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Young
Professionals International Network (YPIN)
YPIN
occupies a unique niche in Seattle’s “young professional”
scene, bringing together a very diverse group of young people with
a shared passion for the world around us. YPIN hosts a wide range
of social and networking events, language groups, presentations,
discussions and trips – all with an international flavor.
This attracts an eclectic crowd with a wide range of backgrounds
and opinions. You might be in business, government or a non-profit.
You may have spent time – or would like to spend time –
overseas. Perhaps you are a foreign visitor or student or were born
abroad. Or you might just want to meet people who have done all
of these things! All you really need is an interest in different
cultures and a desire to connect with kindred spirits through fun
and engaging events. What’s more, YPIN provides access to
the work of the World Affairs Council through a special, low-cost
membership.
YPIN
is run by an all-volunteer board, supported by World Affairs Council
staff, that meets every month to plan and organize events. If there
are particular events you’d like to see simply chat to a board
member at one of our events or send an email to YPIN.
We’re always very happy to hear new ideas and we want to provide
events that our members are excited about.
Types of events that
YPIN holds:
Networking and Social Events
YPIN networking events are great ways to meet young people who are
interested in the globalized society facing the world today. Social
events are organized at local bars, cafes, restaurants, or occasionally
in homes. Past events have included everything from ethnic BBQs
and happy hours to flamenco demonstrations and wine-tastings, from
a cruise on Lake Union to our must-attend annual holiday party.
No matter what the occasion though, YPIN events offer a unique cultural
flavor that isn’t found at other networking functions. At
every turn, you’ll find that YPIN strives to connect participants
to the many cultures of the world.
Lectures & Discussions
Less formal and more interactive than the regular World Affairs
Council lectures, these events allow for relaxed discussions with
speakers. Presentations cover such topics as travel, comparative
literature, international political issues, human rights, and more.
Movie Screenings
YPIN organizes screenings of internationally focused films and documentaries.
Sit and enjoy meaningful movie while sipping on a beer. These events
are often followed by informal discussions of the movie content
and meaning.
Language Groups
Learn Spanish in college but never get a chance to practice? Spend
a year abroad in France but have since grown rusty? Our free and
informal monthly language groups are intended to shake out those
verbal mothballs and get people chatting again. Interested in a
group that we don’t currently offer? YPIN has a big network.
Go ahead and offer to organize a language group, and YPIN should
be able to support its creation.
Global Leader Dinners
Ever wonder what Foreign Service Officers do on their down time?
Curious as to how that venerable technology CEO climbed the ladder
to his plum position? Interested in finding out just how hard it
would be to start an NGO in a developing country? Then the Global
Leader Dinner Series is for you. These dinners (or occasionally
breakfasts or lunches) give you the opportunity to quiz leaders
in business, the nonprofit sector, and global affairs in an intimate
setting. Because these events are restricted to twenty YPIN members
(membership is required to attend these events), you can be sure
your questions will be answered.
Discussions with International Visitors
Professionals traveling to Seattle as a part of the World Affairs
Council International Visitor Program are often invited to attend
special YPIN events. These informal discussion groups are held at
a cool local venue and involve small groups of international visitors
(usually 5-15 people) swapping cultural stories and political debates
with YPIN members. This is a great way to find out about the businesses,
politics, and customs of a foreign country from the locals themselves.
Past visitors have included judges from South Korea, members of
the Croatian parliament, film-makers from India, and young Muslims
from Europe. Click here to learn more about the International Visitor
Program.
Get Involved
Want to get involved? YPIN is a volunteer-based
group and welcomes ideas and action from people like you! Help make
future YPIN events successful: suggest ideas, invite event speakers/hosts,
plan logistics, secure venues, spread the word with our marketing
team, co-present an event with your favorite international organization,
or simply help out at the event itself and receive free admission.
A note on co-sponsorships
YPIN co-sponsors a limited number of events throughout the year,
and is happy to receive suggestions from organizations who feel
that their mission is tied to the YPIN and World Affairs Council
messages. We love to co-present events with other organizations
with the goal of introducing different internationally-focused constituencies
to one another. Please note, however, that co-sponsorships with
YPIN do not entail financial sponsorship, but rather publicity.
The YPIN bi-weekly e-newsletter currently reaches thousands of local
young professionals.
YPIN warmly welcomes in-kind donations of space,
food, etc. for its events, and can provide co-sponsors with acknowledgement
letters for tax purposes. Co-sponsors and co-presenters will always
be listed on YPIN and World Affairs Council publicity for the event.
Interested in suggesting a co-sponsored event, or
making an in-kind donation? Please email YPIN
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Interested
in becoming a board member? Talk to one of the current board members
at a YPIN event or send an email to YPIN.
To
submit event ideas, volunteer for an event, ask a question or just
get in touch, please email YPIN
"Where
else would you meet, as I recently did at a YPIN event, an independent
filmmaker, a stockbroker, the director of Seattle’s All Nations
Cup (a local soccer tournament patterned after the World Cup), a
T-Mobile software developer, a former rock star who now runs a startup
nonprofit, an international business student at Seattle University,
and an entrepreneur who runs his own import company"
--YPIN
Member
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