ARTICLES Slow growth
of young professional population could slow economic recovery in Mass.,
And that slow growth could slow the growth of the region’s economy, warns the Boston Fed. “You need people buying homes, you need people working and you need people with kids in the school system,” said Karen J. Buell, 27, who is Internet branch manger for PeoplesBank. Buell is also vice president of Northampton Area Young Professionals, which along with a sister group, the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, works to give young professionals opportunities to make business and social connections. A video developed by Western Massachusetts Economic Development Corp. will showcase the area to out-of-market professionals who might be considering a move, says 39-year-old Jeffrey I. Fialky, incoming president of the Greater Springfield group. A lawyer with the firm of Bacon Wilson, Fialky moved back to Springfield five years ago after a decade in eastern Massachusetts. Quality of life, including an abundance of outdoor recreation, should be the Pioneer Valley’s selling point, he says. “My commute went from an hour each way to less than 10 minutes,” Fialky said. He believes the region needs to do a better job of selling itself and the job opportunities that exist here. The video is one step in that process. Buell said she moved to the region because her husband is from Westfield and was working locally. She wishes more people knew about the volunteer and community-service opportunities in the region. “Here you can have an impact compared to a larger, urban area,” Buell said. “You won’t feel like such a small fish in an enormous pond.” Heather Brome, senior policy analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, said there were 505,779 young professionals in Massachusetts in 2007, up just under 1.4 percent from the 498,803 counted in 2000. She didn’t have figures specific to Western Massachusetts. Brome defined a young professional as someone between the ages of 25 and 39 with at least a bachelor’s degree but who is not currently enrolled in school. She used population estimates supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau. Connecticut’s young professional population grew 0.245 percent from 224,887 in 2000 to 225,437 in 2007, Rhode Island’s grew 4.33 percent from 55,199 to 57,587, Maine’s grew 7.29 percent from 52,842 to 56,695 and Vermont’s grew 3.13 percent from 32,773 to 33,801. In New Hampshire, which boasts low taxes, the population of young professionals grew 15 percent from 70,564 to 81,195. Brome said one reason for slow growth is that with the baby boomer generation aging, young people simply make up a smaller and smaller segment of the population. Migration is also a factor. “People are moving more than they used to,” Brome said. “And, this is an age when people want to go off.” Brome said that 54.5 percent of the young professionals in Massachusetts were born in state while 21.9 percent were born elsewhere in the country and 23.6 percent were born abroad. Excerpt from MassLive.com:
Pioneer Valley
businesses seeking new ways to attract young professionals
The Western Massachusetts Economic Development Corp. unveiled "It's Your Move" Thursday evening during a gathering of the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield and the Northampton Area Young Professionals at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Trevis M. Wray, 39, of Springfield is co-vice president of the Springfield organization. Wray said the idea is to get people to realize that Springfield and the Pioneer Valley in general have a lot to offer both on and off the job. "It's about building a better Springfield," Wray said. "I was in Washington for a while, but I came back." He said the Springfield Young Professionals have about 400 members and meet twice a month. A public relations professional, he said he's also looking for work after being laid off earlier this year. So networking events like the one Thursday evening are extremely valuable. "I'm going to stick it out," Wray said. Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council President and CEO Allan W. Blair said the recession is actually a good time for the initiative because people are looking for opportunities. Companies are even looking for people, even through they might be laying off people in some parts of their businesses. "They are looking to fill niches in their organizations," Blair said. "And with the lead time in recruiting, now is the time when they need to start looking at bringing people in so they will be ready to take advantage when the recovery comes." Blair wouldn't say how much the video cost. The video will be available on the Web site www.westernmassedc.com. The video intersperses interviews with young people cut with scenes of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Six Flags New England, the Connecticut River and other area attractions. The band Gone by Daylight that provided the music for the video performed at the event. There were also representatives from Springfield's as-yet-unnamed NBA Development League franchise promoting the team. Excerpt from MassLive.com:
www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/pioneer_valley_businesses_seek.html Certified public
accountant Sean R. Wandrei, of Agawam named member of AGAWAM - Certified public accountant Sean R. Wandrei, of Agawam, a tax manager at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., was recently named a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield Board of Directors. Wandrei will serve a two-year term as the organization's treasurer, joining other YPS board members to lead the organization in its stated goals and mission, which is to engage, involve and educate the region's young professionals through business and career development, volunteerism and philanthropy, and social and cultural opportunities. "The YPS is gaining momentum with more and more individuals attending our events," Wandrei said. "YPS brings professionals together to network, share ideas and to build our community in a positive way." YPS represents the region's corporate, nonprofit and cultural interests by engaging a younger demographic in several distinct areas. The group holds various monthly events, including "Third Thursdays," which is a social and business networking event held at various locations throughout the Pioneer Valley. The next Third Thursday event is from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 19 p.m. at Champions in Springfield. For information, visit http://www.springfieldyps.com/ YPS also holds "CEO Luncheons" that spotlight local business leaders sharing their experiences and tips on how to become successful. Wandrei's personal and professional experience matches the goals of YPS. He has 12 years of experience in public accounting, with an emphasis in taxation. A CPA since 2000, he received his bachelor's degree from Bryant University and will receive his master of taxation degree from the University of Hartford next year. He has been employed by Meyers Brothers Kalicka, PC since 2004. Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. is the largest independently owned and operated CPA firm based in Western Massachusetts. Excerpt from MassLive.com: http://www.masslive.com/metroeastplus/republican/
