There was a great turnout at the May 8 RTYPN membership meeting at the RSCVA. An interactive discussion was held on our future programs and potential committees with a lot of feedback from members and guests. As promised, we are providing members and interested parties with a recap.

There were some great concepts and ideas presented. Based on the discussion, the following program areas were identified:

• Outreach Programs – This would include working with EDAWN and others on recruiting such as how to talk to “trailing spouses” about the quality of life here. We also discussed getting YPN to sponsor “ribbon cutting” for YP businesses, and a job link. This program area would also include the programs described below:

 Youth Outreach Program - These would include working with people in age groups younger than the YPN age group. There were connections identified with UNR, TMCC and the Washoe County School District for activities that include mentoring, volunteering or fundraising. Ideas that were discussed included an ASUN/Greek System summit sponsorship, connection with career development center and involvement with the TMCC high school, to name a few.

Marketing and Website Committee – creation of and maintenance of our branding and website components.

• Professional Development Programs – These would include topics relevant to RTYPN members such as a Lunch and Learn series providing information on buying your first home or balancing your career and personal life.

 Bridging the Gap Outreach Program –This would include any programs or activities that focus on relationships with community leaders, sage advisors, baby boomers, retirees, etc.

• Networking Programs – Social and networking opportunities including suggestions such as holding a creative showcase of young professionals’ businesses, speed networking and showing our strength in numbers at events such as the monthly WIN breakfast.

• Community Service Programs– These would include identifying charitable organizations, identifying how RTYPN and its members can best help, and maintaining a set of resources for fundraising activities, such as golf courses for tournaments. A suggested list of charitable areas includes:

• Children
• Poverty
• Arts and Culture
• Environment
• Animals
• Health
• Athletics
• Education
• Seniors

It was suggested that RTYPN select a focus each year for charitable involvement, such as children or animals. Membership would vote each year on the focus.

• Leadership Programs – These would include getting RTYPN members involved with Leadership Reno Sparks who provides five scholarships to RTYPN members wishing to go through the program. Advocacy and political activities were discussed as important for this program area. There was also discussion on getting RTYPN members involved on local boards and in other areas of business through a program called the Pebble Project.

There is a RTYPN board member assigned to work with each program area listed above. Those people who expressed interest in a particular program area at the meeting will be contacted directly by the designated board member. If you would like to work on a particular committee, please submit your interest to execdirector@renotahoeypn.com. If you would like to suggest an additional program or committee area, please send an email to programs@renotahoeypn.com.

In addition to the program discussion, it was identified that we need to work on establishing a job board or job posting system, an “idea” box on the website where members can submit suggestions and a more dynamic website. We are working to tackle these and other priorities.

Thanks for your patience on the development of our website. Look for more updates in the future and keep an eye out for the June meeting!