NEK CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP

NORTHEAST KINGDOM YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MAKING INROADS IN REGION

Group Seeking Members From All Over NEK

The Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network has launched a number of new initiatives and hosted a number of successful events in 2019 that have significantly increased the numbers of its organization region wide.

The board reflects the geographic diversity of the region, with Maire Folan, the program manager of the Green Mountain Farm-to-School office in Newport, serving as committee chair.  Patrick Sodums, the YPN vice chair, brings a hospitality background to the group, as he works as the conference and corporate sales manager of the Burke Mountain Hotel & Conference Center in East Burke. Rounding out the board is Sarah Chadburn, the group’s treasurer, who serves as a credit analyst at Community National Bank in Newport.

The vision of the NEK YPN is intended to be a network for young professionals living and working in and around Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

The NEK YPN hopes to provide valuable leadership, relationship and education opportunities through collaboration with community partners. The group has held successful social events, or mixers, to bring people together. It hopes to soon roll out some new programs that will welcome new folks to the area and provide more leadership opportunities.

The Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network was re-energized two years ago by Geoffrey Sewake after having been established by then-Northeast Kingdom Chamber President Hannah Manley in 2011.

The main purpose of the group is to serve the needs of young professionals, employees, leaders  and entrepreneurs of the tri-county region, who are hoping to find networking and social opportunities with others in their area.

The NEK YPN recognizes the word young to be dynamic, not static, and professional to be inclusive, not exclusive. The YPN welcomes all to this group.

The YPN has found there is a real need and for young professionals to connect. Especially for new young professionals, it can be difficult to find a social-support system. The YPN’s goal is to help facilitate those connections, both socially and professionally, and help YPs grow and evolve as important members of the community.

In the past two years, the NEK YPN has sponsored a number of events in the Northeast Kingdom and partnered with similar groups in northern New Hampshire in an attempt to reach out to more young professionals throughout the North Country. Such meetings have not only allowed more professionals to network with each other but also helped the committee determine what the needs of young professionals are in the Kingdom.

Individuals interested in finding out more about the NEK YPN may contact the group at nekypg@nekchamber.com or on Facebook @NEK Young Professionals. There is no cost to be a member of the YPN and young professionals do not need to be a member of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber or any other chamber in the region to participate.