Suburban Bully Interview with Jon Armstrong, YP Impact Board Chair

For much of his professional career, Jon Armstrong has been involved in the community. So when he was approached in the fall of 2005 to help form a young professionals organization, he couldn't say no. Nearly five years later, Armstrong, 30, is not only one of three remaining board members of YP Impact - formerly YPSM - he's also the Board Chair. While Armstrong has held this position far longer than the organization's bylaws require, he's still growing in his role – and having too much fun - to relinquish the reigns quite yet.

Surbuban Bully: Your organization wasn't always known as YP Impact. Tell me about how it came to be where it is today.
Jon Armstrong: We officially launched in January 2006 as YPSM – Young Professionals of Suburban Milwaukee. Our original board – there are three of us remaining - was formed in September 2005, and we spent those months before the launch planning, organizing, and preparing. The launch was a huge success – over 150 people attended – and we had really high hopes for the organization's future. But over time, our hopes fell short. Our original goal was to provide a networking resource for young professionals in suburban Milwaukee and that premise had lost its luster. We realized that other than just simply networking, young professionals wanted more. We weren't providing any real value to our members, attendees, or the community. So in August of 2007, we decided to take a one-year hiatus to regroup and rebrand. In September 2008, we relaunched as YP Impact, with a focus not only on social networking – but also on volunteerism.

SB: What's the purpose of YP Impact?
JA: Our main goal is, to quote our tag line, Young Professionals Connecting Communities. Our vision – I'm going to recite this straight from our Web site – is to engage and inspire young professionals with a social platform and opportunities for community volunteerism, which leaves a lasting impact professionally and personally. This networking and volunteerism - coupled with training - will allow our members to meet with peers, expand business contacts, and learn fundamentals of leadership, to prepare them for future career endeavors. That was technical!

SB: And quite a mouthful! So why networking - and - volunteering?
JA: Many of our board members were very active in the volunteer community, and so we thought that putting a focus on volunteering would appeal to young professionals, who often are involved in their community as well. I've been personally involved in the community for many years, and it struck a chord. Basically, we wanted to not only have a good time, but do something positive and give back to the community at the same time.

SB: What differentiates YP Impact from other social networking organizations in Milwaukee?
JA: Definitely the volunteerism aspect, coupled with our low-pressure approach to networking. As YPSM, we often held structured networking events, which at first were well-received - especially speed networking - but over time they became monotonous. It also 'scared away' potential attendees and members who weren't comfortable introducing themselves in front of a large group. But as YP Impact, we've taken a much more low-key approach to the way our events are run. We have many repeat attendees – as well as new faces – at our events, and because we have a manageable size group we're able to interact on a more intimate level and get to one know another more. Many of our attendees have expressed their appreciation of our openness - they don't feel as pressured since the crowd isn't overwhelming. Our board has done a great job of welcoming attendees throughout each event, and introducing them to key contacts they may want to meet. Our attendees never wander around aimlessly at an event, hoping to strike up a conversation – we'll always come to them.

SB: What would you say has been YP Impact's best or most memorable event thus far?
JA: The corn roast for sure, hands down, is our best volunteer event. We partner annually with the New Berlin Lions Club for a day of volunteering - roasting, preparing, and serving corn - at their stand during State Fair. All of the proceeds benefit local charities throughout the Metro Milwaukee area. Volunteers receive unlimited corn to eat and beer to drink...discreetly, of course...so you can imagine how that ends up!

One of our best recent networking events was in January at Ipic Entertainment at Bayshore Mall. We had a really great turn out for the event – Ipic graciously offered us free bowling and free food – the appetizers were awesome, actually. People stayed for hours after the event ended, just hanging out and socializing. I also bowled my personal best of 50.

SB: Does YP Impact have any community partners?
JA: Our Web development partner is Keystone Click - its president, Lori Highby, serves on our board and has done an excellent job creating our Web site and helping us market ourselves and further develop our image in the community. We've also recently developed a strategic partnership with Stone Creek Coffee, and partnered with Newaukee in April for the Milwaukee Riverkeeper River Clean Up. Additionally, we've partnered with the Hunger Task Force, St. Vincent de Paul, and La Casa de Esperanza for volunteer events, among other local organizations - but our two main strategic partners right now are Keystone and Stone Creek. We'd love to form partnerships with other local businesses and organizations.

SB: You mentioned you were a founding board member of YP Impact. Other than the obvious of being voted in, how did your board chair appointment come about?
JA: Years ago, I was always the guy content to come to our board meetings and take a more passive role, and chime in only when needed. I was hesitant to take on additional responsibilities within the board, because I was in the process of building my skills in business development - I was first and foremost dedicated to that. Upon being unexpectedly asked by our outgoing Board Chair at the time, to consider taking over his role, I – unexpectedly myself – agreed to do so, on a trial basis. It happened to coincide with our relaunch, and my fellow board members felt that I was ready for the challenge, which surprised me since I'd played such a demure role on the board previously. Apparently, they all knew that despite this, I'd be the perfect candidate for the role and was voted in unanimously. Interestingly, within a few months I was completely hooked. It turned out to be the perfect fit for me personally and professionally. I've been the chair now for two and a half years and I've been blessed to learn leadership skills, develop strong business relationships, and grow in the lifelong friendships I've made along this ride.

SB: What are your responsibilities as Board Chair?
JA: It's become a welcomed combination of challenges. Our board meets once a month to discuss needed action items, and leading a group of 12 energetic personalities talking over one another can become quite the task. Daily responsibilities include fielding email questions amongst the board, delegating specific duties, and pulling my own weight on the marketing and networking events committee.

SB: Don't board terms typically have a limit?
JA: Our board terms are officially a year per our bylaws – and while I would give up my position if asked, I will continue to serve with pride until that time comes. I've been involved with this organization from the beginning, so at the very least I would want to continue serving on the board...so long as I fit within our guidelines as a young professional!

SB: What are some of the goals YP Impact hopes to achieve in the future?
JA: I guess first and foremost, would be to maintain the welcoming environment and strong relationships are attendees have become accustomed to. Membership and attendance-wise, our goal the first year was to generate a high level of interest, awareness, and regular attendance at our events.

We've definitely accomplished that and now it's time to focus our efforts on getting our regular attendees more involved with the organization itself. Outside of the board, our organizational structure relies heavily on the efforts our committee members put forth. We have six committees, two for each style of event – networking and volunteering, membership, sponsorship, marketing, and finance. You don't have to be a board member to be on a committee, and we encourage anyone interested in joining a committee to do so. Board positions are available, but to become a board member a prerequisite is to first serve on a committee. We'd like to get chance to meet our board members first before asking them to join the board...for us, it's really about having a good fit. We just want to make sure they can handle the rigors of having a few beers once a month for a few hours as we hammer out our agenda!

SB: Outside of your board duties, what do you like to do for fun?
JA: Other than long walks on the beach and romantic candlelit dinners of course, I love to travel and just got back from Cancun a few days ago, for a friend's 30th birthday celebration. I also host an annual Memorial Day bash at my place, and it seems to get bigger and louder every year. The cops have 'come to party' every year as well - fortunately my good looks and charm have prevented me from getting a citation!

SB: Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share?
JA: I'd to invite readers to attend our upcoming After5 networking event at Riviera Maya in Bay View next Wednesday, May 19. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. We'll doing a drawing for a $50 Summerfest gift card. The event is free for YP Impact members and $10 for future members. You can register online at www.ypimpact.org.