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 Beginning in the Fall of 2007 through this year, I served on ASAE & The Center's Young Professional's Committee (YPC) for its inaugural year as a standing committee. And truth be told. I miss it. I'd been a member of ASAE for quite some time but it wasn't until last year I decided to step up and volunteer. It was a perfect storm of my naiveté regarding ASAE volunteer duties and zeal that I signed up to serve simultaneously on both on YPC and the Technology Section Council. I sacrificed some quality time with my kid, some golf and personal hobby time but in retrospect it was worth it. I made a ton of friends and contacts, learned a great deal and shared some as well. Do it again? Not. I now only serve on the Council.
What do I miss about serving on the YPC?
First and foremost, I miss the energy and drive of collaborating with YPC members. I can honestly say the future of the association community is in great hands given the high caliber of thought shared and contributed by many of the Committee members. Much of this can of course be attributed to youthful enthusiasm but when you consider the level of professionalism applied to the projects created by this new Committee, it only amounts to great, great work.
Ok, let's talk about the word "youth." (sorry, laughing here cause I keep thinking about the "yoots" made famous by Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny). Youth may be perceived as a disadvantage considering you may lack "experience." True. But I certainly have witnessed where "experience" served as a barrier to new ideas and drives how organizations continue to do the same thing because they've always done it that way. Ugh. I equate youth to "fresh," "new," "innovative," etc. There was no lack of fresh, new and innovative ideas infused into the educational programming, Web site content or publication content from this group.
So think of it. If you can tap a group full of great ideas and enthusiasm, why wouldn't you? Well, considering many young professionals may be low on the totem pole at the organizations where they work since it may be their first job or new to the association community, their voice could be lost in that massive sea of "experience." The great function YPC serves the association community is it provides young professionals a raised, unfiltered and uncensored platform to share their great ideas that would have potentially been squashed by the "experienced" hierarchal infrastructure of many non-profit associations.
Also, since YPC raises the stature of young professionals who choose to participate, it allows them to network, mingle and collaborate with lots of association vets gaining valuable leadership experience! I personally feel I have grown much professionally in the past year with great guidance and mentorship from the likes of Reggie Henry, Jim Kelly, Cort Kane, Dina Lewis, Rick Johnston, Tim Baer, Mike Robey and George Breeden, all incredible thought leaders in the association information technology field. I am sure my fellow young professionals have similar stories they can share.
I've touched on the quality and quantity of work and projects, so let's check out the massive content output contributed in part or whole by YPC members in 2008! Apologies ahead of time if there are any errors or omissions. Please mail me at
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for change requests.
ASAE 2008 Webinars
"3 Steps to a STAND-OUT Resume"
Susan Guarneri, a Certified Expert Resume Writer in May 2008
"Got CAE"
Lori Frison, CAE
Director, Credentialing, ASAE
Pam Weber, CAE
Director of Professional Development,
Association of School Business Officials International
June 2008
"Learning from Young Professionals: The Social in Social Media"
Robert Murphy
Internet Marketing Manager
Optical Society of America
Lauren Wolfe
Marketing Manager
CK Marketing Solutions Inc
Sindy Levitt
Development Intern (at the time)
ASAE & The Center
Alyssa Thomas
Member Relations Specialist
ASAE & The Center
"Open Source Software: Considerations for your Organization"
Renato Sogueco
Chief Information Officer
Society of American Florists
"Continuing the Conversation - Implementing Social Networks"
Robert A. Wolfe
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Solid Waste Association of North America
"Technology Trends: What Association Leaders Need to Know Now"
Renato Sogueco
Chief Information Officer
Society of American Florists
ASAE Marketing & Membership Conference 2008
"Best Practices for Recruiting, Engaging, and Retaining Young Professionals
Amy Lestition, CAE
Executive Director
Society of National Association Publications
Miriam Miller
Director of Membership
United Fresh Produce Association
Peter O'Neil, CAE
Assistant Executive Director
American Industrial Hygiene Association
Tip Tucker Kendall
Membership Services Coordinator
American Association of Equine Practitioners
Garen Distelhorst
Accreditation Manager
Marble Institute of America
Robert A. Wolfe
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Solid Waste Association of North America
Renato Sogueco
Chief Information Officer
Society of American Florists
Garen Distelhorst
Accreditation Manager
Marble Institute of America
Brynn Grumstrup Slate
(former) Coordinator, Member Communications
National Association of Women Business Owners
Kathleen Paffhouse
Senior Manager - Affiliate Relations
American Dietetic Association
Lauren Wolfe
Marketing Manager
CK Marketing Solutions Inc
Yes, YPC generates lots of work but there is playtime as well. YPC held two happy hours at the last two ASAE Annual Meeting in Chicago and San Diego. Check out pics from the gallery here. Thanks much to Lauren Wolfe who provided the photos for the Young Professionals San Diego Happy Hour gallery.
 Lastly, I just wanted to give props to YPC's staff liaison, Alyssa Thomas and current YPC Chair Jen Jones. Alyssa is truly the driving force behind the Committee's activities, making sure all YPC initiatives were professionally realized from concept to implementation. Being a young professional herself, she's not only enabled YPC member ideas but added many of her own to the mix. In the course of "working in the trenches" together, we have become good friends and wish her the best of luck continuing her great work for the Committee and in her career. She still owes me pictures from London but I won't hold that against her.
 Jen took reigns over the Committee after the departure of original chair Amy O'Grady last year. YPC did not miss a beat as Jen skillfully stepped up and guided current and new projects. So, best of luck to Jen in leading the current YPC crew for 2009. I look forward to sharing a drink with Jen at future YP socials.
So, there you have my take on serving on the Young Professionals Committee. If you are new to the association world, I would highly suggest participating in YPC activities either by signing up to join the Committee or participating as an Ad-Hoc member and working on specific projects. There are always lots of projects to go around and lots of opportunity to contribute content to ASAE's publications, Web site, Webinars and ASAE meetings providing your unique young professional perspective. Visit the Young Professional Web site and/or Facebook page to keep tabs on the group's activities, or email Alyssa Thomas at
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to find out how you can get more involved. Click here to check out the current roster of YPC.
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