Young Professionals’ “Communities and Opportunities” Project Partners with University System’s “55% Initiative”

Stephen Reno, Chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire, met recently with leaders of the Mt. Washington Valley Young Professionals (MWVYP’s) in North Conway to discuss their current project, “Communities and Opportunities,” and to explore a possible partnership. Knowing of the University System’s “55% Initiative,” the YP’s wished to develop an alignment that would further the interests of both.

Launched in 2007, the 55% Initiative seeks to encourage more soon-to-be and recent graduates of New Hampshire’s colleges and universities to stay, work, and play in the Granite State. The effort was prompted by a convergence of several factors. New Hampshire is a “graying” state; its population the sixth oldest nationally. More of its current workforce is closer to retirement than to the beginning of their working lives. And, most importantly, notwithstanding the current recession, NH employers are finding it difficult to fill key positions in their businesses. Chancellor Reno has been meeting with business, professional, and community leaders and policy makers across the state to develop a comprehensive strategy to make young people aware of the opportunities of living and working in New Hampshire.

The YP’s developed the concept leading to their project “Communities and Opportunities,” following both the interest generated by the 55% Initiative and the recent screening of the film “Communities and Consequences,” a documentary profiling the graying of New Hampshire and some of the factors contributing to it. These include a lack of affordable housing, inadequate opportunities for education, and an overall sense on the part of young people of not feeling welcome in their communities.

Working with daVinci Consulting, the YP’s launched “Communities and Opportunities” to identify critical assets and strengths of the Mt. Washington Valley and to find ways of working together to build upon those. The YP’s plan an “appreciative inquiry” process that will engage citizens of all ages in conversations about what they value and what they feel works well in our community. Already, the project has brought together community elders, high school students, and young professionals and trained them as interviewers to meet with residents across the Valley. The interview transcripts will be analyzed to identify primary themes, values, and concerns. This information will be shared with a much larger group at a “World Café” summit in May. From this, the YP’s expect to develop action plans that will not only enhance the community but will enjoy a wide range of support.

David Rudewick, Co-Chair of the MWVYP, and Executive Director of the School-to-Career Partnership, observes, “The opportunity to partner with the 55% Initiative is an incredible honor and will be a boost to our efforts here to foster a community in which old and young alike enjoy the benefits of living, working, and playing together.”

FMI Contact: David Rudewick, 603-447-2350