Over 50 people showed up for the Durant Young Professionals Organization (DYP) launch party Tuesday evening at Roma Italian Restaurant.
The event was a social gathering to kick off the organization in Durant. According to Paige Scott, part of the organization steering committee, there are young professionals groups in nearby places such as Ardmore and Ada.
Seeing how these organizations aided young professionals in these areas, Scott, Jason Winborn and Janet Reed, decided Durant needed one as well.
They felt there needed to be a place for young professionals to make connections and get to know other young professionals trying to emerge in the community, said Scott.
“It is launch pad,” said Scott. She said that the organization is meant to fill the gap between college and career.
“We want to make this place not just your place of work but your home,” said Scott as she addressed the crowd Tuesday evening.
The mission statement of the DYP says that the mission is “to provide oppertunities to experience life with young professionals; opportunities to emerge and develop as leaders; and opportunities to engage the community through learning and service for the purplose of identifying, retaining and supporting the latest group of movers, shakers and history makers of southern Oklahoma.”
The group is open to all interested parties in their 20’s, 30’s, or “young at heart” who feel they could use a place to connect with other young professionals.
Tuesday’s event was a social gathering to introduce the organization and allow professionals from different fields to connect and mingle.
Other types of events will include emerge events with speakers who will help young professionals through their own experiences and engage events where the group can be actively engaged in the community.
The next meeting of the DYP will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19 at in the conference room of the First United Bank of Durant.
This will be an “emerge event” with Kelly Barnes as the guest speaker. Barnes is a nationally known speaker and leadership coach.
Barnes is from eastern Oklahoma. According to Barnes’ website, kellybarnes.com, his mission is “Helping people get from where they are to where they want to be.”
For more information on how to get involved with DYP contact the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce at 580-924-0848 or find the DYP on Facebook at durantyoungprofessionals@groups.facebook.com
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