Pensacola Young Professionals
| Pensacola Young Professionals | |
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| Mission | To develop the Pensacola Bay Area as a thriving and dynamic place to live, work and play by making our fellow young professionals and the community as a whole aware of issues shaping the area through proactive civic, social and professional involvement. |
| Established | April 25, 2006 |
| Location | Pensacola Chamber of Commerce 117 West Garden Street Pensacola, FL 32502 |
| Membership | 190 |
| Board officers | James Hosman, chairman Ashley Hodge, vice-chair ShaLonda Palmer, secretary Catherine R. Thornton, treasurer |
| Budget | $35,000[1] |
| Website | PensacolaYP.com |
Pensacola Young Professionals, Inc. (PYP) is a non-profit organization of Pensacolians in their 20s and 30s organized in 2006 to provide "networking, education and support services for young professionals"[2] and "to showcase the Pensacola Bay Area as a cool place to live, work and play."[3]
Contents
History
In November 2005, Independent News publisher Rick Outzen and Chamber of Commerce president Evon Emerson met with a group of about 20 young professionals to discuss the future of Pensacola. They discussed "being proactive on community issues, networking through social events and enhancing their leadership and professional skills," and how to succeed where defunct predecessor groups like Progress 20/20 and the Culture Club had "fizzled out."[4]
In March 2006 the group elected its initial board of directors, including chairman John Hosman and co-chair Chad McDaniel, and publicly endorsed the Community Maritime Park project.[5] It was officially incorporated on April 25.[2]
Issues and projects
PYP has several standing committees as well as ad-hoc committees to respond to immediate interest or needs of the membership. Teams include: Quality of Life Governmental Affairs Fundraising Membership Networking Economic Development Internship Pensacola
Internship Pensacola
In early 2007, PYP launched its Internship Pensacola program, a partnership with the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of West Florida. The groups found paid, 12-week internships with local employers that would provide real-world experience and six to nine credit hours.
PPDI
PYP partnered with the Studer Group in 2008 to create the Pensacola Professional Development Institute (PPDI), a self-sustaining leadership training program designed "to help companies improve employee retention and selection, productivity, and satisfaction."[6]
The 2008/09 schedule includes four conference dates. Quint Studer will be one of the speakers. The cost to attend PPDI is $400 for PYP members and $500 for non-members.
Hosted events
Political forums
PYP hosts occasional town-hall-style political forums where its members and the public can ask questions of elected leaders and political candidates. The first such event took place on July 24, 2006 at Pensacola Junior College, where 18 state and local candidates spoke to about 100 people.[7]
Pub Club
"Pub Club" is a bi-monthly social and networking function, held at locally owned establishments.
Forward Focus
"Forward Focus" is the name of PYP's bi-monthly general membership meeting.
Board of directors and officers, 2009-2010
- Chair: Leslie Ingram
- Vice Chair: Brock Dickens
- Secretary: Leah Harrison
- Treasurer: Catherine R. Thornton
- Fundraising: Nolan Sylvester
- Marketing: Melissa Chapman
- Legal Counsel: Megan Forston
- Immediate Past Chair: James Hosman
- At-Large: Jay Overman
- Professional Development: Kristine Karsten CIC
- Economic Development: Matt Fiebig
- Quality of Life: Liz Adams
- Member Services: Chad Stacy
- Networking: Marie Thompson
References
- ↑ 2007 Annual Report
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Electronic Articles of Incorporation
- ↑ About PYP
- ↑ "Shaping Pensacola's Future." Independent News, March 9, 2006.
- ↑ "Make way: New guard to take its turn." Pensacola News Journal, March 26, 2006.
- ↑ PPDI Fact Sheet
- ↑ "Group targets young voters." Pensacola News Journal, July 25, 2006.
