Submitted photo A meeting of the Young Professionals took place earlier this month in Sunset Bay.

The Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals came together earlier this month for a mixer at Sunset Bay Beach Club, their first event of 2021. Lake Shore Savings Bank and United Way of Northern Chautauqua County sponsored the event. The mixer, a kickoff for the group as it re-engages, featured door prizes and a raffle of items donated by the sponsors.

Around 25 professionals of all ages from throughout the northern Chautauqua region gathered, representing a wide range of area businesses and organizations. The mission of the organization is to network and advocate for young professionals, promoting awareness of local opportunities and entrepreneurship endeavors. Working together, members create great synergies to enhance the overall quality of life for young professionals and our communities.

“There’s a lot of really great work being done in our area by many highly motivated young individuals. It was great to connect with some of the people doing that work and hear about their ideas, goals, and hopes for the future of our community. It’s clear that we will best be able to accomplish these goals through collaboration, and the (Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals) provides the platform for those connections and partnerships to flourish.” said Leslie Wille, Co-Chair of organization and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

The Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals has a full schedule of events planned through the remainder of the year.

The next event, held at Shorewood Country Club on Tuesday, Sept. 14, will feature a professional golf lesson followed by networking opportunities. Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals invites professionals of all ages in the northern Chautauqua region to attend. To register or for more information on this and other upcoming events, send an email to nchqypro@gmail.com to request to join the mailing list, or follow the Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals on Facebook at facebook.com/NorthernChautauquaYoungProfessionals.