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For myself, it’s been an honor to serve on the Events and Fundraising Committee over the past nine years and a wonderful learning and growth experience. Planning events that represent the needs and interests of young professionals is fun and fulfilling, especially when you see individuals interacting and connecting with one another, who may have never met otherwise. FLEX events are planned within a supportive environment and the opportunity to meet and connect with local young professionals who share the same passion for learning, development, and enjoying the Venango area.

If you’re wondering what it means to lead the Events and Fundraising committee, here is an overview: The committee meets monthly and plans the upcoming events, some subcommittees, such as FLEX Presents and Bike & Brew will meet weekly leading up to the large event. And the chair of the E&F committee will meet monthly with other leadership to report on the status of their committee. Other responsibility that are shared by the committee includes, planning events for groups of 5 to 120 people, contacting vendors to reserve locations, food, music, developing the event within a budget and contacting sponsors by engaging with local business, inviting fellow young professionals to attend, and involving other young professions to help plan or help set up/clean up or work the event.

I couldn’t recommend this leadership role enough!

For me it has had a very personal impact. It taught me skills such as: organization, attention to details, preparing and following a budget, communication, inside and outside your team, negotiating skills, and the chance to build and nurture strong relationships.

These skills and connections have benefited me, from my career in accounting, planning my wedding, to starting my own business. And above all that the connection with other young professionals has led to lifelong friendships and personal and professional opportunities that have made it possible for me to thrive here in Venango area!

I feel very strongly that if you are choosing to live somewhere, it is your responsibility to invest in the area and people there, to help those around you flourish and what better vehicle than FLEX, whose sole mission is to support young professionals and advocate for the sustainability of our home here in the Venango region!

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) October 2024 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.