Members of the Young Professionals group took one of their goals to heart over the weekend by helping work on a Habitat for Humanity house.
“Our group exists to serve our community, and to help people feel connected and become a part of something bigger than themselves,” said YP committee Chairperson Kristy Straub. Over half a dozen members of our group helped hang siding and soffit at the Habitat for Humanity house at 1906 Hubbard in Great Bend Saturday.
The growing networking group, targeted for individuals between the ages of 21 and 40, has also already made progress toward its other two new goals – fostering business and social networking and developing young leaders in today’s workforce. Two mixer events have met the first goal, while an ongoing leadership development series has met the third goal.
The volunteer work day was just one of the many things the Young Professionals group has planned to give back to the community in 2012, Straub said. The charitable endeavors started last December with a canned food drive. The group also plans to assist the City of Great Bend with the new June Jaunt event later this summer.
“In addition to name recognition as part of our group, members also receive discounts around town, professional leadership training, and their first year of membership at no charge,” said Straub. “We are working hard to overcome the stereotype that you have to wear a suit and tie to work to be considered ‘professional.’ Our saying is that anyone who has a job is a professional at what they do.”
Between November 2011 and the end of February, the membership organization under the auspices of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development has grown from a handful of members to over 160 in just a few short months.
New members are always being accepted. For more information, call the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at 620-792-2401 or visit greatbend.org/youngprofessionals.cfm