Young Professional Society
has large following SPRINGFIELD - They came streaming through the door by the dozens: lawyers, accountants, marketing executives, bankers, teachers and more. Clearly hungry for their own kind, the first formal gathering of the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield in 2007 drew an unexpectedly enthusiastic response. "We were a little apprehensive," co-founder Kathleen M. Plante said of that first meeting. "We relied solely on guerrilla marketing to get the word out." But in retrospect, a flurry of emails, text messages and phone calls did the trick. Organizers hoped for a turnout of 30 or 40, but were met with about 200 comers to the group's first gathering at the Keg Room on State Street, recalled Plante. Nearly two years later, the nonprofit group formed primarily to attract and retain young talent to the region draws consistently big crowds to their monthly cocktail parties, CEO luncheons and charity benefits. A similar group, the Northampton Area Young Professionals, is flourishing in Hampshire County where it was also launched two years ago to nurture the "next generation" of the region's business community. Springfield Young Professionals vice president, Jeffrey I. Fialky, a partner at downtown law firm Bacon & Wilson, said his group has 150 individual members, 10 corporate members and 900 on their e-mail list. "It's as if there was this huge need that nobody knew about," Fialky said, describing its popularity. Plante, director for development at Holyoke Catholic High School, said she first hatched the idea when she worked at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. A speaker who came to address that group noted that thousands of young people are educated here each year, but don't stay after earning their diplomas. "We've got 9,000 college kids in the region each year ... but they don't stick around," Plante said. "We were trying to find a way to engage that demographic." The group's Web site conveys a festive theme, featuring a collection of photos of cocktail-clutching members from various events and a motto of "Live. Work. Play. Stay." But, Plante and Fialky said the mission of the group is much broader than hosting regular parties. It attempts to serve four different functions: business networking, socializing, volunteerism and advancement of the arts, they said. Under the social and business networking heading, Young Professionals hosts monthly "Third Thursdays" at various bars and restaurants around the city. It also schedules CEO luncheons for smaller groups of members, featuring business leaders from across the region. Members also participate in local charity and cultural events. Fialky said the cultural arm of the group aims to bridge the gap between aging and upcoming patrons of the arts. The Young Professionals Society hosted a successful event at City Stage recently and has scheduled for April 4 "George & Tonics."The cleverly worded event will feature "Star Trek"'s George Takei, along with maestro Kevin Rhodes, for an evening at the Springfield Symphony and, of course, cocktails to follow. The group's target demographic is professionals between 25 and 45, but no one is excluded. In fact, Brendan Ciecko, newly 21, is on the board of directors. The Holyoke resident founded Ten Minute Media, a marketing and Web design company catering to major label recording artists such as Lenny Kravitz and Katy Perry, a the ripe age of 12 in his parents' bedroom. Ciecko said the group sews up all aspects of a happy existence for a young professional in the Pioneer Valley. "You might have a great job, but if you're not out enjoying the arts, and music and restaurants and social current of the region, what commitment will you really have here," he said. Excerpt from MassLive.com:
Meet the Difference Makers Their contributions vary, from helping to improve the quality and diversity of the region’s workforce to providing books for local school libraries; from donating time, energy, and know-how to area nonprofit agencies to spearheading efforts to engage, involve, and educate the Valley’s young professionals. The common denominator is that these individuals are all making a difference in Western Mass. They’re not the only ones, certainly, but their stories reflect the work of countless others to make this a better region in which to live, work, and run a business. The Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield
She was talking about April 14, and a scheduled ‘CEO Luncheon’ to be hosted by MassMutual Chairman and CEO Stuart Reese. The Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) started the luncheon series last year as another way to carry out its broad mission to “engage, involve, and educate” its members. The problem? Well, seats to the monthly luncheons are limited in number, said Carvalho, the group’s current president and, during the day, membership manager for the Greater Springfield Conventon & Visitors Bureau. The typical count is 20 to 30, to ensure intimacy and the opportunity for one-on-one dioalogue, but Reese and MassMutual will likely find a way to accommodate many more than that. Still, not everyone will be able to go. “And everyone will want to go,” she told BusinessWest, adding that she and other officers will have to contrive some method of determining which members will be able to circle that date on their calendars. As she said, that’s a good problem to have, and it’s a scenario that shows just how far this organization has come in two years. From quasi-humble beginnings, YPS has grown to more than 200 members, expanded and diversified its program offerings, and garnered enough respect to prompt Reese to donate a few hours of his precious time to impart some “words of wisdom,” as Carvalho called them, to this young, diverse audience. “We worked very hard to get him, and we’re thrilled that he would take the time to speak to our group and open it up to more people than we would normally have,” she said. “Our members are excited about the chance to be sitting in the same room with that caliber of speaker; the fact that he’s willing to do so speaks to the importance of our work — these are the emerging leaders in the community.” This