YOUNG LEADERS SOCIETY - UNITED WAY OF EL PASO

Generations of El Pasoans are already familiar with United Way of El Paso County, but now a new group of residents are getting to see the organization in a whole new light.

Young Leaders Society of United Way of El Paso was launched in February as a way to energize El Paso's young professionals and encourage them to play an active role in the success of their community, said Emily Martin, Community Initiatives Coordinator of the United Way of El Paso County.

But YLS is not unique to El Paso. United Way organizations around the country also have YLS chapters. Cities like Tucson, Austin, Chicago and Topeka started their own YLS chapters prior to El Paso, as did counties in such states as Michigan, Washington, New Mexico and Alabama.

"YLS is a national initiative with United Way of America and local United Ways are welcomed to start their own and are given a lot of flexibility," Martin said. "We wanted to focus ours on engagement and getting people involved who might not necessarily be involved with United Way."

Within months of launching, a steering committee was formed by recruiting some of the city's top young professionals. These members represent a variety of professions and backgrounds.  The steering committee has formed sub-committees to help diversify the experience for YLS members: Leadership, Volunteering, and Networking. 

So what constitutes a YLS member? As of now, a member is anyone who attends any of the YLS-sponsored events. The organization is not a dues-collecting organization, so participation is what really counts, Martin said. But as the organization further develops, the definition of a "member" may evolve.