Two Merge Into OneZone YPs

Writer / Janelle Morrison When the Carmel and Fishers Chambers of Commerce merged as the OneZone Commerce earlier this year, their respective young professional (YP) organizations underwent their own merger and redevelopment of their groups, formerly Arrows and In Power. As a result, a more robust young professional organization, now known as the OneZone Young Professionals, was established. The organization, run by a committee of young professional chamber members, is dedicated to connecting YPs under 40 through social networking, professional development, volunteerism and educational events. OneZone Young Professionals offers YPs in the surrounding areas opportunities to network and share work experiences with other YPs, develop leadership skills and explore ways to be involved with the chamber and the business community. YPs are also given the opportunity to attend a variety of events, volunteer, assist with philanthropic efforts and earn recognition within the organization for YP of the Year in which their peers vote for the candidates. Originally leading the Arrows committee, Katie Smardo, OneZone YP co-chair, spoke about the merger of the two YP groups and what their committee has placed their focus on. “Since the two chambers merged into OneZone Commerce earlier this year, we have been focused on learning about each other as committee members and what each of our strengths are,” Smardo said. “We’ve been discussing how we want to assist our members as an organization and how we can best serve the young professionals across the two communities and beyond our borders. “Our goal is to continue to provide value and first-rate programs to YPs in our area and outside of our immediate communities. Our organization has the opportunity to help make connections and provide mentorship, networking skills and professional development for our members. “For example, our Lunch and Learns are a great opportunity and tool for us to provide these services. Our newly formed OneZone YP committee has written a strategic plan and is looking at our long-term objectives. We have discussed how we want our events and programs to look going into 2016. One of our primary goals is to continue to attract members, so that they really feel that they are getting value out of their membership. “We want corporations and entities from Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis and the surrounding areas to look to us and use us as a selling point when they are vetting young professionals as potential employees and as an organization that their YP employees can engage and connect with. If their employees feel engaged, then they are more likely to stay in their community, and we don’t lose our talented workforce to competing markets.” For more information on OneZone Young Professionals, visit onezonecommerce.com.