higher profile has earned YPS a place in this first class of Difference Makers, along with some sky-high expectations for the future — which Carvalho and other officers are determined to meet in what might be considered another good problem to have. “We’ve done very well so far,” she said, “but we know we have to keep building, doing more in the community, and providing more value for our members.” YPS got its start in Springfield in late 2006, when a small group of younger professionals — all graduates of the Leadership Institute, a partnership between the ACCGS and Western New England College to teach mid- and upper-level managers the skills needed to become effective leaders — conceptualized a group that could handle a number of assignments. They would range from giving people something to do to providing programs on professional development; from helping to educate members on the issues of the day to providing some reasons for young professionals to stay in the Pioneer Valley and become valuable contributors to its progress and livelihood. The overriding goal, said Carvalho, is to help members “plant roots,” and develop lasting connections to the region and its business community. While the group’s founders were ambitious and had lofty expectations, even they might be surprised by how quickly and profoundly the group has become a real force in the community. In addition to the 200 members, there are 900 ‘subscribers,’ those who have a connection to the group and attend some of its events. Since its start, the organization — which takes a name similar to other groups in the region, including young-professional societies in Northampton, the Berkshires, and Hartford, but is different from these groups because it is independent — has been consistently adding programs, forming collaborative partnerships with other groups, and, in general, making its presence and influence felt. It’s making a difference. In addition to the CEO lunches, which have featured leaders and business owners ranging from ACCGS President Russell Denver to Springfield Falcons General Manager and co-owner Bruce Landon, the group has staged monthly networking events called Third Thursdays. It has become involved with the Division II college basketball tournament staged in Springfield each March, and last fall it partnered with Rock the Vote and other groups to encourage young people to register to vote and understand the issues involved with the presidential election. YPS also conducted a number of events and programs to connect young people with the arts, promote mentoring, and facilitate efforts to give back to the community. It even created an award — the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield’s Excellence in Leadership Award — which is given to a graduate of the Leadership Institute who has distinguished him or herself through community involvement, civic leadership, and professional excellence. The first winner was Elizabeth Cordona, director of Gov. Patrick’s office in Springfield. For 2009, the goal is simply to build on the momentum created over the past two years by continually looking for new ways to meet and expand the group’s mission, as expressed in one of its slogans: ‘live, work, play, and stay,’ said Carvalho, who told BusinessWest that her work as president has become what she called “a second full-time job.” “I’m putting in maybe 30 or 40 hours a week toward this,” she said, adding quickly that other officers are logging similar time handling YPS affairs. “And I need to, because there’s so much happening and so much to do.” Sounds like another one of those good problems to have. Excerpt from Business West Online: http://www.businesswest.com/details.asp?id=1716
Springfield Shines into 2009
Coming of Age
- Young Professionals Society Helps Its Members Plant Roots
Michelle Sade says she has a number of qualitative and quantitative measures for the relative success of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, or YPS, with regard to its mission and various efforts to meet it during its nearly 18 months in existence. One of her favorites, which falls into both categories, really, is the tally (unofficial, but, in her mind, impressive) for the number of people who have said, ‘I wish there had been something like this when I was your age’ — or words to that effect. Sade, 31, operations manager for United Personnel in Springfield and the society’s outgoing president, hears this from the leaders of area companies and nonprofit agencies who address YPS members at the group’s regular CEO luncheons (more on those later) and also from co-workers and colleagues at chamber of commerce functions and other business gatherings. Such comments, heard and logged away by just about every member of the society, verifies the notion that this group is doing something right. Actually, a number of things. Summing them all up, Alyssa Carvalho, membership manager for the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau and YPS’s incoming president, says they help young professionals (defined as those under 40) “put down roots.” And by that, Carvalho, 25, meant that the society helps people in a wide range of professions gain a real connection to this region, one that might facilitate use of their talents and energy to help improve overall quality of life in the Valley, while also providing some impetus for them to stay here. And that’s a major concern among employers wondering how they will fill tens of thousands of vacancies over the next few decades as Baby Boomers retire. “One of our slogans is ‘live, work, play, and stay,’” said Carvalho, adding that the level of desire to stay is generally a function of the quantity and quality of those first three, and YPS strives to expose members to the region’s many assets, thus providing impetus to remain in — and be a part of — the area. The society now boasts roughly 200 members and about 900 subscribers — those who have some connection to the group and attend some of its events, for example — and it is increasing its visibility and relevance with seemingly each passing month, said Jeffrey Fialky, an attorney with Bacon Wilson and the society’s incoming vice president. A corporate and banking specialist, Fialky, 39, spent several years working in Boston before returning the Valley, and told BusinessWest that in large metropolitan areas such as the Hub, young people have fewer chances — and less need — to make a difference within the community. In the Pioneer Valley, it’s a different story, and YPS strives to help position individuals to make important contributions of time and energy. Meanwhile, it also provides a valuable networking component that can help with everything from growing a customer base to finding a new employee, to gaining