These Young Floridians Are Well-Connected
“The goal of Connect Florida is to make a large state like Florida seem a little smaller.” — Joe Hansen [Photo: Michael McElroy / Wonderful Machine] |
Connect Florida
Joe Hansen states upfront that his goal someday is to run for elective office in Florida. The Long Island native moved to Palm Beach County two years ago after college in Rhode Island, where he participated in College Leadership Rhode Island. He joined Connect Florida at its initial meeting in July 2006.
Connect Florida |
Connect Florida looked at local leadership groups and wanted to offer something different. It focuses on an annual meeting, sometimes in conjunction with Leadership Florida, and full-day or half-day regional meetings that include education about issues, networking, leadership skills training and volunteering.
IMPACTjaxJacksonville young professionals, from left: Lee Brown, Justin Spiller, Leah Donelan, Juan Diaz, Kristen Nimnicht, Mary Goldsmith and Marcus Haile [Photo: Kelly LaDuke] “It’s really opened my eyes to what Jacksonville has to offer.” |
IMPACTjax |
IMPACTjax offers monthly professional development seminars and one-on-one mentoring and community service volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House, Jacksonville Humane Society, Habijax, the Mayport U.S.O., Big Brothers Big Sisters and Dignity U Wear. Social events include networking functions, cultural outings and sporting events. On the public policy front, there’s an “Art of Advocacy” and “Ready to Run” series of workshops as well as meetings with public officials.
Incoming IMPACTjax Chairman-elect Kristen Nimnicht, a retail property manager and leasing agent who grew up in Jacksonville, joined the group two years ago even though she had an extensive network of friends and family in the area. “I was looking for some ways to become a more engaged citizen,” says Nimnicht.
Orlando Young Professionals Leadership Group
“The intention of OYP is to develop leaders.” |
Orlando Young Professionals Leadership Group (orlandoyoungprofessional.com) |
OYP’s speaker list is impressive. Past speakers have included University of Central Florida President John Hitt, Darden Restaurants CEO Clarence Otis and former Orlando Mayor and Secretary of State Glenda Hood. Recent topics have included tax breaks for young professionals, business etiquette, corporate relationships and leadership training.
Prospective members must attend three events (which can include socials) before they’re invited to join. Because members come from diverse careers, it’s easy for them to help each other. As an example, Colangelo says her business has tapped OYP’s small network for outside graphic design and computer support.
It’s not all serious business, though. OYP was active in providing volunteers for September’s Central Florida Beer Festival to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. And there are monthly socials and an annual holiday party.
Orbis
“We are working hard to bring together people of like mind.” |
Orbis (orbisusa.org) |
The group meets five or six times a year to listen to speakers, volunteer or socialize. About 30 to 60 of the group’s 530 members attend any given event. At one recent event, Florida Atlantic University coach Howard Schnellenberger spoke, and each person in attendance helped support the American Cancer Society in honor of Schnellenberger’s son, who recently died from cancer. At another event, members volunteered at Tomorrow’s Rainbow, a center in Coconut Creek that provides interactions with miniature horses for children trying to overcome the loss of a loved one. While some events are just for fun, such as attending the Off-Broadway hit Tony & Tina’s Wedding at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Schimmel says, “We don’t want to be a matchmaking organization.”
Network of Young Professionals
“There has been a definite progression in people’s commitment to Tallahassee.” |
When Erin Malone first moved to Tallahassee from Georgia in 2005, her social and business network was limited. She spent most of her time working at the family business, MoreSpacePlace, with her mother and brother. Unlike many young Tallahassee professionals, she hadn’t attended Florida State University or Florida A&M, so she reached out to the Network of Young Professionals.
NYP’s tag line, “Live Work Play Stay,” promotes the idea that Tallahassee is a good place to build a career and a life. That message — that a young professional doesn’t have to move to Miami, Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville to have a fulfilling life — is one that many young professionals organizations in Florida’s smaller cities and rural counties are pitching to young workers.
Network of Young Professionals |