Young Professionals (YP's) are primarily 20-somethings/30-somethings, who are "knowledge workers" employed in fields that require computers, science, or design skills at a high level. YPs don the suit and tie, as well as the dread-locks. They are a varied and vibrant community.

However, (community and economic developers take note) a common thread emerges: YPs are looking for a superior quality of life. YPs look for a place to live first, and then they find or create jobs.

Smart Cities Stem the "Brain Drain" by Attracting and Retaining YPs

Stemming the "brain drain" and attracting and retaining YPs makes good sense for communities and states. In today's economy, companies want to locate where they can attract their ideal workforces. YPs work long hours and demand few benefits. They pay high taxes and ask for few services.

And the YPs in Oklahoma aren't waiting around for someone else to create a place for them. They are an energetic lot focused on making things happen. They may differ slightly in the way they structure their groups, but they all show a refreshing enthusiasm and exuberance for their communities.

They work with their chambers and economic development agencies to retain and attract young talent; volunteer; raise funds to support the arts and public attractions; sponsor art, music, and sporting events that draw tourists from around the country; and don t-shirts and donate banners that market and promote their cities and the state.

The following provides a brief look at the YP groups currently active in our state: 

Alliance of Emerging Professionals (AEP), Oklahoma City

This YP organization's mission statement reads: "Lead by example, champion a cause, cultivate a passion." Although not formally aligned with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the group is a member.

AEP, which is currently raising money to fund activities, likes to promote Oklahoma City's growing number of sports and recreational activities, including the recent 2007 USA Rowing World Challenge on the Oklahoma River featuring top rowing talent from around the world in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

By getting involved with these types of events--either as volunteers or spectators--"YPs help create buzz," says Joshua Fahrenbruck, AEP Chairman.

"There is a tremendous amount of vibrancy in Oklahoma City," he says. "We are an up-and-coming, progressive city, and we want to promote that image across the state and across the country."

AEP holds monthly general meetings, which typically feature community and business leaders; a monthly social gathering that highlights an Oklahoma City night spot or other recreational venue such as Lake Hefner; and participates in service projects, including community clean-up days and its annual Kids Day with Big Brothers & Big Sisters.

Ardmore Young Professionals Organization (AYPO)

With senior economic development leadership recognized internationally for their drive, innovation, and results, the Ardmore Young Professionals Organization (AYPO) hopes to further strengthen that reputation as it recruits and prepares the community's next generation of leaders.

An official membership drive, which started earlier this year and runs until the end of January 2008, has brought 115 of the community's YPsinto the organization. However, more than 600 YPs receive the e-newsletter and participate in volunteer activities, fundraisers, and networking events.

"As we started hearing and reading about these groups forming all over the country and the state, we realized, with some impact, that our phenomenal leadership will someday retire," says Elizabeth Crowley, AYPO Co-Chair. "Who will replace them? By forming AYPO, we're answering our own question."

AYPO launched in late 2006 with the full support of the Ardmore Economic Development Authority and Ardmore Chamber of Commerce. The organization, Crowley says, also received moral support and guidance from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

AYPO formally aligns with Ardmore's chamber and economic development authority and strives to fully integrate Ardmore's many YP transplants into the community.

Crowley says Ardmore's businesses, including Dot Foods, IMTEC Corp., Michelin North America, Mercy Memorial Health Center, the Noble Foundation, and Southwest Silicon Technologies, see the benefit in having "rooted" employees who value their community and encourage them to participate and join AYPO.

For more information, visit www.ardmoreyp.com.  

Norman NEXT
For young professionals in the Norman area who are between the ages of 21 and 40, Norman NEXT hosts monthly evening networking events and monthly lunheons. Member committees are: Marketing, Next Generation Leadership, Government Relations, and Special Events.

Find out more at www.normannext.com.

Tulsa's Young Professionals (TYPros), Tulsa

Launched in 2005 by the Tulsa Metro Chamber, this YP group now has more than 2,000 members--three of whom serve on the chamber's board of directors. Through its ongoing marketing campaign, "I am Tulsa," the group strives to market the city and rekindle pride.

