This month YPN encourages you to:

• Recap the Year with YPN Chair, Anne Madonia
• Thank You to those who Registered to Volunteer at the National Governor’s Association Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration
• Read about YPN at the Moshulu
• Read about YPN’s Professional Development Program on Community Involvement and Volunteerism.
• Save the Date for YPN's Next Professional Development Program

A Message from the Chair, Anne Madonia

Submitted by Anne Madonia, Cozen O’Connor

It’s that time in the summer when we all start to think ‘boy, how fast this summer has gone by’ and we make plans to get the most out of the remaining weeks…we buy tickets to a Phillies game, plan a bar-b-q with friends, schedule a trip to the shore, tee up for another round of golf, etc. We try to capture every last bit of summer before it’s over.

August is my last month as the chair of YPN, and as I look back to recapture and savor all that we’ve accomplished this past year, it’s no surprise that YPN had another successful year. When I became the chair of YPN last September, I challenged the YPN Board to take YPN to the next level, to continue on the path that had been started by our predecessors, to increase membership, to provide more exposure for YPN and to think outside the box and to take on new initiatives. The dedicated and passionate Board members took me up on that challenge, and together we achieved these goals.

We hosted top-notch networking events; we implemented a professional development program, including an annual “Mayor Nutter Unplugged” program; we expanded YPN’s volunteer activities at McClure Elementary School and started a “Volunteer of the Year” award; we had a successful golf outing with business executives; we started a YPN blog with photos from events; we engaged our membership to be more involved in committee activities; we provided more leadership opportunities and exposure for YPN Board members...just to name a few things we’ve done this year.

In keeping with tradition, YPN provided its members with the opportunity to hear from the region’s leaders and to experience new and exciting venues throughout the city. YPN’s networking events were kicked off in September with an event at the Palm Restaurant with guest speaker Joe Frick, President & CEO of Independence Blue Cross. In October, we networked at the Inquirer Building with guest speakers Brian Tierney and Eric Grilly from the Inquirer. YPN brought us over the river in November for an event at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, with guest speaker Kelly Johnston, VP of Government Affairs, Campbell’s Soup Co. December’s networking event was at the newest Marathon Grill with guest speaker Tom Muldoon, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. In January, YPN held its networking event at Tangerine Restaurant with guest speaker Bradlee Bartram, V.P. of Restaurant Development of Starr Restaurants. YPN held its February event at DiBruno’s on Chestnut Street with guest speaker Bill Mignucci, Jr., President of DiBruno Brothers. March’s event was a first-ever for YPN, with Mayor Nutter as guest speaker, at St. Joseph’s University. YPN brought its members to the newest addition to the Philadelphia Museum of Art by holding its April event at the Perelman Building with guest speaker Gail Harrity, COO of PMA. In May, YPN held its Success in the City Signature Event at the Pyramid Club, with Lori Wilson as moderator, and the panelists included Wes Wyatt of Cintron Beverage Co., Judy Spires of Acme Markets, and Vai Sikahema of NBC News. YPN took us to the Racket Club in June with guest speaker District Attorney Lynn Abraham. YPN topped off its year of networking events in July at the Moshulu with the announcement of YPN’s Volunteer of the Year award recipient.

YPN not only provided networking opportunities, but in furtherance of its mission, YPN provided its members with exclusive professional development programs. YPN started this initiative with a program focused on networking skills with the Philadelphia Business Journal’s publisher Lyn Kremer. Next up, we learned how to start and maintain a successful small business with tips from Steve Grandizio, president of Friendly Mortgage. We then received invaluable career advice from career consultant Sara Canuso. Lastly, YPN’s professional development program culminated with a focus on volunteerism and community involvement with insights from Renee Archawski, Executive Director of Philadelphia Cares, and Sheila Hess, Manager Social Mission Programs at Independent Blue Cross. YPN will continue its professional development program, so look for future emails about an upcoming program in September.

