Young Professionals plan to cultivate town's unique resources

April 10, 2006

By Susan Albert

There's a new group in town. It's called Young Professionals of Bartlesville.

Professional development and networking groups geared to a younger demographic are popping up all over the country, mostly in the larger metropolitan areas.

With the ease in mobility and technological advances that enable people to work from any location, cities recognize the need to retain the younger workforce, according to Sara Pannell, marketing director for the local Chamber of Commerce.

“People who move here say there isn't enough to do,” she said. “We have this great demographic, and we want to get them engaged, doing things, so they will choose to live in Bartlesville.”

Pannell said the Chamber recognized the need and initiated the organization.

“Plus it helps to promote a good work force; that's what the Chamber does. We will help manage the group and perform some administrative duties.”

They anticipate monthly social activities, leadership and professional development opportunities as well as community involvement.

“Our primary objective is to make Bartlesville a better place to live, work and play,” said Brent Bonner, vice president of lending at First Bartlesville Bank. “We want to create a lifestyle to attract people to live here. We want them to find it a desirable place.”

Bonner is slated to serve as chairman of the Young Professionals.

“I'll lead the core group who will then work with smaller groups that will focus on professional development, communication, events, membership, community development and community involvement,” he said.

“People have mentioned working with Heart of Town, street parties, and promoting the uniqueness of Bartlesville,” said Pannell.

A small group met last September to decide how to organize the group.

“Bartlesville has plenty of civic clubs and service organizations so we had to find our niche. We want to be inclusive, though. When we say professional we don't mean just white collar. We mean anyone employed in the Bartlesville area,” said Pannell.

They hope to appeal to the 21-44 age group but they also invite the “young at heart.” Membership dues will be $50 per year.

Bonner said the YPBs would not compete with local service organizations who may be trying to attract younger members.

“I would hope that the Young Professionals would enhance some memberships in service organizations.”

Pannell said their kick-off event March 9 attracted 80 people who wanted to find out more. They were asked to fill out a survey to offer input on the direction of the club.

“We want to get their feedback,” said Pannell.

YPBs plan to sponsor professional development seminars, forums and business lunches.

“We want to make it something other than a two-hour PowerPoint presentation,” said Bonner.

They plan to schedule speakers who are credible within the community and present some top-notch professional events, according to Bonner.

In addition, they will share costs with local businesses that may bring a certain speaker to town that the Young Professionals, too, are interested in scheduling.

A couple of events coming up include a lunch-time discussion with Angelos Angelou of AngelouEconomics and an evening social.

YPBs will meet at 11:30 a.m. April 7 in the ConocoPhillips Garden Room for a special Q&A with Angelou. Members can bring their lunch or purchase lunch in the cafeteria. E-mail yp@bartlesville.com if interested in attending.

Earlier that day, the public is invited to Angelou's strategic rollout at the Bartlesville Community Center.

Dubbed the “Third Thursday,” event, the YPBs will meet at a different establishment each month for socializing and networking. This month they will meet April 20 at Hoops.

“We expect those to be well attended,” said Pannell. “There also are opportunities for sponsorship of those events. Anyone interested can call me at the Chamber.”

For more information, check out the Young Professional's Web site at www.ypbartlesville.com.