This month YPN encourages you to:

• Read about the upcoming YPN year from our chair, Anne Madonia
• Join a Committee
• Learn About YPN’s new Professional Development Seminars
• Attend the Fifth Annual ImPAct Young Professional’s Statewide Conference
• Volunteer with other YPN and Variety members at a Phillies game

A Word from our new Chair,
Anne Madonia

Having been a member of the Young Professionals Network since I moved to Philadelphia over six years ago, it’s with great pride and enthusiasm that I take the reigns as the 2007-2008 Chair of YPN. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to lead Philadelphia’s preeminent networking group for young professionals. YPN has consistently provided its members with the opportunity to make connections and build relationships with other young professionals and with community leaders and has introduced its members to the city’s hot spots and undiscovered landmarks all in the context of fostering professional development and gaining knowledge of what’s happening in the region.

As we embark on a new year for YPN, you’ll see that we will continue our mission and passion for networking and professional development. It is my personal goal to increase the benefits of your membership and to show you the value in being part of this amazing organization. The monthly events will be more interactive and will provide our members with a true networking atmosphere. We’ve also added a new element to YPN’s programming schedule that will be focused on professional development. Every other month, YPN will host a professional development seminar. The first seminar scheduled on September 17th with Lyn Kremer will focus on improving networking skills and learning some new tips to generate business. Seminars to follow will include entrepreneurialism and career advancement.

YPN will continue its volunteer efforts with the Variety Club, Philly Cares, and McClure Elementary School in North Philly, as well as some new initiatives. I take great pride in all the volunteer work that YPN undertakes and this coming year will prove to be no different.

All of YPN’s achievements could not be accomplished without the support and drive of YPN’s other board members. I’m pleased to announce that Kevin Cafferky will serve as YPN’s vice chair. Kevin is the Controller of Philadelphia OIC, Inc. and is no doubt one of the biggest champions for YPN. Kevin is a great leader who inspires others by his dedicated efforts and energy. In addition to Kevin, the YPN board is composed of 17 other members who are leaders in their own right and represent Philly’s top young professionals. They include: David Abrams, Blank Rome; Allison Bean, AIG; Stephanie Gambone, Philadelphia Youth Network; Amy Gorman, Moshulu Restaurant; Steve Grandizio, Friendly Mortgage; Tina Greco, PREIT; Mai-Linh Hoang, SilverFlame Communication; Andrew Pack, Variety Club; Bernadette Pitts, Digitas Health; Maria Quattrone, Coldwell Banker Preferred; Heather Quinn, TD Banknorth; Peter Shrier, Seligsohn Soens Hess; Michael Stalbaum, UnREAL Marketing Solutions; Sarah Talasnik, Advanced Health Media; Casimer Thomas, Johnson Kendall & Johnson; Nick Willert, The Siegfried Group and Lawrence Williams, NRM International.

I am confident with YPN’s team of leaders and the invaluable support from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, including the tireless efforts of Barbara Saverino and Jessica Bercholc that this year will be one for the record books with better-than-ever events and increased membership.

On a personal note, I will be the first-ever YPN chair who will take on that role while expecting my first child with my husband, Jeff Wack. In addition to having a new baby on the way, I’ve got a busy practice as a corporate attorney with the law firm of Cozen O’Connor. Jeff and I currently reside in center city but are planning to move to the Philly suburbs later this year. This will be a challenging year, but with the support of the YPN board, the Chamber, family and friends, I’m confident this will be another outstanding year for YPN. A special note to our out-going YPN Chair, Steve Grandizio: thank you for your tremendous efforts in leading YPN through another successful year. You’ve been an amazing leader and you truly motivated the rest of the board members to really step up their game. You’ll be a tough act to follow!

Make sure to check the YPN website, www.ypnphilly.com, regularly for upcoming events and initiatives.

Join a YPN Committee

As a new year begins for the Young Professionals Network, you are encouraged to apply for a position on one of the five committees. Below is a description of the committees:

• Events - Works closely with GPCC staff and recommends, schedules, assists with YPN event logistics. Also leads the planning and execution of the annual Success in the City event.
• Membership - Focuses on the growth and retention of YPN membership.
• On The Move (OTM) - Serves as YPN’s On the Move Team. This is an 11-week total resource campaign. The resources and revenues raised by this campaign increases total membership base, add new programs and services, enhance existing programs, and strengthen the Chamber and YPN’s commitment to the improvement of the regional business climate as Pennsylvania’s largest business organization.
• Public Relations/Marketing - Promotes YPN’s public image and coordinates message with GPCC.
• Volunteer - Coordinates YPN’s community related projects and activities.

If you are interested in any of the committees, please email your resume with a brief description of why you would like to join to Jacob Rozran at ypn@greaterphilachamber.com.

YPN offers new Members Only Benefit

YPN is committed to providing opportunities for its members through its existing monthly networking events, discounts at special Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce events, quarterly volunteer events and Committee work. This year YPN has created five professional development seminars for its members.

The first Professional Development event will be held on September 17, 2007 from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. The event will focus on how to feel more comfortable at a networking event. Speaking at the event will be Lyn Kremer, publisher at Philadelphia Business Journal. The other topics for Professional Development covered will be:

• November 26, 2007 – Entrepreneurialism
• January 28, 2008 – Career Advancement
• March 24, 2008 – City wide and regional issues
• May 2008 – YPN encourages all to attend the annual Success in the City event
• July 28, 2008 – Community involvement and volunteerism

LAST CALL to Register for the Fifth Annual ImPAct Young Professionals
Statewide Conference

Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, PA
September 28 – 30, 2007

Heinz Field will serve as the venue as hundreds of young professionals from across the Commonwealth come together to discuss common issues, share success stories and meet other dynamic young professionals. Highlights of the conference include an opening reception on Pittsburgh’s Riverwatch complex, a keynote address by Chris Heinz, panel discussions with Google and CareerBuilder, and a happy hour and baseball game at PNC Park, all with the backdrop of a weekend for networking and socializing with other young professionals. GET ENERGIZED! GET MOBILIZED! MAKE AN IMPACT!

This conference is another way that YPN Members can develop personally and professionally as well as interact socially and exchange ideas. The Young Professionals Network will be submitting an entry for the Best Practices Award, recognizing how we affect a positive change in our community, for our continued volunteerism with McClure Elementary School.

For more information about ImPAct 2007, including the conference agenda and speakers, go to www.payoungprofessionals.com or contact Casey Mahaven at 412.253.0677/email casey@trecommunications.com. The cost to attend the Conference is $100.

Are you a new member of YPN?

Want to meet other new members and get an overview of the organization? Join YPN Board members once every month at the Chamber for YPN New Member Orientation.

The next YPN New Member Orientation will be on Wednesday, October 3, 2007, at 5:30PM. Also, there will be an orientation on November 26, 2007. The orientations will be held at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce located at 200 S. Broad Street (Broad & Walnut) on the 7th floor. Please confirm your attendance by emailing your contact information to Jacob Rozran at ypn@greaterphilachamber.com.