As I pass the baton to YPN’s next chair, Kevin Cafferky, controller at Philadelphia OIC, let me take this opportunity to tell you that YPN will have a great leader come September! I’m excited to turn over the reigns to someone who not only has so much passion for YPN but to someone who truly understands and appreciates the importance of networking and building relationships. Let me also acknowledge three outgoing board members who have served YPN well over the years, Dave Abrams, Bernadette Pitts and Michael Stalbaum, each of whom used their talents in the law, in event planning and in marketing, respectively, to make YPN an even better organization.

YPN is Philadelphia’s premier young professional networking group, and it’s also one of the city’s best kept secrets, so I encourage those of you that are members to bring your friends and co-workers to future events and for those of you that aren’t members, seriously consider becoming a member in time for YPN’s Kick Off to the new year of programming at the Hard Rock Café on September 17th. The guest speaker will be former governor Mark Schweiker, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

As I finish up my term as chair of YPN, I want to thank you all for allowing me to guide this amazing organization through another successful year. Personally, it was a challenge juggling not only my duties as chair but also a full-time, demanding job as a partner at Cozen O'Connor, and being a first-time mother. I’ve learned one thing, and I’ll share it with you, anything is possible if you are determined and passionate, if you surround yourself with a strong support system, and if you stay focused on your goals and priorities. Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you in September!

Thank You for Registering to Volunteer with the NGA

Last month, the National Governor’s Association held its Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia. Governor Ed Rendell and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce requested the services of YPN to fulfill its volunteer necessity. YPN answered the call and came out in droves to help with the press, welcoming, and security at the event. The event brought together Governors from all over America, both past and present, and YPN volunteers afforded the opportunity to see them in action and to socialize with them. Thank you to all who registered to volunteer.

Moshulu hosts the Young Professionals Network

Submitted by Anne Madonia, Cozen O’Connor

Oh what a night! Young Professionals Network held its last networking event for its 2007-2008 season at the Moshulu at Penn’s Landing on July 15th. With over 250 registered attendees, it was a full ship! The ambience of looking over the Delaware River landscape on a hot summer night was just perfect. The delicious food, the drinks, the crowd…another great night to mix and mingle and network with other young professionals in the city. YPN capped off its year with the month of July focused on Volunteerism, culminating in the presentation of the YPN Volunteer of the Year Award at the event. The first-ever award winner was Jeff DeCesare. Jeff was the most engaged YPNer for volunteering this past year. A special plaque was presented to Jeff by the Volunteer Committee co-chair and YPN board member Andrew Pack, and in addition Jeff was also given $500 to donate to his favorite charity. Jeff chose Philadelphia Cares and a check was presented to Renee Archawski, its Executive Director. Jeff surprised the crowd by announcing that his employer Paliani Consulting had matched YPN’s donation, and Philadelphia Cares was presented with another $500. Smiles all around! It was such a great way to end my term as the chair of YPN.

YPN is Philadelphia’s premier young professional networking group, and it’s one of the city’s best kept secrets, so I encourage those of you that are members to bring your friends and co-workers to future events and for those of you that aren’t members, to seriously consider becoming a member.

» Click here to see more pictures from the event at Moshulu.

YPN Hosts a Professional Development Program on Community Involvement and Volunteerism

The Young Professionals Network finished up its programming year with a professional development program on community involvement and volunteerism. Renee Archawski, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations of Greater Philadelphia Cares, and Sheila Hess, Manager of Social Missions for Independence Blue Cross, presented on their own experiences in the community and provided the group many ways to get involved themselves. YPN thanks our great speakers and all of those who attended; we look forward to another strong program year.

Save the Date for YPN's Next Professional Development Program

Strategic Networking:
The Importance of Developing Key Business Relationships.
September 22
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Join YPN for our first professional development program of the year. This program will introduce the concept of strategic networking and how it will be used to achieve personal, professional and organizational goals. Location, speaker and additional information will be posted on the YPN website.

Are you a New Member of YPN?

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

The next YPN New Member Orientation will be on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. 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.