The group organizes around a leadership team and nine "crews," which include a Government Relations crew focused on getting YPs involved with local and state politics and an Entrepreneurship crew dedicated to making Tulsa a "destination city for the best and brightest entrepreneurs…revitalizing Tulsa's passion for creativity, intellectual capital, and job creation."

To help bring this about, the Entrepreneurship crew is exploring funding opportunities and developing plans for a business incubator designed to offer seed capital, consultation, and other services to innovative YPs.

The group's Colleges & Universities crew works with area educational institutions to promote Tulsa and the benefits of staying in Oklahoma after graduation--reminding them that a low-cost of living means that here, "you work to live, not live to work." The crew also works with area businesses, encouraging them to establish internships for students and recent graduates. The crew posts internship openings on its new interntulsa.com website.

"In less than two years, we went from 200 members to more than 2,000 members," says Chairman Marnie Ducato. "We represent an important demographic. We have a seat at the table with community leaders, and our opinions are valued and sought after."

For more information about TYPros, visit www.typros.org.

Young Professionals of Bartlesville, Bartlesville

Sponsored by the Bartlesville Area Chamber of Commerce, this YP group kicked off in March 2006 and currently has more than 150 members. According to Chairman Brent Bonner, the group wants to make Bartlesville a more attractive place for YPs to live, work, and play.

The organization has several work groups, which focus on community development including pushing for positions in local government; professional development for YPs; planning social events such as street parties, happy hours, and themed activities; and community service, which focuses on fundraising and volunteer efforts for groups such as Elder Care and Habitat for Humanity.

"In our quest to attract a well-trained, motivated workforce in the age range of 25 to 45, the YP organization here in Bartlesville is an essential element," says Jim Fram, President of the Bartlesville Area Chamber of Commerce. "The Bartlesville YPs have grown rapidly as an organization and have become engaged in the active leadership of the community."

YP Bartlesville's membership committee works directly with human resource professionals at many of Bartlesville's companies to let their young employees know about the group and its networking opportunities. And, many of the city's corporations pay for their employees' first-year memberships.

"Our business community and government leaders have been absolutely wonderful," Bonner says. "They realize that as young professionals create a better lifestyle here for our demographic, we also help Bartlesville as a whole thrive."

For more information about Young Professionals of Bartlesville, visit www.ypbartlesville.com.

Edmond Young Professionals (EYP), Edmond

An Edmond Chamber initiative, Edmond Young Professionals (EYP) is an organization comprised of a diverse group of professionals in their 20s and 30s, who are looking to advance their careers and build relationships with local community and business leaders.

A key goal of EYP is to broaden the base of activities and organizations available to young professionals by organizing a framework for social, cultural, educational and community service activities. "EYP gives back to the community by providing quarterly educational events, service projects, mentoring and special events," says Amanda Bowen, program director. "Our group provides a great opportunity for young professionals to develop business contacts, personal friendships and find employment connections."

EYP kicked off nearly a year ago, and since that time has provided eight networking events.  The group has also hosted quarterly luncheons, with the goal of continuing education, motivating and informing members and other citizens.  EYP donated toiletry items, as well as all proceeds from its fall luncheon to the Hope Center, a local facility that provides assistance for those in need.

With nearly 500 young professionals in its database, EYP plans to add even more events to its 2009 calendar to keep members motivated. "The EYP motto is to 'engage, empower and enlighten,'" Bowen says. "We want to live up to that and do all we can to keep young talent right here in the Edmond area."

For more information about Edmond Young Professionals, click here.

Muskogee Young Professionals Group (MYPros), Muskogee

Muskogee Young Professionals (MYPros) is one of the state's newer groups of young professionals.  The overall goal of MYPros is to make Muskogee a great place to live, work and play for both the current and future residents. 
 
