What is the YPN?
The Saginaw Valley Young Professionals Network is a program of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. The YPN aims to attract and retain young talent to Saginaw Valley Region while developing the next generation of leaders. To do this, the YPN works to make the area an attractive place for young professionals to live, work, learn and play. The YPN offers a wealth of opportunities for young professionals to network, give back to the community, grow both personally and professionally and to get out on the town to have some fun! There is something in the Young Professionals Network for everyone.
Membership Facts:
Membership is available to anyone between the ages of 20 and 40 who lives, works, learns or plays in the Saginaw County area.
Members of the YPN do not have to be members of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, the host organization of the program.
Membership is only $35 year and can be paid by the young professional or their employer.
Membership provides the following benefits:
- Free subscription to the YPN bi-monthly newsletter which includes YPN news, updates and member-only information
- Free YPN Membership Networking Database
- Membership pricing on select YPN events
- 20% off Davenport University tuition rates
- Discount membership fee for the Saginaw Jaycees
- Leadership opportunities
- Around Town Membership Benefit Card
- Opportunity to be included in the Board of Directors Directory
- Opportunity to participate in a Board Internship
- Additional member-only discounts and incentives as they become available.
How to Become a Member:
- Obtain and complete a Membership Registration Form.
Forms are available online at or by e-mailing .
- Submit forms and payment to the Chamber:
Mail: 515 N. Washington Ave, Second Floor, Saginaw, MI 48607
Fax: (989) 752-9055
E-mail:
Or submit at a YPN Monthly Luncheon, Percolator Breakfast or Business After Hours
YPN Activities & Events:
Network @ Noon: The YPN hosts 6 luncheons a year that provide professional development and networking opportunities. Each luncheon aims to cover a topic relevant to young professionals in the Great Lakes Bay Region, providing an opportunity to listen and learn and also an opportunity to network and share opinions and ideas. Network @ Noon events cost $15/member , $20/non-member, and can be paid for by the individual or their sponsoring employer.Cash or check is preferred at the door on the day of the event.
Network @ Night: After Hour Networking Events will be held at various establishments around the Saginaw County area. Drink specials, heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and additional incentives will be available.
Professional Development Seminars:Unique professional development opportunities will be offered throughout the year to provide the opportunity for young professionals to connect with others, become engaged in the community and advance in their careers.
Service Opportunities: Opportunities to serve in the Saginaw County area will be available throughout the year. In 2009 the YPN helped Habitat for Humanity deconstruct an abandoned home in the City of Saginaw and they donated two vans full of food to the East Side Soup Kitchen, over 20 pints of blood to Michigan Blood, over $1,000 to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Initiative and nearly $3,000 to the Renaissance Arts Coalition.
Leadership Opportunities
YPN Steering Committee: The YPN Steering Committee meets on a monthly basis to guide the planning and success of the Young Professionals Network. Recruitment for new leadership begins in the Fall, however applications are always being accepted and can be found at
Task Forces:There are five task forces that serve to assist with the planning and development of the Young Professionals Network. The task forces include Networking, Professional Development, Service, Higher Education and Communication.Opportunities for involvement will be available to those young professionals who submit an application, which can be found at
YPN Ambassadors:Ambassadors are the volunteer arm of the YPN. They assist with registration at events, welcome new members and keep in contact with members to let them know about upcoming events and special offers. If you’re interested in becoming an Ambassador feel free to fill out an application found at
Sponsorship Opportunities
A variety of YPN sponsorship opportunities are available to members of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. For additional information contact Michelle McManaway at (989) 757-2213 or at .
Benefits to Employers
Networking On a Whole New Level- The Saginaw Valley YPN will allow businesses to network with an active and engaged group of individuals who will be the future leaders of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Sponsorship Opportunities- Are your company’s products and services valuable to individuals between the ages of 21 and 40? What better way to target young professionals than through the Young Professionals Network? Employers that are members of the Chamber are eligible for sponsorship and promotionalopportunities.
YPN Contributions- It is a top priority of the Young Professionals Network to survey the YPNmembership about items and topics important to your business. Survey results will bedistributed to all businesses with an active YPN member.
Employee Growth and Development- An intended side effect of the Young Professionals Network will be the personal and professional growth development of young professionals. This growth and development can lead to increased productivity and efficacy. The YPN is an affordable way to expose your young professionals to information and skills that will not only assist them, but also your business.
An Excellent Recruitment Tool- The YPN is an added incentive for your company to attract and retain young talent. Moving to a new place and starting a new job can be stressful unless, of course, your new employee has a group of individuals focused on welcoming them to the area and the business community!
Investing in the YPN is similar to investing inan employee leadership training program, an advertising opportunity, recruitment and marketing research project and a whole new level of the Chamber, all at once!
Additional Information & Resources
Social Media Sites:
(Search: Saginaw Valley Young Professionals Network)
(Search: Saginaw Valley YPN
The Chamber Website: The website allows members of the YPN to register for events, stay up to date on Chamber events, check out the Chamber’s latest legislative action and learn more about the Chamber in general. Visit the Chamber website at
Questions and Comments: For additional information please contact Michelle McManaway, the Young Professionals Network Coordinator at or (989) 752-7161 x 248.