Optimum Companies: Young Professionals Spotlight: Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club

This is a fantastic opportunity for young professionals looking for a great networking group.

At Optimum we consider the Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club to be extremely noteworthy and strongly support their activities. I encourage any young professional to take a look at the information below and to consider joining this wonderful organization.

Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of August, Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club is featured.

When and why was Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club started?

Rotaract has evolved quickly in its short by dynamic history. In the early 1960s, Rotary clubs around the world began to sponsor university youth groups as community service projects. The 1967-68 Rotary International president, Luther H. Hodges, and the RI Board of Directors considered this club activity to have international relevance, and Rotaract was approved in 1968 as an official program for Rotary clubs. Several decades later, the Rotaract program has grown into a strong, international network of 7,300 clubs in more than 150 countries and geographical areas. Rotaract's 145,000 members are young men and women who serve the needs of their communities, widen their personal and professional contacts, and increase their understanding of the world.

The Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club was founded in the fall of 2007, receiving its official charter in May 2008. Columbus Rotaract is sponsored by Columbus Rotary which supports the club through mentoring, professional development, fellowship and financial means. The Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals has over 40 members.

Why should I become a member?

The purpose of the Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club is to provide an opportunity for its members to serve the community by participating in service projects that make a difference and to develop professional skills by creating venues to learn from proven leaders. As a Columbus Rotaract member you will:

Contribute to the community where you work and play through a variety of monthly service activities.

Build relationships with the Columbus Rotary club, central Ohio's largest Rotary chapter.

Gain access to Columbus-area professionals through quarterly development meetings.

Connect with new people who have common interests through social events.

How do I become a member?

Just send a quick e-mail noting your interest in joining Columbus Rotaract to our membership chair, Kirstin at membership@columbusrotaract.org. We will send you an informational packet and connect with you to discuss Columbus Rotaract in more detail! You may also attend one of our upcoming events that are listed within the Columbus Chamber's Activities and Events for Young Professionals weekly emails. Feel free to attend events to learn more about Columbus Rotaract before joining. Membership dues are $50 annually.

Tell me about your upcoming events.

During the upcoming months we have several events planned, including:

Alex Fischer, president & CEO of The Columbus Partnership will join us for a luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Huntington Building, Floor 11. Alex will share how more than 600 Central Ohio business leaders have collaborated to create a bold initiative that will position Columbus to become the fastest growing economy in the country. Columbus 2020! is a comprehensive economic development strategy for our region to grow 180,000 net new jobs, increase income by 40 percent and make Columbus a top 10 city in economic development in the nation. You won't want to miss this lunch! RSVP at www.columbusrotaractalexfischer.eventbrite.com.

Join us at these two fantastic events to volunteer for in one weekend, August 21 and 22!

Junior Achievement needs help staffing its registration tables at the Bowl-a-thon this year! Join us for a quick shift lasting an hour and a half, making it easy to squeeze into your busy schedule! Saturday, August 21, 4:45-6:15 pm; Sunday, August 22, 10:45 am - 12:15 pm and 1:15-2:45 pm.

PELOTONIA is a grassroots bicycle tour with one goal: to end cancer. Columbus Rotaract is extending the invitation to volunteer along the route from Columbus to Athens. For various volunteer opportunities check out http://www.pelotonia.org/ride/volunteer.jsp.

Don't miss out on the following opportunities to network and meet other young professionals as we venture out for two upcoming events:

Columbus Rotaract will be attending Cocktails at the Conservatory on Thursday, August 26 at 6 pm. Cost is $10 and may be applied toward food and beverage purchases. Let us know you'll be attending at www.columbusrotaractcoctailssatfpc.eventbrite.com.

Don't miss out as we support the Nationwide's Children's Hospital Slice of Columbus on Wednesday September 15 at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $12. Let us know you'll be joining us at www.columbusrotaractsliceofcolumbus.eventbrite.com. We will set up a meeting location for those in attendance!

What are some successes or cool facts about Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club?

Columbus Rotaract Young Professionals Club golf scramble, a Round to Remember, has contributed over $10,000 to Alzheimer's Association, Central Ohio Chapter.

Columbus Rotaract partners with Junior Achievement and Columbus Rotary to host the annual Barons of Business Professional Development Luncheon recognizing Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame. The 2010 honorees include: Larry Abbott, Retired Chairman, Abbott Foods; David Biaconi, Founder and CEO, Progressive Medical, Inc.; Sandra Harbrecht, President and CEO, Paul Werth Associates; and William J. Lhota, President and CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority. Save the Date: Monday, January 24, 2011.

Columbus Rotaract has featured key business leaders through its Speaker Series including Tanny Crane, Elizabeth Lessner, Cameron Mitchell, Michael Schoedinger, Jane Abell, and Andrea Cambern.