by Kayla Schafer
What drives us to be involved in our community to make it a better place? A common theme for volunteering relates to wanting to make a difference, or being impacted by an event, disease or crisis. Ask the 100 plus women that are members of the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network and you get answers that differ from the common theme, but these women’s actions speak louder than words.
Women usually join the Bismarck-Mandan YP to get connected; either to people their same age or with people that have similar career goals and aspirations. Their desire to connect to others creates the platform for them to join forces and make an impact on the community. What makes this organizational platform so unique is that there are no guidelines restricting the charitable avenues the Network can pursue, which enhances the overall impact YP women can make in the community.
During the past five years of the Bismarck-Mandan YP existence, we have donated thousands of hours and dollars to local charities and organizations. For three years we have been involved with Carrie’s Kids and helped organize Teenage Makeovers twice a year. Teenage Makeover is for school aged children in Bismarck-Mandan that are in transition or experiencing homelessness. We help provide professional advice from lawyers, accountants, bankers, and cell phone service providers. Students can also build a resume and learn interviewing skills. Before they leave they can get a haircut, get their make-up done, and pick out new clothes that were donated by the community. The makeover is a chance for students to gain valuable information and to have a good time in a safe setting with their peers.
A few other charitable organizations YP has been involved with includes: set-up for Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, working with junior and high-school students in career development, working in soup kitchens, cleaning up highways, and fundraising for Salvation Army Toy Roundup, United Way and the American Cancer Society.
In addition to volunteering precious time, YP women are actively taking on leadership roles within the Network. Eight of the YP’s 13 leadership positions are filled by women. For the first time ever, the Network has a female president and vice-president.
The Bismarck-Mandan YP Network has come a long way from a simple discussion of 10 individuals wanting to meet other people their age in the community and from the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber giving us a means to interact with the business community. Today the Network consists of more than 200 paid members and six committees all focusing on professional development and community betterment.
The founding women and current and past members have been a driving force for 21-39 year olds to build a local network, develop leadership skills and launch new programs that make a difference in the community. However, none of this could have been done without the 100 plus males that make up the other half of the dynamic Bismarck-Mandan YP Network.