash. We have a variety of membership options that can suit your needs- an Individual Membership for $30, a Joint Membership for $50, or a Student Membership for $20.  The sooner you join, the sooner you can get started on getting the full value of your membership.  In fact, once your membership is processed you can contact our Professional Development Chair, Suresh Rachuri, at suresh@netipcolumbus.org to schedule your free one-hour resume makeover, interview coaching, or career counseling session today. 
 
Tell me about your upcoming events.
Like most young professionals we also like to look at interactive ways we can reach out to those with busy work schedules.  We invite everyone to join us for our national live-streaming event: PrimeTime with NetIP on Monday, June 7, 2010 from 7PM to 8PM at www.humdesiradio.com.  This month’s featured guest is Chef/Owner Jehangir Mehta of Grafitti Food and Wine Bar in New York.  Besides the author of the book Mantra: Rules of Indulgence (HarperCollins), he was the runner up on the Next Iron Chef, which recently aired on the Food Network, and was also on the Martha Stewart Show.  Currently, he is on a multi-city tour in partnership with Whole Foods hosting Kids Food Adventure with Chef Jehangir, while he teaches children to cook and eat healthy.  To learn more about this event, please go here.
 
What are some successes or cool facts about NetIP Columbus?

Most recently- we raised $418 for Haiti Relief through an event that was kindly hosted by The Social Room, “Bhangra for Haiti.”  This multi-cultural event featured a networking hour with traditional South Asian snacks, and lively Bhangra music (typical to the Punjab states of Northern India and Pakistan).  These funds have been donated to The Grameen Foundation, a charitable partner with NetIP, where micro-loans will be provided to local business owners in Haiti to start producing valuable goods and services for their local communities.  To see our event pictures on Facebook, please click here. 
 
Where can I go to learn more?

To learn more about the Network of Indian Professionals, Columbus Chapter you can go to www.netipcolumbus.org or contact our Marketing Chair, Sahar Zaheer, at sahar@netipcolumbus.org.
 
To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.

Create Columbus Commission (Columbus' Young Professionals Commission)

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Did you know that Columbus has a Young Professionals Commission to serve as the “pulse” and sounding board on city quality of life issues? The Create Columbus Commission (Commission) is a volunteer working group that identifies strategies and tactics to better attract and retain young and talented individuals in Columbus. Commission members are appointed by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus City Council Member Andrew J. Ginther and Ty D. Marsh, President & CEO of the Columbus Chamber. As the Young Professionals Manager of the Columbus Chamber, I have the privilege to facilitate and support the work of this diverse group of young talent.

Yesterday, Mayor Coleman, Council Member Ginther, Ty Marsh and Alex Fischer, President & CEO of the Columbus Partnership, were invited to participate in a round table discussion at the Commission’s annual meeting. Also, six individuals were installed to serve on the Commission. I am pleased to welcome “veteran” Commission members as well as new members! The 25 individuals that currently serve on the Commission are (* denotes new Commission members installed on May 27, 2010):

• Lourdes Barroso de Padillia, Executive Director, City Year Columbus
• Robert Bickis, Jr., Real Estate Consultant/Broker, reSource Real Estate
• Amy Bishop, Advertising Manager, Dispatch Printing Co.
• *Benjamin Buckner, Enrollment Counselor, University of Phoenix
• Kacey Campbell (Co-Chair), Retail Recruiter, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District
• Kate Christobek, Student at the Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
• Travis Dent, Alternative Energy Resource Coordinator, American Electric Power
• Nicole L. Farrell (Co-Chair), Director of Development, Office of External Relations, Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University
• *Paul Haggard, Community Affairs and Diversity Director, Sterling Commerce, Inc.
• *Shannon Hardin, Policy Advisor, City of Columbus, Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman
• Dawon Hawkins, Sr. Instructional Designer, EXPRESS
• Leigh Householder, Digital Brand Strategist, GSW Worldwide/Pink Tank
• Kareem Jackson, Co-owner, Milk Bar
• *Steve Michalovich, Communications Specialist, Nationwide Insurance
• Jon Myers, Co-Founder, JUFTi Games
• Yakima Nelson, Special Advisor, State of Ohio, Treasurer’s Office
• *Elisia Newsom, Recruiting Coordinator, Abercrombie & Fitch
• Ken Paul, Legislative Analyst, Columbus City Council
• Greg Schultz, State Director, Organizing for America
• *Nick Seguin, Principal, dynamIt and Principal, weBuild
• Dan Sharpe, Online Media Manager, The Columbus Foundation
• Oyango A. Snell, Attorney, Oyango A. Snell Law Firm LLC
• Mike Valo, Investment Officer, Huntington
• Josue Vicente, Executive Director, Ohio Hispanic Coalition
• TyKiah Wright, Executive Director, WrightChoice, Inc.