"We have a rockin' group here in Muskogee," says Lisa Clark, executive board member. "Our group of young professionals is excited to do its part to promote and preserve Muskogee's businesses, attractions and events." You'd expect nothing less from a community with a 20-year-old mayor at the helm.  (That "young professional" mayor is John Tyler Hammons, who was elected to Muskogee's governorship in May 2008.)

MYPros hit the ground running with a seven-day youth football tournament that brought 22 youth teams to its community. The 22 teams equated to over 400 kids, plus their families in the Muskogee area.

Muskogee's young professionals meet on the second Tuesday of every month - each time at a different location.

Other MYPros activities include:

• "Pub Club:" Every fourth Thursday - also at a different location each time
• UnPlugged Series: Brown bag lunches with local business and community leaders as scheduled. Past UnPlugged Series have included lunch with Muskogee Mayor Wren Stratton and Congressman Dan Boren.

"Whether you are new to the community or have lived in Muskogee all your life, MYPros invites young professionals to join in on meeting new people and exploring new ways to make Muskogee better," Clark says. For more information on MYPros, visit www.myspace.com/muskogeeyp.

Claremore Young Professionals Group (RCYPO), Claremore & Rogers County

Sure, shaking hands and trading business cards are great. But, the young professionals in Claremore pride themselves on doing a whole lot more.

The Rogers County Young Professionals Organization's motto is "Get Involved.  Have Influence.  Make a Difference." "Our members realize there is much more to the organization than developing relationships with other professionals. Volunteering and giving back to the community is a key focus of the group," says Cassie Sowers, RCYPO Marketing Committee Chair. "The goal is to give our members the opportunities to network and tools to be successful with the hope they will be more likely to remain in the area as they grow in their professional career."

Sponsored by the city of Claremore and other area businesses, RCYPO kicked off about two years ago and currently has an email list of nearly 120 people. The group is made up of a very diverse group of professionals from not just Claremore, but all over Rogers County. RYCPO is made up of six committees, each one focusing on a different area of development including Social, Membership, Marketing, Professional Development, Fundraising and Community Involvement. 

Professional development events include seminars on topics such as how to dress for success. In addition to all the social and professional opportunities, the board holds quarterly general membership meetings where all members are invited to come and learn more about the interworking of the group and express their ideas and opinions on past or upcoming programs and events.  

RCYPO recently held its inaugural signature event, the Amazing Race for Charity. Loosely based from the CBS show, Amazing Race, RCYPO's successful event allowed the group to donate $1,500 to the Rogers County Special Olympics team.  Plans are already in the works for the second Amazing Race for Charity. For more information about RCYPO and its upcoming events, visit www.rcypo.org.

Greater Enid Young Professionals (GEYP), Enid

GEYP, which officially kicked off in early 2009 and partners with the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, does its part to make Enid an even better place to live and work.

Theirs is a focused group of young professionals looking to better themselves as individuals, as well as promote the growth and stability of the Enid community. GEYP tackles this in a number of ways, such as:

• Connecting young professionals to civic opportunities
• Assisting local employers with recruitment of new talent
• Showcasing, enhancing and assisting in the development of Enid's amenities
• Working closely with local organizations - bringing GEYP's "demographic voice" to Enid!

"Greater Enid Young Professionals reaches out to an underserved population of business people in Enid. It gives them a chance to network, collaborate and learn about the unique and exciting opportunities Enid has to offer," says Robert Faulk, President.

The group meets every fourth Tuesday for networking and hosts quarterly luncheons (better known as City Chats) with the city manager. GEYP provides a great backdrop for meeting friends and business contacts. But, even more than that, it focuses on city issues of real importance such as downtown redevelopment or proposals that come to a city vote.

"Any young professional who wants to better themselves and better Enid, is welcome to join us," says Cara Evans, Executive Board Member. "We are the future of Enid.  We have the chance to make a huge impact and that's a terrific opportunity."

For more information about Greater Enid Young Professionals and its upcoming events, visit www.enidyp.com.