a better understanding of the issues and candidates in this fall’s presidential election. The YPS mission can be summed up with three words: ‘engage,’ ‘involve,’ and ‘educate,’ said Trevis Wray, 38, with the Urban League Young Professionals and the society’s incoming co-vice president. By doing all three, the group can enhance the careers of its members, enable them to better balance work and life, and make the Valley a better place in which to live and work. Citing the group’s recent involvement in the Day of Caring staged by the United Way of the Pioneer Valley (society members helped clean up two Springfield parks), Wray said it’s one example of how YPS helps convey the importance of volunteerism, while also helping some important causes. “We stress the importance of people giving back to the community in which they live and work,” said Wray, “and we help create ways for them to get involved and show they can make a difference.” In this issue, BusinessWest looks at how YPS is continuously shaping its mission statement, while becoming a more visible, more relevant force within the region and its business community. Root Causes Sade vividly remembers the days and weeks leading up to what would be the birth of YPS. It was the spring of 2007. There was a get-together slated for a Thursday night at the Keg Room on State Street in Springfield. Invitations to the event were mostly of the electronic variety, distributed via a series of E-mail blasts and other attempts at guerilla and viral marketing over the course of several weeks. There was no specific agenda set down by Sade and other organizers of the event, but the goal was fairly clear: to use the turnout and subsequent pattern of dialogue to fully gauge the need for — and means to create — a group dedicated to young professionals and their needs, aspirations, and challenges. “On the day of the event we were praying that we would get 30 people,” said Sade. “Instead, we got more than 150! There was a line of people going out the Keg Room, down State Street, and around the block. It was unbelievable; we accomplished what we set out to do — bring some like-minded people together.” Greatly inspired by what they saw and heard, the event’s organizers decided to invite young people from across the Valley to meet again, thus beginning a tradition known as ‘Third Thursday Socials’ in a nod to the timing of that hugely successful inaugural get-together. Since then, the society has incorporated, crafted a mission statement, grown, and evolved well beyond networking. Flashing back just a little further, to discussions in late 2006 among a group of eight young professionals, herself included, that led to what became the first of the ‘Third Thursdays,’ Sade recalls that she and others too young to remember the Carter years in the White House were thinking out loud about their demographic, and wondering “where they were all hiding.” “We were talking about what there is to do in this region, and wondering if there were more people, like us, who are really interested in the region and the revitalization of the Pioneer Valley — and decided to find out,” she said. “We knew that there were people living and working here happily, and we wanted to defuse the notions that this region is boring, there’s nothing to do, and young people have to leave it to find happiness and fulfillment. “We really believed that there were people around who thought the Greater Springfield area was a great place to live,” she continued. “And so we set out to bring them together.” Now, of course, the task is much broader, said Carvalho, noting that, if YPS has an unofficial mission, it is not merely to take young people out of hiding, but to connect them — to each other, to mentors within the business community, to the arts, and to this region as a whole. This assignment is undertaken in a number of ways, organized by a board of directors and carried out with the help of several corporate supporters, or sponsors, including Williams Distributing in Chicopee, Bacon Wilson, and Nuvo Bank, the region’s newest financial institution, which is trying to plant some roots of its own (see story, page 32). The society connects with members and the community in a number of ways, but perhaps its most effective vehicle is its Web site — www.springfieldyps.com — which details the group’s mission, programming, calendar, and more. Hits have come not only from young people, but also from business owners and managers intrigued by an organization that can help welcome new recruits to the region and make them feel a part of the community. In that respect, the society’s members take on the role of ambassadors, said Carvalho, noting, for example, that several of the society’s officers were invited to address a group of more than 100 new residents at Baystate Medical Center during orientation ceremonies this past summer. “They were getting bombarded with a lot of information,” she recalled, “and their eyes seemed to light up a little when we talked about some things they could do with what little spare time they’re going to have, and some ways they can get involved in the community.” Referrals to YPS come from a number of area companies, chambers of commerce, and other business groups, said Fialky, noting that they recognize the importance of young talent to the current and future success of the region, and want such individuals to flourish — and stay within the 413 area code. Young at Heart Overall, the society is focusing its efforts on business and career development, as well as social and cultural involvement and community activism, said Fialky, in an effort to help shape future leaders. Elaborating, he said that, once the society had what it calls its social, or networking, component solidified, it quickly moved on to to other priorities, or sectors — the community, career development, and the arts — and established committees to focus on these areas. And a detailed look at some upcoming events — and one recently staged get-together — on the YPS calendar provides an understanding of some of the programming that’s been developed around these sectors, and also reveals what this group is all about and how it intends to carry out that mission. First, there was the September ‘Third Thursday,’ staged at the recently opened Samuel’s Bar and J. Quincy’s Restaurant at the Basketball Hall of Fame. YPS partnered with the national organization Rock the Vote, the Urban League Young Professionals, and the Black Chamber of Commerce to create a forum at which young people could not only register to vote in the upcoming elections, but also meet area mayors, city councilors, and state legislators. YPS will likely not venture into politics to the extent that it will endorse candidates or take a stance