Background

In April of 2007, Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting recommended a work plan for Columbus that highlighted three strategies related to the young professionals demographic: “convince the convincibles; connect YPs to each other and to the City; and build a City that’s a Talent Magnet for Young Professionals.” Under the latter strategy, she recommended that “Mayor Coleman appoint a YP Commission – including transplants from large cities outside Ohio – to serve as his ‘pulse’ and sounding board on city quality of life issues.”

The YP Commission, now referred to as the Create Columbus Commission, was formed on May 24, 2007 by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City of Columbus, City Council Member Kevin L. Boyce, City of Columbus, and Ty D. Marsh, President and CEO, Columbus Chamber.

The members of the Commission are defined as those who are “young” (e.g., 40 and younger) artists, entrepreneurs and professionals, and who are residents or employed in the Columbus metropolitan area. In addition, the Commission consists of individuals that are representative of the broad and diverse community of businesses, organizations and governments, as well as social, ethnic, and arts groups throughout the Columbus region.

The Commission is led by Co-Chairs, Kacey Campbell and Nicole Farrell. For more information on the Create Columbus Commission and its initiatives, please contact me or “like” the group's Facebook page.

Young Professionals Spotlight: Capital Club's Young Executive Board

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 May, the Capital Club's Young Executive Board is featured.

When and why was the Young Executive Board (YEB) started?
The Young Executive Board was formed in 2006 and is comprised of 20-30 Capital Club members under the age of 40. The group acts as representatives for the young professional demographic of the club working in conjunction with its governing body, club management and club ownership. Its internal mission is to help its members achieve professional development and meaningful relationships through programming, philanthropy and social interactions at the Capital Club.

Why should I become a member?
The YEB seeks to provide unique leadership opportunities to its members, invest in the Central Ohio community, promote the Capital Club, and facilitate relationships among club members. We do this by enriching our members’ personal and professional experience through committee participation via one of our committees (Membership, Programs, Social and Philanthropy), club programming and member relationships. Our committees are designed to assist members in preparing for and connecting with charitable boards throughout Central Ohio, thus making a meaningful impact on the community in which we live and work. The club’s programming as well as member relationships offer the opportunity to develop important skills and relationships. Given the strength and attractiveness of the Capital Club’s member base, the YEB is a great avenue for involvement in the club and community while being connected to some of the city’s most influential individuals.

How do I become a member?
Membership on the YEB is available to Capital Club members who express interest in community leadership, social responsibility and other specific criteria. Admittance to the board takes place via selection by current YEB members. Information regarding membership in the Capital Club and the YEB can be obtained by visiting our website or by contacting Kate Green at (614) 228-0225 or kgreen@capitalcolumbus.com.

Tell me about your upcoming events.
Most of our events are only available to Capital Club and YEB members specifically. However, keep an eye out on our website for upcoming Power Breakfasts, which feature influential leaders in an intimate environment and are open to non-members.

Also, the YEB’s signature annual charitable event is Monte Carlo Masquerade. The masquerade is a casino-themed, black-tie optional affair that offers a fun opportunity to benefit a unique local charity as well as mingle with lots of great people. This year, it will be held on the evening of November 5. More details regarding the event will be posted on the event website in coming months.

What are some successes or cool facts about the YEB?
Our successes are all results of our members. We have a great group of individuals who are accomplished in their own right, but are also inspired to achieve alongside fellow members. A few success stories… On the individual front, several of our members have been recognized on Business First’s “40 Under 40” list, most recently Kimberly Blackwell of PMM Agency. Collectively, we helped the club start a new program that we think we will be incredibly valuable to its participants and the Columbus community as a whole. It is called the “Capital Club Ladder Society” and it is a nine-month leadership training program focused on developing a young professional’s personal and professional leadership skills. Lastly, we are really excited about the philanthropic work we are doing. We will be launching an innovative board training and matching program that will assist our members in obtaining board seats on local non-profit boards. Given the amount of interest and opportunity that exists in that space, we are excited to be leading the way in helping young professionals meaningfully invest in Columbus.

Where can I go to learn more?
To learn more about the YEB, you can contact the Capital Club’s Membership Director, Kate Green, at (614) 228-0225 or kgreen@capitalcolumbus.com.

To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations. 

Appreciation for Cultural Diversity in the Columbus Community

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

In my last post, I offered that our community's diversity is one reason that central Ohio is tops for young professionals. There are several local young professional and professional organizations that promote cultural awareness and celebrate diversity. I recently attended a young professionals’ event hosted by one such organization, the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Columbus. James Sun, a self-made millionaire, successful entrepreneur, national TV star, film producer, and a community activist, spoke candidly about his experiences on "The Apprentice" and gave advice on how to achieve success. I was particularly intrigued to attend this event as I am Asian-American myself, as well as a fan of "The Apprentice" and "The Celebrity Apprentice."

