Want to join our team of forward thinkers and doers in NWLA?

The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) is a network of community leaders under the age of 40 who seek to enhance Northwest Louisiana for the attraction and retention of young professionals. YPI offers professional development opportunities and networking events in partnership with local organizations, such as local businesses, the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, and other leaders in the area.

The YPI Executive Committee is the leadership of YPI and serves as the backbone of the organization by planning and organizing all YPI activities. Serving on the YPI Executive Committee affords young professionals a valuable opportunity to build upon their leadership skills and organize activities that appeal to a wide range of young professional interests.

The following positions comprise the YPI Executive Committee:

Chairman will lead all meetings; assist all Chair positions with leadership duties; design goals and agendas for the year with assistance from all Chairs; oversee all events and activities implemented for the organization; execute special projects as deemed necessary by Executive Committee; train Chairman Elect for upcoming service year; work closely with Chamber liaison and GSCOC Board of Directors to ensure that YPI program is successful. At the term’s end, will orient the incoming chairman. Must serve 2 years on the Executive Committee/Board before being elected to this role.

Chairman Elect will fill in for the Chairman and lead meetings as needed; assist all Co-Chair positions with leadership duties; design goals and agendas for the upcoming year with assistance from all Co-Chairs; work closely with Chairman to ensure that YPI is successful. At the term’s end, will orient the new Chair Elect. Must serve 2 years on the Executive Committee/Board before being elected to this role. The Chairman Elect is slated to assume the Chairman position in the following year.

40 Under Forty Chair will plan, promote, and execute all activities for the annual 40 Under Forty Awards Gala. This will include, but is not limited to, overseeing the application and selection process, obtaining sponsorships, booking venues, coordinating decorations, graphic designing and all other aspects of the events leading up to the gala. In the planning of this, the Chair will do all of the above in compliance with the approved budget. Must serve 2 years on the Executive Committee/Board before being elected to this role.

40 Under Forty Co-Chair will assist the 40 Under Forty Chair to plan, promote, and execute all activities for the annual 40 Under Forty Awards Gala. This will include, but is not limited to, overseeing the application and selection process, obtaining sponsorships, booking venues, coordinating decorations, graphic design and all other aspects of the events leading up to the gala. In the planning of this, the Chair will do all of the above in compliance with the approved budget. Must be an active member of the Young Professional Initiative to serve in this role. The Co-Chair is slated to assume the Chair position in the following year.

Communications Chair organizes press releases, newsletters, e-mail blasts, and all other media from the organization. The monthly newsletter will include all of our upcoming events, as well as events going on in and around Northwest Louisiana. The newsletter should showcase young professionals’ achievements in the area. Volunteer activities and job opportunities should also be included. Support for the YPI Philanthropy of the Year should be shared. Graphic design for any YPI event or project is to be designed and/or approved by the Communications Chair. Communications Chair will work with the Communications Co-Chair for social media activity. All information shared on behalf of YPI should be professional, positive and engaging. Must serve 1 year on the Executive Committee before being elected to this role.

Communications Co-Chair is responsible for all social media outlets and posts, to include, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. All outgoing media should include all of YPI’s upcoming events, as well as events going on in and around Northwest Louisiana. It should showcase young professionals’ achievements in the area. Volunteer activities and job opportunities should also be included. Support of the YPI Philanthropy of the Year should be shared. All information shared on behalf of YPI should be professional, positive, and engaging. Must be an active member of the Young Professional Initiative to serve in this role.

Community Outreach Chair connects members with organizations and charities that promote the growth of the city through community involvement and volunteer opportunities. A primary objective of the Community Outreach Chair is the implementation of the Philanthropy of the Year. Community Outreach Chair will be responsible for the outgoing and incoming of all applications for this program and creating and promoting events to bring awareness to the Philanthropy of the Year by engaging our members in community involvement. Must serve 1 year on the Executive Committee before being elected to this role.

Community Outreach Co-Chair will assist the Community Outreach Chair to connect members with organizations and charities that promote the growth of the city through community involvement and volunteer opportunities, the implementation of the Philanthropy of the Year process, and creating and promoting events to bring awareness to the Philanthropy of the Year by engaging our members in community involvement. Must be an active member of the Young Professional Initiative to serve in this role.

Secretary Chair will take minutes at each YPI meeting and track board member attendance at meetings and events. One must serve 1 year on the YPI Executive Committee before being selected to serve as the Secretary Chair.

Secretary Co-chair will also take minutes at each YPI meeting and serve as chair in the absence of the Secretary Chair. One must be an active member of YPI to be selected to serve in this role. The Co-chair is slated to assume the Chair position in the following year.

Professional Development Chair is responsible for the planning and implementation of the quarterly Lunch and Learns. Lunch and learns feature a guest speaker or panel on a topic that is engaging to young professionals. The Chair is responsible for booking the venue, scheduling a speaker, graphic designing of invitation, agenda, and other items pertaining to the events. The Chair will do all of the above in compliance with the approved budget. Must serve 1 year on the Executive Committee before being elected to this role.

Professional Development Co-Chair will assist the Professional Development Chair in the planning and implementation of the quarterly Lunch and Learns. Lunch and Learns will feature a guest speaker or panel on a topic that is engaging toyoung professionals. The Co-Chair is responsible for assisting in booking the venue, scheduling a speaker, graphic designing of invitation, agenda, and other items pertaining to the events. The Co-Chair will do all of the above in compliance with the approved budget. Must be an active member of the Young Professional Initiative to serve in this role. The Co‐chair is slated to assume the Chair position in the following year.

Social Chair is responsible for the planning and implementation of the monthly networking after hours socials. The Chair is responsible for booking the venue, coordinating happy hour specials with the venue, and other items pertaining to the events. During the event, the Social Chair will be responsible for the sign-in sheets and any logistic issues of the events. The Chair will do all of the above in compliance with the approved budget. Must serve 1 year on the Executive Committee/Board before being elected to this role.

Social Co-Chair will assist the Social Chair in the planning and implementation of the monthly networking after hours socials. They will assist the Chair in booking the venue, coordinating happy hour specials with the venue, and other items pertaining to the events. During the event, the Social Co-Chair will be responsible for assisting the Social Chair with the sign-in sheets and any logistic issues of the events. The Co-Chair will do all of the above in compliance with the approved budget. Must be an active member of the Young Professional Initiative to serve in this role. The Co‐chair is slated to assume the Chair position in the following year.

Members-at-large assist in membership development and retention, sponsorship attainment and fulfillment, volunteer opportunity fulfillment, and assist the committee with any events and or other scheduled functions as needed. One must be an active member of YPI to be selected to serve as a Member at Large.

Application Details:

We are accepting applications until October 1st. All positions on the YPI Executive Committee are volunteer positions that serve for a minimum of one calendar year, with a maximum of 5 years serving on the committee. After submitting your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Chairman and Chair-Elect. New committee members are selected each November by a vote of the current YPI Executive Committee members.