on specific issues or ballot questions, said Fialky, but, true to its mission, it will work to engage and educate members and potential members on matters such as the presidential election, while also stressing civic involvement. “Members of this organization are going to be the future CEOs of this area, the future elected officials, the future business leaders, business owners, and service providers,” he explained. “So it’s important for us to promote civic involvement and civic participation, rather than a specific agenda.” Meanwhile, on Oct. 3, YPS will stage the next in its series of CEO Luncheons. This one will be hosted by Sean Davey, vice president and market manager at Clear Channel Radio, and, like those before it, is structured to allow area business leaders and nonprofit managers to share their experience, skills, and accomplishments in an informal setting that fosters give and take. Previous speakers have included Allan Blair, president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass.; Cynthia Anzalotti, president of Symphony Hall and CityStage; Keith Kennedy, general manager of Hallmark Cards; and Bruce Landon, president, general manager, and co-owner of the Springfield Falcons hockey club. Landon’s luncheon, which came during the team’s drive to increase season-ticket sales in an effort to secure its future in Springfield, generated several new subscriptions, said Sade, noting that one of YPS’s many goals is to not only expose the younger demographic to the vast array of arts and culture, but involve it with the institutions in that sector. To that end, the society has slated events like the one on Oct. 7, called ‘Celebrate the Arts.’ This is the kickoff performance of The Rat Pack Is Back at CityStage, and it will include a YPS exclusive VIP reception that will enable members to network prior to the show. The event is part of a broad effort to not merely introduce members and potential members to the arts, but make them part of the cultural community, said Fialky. “We want them to do more than buy a ticket to a show,” he explained. “We want them to be involved with the arts and the culture of this region and help those institutions like CityStage and the symphony to flourish.” The calendar also includes a New Year’s gala, called Springfield Shines in ’09, and it has a number of motivations, said Carvalho, noting that it will advance many of those initiatives aimed at helping members plant roots, while also providing some additional visibility for the society and its corporate supporters. The ball will likely serve as a coming-out party, if one can call it that, for a group that is charting progress in all four realms in that slogan — live, work, play, and stay. “We’re going to cap it at 300 people,” she said of the ball, noting that this is the capacity of the space at the downtown Springfield Sheraton at which it will be staged. “And it’s going to sell out fast —we know that.” Network News Such extreme optimism is still another indicator of how much YPS has woven itself into the fabric of the region, said Sade, who, when asked to list other measures of the society’s success to date, mentioned several — from that long line that stretched outside the Keg Room back in March 2007 to how YMCA director James O. Morton agreed to find room for the more than 30 individuals who wanted to attend the CEO Luncheon he hosted (attendance is usually capped at 20 or so). Put them all together, she said, and they indicate that the region’s young professionals haven’t all left the Valley, and they are no longer in hiding — if they ever were. More to the point, the track record thus far shows that these same young people want to be involved in the region — and engaged, and informed. And YPS, the group that a large number of less-young professionals wish was around when they were under 40, is more than ready to accommodate them. Excerpt from Business West Online: http://www.businesswest.com/details.asp?id=1716
YPS Member Brendan Ciecko
featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine
The cover text highlights that "Katy Perry and Mick Jagger tapped Brendan Ciecko to make them look good." Ciecko's company is widely recognized for its premier website production for top names in the music and entertainment industry. "Being recognized by Inc. Magazine is an unbelievable honor. Making it onto the cover is surreal - I hope this marks a new stage for Ten Minute Media" said Brendan Ciecko, founder of Ten Minute Media. The article also mentions Ciecko's investments in downtown Holyoke where the company is located. Since the feature will be seen by over one million readers, Ciecko hopes it will help promote Holyoke as an attractive location for entrepreneurial ventures, start-ups and other businesses. The article can be found on page 98 of the October 2008 issue of Inc. Magazine (Click Here for Website Link) About Ten Minute Media About Inc. Magazine Excerpt from Western Mass EDC website: http://www.westernmassedc.com/news
YPS: A Group with a Purpose
- and a Future They call it the ‘brain drain.’ This is one of those contrived terms, in this case used to describe the flight of young people out of a region to find jobs, opportunities, fulfillment … in short, something better than what they had, or thought they could get, where they were before. The extent and uniqueness of the brain drain in the Pioneer Valley — which has a number of colleges but keeps only a small percentage of graduates (especially from the private schools) in this region — can be debated. What can’t be debated, though, is the importance of young professionals to the vitality and economic health of this or any other region. Which is why we’re enthusiastic about the early success and enormous promise of a group called the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, or YPS. Created about 18 months ago, it is off to what can only be described as a phenomenal start in its efforts to — and these are the words right in the mission statement — engage, involve, and educate people under the age of 40. As it does so, it is helping to keep young people in this region by giving them more reasons to feel better about their presence here, but it’s also preparing them to be better leaders and contributors to the community if, and for however long, they do stay. But let’s back up a minute. Current officers say the concept of YPS was born mostly out of curiosity. To make a long story somewhat short, some young people were wondering out loud where all their contemporaries were, what they were doing, what they were thinking, whether they liked it here, whether they fully appreciated all there is to do here, and if they could use help getting connected to the region and its assets. So they scheduled a get-together