There is no “recipe” for your YP Org’s growth and development. Each city is different with unique needs, and YPs have broad interests and passions. Only you know what will work, in your community and with your peers, and if you don’t know - ASK!
In the years that Next Generation has been working with YP Orgs and cities in their talent attraction and retention efforts we have learned “making/having connections" are key!
In findings from Next Generation’s community surveys, more than 70% of young professionals value connections with families and friends in choosing a place to call home. And, in Next Generation’s Next Leaders Survey, nearly half (48%) of YP Org’s members indicated they got involved in their YP Org for social and/or business networking opportunities.
But it goes beyond peer to peer connections. It’s important for YPs to make community connections as well. Therefore, many YP Orgs focus initiatives that help showcase and shape their community’s quality of life - one that is more attractive to diverse, young talent. Engaging your members in the development of your community’s quality of life helps create a sense of “community pride” and generates stronger connections to the community - ultimately boosting your communities YP retention rate.
Next Generation’s research shows, when YPs feel they can make a difference in their community, they are 2-3 times as likely to stay.
One YP Org getting “community connections” right is the Young Leadership Council (YLC) in New Orleans .
The oldest, independent YP Org in the country, the YLC has raised more than $25 million to support community projects in and around the New Orleans area since 1986. The YLC has been proud to call New Orleans home since its founding, and in 1994, the organization started sharing its civic pride and encouraging residents to do the same. Now the ubiquitous phrase that came out of this grassroots marketing campaign, "New Orleans: Proud to call it home." can be seen on car bumpers across the country. Along with the bumper stickers, YLC’s Proud project hosts events that celebrate New Orleans’ culture including NOLA 101.
NOLA 101 is a New Orleans-themed social networking lecture series for YPs with the goal of offering attendees an opportunity to learn about New Orleans living while meeting peers in a low-key setting. Each event features a guest speaker, specializing in areas of local interest ranging from sports to music to economics - all things that make YLC members proud to call New Orleans home.
Another YP Org mastering social connections for area YPs is FUEL Milwaukee. FUEL Milwaukee is a YP Org success story in many ways but first and foremost they understand that showcasing Milwaukee’s “hot spots” while giving YPs opportunities to come together in a “purely social” setting is a great way to connect YPs to Milwaukee and FUEL as an organization. Each Purely Social event brings out more than 200 YPs, both FUEL members and prospective members.
So, if you don’t think those social - quality of life - connections are worth your YP Org's time, think again!
Stay tuned to Next Generation this week, April 25-29, for Next Leaders Week. We’re featuring a series of special blog posts around topics important to the growth & development of YP Orgs. We’re showcasing YP Orgs throughout the week who are creating real change in their communities. And, we’re hosting virtual best practice “speed” networking sessions for leaders of YP Orgs to connect “real-time”. Sign-up for the free best practice exchanges (Tuesday (26th) and Thursday (28th)) now!
