Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County

Get Festive!

2009-11-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

The Mary Bridge Festival of Trees is an annual event benefiting Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. The event is organized by community volunteers, the Tacoma Orthopedic Association and Mary Bridge Children's Foundation. In 2008 the Gala raised over $750,000 in revenues that went directly into important projects and programs within the Hospital's mission.
YPN has volunteered to help run the Gala again, with the help of as many individuals as possible. It's on Friday, December 4th 5pm-9pm. Last year 10 YPNers helped at the event and it was a blast, and this year we are hoping to make a larger impact and have an even better time!
Job duties range from greeting guests as they arrive to spotting bidders in the live auction, and everything in between. If interested, email ypntacoma.philanthropy@gmail.com and we will reply to gather volunteer information that is needed to be allowed to participate. You will also be able to list your preferred job duties and the time you will be avalable to volunteer. RSVP's need to be received by November 9th, so please check your calendars and sign up today!

Holiday Blood Drive at Vinum!

2009-11-05T15:56:00.000-08:00

YPN and Cascade Regional Blood Services are joining forces again to save lives in Pierce County! Join us December 1st for a 1/2 hour donation between 4:30 & 7:30.

The holiday season is a time of great need for blood banks, as normal donors are busy and car accidents increase with the worse road conditions. YPN is filling this need by planning another blood drive, with the goal of 25 pints in our 3 hour event!

Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge is hosting us while we wait for our scheduled donation time ... and for a treat after! Special "Donor" discounts will be given to those who donate at our event. Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge is located at 1001 Pacific Ave. Tacoma.

Please email ypntacoma.philanthropy@gmail.com for more information or to sign up! Please indicate in your RSVP what time you would like to donate. The donor van can accomodate only a few people at a time, so a schedule is made to help the flow. Anyone is welcome - spread the word!

COME FIND OUT WHAT YPN IS ALL ABOUT!

2009-09-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Please join the Young Professionals Network of Tacoma Pierce County for our next Prospective Members meeting. If you have been thinking of joining, want to learn more about YPN, or know of someone who would be a great asset to our network, please join us for this special evening. Maxwell's has donated a private dining room and appetizers, and will be serving wine and beer for you to purchase. Thanks for your interest, and hope to see you there.

Where: Maxwell's

When: September 15th 5:30-7:00pm

Questions? email ypntacoma@gmail.com

Time to Register for Kickball!

2009-08-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hit the playground and bring back the glory days!

Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County (YPN) is excited to announce that you can now register as an individual or team to participate in their first Kickball Tournament! Please keep in mind that you do not have to be a YPN Member to play, so invite your coworkers, friends and family!

The tournament will be held September 19th, 2009 at Heidelberg fields by Cheney Stadium. There will also be an awards ceremony at Engine House 9 on 6th Avenue with drink and appetizer specials for event participants after the winner has been determined.

Please visit the registration page (link below) to get more information about the event and to sign-up as an individual or team of 10.

http://www.comebacksports.com/ypn.php

Mentorship Opportunity

2009-07-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

Have you thought about becoming a mentor but just don’t know where to start?

Come join the Young Professional Network at our inaugural Mentorship Luncheon. It will be a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to learn more about mentoring in the Tacoma-Pierce County area. Captain Mike Miller will share his storied experience of mentorship. The decorated Tacoma Police Officer has not only founded a program for officers to teach reading in schools, but has also served on the board for Communities in Schools and has mentored youth as both a coach and school liaison officer for years.

The Hub is graciously lending their banquet space and is even offering some giveaways for a few lucky attendees. $20 for YPN members and $25 for non-members for lunch, a chance to win and the guarantee of impacting a young life.

There will be no pressure to sign up for a mentorship position – but those who are interested will have the opportunity. Space is limited, so pass this along to anyone who might be interested and RSVP right away! You should have received an evite on Friday. If you did not please email us and we will get you one right away!

Questions? ypntacoma.philanthropy@gmail.com

YPN BLOOD DRIVE: HUGE SUCCESS!!!

2009-07-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

Great job! We registered 25 people and after the deferrals, drew 20. Sixteen were first time donors! With 20 blood draws, your drive will save up to 60 lives at our local hospitals. We want to thank everyone for all their help. Please know that each donor is someone’s blessing. (Everyone who donated at your drive will be able to donate again on August 31, 2009)

Thank you again for helping us to save lives.

Also thank you to our chairs of this event: Melissa Buckingham and Branden Benson! Thank you to Hello Cupcake for donating lots of yummy cupcakes!!

YPN Responds to Local Need

2009-06-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

In response to the shortage of blood donations in our area, the Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County is responding by partnering with Cascade Regional Blood Services and Hello Cupcake to sponsor a Blood Drive on July 6th from 4:30-7pm next to Cutters Point, downtown Tacoma. Each person who donates will receive a free cupcake from Hello Cupcake.

Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County mission is to grow, cultivate, engage, and retain young professional leadership in Tacoma-Pierce County.