and invited virtually everyone they could connect with via the Internet. They were hoping for 30 people and got five times that number. Besides counting heads, organizers listened and learned, and what they came away with was the clear impression that young people, as a group, needed an organization that could help them network, grow professionally and personally, become involved in the community, and develop leadership skills. So they created one. And then they developed some programming to define it. These initiatives include what are called Third Thursdays, get-togethers that take place on those dates on the calendar, at which attendees can network and socialize. There’s also the CEO Luncheon, which, as the name suggests, involves an area CEO hosting lunch for 20 or 30 YPS members and discussing a wide range of topics involving business, the community, and life in general. There’s also a strong focus on the arts and getting people involved with those institutions, and even a New Year’s Eve gala on the slate for this year. Put it all together, and we have a group that could make — and is in many respects already making — a very positive impact on this region and its business community. By getting young people engaged and involved, YPS is making the region a better place to live, work, and play. At the same time, it is giving these same young people more reasons to enjoy their time in the Valley, and perhaps prompting more to stay. Meanwhile, with its focus on education, YPS is helping to groom a more-informed, more-capable group of future business owners, managers, employees, nonprofit board members, and public servants. This a noble and important mission, one that already has the backing of a number of a number of area corporations, and could use more of the same from other businesses and business organizations that all face the daunting challenge of finding talented help for today and especially tomorrow. YPS is a group with a purpose and a real future — that’s because it’s this region’s future at stake.- Excerpt from Business West Online: http://www.businesswest.com/details.asp?id=1718
'Rock The Vote' in Downtown
Springfield It is quite rare to have events in Western Mass. that cater to young voters. But on Thursday night, several hundred of those voters came to the Basketball Hall of Fame to encourage one another to 'Rock The Vote.' "I truly believe the young vote will be the determining factor in how the next election pans out," said Trevis Wray, a board member with the Young Professionals of Greater Springfield. The group, 900 members strong hosted a local version of the nationwide 'Rock The Vote' campaign. The group of young voters and local leaders gathered at Samuel's Sports Bar Thursday evening. As the election approaches, the youth are pushing their peers to act. "Each one teaches one. So, if somebody comes in who is undecided, they see the frenzy that we're creating. That will compel them to come out and vote," said Gilbe Lewis, a young voter from Springfield. "It's very important for the under 40 demographic to become engaged and feel like they're participating in the revitalization of our region, which really expands all the way from Hartford up to Vermont," said Michelle Sade, President of Young Professionals. Historically, voter turnout for young adults 18-25 is much lower than their elders, but this time many say the result will be different. "I think we're really going to see something dramatic at the polls this year. This is a historic election, and I think we're really going to see the younger demographic getting out there and casting their vote this November as opposed to just talking about it," said Alyssa Carvalho, Vice President of Young Professionals. More than 250 members with the Young Professionals of Greater Springfield came out to register to vote, and meet with local representatives and mayors - who also understand the importance of the youth movement. "The younger people are moving into the jobs where they are supporting the senior citizens as well as our children," said Agawam Mayor Susan Dawson. "It is imperative that they begin to step up to vote, because if they don't vote and make a difference, we're never going to have a future of our nation." The new, young voters said events that engage their fellow teens and young adults will have an incredible influence on the 2008 election. "We matter, and that is what tonight is saying," Lewis said. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Excerpt from CBS3Springfield.com: http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/28634914.html
YPS - Rock
The Vote TV22 news video Video Excerpt from WWLP.com: http://www.wwlp.com
YPS Member
Lindsey Weber voted "40 Under Forty" in Hartford Business Journal
Career highlights: I was working as an Assistant Buyer for Filene’s in Boston, and my husband Michael was a middleware engineer for a tech company in Cambridge. His parents, owners of Minuteman Press of Norwich, heard that Minuteman Press of Enfield was for sale. They casually mentioned the opportunity to us, and we decided to explore it. We were both ready to make career moves. My marketing education and my husband’s IT education have helped us stay on the cutting-edge of printing and grow our business. I focus on outside sales and Michael is our production manager. Community involvement: I serve my community through local organizations such as the Rotary Club and the Enfield Food Shelf. It is because of the support in the community that my business has grown, and volunteering is one way to give back and show appreciation. Being involved ties me into my community. It provides me with the opportunity to strengthen the area in which I live and work. If we strengthen our communities, we will all benefit as individuals and business people. Only good things can come from giving back. Volunteering also serves as a strong reminder of my good fortune. Biggest success: I am continuously motivated by the goals that my husband and I achieve at work. Our biggest achievement so far was surpassing our sales goal in July and increasing revenue 74% over last July. It was an incredible feeling. We attribute the growth to a good balance of sales calls, networking, and community involvement. Dream job: Having the personal means to begin a philanthropic organization and spend every day making a big impact in the world. Businessperson she most admires and why: The members of my Rotary club are full of wisdom and knowledge, and I look at all of them with admiration. They have had many more life experiences than I’ve had, and they have a lot to teach. I have learned something from each and every one of them. They conduct business with integrity and honesty, and they also have a strong sense of community.
