Young professionals in Demopolis will soon have the opportunity to network together and foster community involvement with the start of Demopolis Young Professionals, an organization headed by the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce to “engage and reach the younger professionals,” according to DACC Executive Director Sidney Freeman.

DYP, which Freeman also credited Hannah Windborne with Mason and Gardner CPAs for helping bring it to reality, will target professionals aged 21-35 and is set to meet once every other month for events such as volunteering, meet and greets or informational sessions.

“It’s definitely going to give them an insight into the community and to what other individuals like them do,” Freeman said.

When the organization is not meeting, members will be able to connect with each other through other means such as a Facebook group. Freeman also said that upcoming events for DYP will be planned around the member’s needs and interests.

Individuals that are new to the community also stand to benefit from DYP.

“This will give them an opportunity to meet new people and see what makes Demopolis special. There’s a lot to say for networking with your peers,” Freeman said.

Membership dues are $50 per year, but Chamber Businesses have the option of purchasing memberships for employees.

An interest meeting about the program will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31. at Stacey’s Café at 6 p.m. It will be sponsored by Mason and Gardner CPAs.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, January 16 issue of the Demopolis Times.)