If you would like more information on the blood drive, please contact Branden Benson (253.680.3837) or email ypntacoma@gmail.com. If you would like more information on YPN, go to our blog at ypntacoma.blogspot.com.

YPN Tacoma-Pierce County Golf Scramble

2009-06-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

We've expanded this popular event to an 18 hole scramble format. Scramble format: usually played with 4-person teams. In a scramble, each player tees off on each hole. The best of the tee shots is selected and all players play their second shots from that spot. The best of the second shots is determined, then all play their third shots from that spot, and so on until the ball is holed. A scramble format is great for the avid, recreational or beginning golfer!

Sign up now! We have space for 8 teams with 4 players per team. Create your own team and sign up as a foursome or a twosome (and be paired up) or sign up individually and be teamed up with others.

Tournament includes: 18 holes, golf cart, range balls, welcome bag of goodies and prizesTournament cost / player: $37 for Members, $42 for Non-members
19th Hole: Stop in at the clubhouse for dinner or drinks after your team is done. Prizes will be awarded when the last team arrives.Questions: email YPN at ypntacoma@gmail.com

When: June 25, 2009 at 2:00pm

Where: Allenmore Golf Course

Save the Date for Paint Tacoma Beautiful

2009-06-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

When: July 25th

Other details and invite to be sent soon!!!

SAW at SAX....Awesome!

2009-06-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Sax is a new restaurant and bar on 6th Avenue. A few highlights are their extremely affordable happy hour ($3-$5 for lots of food) and the fact that they are open until 4am. Thank to Lisa, Nick, Chrystal, Chris, Kelly, Andy, Spencer, Molly, Shane, Amy, Tricia, Jamal, Jim, Brian and Eric for showing up! Please thank Sax by giving them some business! YPN highly recommends :)

Congrats to our 40 under 40 recipients!

2009-06-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Business Examiner announced their 40 under 40 recipients and YPN had four members receive this acclaimed award! http://www.businessexaminer.com/forty

Congrats to:

AJ Gordon, Managing Partner, Gordon Financial Group, Inc.
Elliot Stockstad, Director of the National Mentoring Project, Northwest Leadership Foundation
Tyler Shillito, Attorney, Maher Ahrens Foster Shillito, PLLC
Bett Simpson Lucas, Sales Manager, Sound Refining

Congrats to our past recipients:

2008: Kyle Prosser, Commercial Real Estate Broker, First Western Properties
2007: Chris Lucero, Morgan Stanley

Mentorship Luncheon

2009-06-17T17:37:00.001-07:00

We will be hosting a panel discussion on how you as a YPN member can individually sign up to be mentors in the community whether with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, CASA, etc. You will be so impressed with how many other YPN members are mentors in our community!

Date: August TBA

Kickball Tourney Coming in September

2009-06-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

Kickball is back! Come enjoy an awesome childhood sport and show off your skills!

Date: TBA

Next Membership Meeting August 4th

2009-06-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Our first member only meeting was a huge success. EL Gaucho was a great host and we were able to get lots of great member input. Please mark your calendar for the next one which will be August 4th at 5:00pm.

Upcoming YPN Events

2009-04-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, May 5th SAW (Spontaneous After Work Event) at Masa
Meet at MASA at 5:30pm and enjoy a few drinks with other YPN members and friends. Address: 2811 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA.

Tuesday, May 19th: Prospective Members Meeting at 701 (formerly downtown Capers)
Do you have friends or co-workers interested in YPN? Bring them to our prospective members meeting where we will explain what YPN is all about. We highly encourage members to attend as well. We will be having it at the new restaurant and bar 701 and each attendee gets one free glass of wine. This will begin at 6pm. Address: 701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA.

Wednesday, May 27th: Leadership Luncheon featuring Liz Heath of the Non-Profit Center
Liz will be speaking on how young professionals can benefit from being on a non-profit board. Liz Heath is considered the local expert on this topic. We will be having a yummy lunch at Pacific Grill events center and it is limited to the first 25 people who RSVP. Luncheon goes from 12-1:30pm. Be looking for the evite! Address: 1530 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA.

Tuesday, June 2nd: First Membership Meeting
This will be our first ever member only meeting!
During this meeting we will be introducing new members, discussing future events, and there will be a time for members to share any activities they would like to announce. The meeting will be from 5-6pm.

June: Golf Outing at North Shore Golf Course
Last year was a huge hit! We will be sending information soon! Address: North Shore Golf Course, 4101 Northshore Blvd., Tacoma, WA.

July 7th: Board Meeting

July 25th: Paint Tacoma Beautiful
We will be painting a home in need this summer. What a great way to give back!

August 4th: Membership Meeting

August TBA: Mentorship Luncheon
We will be hosting a panel discussion on how you as a YPN member can individually sign up to be mentors in the community whether with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, CASA, etc.

Notice of Upcoming Annual Meeting

2009-03-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Young Professionals Network of Tacoma - Pierce County is holding the annual meeting for all current members who would like to attend.