Young professionals
to hear CEO speak SPRINGFIELD - The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield will host a CEO luncheon, an event open to area professionals interested in hearing about the professional experiences of the region's CEOs, on Sept. 5 at noon. The featured chief executive officer and speaker will be Keith Kennedy, general manager of the Enfield distribution center of Hallmark Cards. The luncheon will take place at Hallmark, located at 25 Bacon Road in Enfield. Kennedy is responsible for the distribution of more than $1.5 billion of personal expression products to Hallmark Cards' retail partners across the east coast and as far west as Ohio and parts south. The youth professional group promotes its bi-monthly CEO luncheons as a vehicle for group members to meet with area business leaders on a more relaxed level, helping to foster relationships and allow its members to see, first hand, how successful leaders run their organizations. "A major part of the (society) mission is civic responsibility, and Hallmark Cards truly encourages community involvement," said Michelle Sade, YPS president. "Hallmark Cards is extremely involved and generous in supporting community-based initiatives and encouraged their employees to give back to the communities where they live and work." Kennedy started his career at Hallmark in 1992 as a career development staff assistant, and has held positions of increasing responsibility to include roles in graphic arts, manufacturing, human resources and corporate diversity, and information technology. In February, he concluded a 28-year career in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel and most recently the commander of the 439th Communication Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base. He is a member of the Enfield Rotary Club, Northern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, and Reserve Officer Association. He is on the board of directors of New Horizons of Northern Connecticut, and a past board member of numerous other nonprofit organizations. He is married and a proud father of four.
Hallmark Hosts
Young Professional Society CEO Lunch The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) will host a CEO luncheon, open to area professionals interested in hearing about the professional experiences of local CEOs, Sept. 5 at 12 p.m. The featured CEO and speaker for the event is Keith Kennedy, general manager of Hallmark Cards, Inc., Enfield Distribution Center. The luncheon will take place at Hallmark Cards, Inc., 25 Bacon Road in Enfield. Kennedy is responsible for the distribution of more than $1.5 billion of products to Hallmark Cards' retail partners across the east coast and as far west as Ohio and parts south. Keith Kennedy started his career at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in 1992 as a career development staff assistant, and a has held positions of increasing responsibility to include roles in graphic arts, manufacturing, human resources & corporate diversity, and information technology. In February 2008, Keith concluded a 28-year distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and most recently the commander of the 439th Communication Squadron, Westover AFB, MA. Keith has an Associates of Applied Science degree in electronic systems technology, Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, and Masters of Science in applied statistic and operations research. He is a member of the Enfield Rotary Club, Northern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, and Reserve Officer Association. He is on the board of directors of New Horizons of Northern Connecticut, and a past board member of numerous other not for profit organizations. He is married and a proud father of four. Space for the CEO luncheon is limited. YPS members interested in joining in the conversation are encouraged to sign up online through www.springfieldyps.com. Excerpt from The Hartford Courant: http://www.courant.com
The Republican
writes "Young adults planning to leave WMass" Here’s what The Republican had
to say about young adults living in Massachusetts: As an active young professional in
greater Springfield, we know you’re excited about living,
YPS Board Member
Jeffrey Fialky awarded BusinessWest "Forty Under 40"
Jeff Fialky had several options when he was job-hunting a few years ago, near the end of his stint with Adelphia Communications in Andover. A few of them were with Boston-based law firms, and they were certainly attractive, he told BusinessWest. But another was with Springfield-based Bacon Wilson, where his father happened to be a partner. He eventually chose the latter, in part because it meant returning to an area he grew up in and loved. But there was more; he really wanted to get involved in the community and “make a difference,” and knew that the opportunities to do so — and the need to do so — were here in the Pioneer Valley. “In Boston, they don’t really need people to raise their hand and volunteer,” he explained. “Here, they do; here, you can make an impact.” And since joining Bacon Wilson nearly two years ago, Fialky has committed himself to “walking the walk.” Indeed, while building a law practice focused on business and commercial real estate, he has been active in the community on several levels. He’s a board member with a number of organizations, including the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross of the Pioneer Valley, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, or YPS. He’s also on the Advisory Committee at the Springfield Enterprise Center at STCC. Fialky said his involvement with the Chamber, YPS, and enterprise center helps satisfy his desire to foster economic development in the region. He told BusinessWest that the Valley provides an attractive quality of life, but to attract and keep more young people it must also offer career opportunities. Fialky is devoting considerable energy to YPS, a group formed in 2007. He is one of many shaping a mission for the growing fellowship of young leaders, and helping it make a significant impact — there’s that word again — in the Pioneer Valley. Perhaps his biggest challenge at the moment is finding time to grow his practice and serve those nonprofit groups, and that test will become even sterner this summer, when Fialky and his wife, Emily, are expecting their first child, a boy. “This is something I’ve looked forward to for a long time,” he said of fatherhood, adding that it will soon be the most important line on his resume — and still another opportunity to make a difference. Excerpt from BusinessWest.com: http://www.businesswest.com/details.asp?id=1546#16
Elizabeth Cardona
the first recipient of YPS Excellence In Leadership Award
Falcons Partner with Young Professionals Society
