Forum

What are YP groups doing to mobilize their members…to serve, to vote, to take a stand, to take on a big fat community issue, to get in the face of silly policies (or politicians?)

Last week, Kirsten Case Penrod at YPC (Young Professionals Council) in Omaha shared with me the “Factpaigns” that they run before YPC takes a stand on a city issue.  For example, before they launched their recent bus challenge, they gathered FACTS about bus ridership and mass transportation in the city.  Kirsten said, “No one can argue with facts.”  By getting their facts straight, YPC avoids taking a pure politically-spun position on issues important to the city.  (Nice work, KCP.)  Learn more about YPC here: http://www.omahayoungprofessionals.org/

I think it is great YPC in Omaha approaches getting involved in community issues this way.  I speak to so many YPOs who struggle with not be able to take a stand because of Chamber affiliation or simply their own bylaws have limited their political engagement.  You can’t argue with the facts! 

The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities in IA/IL has begun “Issue Forums” which happen quarterly and are about giving the YPs the facts and then facilitating a healthy discussion around a specific issue or topic.  Following the forums we post a “YP Perspective Paper” on our website stating the facts around the issue and recapping what was discussed at the forum.  Another way to share the YP voice without the organization itself having to get political.