Gov. Rick Snyder came to Traverse City this spring for some face time with the Chamber's Traverse City Young Professionals. Now the YPs will return the favor!

Young Professionals are invited to a bus tour to the state capital on Thursday, Sept. 18. YPs will tour the Capitol building, take in House and Senate sessions and sit down with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley to continue the conversation started with the governor this spring. Lunch is included and a dinner stop is scheduled on the return trip. It's an opportunity to learn more about what's going on in Lansing, and let Michigan's leaders know what the TCYPs are making happen.

View the itinerary and register for this awesome trip!

Our last volunteer event of the year will be the United Way Day of Caring - Thursday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Check with your employer to see if you can get the day off to participate in this great event! Learn more about the Day of Caring or register online.Questions? please e-mail RachelJ@EventsNorth.com

The Chamber's Board of Directors last month endorsed a "Yes" vote on Traverse City Area Public Schools' non-homestead millage renewal that goes before district voters on Nov. 4. Learn more about the millage renewal here.

Join us Sept. 10 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Great Wolf Lodge and get to know your local service organizations!  Enjoy lunch with your fellow YPs and learn about Traverse City Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Club of Traverse City, Traverse City Optimist Club and Zonta Club of Traverse City. Register today!

Our YP Insider program is underway! The program provides local and prospective YPs with a valuable resource list to make the transition to live, work, play, and STAY in Northern Michigan that much easier.  Email ypinsider@tcchamber.org to take advantage of this new program or to become one of our "in the know" YPs! 

Our Student and Alumni Committee will attend the PinePalooza welcome event at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) on Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event welcomes new NMC students to campus and includes clubs, academic groups, employment opportunities and more. If you'd like to represent the YPs at this fun event, please email Courtney or Josh for more information.

Join fellow YPs for a day full of team building and networking!  Our annual YP Conference is Oct. 3 at the Leelanau Outdoor Center.  YPs can expect to participate in several exciting initiatives to help build relationships and trust, learn about themselves through challenging activities and compete in a fire-building contest.  Make sure you register for this fun day of networking, growth, new friends, and fresh air.  You won't want to miss it!

Two local organizations - Traverse Area Community Sailing (TACS) and the Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI) ­- are looking for YPs to help with volunteer events and join their boards and committees. If you're interested in either of these opportunities, email Michael Smith at TACS or Diane at MLUI for more information.

Grand Traverse County residents are also welcome to apply for the Coast Guard Committee. There are three open seats, and you can help support the Coast Guard's importance in our community! Learn more, or contact fellow YP Katelyn Stroven for details. 

Also, Artists Creating Together-Grand Traverse (ACT-GT) is seeking three members to serve on the board for this non-profit organization that brings adaptive art opportunities to people with disabilities. Expertise is needed in the areas of fund raising and financial management. Learn more at www.act-gt.org/ or contact Dayna Ryan at (231) 883-5747.