"We are excited about this opportunity to build a relationship with this dynamic group of young professionals," said Falcons president and general manager Bruce Landon. "They have a membership of over 700 and it continues to grow and it is the perfect demographic for us to work with. We look forward to sponsoring their networking events on May 15 and October 16 as we continue to brand the Springfield Falcons and build our ticket base." "YPS is excited about the relationship we are building with the Falcons," said YPS president Michelle Sade. "Connecting our membership with Springfield's only hometown team is outstanding. The opportunity for young professionals to participate in securing hockey in Springfield for years to come is a commitment YPS is proud of and we are looking forward to the season." The Falcons are currently accepting deposits on full, half, and mini season ticket packages for the 2008-09 season, in addition to 40 and 10-Flex Packs. For more information regarding season ticket information, contact the Falcons office at 413-739-3344. Excerpt from OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News: www.OurSportsCentral.com
Next YPS gathering asks members
for Toys for Tots
YPS is asking that everyone brings a donation for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for entrance into the event. Please check out their Web site www.ToysForTots.org for more information and to find out more about what you can do to help. Monetary donations will also be accepted and greatly appreciated. YPS was launched by young professionals in the corporate, non-profit, cultural, and public arenas in order to initiate a dialogue on how young area professionals can get more involved in the community in which they live and work. YPS has already received great support from area organizations, businesses, and young professionals. "Third Thursday" events, having continually boasted over 175 attendees are quickly transforming themselves into the premier networking and social events in the Pioneer Valley. YPS welcomes all young professionals interested in participating in this regional effort, to join them in realizing their goal of fostering lasting professional and personal connections between people of diverse backgrounds, while also helping to contribute to the community. Bring friends, business cards, and an outgoing attitude. Food, music and a cash bar will be provided courtesy of Maximum Capacity Sports Bar. There will also be a drawing for some cool raffle prizes too. For more information on the next event or to learn more about YPS visit www.springfieldyps.com. Advance reservations are not required but appreciated. Excerpt from The
Reminder Online: http://www.thereminder.com/features/business/nextypsgatheringas Young
Professionals Gather to Network
- The Republican / MassLive.com SPRINGFIELD - The next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs is ready to take over. The Young Professional Society held its third social event on June 21 at the Museum of Fine Arts at the Quadrangle. The organization provides networking and social opportunities for the area's young professional community. "It's absolutely important to engage this demographic because this is the knowledge corridor that we have," said Alyssa Carvalho, of West Springfield, of the society. "We have all these inspirational young people who are being educated here but leaving the area to pursue other interests. We really want to keep them here." The organization meets on the third Thursday of each month. "We get together and it's a networking and social event to get to know your peers, make some friends in the area, make some contacts and just have fun," Carvalho said. Carvalho finds many local businesses have leaders and boards with members in the 40- to 50-year-old demographic. "We're trying to get these people interested, cultivated and prepared to serve on boards for non-profits, private institutions and prepare, develop, grow and prosper them as leaders in this area," Carvalho said. "We feel that by giving this opportunity by these monthly social events that we're capturing that and keeping them engaged." The group has three areas of concentration: social, business development and volunteer work. The group also organizes a series of "CEO Luncheons" that provide a venue for young people to meet, network and socialize with area business leaders. Every other month, a small group can use the luncheons as a chance to learn more about corporations. "There just seems to be a lack of youth," said David Smith, of West Springfield. "It's hard to break into those cliques. These are the leaders and these are the contacts that even the younger generation down the road is going to be looking to get hold of. "If we keep our eyes open, we can see that there's a need for the younger generation to really touch base with some of the decision makers and the people we don't usually get an opportunity to speak to," Smith said. "This is a great way to focus on that and create a cult of our own." The group also wants to build around volunteer activity. "We're hoping that in the future to have a volunteer-type fund-raiser type thing," said Maureen Midghall, of East Longmeadow, a financial services supervisor at Webster Bank. "I think that young professionals really benefit from this. "They can use that to help their career paths," she added. "It'll help develop more contacts and help develop their resume and that's really our approach right now." Andrew P. Jensen, of Agawam, is the president and chief executive officer of Jx2 Productions, a DJ, karaoke and sound service. He believes social events are great for marketing. "It allows you to interact with other people in the community and gives you contacts to be able to network and grow your business," Jensen said. "My business is so word-of-mouth oriented that this is really the best way to get out there and talk to people one-on-one." The next Young Professional Society meeting will be tomorrow at Samuel's Tavern in Springfield. To contact the group, e-mail springfieldyps@yahoo.com
The Young and the Networking
- Business West "Picture This"
Excerpt from Business West Online: http://businesswest.com/dept.asp?dat=7/9/2007&hea=Picture%20This |
SPRINGFIELD
– The population of young college-educated professionals is growing very slowly
in Massachusetts, according to a report issued by the New England Public Policy Center,
part of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. 
We
are excited to announce that YPS Member Lindsey Weber of 
Jeffrey
Fialky
Springfield,
MA - The Springfield Falcons, proud members of the American Hockey League, announced today
that they have partnered with the Young Professionals Society for the 2008-09 season.
Young
professionals gathered at the Springfield Art Museum on June 21 for the third free event
staged by the Young Professional Society (YPS). Attendees mixed and mingled among the
latest exhibit, “Seldom Seen: Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection,”
with paintings, sculpture, and lithographs by Picasso, Lichtenstein, and others. The YPS
is a networking group launched by young professionals in the corporate, non-profit, cultural,
and public arenas in order to initiate a dialogue on how young area professionals can
get more involved in the community in which they live and work.|
©
Young
Professional
Society of Greater Springfield - P.O. Box 952, West Springfield, MA 01090 |
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