Network Administrator Sarah Tewksbury views the new Young Professionals of Sycamore Web site during a demonstration last week at American National Bank in Sycamore. (Gus Stuertze/For The Courier News)

Young Professionals of Sycamore getting word out with new Web site

January 14, 2009

By LIZ STOEVER For The Courier News

SYCAMORE -- With the launch of a Web site, Young Professionals of Sycamore will bring the business world closer to the community.

Rose Treml, executive director of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, said the Web site is a way to reach everyone, even those not yet members of YPS.

"It's hard to get the word out," she said.

Before, only Sycamore business CEOs and bosses received a newsletter about the group, making it difficult for their employees and potential new members to get interested. Treml said with the new Web site -- www.sycamoreyps.com -- she expects to see an increase in membership.

Members of YPS are business professionals, mostly in their 20s, who meet monthly for lunch and attend programs geared toward learning how to network and function in the business world. One program called speed networking closely resembles speed dating, but has people talking instead about their businesses when moving from table to table.

Treml said the event also gets the members more involved with the business community because it teaches "elevator speech."

"(Employees) only have a minute to introduce themselves and stand out," she said.

Treml said the Web site can be used as another networking tool because members also have information about their professions and companies in their biographies. Treml said she also hopes that the Web site will show business owners that YPS is important for employers.

"They're the ones making the decision," Treml said. "They need to see the benefit."

Jon Singer of jSinger Design created the Web site. Sarah Tewksbury, who chairs the Web site committee, said Singer worked very hard on the site, which will be unveiled today. In a technology-geared world, Tewksbury said the group needed a central location to get information. Six months after the decision to create the Web site, it's ready for use.

Other cities and towns have similar young professional groups and Web sites that Tewksbury said she had fun looking at.

"I hope we get that same kind of exposure," she said.

Along with information about programs and events, the Web site will feature biographies and photos of current YPS members. The Web site also will allow members to RSVP to events and blog about programs they've attended.

When the Web site is launched on Thursday, Tewksbury will give a presentation of the Web site at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore at 4:30 p.m. and help their members learn how to use the site. The event also will feature wine tasting.

The Sycamore chamber created YPS in August 2006 and started with 140 business owners and young professionals at its first meeting. Now the group has about 70 young professional members. Treml said YPS was created to keep young professionals in Sycamore instead of moving to other cities.

"We were seeing a trend of young professionals who graduated who leave within three to four years," she said.

The group also is a way to make friends and feel more connected to the community, because members are also asked to volunteer at any local organization, Treml said.

"For employers, we keep professionals here and committed," she said.

Members of YPS are also looking to create a Facebook page for the group.

Read this article on the Elgin Courier Web site.