Young Professionals of Midland

YPM Membership, I have tried to delay it as long as possible, but duty is calling and it is now time to start pestering you for your yearly re-up payments. There will be no additional review of a member to determine if they are still a professional, only a payment of your yearly dues, $85 per member. We are going with, "once a professional, always a professional." I will be sending out emails to all members who owe their yearly dues with payment information included.

If you have been thinking about joining, but have not got around to it go to the link below and get your application in to us. Once you have filled it out online, make sure to use the email link to submit your application. Applications are located at www.ypmidland.com. If you have any questions send an email to Jesse Waters at JWaters@ypmidland.org.

Social Committee 2007 Wrap-Up
2007 was a packed year for YPM members and we enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends at a variety of YPM Socials such as, the Hookah Night, Party at the Penthouse, After Hours Socials, YPM Fiesta, Midland Rockhound Games, the Pool Party, YPM Theatre Nite, Summer Mummers and much, much more. Check out our MySpace page for some fun pictures from throughout the year: www.myspace.com/ypmidland.

January After Hours Socials
To kick off the New Year we will be getting back into the groove of hosting After Hours Socials around the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and/or Thursdays of the month. This month we will meet at the Mahogany Lounge located inside the Midland Hilton for music and networking. Dates and times for this month are:

Wednesday January 9th
DimLIt Daylight
Indie/Pop/Rock
7-10 p.m.

Wednesday January 23rd
Andy Eppler
Lyrical/Folk/Funk
7-10 p.m.

Coming in February
February 7th be sure to bring a friend to our Mardi Mixer with proceeds benefiting a local non-profit.. And February 21st be sure to come listen to some soothing jazz at the first-ever YPM Jazz Nite. Times and locations to be announced. Watch your inbox for more details!

The Social Committee will be meeting again soon to set dates and venues for After Hours Socials, Theme Parties, and Family Events for 2008. If you are new to Midland or YPM this is a great way to get to know the social network, and if you are a YPM veteran we need your expert opinions. To join the Social Committee or send in ideas, contact Alisha Brown at: ABrown@ypmidland.org.

Make a difference in the Midland Community in the New Year. This month we will be planning for Spring Community Outreach Events. I need help planning these events. If you have a non-profit you would like to see YPM help or if you would like to be on the Community Outreach Committee contact me at RRoberts@ypmidland.org.

Don't forget to get your YPM t-shirts. They are $15 and available at most YPM events. Get them while they are still available.

The Leadership Committee is currently gearing up for a great year of Leadership Luncheons and speakers for 2008. Our first luncheon of the year will be held Tuesday, January 15th at the Petroleum Club. Our guest speaker will be Maria Elena Duron. Maria Elena is an exceptional speaker that is sure to motivate. She is an author, brand strategist, and well-known speaker with connections throughout Midland and Odessa.

Also, mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, January 24th for the Get to Know the Network event. Maria Elena will also be hosting this speed-networking event. This will be a fun filled evening to get to know your fellow members of YPM. Location TBA.

We have an excellent schedule of speakers for 2008. Stay tuned for a complete listing of speakers and luncheon dates.

If you have suggestions for speakers or topics you would like to see at the luncheons, or you are interested in joining the Leadership Committee please contact Lesley Goeres at LGoeres@ypmidland.org.

Speaking of... Resolutions

January is a time to set Resolutions. A Resolution to stay fit... maybe eat healthy... save money... or even quit a bad habit. These are the traditional Resolutions people make. But it seems that as a YPM member this should be the year to make a difference in the community.

One of the major goals of YPM is to give back to the community through our Community Outreach Committee. Ryan Roberts our Community Outreach Director has set up several events which gave back to the Midland Community. In 2007 YPM helped the Midland MS Society, Helping Hands of Midland, the American Cancer Society, Celebration of the Arts, Septemberfest, the Midland Community Theater, Midland Habitat for Humanity, and the Boy's and Girls Club of Midland.

Even though YPM has helped all of these local organizations we still see a lack of participation from our YPM members. It is usually always the same faces at all of these events... a couple of board members plus one or two members. It is not enough to just say you are a YPM member, as a Young Professional in this community it is vital that you give back.

This year make a New Year's Resolution to give back to the Midland Community. Help YPM give back to the Midland Community; volunteer today.

Please take note if you have not been receiving YPM Email Information that your email client is bouncing back YPM Emails as spam. In order to prevent YPM Emails from being bounced you must add Info@ypmidland.org to your email address/contact list.

If you use AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail then more than likely your email client has marked emails coming from Info@ypmidland.org as spam. If you add this address to your contact list this should correct the problem. We will be on the look out for email addresses that are bouncing back mail to YPM, but please take note and be aware of this issue.