Local young professionals are striving to be an influential force in the community through networking and good works.
The Shawano Area Young Professionals (SAYPro) is geared towards individuals ages 21-39 in the Shawano area. The business group was created in May 2013 and has held a steady membership of approximately 60 people, according Karissa Kunschke, 28, who is also employed with Cooperative Resources International and serves as SAYPro’s event planner.
President Bobbi Jo Ladwig, who also works for Farmers Insurance in downtown Shawano, said members join for a variety of different reasons, including business networking, educational workshops and meeting new people within the community.
“Everybody has a specific piece they are interested in, so it is always a variety,” Ladwig said.
Lauren Quist, 24, joined the group around the same time she moved to Shawano and had a desire to seek out individuals within her age range.
“I am super interested because I have only been in Shawano for two years and don’t know many people,” Quist said.
She moved into the community to take a position with Cooperative Resources International following graduation at Michigan State University.
“It was nice to be able to mingle with the young people in the community,” said Quist.
The group has done multiple community and business events, including participation in April’s Wolf River Home Builders Show held at the Crawford Center, where they donated 1,656 items of food to SAFPARC.
Kunschke said they will make adjustment in 2015, doing a similar community event at the Taste of Shawano in March.
SAYPro held a Toys for Tots drive Tuesday at the Shawano Lake Golf Course, with proceeds benefiting the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center.
Seven of the 22 members present at the Tuesday event, which also had an ugly Christmas sweater theme, donated toys to SAFPARC.
SAYPro has sponsored Lunch and Learn workshops to enrich young professionals.
Last month, they held a Financial Fitness Workshop with Jon Aumann of Edward Jones Financial delivering the speech. They also participated in an October event where they learned dining etiquette, along with a fellowship event consisting of Go carts and miniature golf at Xceleration Amusement Park in August.
However, there are no age restrictions for Lunch and Learn sessions, according to Kunschke.
“For many of our events, we allow all professionals, if it’s a topic they are interested in because we want to provide education opportunities for all in the community,” Kunschke said.
Cost of annual $25 membership to the group goes toward operating expenses, rental of event space and booking of speakers, according to Kunschke.
The price is reasonable, she said, compared to neighboring organization Green Bay Area Young Professionals, which has an average annual membership of $60.
The group’s next event will be another Lunch and Learn session Jan. 14 at the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce with Carrie Verkuilen of Verkuilen Chiropractic speaking about remaining physically fit.
Quist said the group has allowed individuals new to the community to learn about other local businesses.
“I have done a lot of business with a ton of other local groups, instead of the big box stores,” Quist said.
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