Location: Commencement Bank Board Room - 1135 Broadway Plaza, Suite 103, Tacoma, WA

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Time: 5:30

Please email ypntacoma@gmail.com if you have questions. All members are encouraged to attend and contribute their energy to making YPN even more successful. An agenda will be sent out via email.

Thank you to all our stream planting volunteers!

2009-03-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all our volunteers! Your time and generosity do not go unnoticed. YPN members continue to impact the community each and every day.

YPN Social Event: Narrows Plaza Bowl

2009-02-05T12:31:00.001-08:00

2200 Mildred St. W in University Place

Come join YPN on Wednesday, February 25 at 6p.m. for some good ol' fashioned bowling at Narrows Plaza Bowl. They have 40 new lanes, an arcade and a full bar, and we've got a great package set up. $14 for members and $18 for non members providing 2 games and pizza. Keep an eye on your inbox for an Evite or contact aaroncrodriguez@gmail.com for more info.

For those of you who need some encouragement: click here

Next Philanthropy Event Focuses on the Enviornment

2009-02-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

On March 14th, 2009 Pierce Stream Team will be planting native trees and shrubs along South Prairie Creek and we have offered to help. This 20 acre site is the premier salmon spawning stream in the Puyallup River watershed. Named Bee Spit Honey, it was nearly developed into personal homes where lawns were planned to extend up to SPC, but with the help of state and local dollars the site has been purchased and will forever be conserved by Pierce Conservation District. This spring planting is just one step in the overall long term management plan, and possibly the most critical.

If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Melissa Buckingham at buckingham.melissa@gmail.com or if you are on our email list respond to the Evite coming out soon. The project is from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and we will be meeting before hand in Tacoma to carpool. This is a family friendly event so feel free to bring the kids to help plant if you want!

YPN Announces New Location for Power Luncheons

2009-02-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

Next YPN Power Luncheon is March 18th, at the Pacific Grill Events Center, from 12-1:30. Costs are $25 for members, $35 for non-members. Ryan Petty, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Tacoma, will be our guest speaker.

These lunches are open to the first 25 to RSVP. Please rsvp to ypntacoma@yahoo.com

Prospective Member Event at Suite 133

2009-01-07T14:50:00.000-08:00

Are you someone who wants to learn more about YPN? Are you a current member who wants a friend or colleague to learn more about YPN? Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at Suite 133 to hear all about YPN and why everyone young professional in Tacoma should join. Enjoy a brief presentation about what we do, meet the Board and other current members, all while enjoying free wine and appetizers.

When: January 21, 2008 at 6pm

Where: Suite 133 (AKA Exit 133 headquarters), 703 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA (Down the block from Matador and Mahoneys, next to Capers Deli).

Whats: Wine Tastings and Yummy appetizers!

Cost: Free but donation encouraged!! All funds will help support future YPN functions.

Please RSVP to ypnmembership@gmail.com and let us know you're coming!

YPN: Helping for the Holidays: RESCHEDULED DUE TO SNOW

2009-01-06T17:24:00.000-08:00

Due to our snowy winter our event was postponed. Be looking for an new date soon!!

The Emergency Food Network Holiday Repack Project. EFN began their monthly repack project in 2007, where staff and volunteers take frozen food items and repackage them into individual 2 lb bags for distribution to food banks in Pierce County, so that the food banks can provide them to needy families. For more info, email Megan Abbbott at Megan@npcenter.org.

Holiday Party was a total success!

2009-01-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

What an amazing holiday party! We had some of the ugliest Christmas sweaters around. Congrats to our winners of the evening: Eric Heller and Chrystal Morrisette. Aaron Rodriguez and the Networking committee did a fantastic job.

Dress Up and Help Out

2008-11-25T17:33:00.000-08:00

Festival of Trees Gala Dinner and Auction. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital is hosting its annual Festival of Trees. They have asked for 10 volunteers for the Gala on December 5th to fulfill various duties. On Dec. 5th, volunteers must arrive on the 5th floor of the Tacoma Convention Center by 5 pm for instructions and dinner. There are only 10 spots! Due to the limited availability, if you choose to rsvp, we ask that you please commit to being there. Email Melissa Buckingham at buckingham.melissa@gmail.com for more info. And please dress in appropriate "holiday attire" for this black tie event.

YPN HOLIDAY PARTY

2008-11-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

Come join us for the YPN Holiday Party at Over the Moon Cafe. The event is for current YPN members and 1 guest so feel free to invite a significant other or anyone interested in YPN! The ticket price is $25 per person, which includes a glass of wine or other beverage, and a delicious array of heavy appetizers. Also, we will be doing a toy drive for Toys4Tots, so please bring a new, unwrapped toy along with your most "festive" holiday wear.We need to get a solid headcount, so please RSVP if you would like to attend. Send your payment in by Wednesday, December 3rd to the YPN address below:

YPN
Attn: Holiday Party
1516 Commerce Street, Suite 234
Tacoma, WA 98402

There will be prizes for the best sweater, so hit the discount stores early! Also, please don't forget to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a contribution to Toys4Tots.We look forward to a fun celebration with wonderful people and to making this holiday special for local children. See you in your holiday finest!