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Organizations, page 2
by jessica tredinnick

Henry Sanders, president of the capital city's young professional organization, Madison Area Growth Network (MAGNET), says a lack of social networking opportunities is one of the factors deterring young professionals from staying in Madison. He is concerned about Wisconsin’s loss of young educated residents to other states, a worrisome trend termed “brain drain.” Sanders says areas of Wisconsin, especially Madison, fail to retain what he calls “the settling group,” working professionals ages 25 to 34 who are preparing to purchase a home and remain in a city for an extended period.

“Numerous studies indicate that as the baby boomer generation retires, there will be a deficit in employable work force for a variety of positions in all sectors of our economy,” Sanders says. MAGNET surveyed young professionals to find out which of Madison’s attributes make people stay there and which make them leave. Most said they found it difficult to meet people in Madison.

“As a young professional in Madison, it can be challenging to meet your peer group and have meaningful interactions with the community,” Sanders says. “The greater Madison area needs to attract and retain its next generation of leaders, and MAGNET makes our community more attractive to these people.”

Young professional organizations like MAGNET provide a non-dating social atmosphere, allowing their members to connect and establish both social and business relationships.  Social events include exhibition openings, happy hours at local bars and holiday parties. Sanders says the separation from dating services is important because it allows clearly defined, uninhibited social bonding that he hopes will help keep young professionals in the city.

Pastor Kara Baylor of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church in Racine often sees the positive effects of YPR membership on young members of her congregation and says the organization provides a healthy sense of community for individuals. Their enthusiasm for the organization prompted her to attend some meetings in 2003.

“For those who are newer to the community, it’s been helpful to make connections. I think Racine, like most communities, can be hard to break into, with people who have been here their whole life,” she says. “It does a lot for the image of the community as a whole. I think it shows that we care about those young folks, that we appreciate their contribution to our community.”

YPM performs a similar function, striving to keep young professionals in the city by making them an integral part of its development. Jurewicz says the organization encourages and helps members assume active roles in their community and government.

“They build a more diverse network professionally and socially, they learn more about metro Milwaukee, they can grow as the next generation of metro Milwaukee leaders,” Jurewicz says of YPM members.

She says the organization’s presence in the city convinces local employers to remain because it promises a permanent, well-rounded and dedicated professional work force. Many young professional organizations offer regular opportunities for professional and personal development. Seminar topics range from “Intergenerational work conditions” to “Buying your first home.” One MAGNET event was candidly titled “Get your S#*% together.” And at each event, young professionals are sure to meet like-minded colleagues.

“The more informed, involved and networked young professionals are, the more influence they have on their community and their job,” Jurewicz says.

Although young professional organizations exist for their members’ benefit, many also facilitate young professionals’ relationships with their communities. Sanders and Jurewicz say their communities are invariably, though often indirectly, improved by their young citizens’ strengthened sense of ownership and belonging.

“MAGNET facilitates the relationship that its members can have with each other and the community at large,” Sanders says.

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curb magazine 2005: balance for wisconsin's young professionals