After attending this event, I am reminded to be alert to cultural tendencies to avoid unnecessary miscommunication or conflict when interacting with people from other cultures. I try to take advantage of opportunities to explore the wide variety of cultural opportunities in our diverse community and in the world so that I can be more aware of how we all act, react and interact with others. I hope you do the same.

 

Having said that, I can recall a time that I met an individual from another culture and was unsure how to greet, dine and conduct business with that individual. Can you? As the home of 27 colleges and universities and many global businesses, the Columbus community is rich with many cultures. If you are interested in developing your cultural understanding, then the Columbus Chamber's upcoming Young Professionals' Exchange on Wednesday, May 5 is the event for you! The topic is A World of Understanding: Cross-cultural Communication & Etiquette. This free event will be hosted at the spectacular Grange Insurance Audubon Center from 4-5:30 p.m. followed by networking at the Columbus Chamber's Business AfterHours (a Cinco de Mayo celebration) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

Join us at this informative and interactive event to gain a better understanding of a few of the cultures that represent our community, learn some basic dos and don’ts, and network with other young professionals. All are welcome, so please invite your friends and colleagues. To attend this event, please register here. 

 

Young Professionals Spotlight: Union County Young Professionals

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.

Columbus is a Terrific Place to be a Young Professional

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Earlier this week, Portfolio.com/Bizjournals announced the results of a study in which they analyzed the nation’s 67 metros with populations above 750,000, searching for qualities that would appeal to workers in their 20s and early 30s. Minneapolis-St. Paul and Columbus were tops in the Midwest. This is one of many accolades our region has received recently. Just in the last few months, Marysville was named one of the most affordable suburbs in America by Bloomberg Business Week. Columbus ranked as one of America’s top wired cities and as a top housing market by Forbes. Delaware County was Forbes magazine’s #2 place to get ahead, Dublin was named one of the top seven international intelligent communities, and Monster said Columbus was among top cities for finding an entry-level job. On the other end of the spectrum, U.S. News and World Report said Columbus is one of America’s best affordable places to retire.

 

I could go on and on! I’m a life-long Columbus resident, and I think these reports confirm what we’ve known all along. The Columbus region offers the best of everything!

 

As the young professionals manager for the Columbus Chamber, I’m responsible for connecting and engaging young talent in the Columbus region. And I’m eager to share why I think central Ohio is tops for young professionals (YPs). Here are my top five reasons (in no particular order):

• Diversity. There's a noticeable respect for diversity whether it's religious, racial, sexual orientation, age, art, personal tastes, or other opinions and ways of life. Columbus embraces cultural diversity in its community leaders, businesses, arts and entertainment scene. The city is accepting of new people and new ideas as it's comprised mostly of  individuals who grew up outside of Columbus (fondly dubbed as "transplants").

• Easy to get connected. You have the ability to get engaged at any level. If you so desire, your professional and social calendar could be filled with a variety of events each week, be it events hosted by YP, professional and networking organizations, civic and cultural activities, festivals, or sporting events. If you are looking to get connected to network, socialize, volunteer and keep a pulse on the community, check out the directory of young professional and professional organizations. In addition, I recommend that you sign up to receive Activities and Events for Young Professionals, a weekly email with information that may be of interest to YPs.

• Living is easy. I appreciate how easy it is to make a life here. The cost of living is reasonable, travel time between locations is minimal, and the central location allows easy access to other cities inside and outside of Ohio. Whether you want to live in an urban, suburban or rural area; commute via car, public transportation or bicycle; or be close to shopping, green spaces or schools, Columbus has you covered.  

• Opportunity. Job opportunities. Educational opportunities. Entrepreneurial opportunities. Opportunities to make a difference. You can achieve what you want here. For job opportunities, be sure to explore Ohio Means Jobs. The Ohio Board of Regents is a tremendous resource for information on the state's educational opportunities. The Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides entrepreneurial development assistance and high-end business consulting to start-up and emerging business owners free of charge. TechColumbus helps start-ups grow, too. Volunteer opportunities of all kinds are abundant in our area. To learn more about them, please refer to number two above.

• Infinite number of places to see and things to do. Yes, even for non-Buckeye fans. There seems to always be a new restaurant or business to check out. I especially love the free festivals, concerts and performances such as the Columbus Arts Festival, Downtown LIVE! Summer Concert Series and Shakespeare in the Park. To see what's going on weekly in Columbus, pick up a free copy of Columbus alive! at newsstands or check out the listings on the Experience Columbus web site.

What does everyone else have to say? To hear why other YPs love to live, work and play in Columbus, check out the videos on the Chamber's YouTube channel. Better yet, join in the discussion and post your own video or add a comment on our blog.