hYPe (helping Young Professionals engage)
Welcome! Sheridan has been buzzing with vigor due to area initiatives within the business community. Adding to this buzz is hYPe (helping young professionals engage), an organization whose mission is to recruit and retain young workers and their families to the Sheridan area by enhancing and promoting our local community as a destination to live, work, and play. You may have heard about this group in the newspaper or on the radio, on the streets, or you may have attended one of our social events. We've had a strong launch and are actively gaining momentum. Forward Sheridan has identified 10 challenges that face our community in the Strategic Plan for Economic Development in Sheridan County, Wyoming. One of the challenges identified during the community strategic planning process includes Sheridan County's workforce shortage. With more employment opportunities than employees, hYPe was formed to address Sheridan's workforce shortage issues by working to recruit and retain young workers.
hYPe is accepting this challenge head on with a bold plan of action. hYPe is actively working to retain young workers by creating fun and exciting events within the community. From the hYPe kick-off barbeque in August to Events Calendars, hYPe members are creating a social network, building friendships and relationships between members. hYPe is also working closely with HR professionals--by partnering with HR professionals, we are able to expand our network of young professionals as companies recruit new hires; we are also able to help retain those new hires by engaging them into hYPe activities and our mission. hYPe is also looking to the web to help with recruitment of young professionals to Sheridan. By creating a web presence on websites like MySpace and LinkedIn, hYPe will be able to reach young professionals that we may not otherwise reach through our college and high school alumni networks, friends, or through HR recruitment.
hYPe is also working to address the specific needs and desires of young workers. hYPe has 4 committees working on specific initiatives to make the Sheridan area more appealing to young workers. The Welcome Team, the Restaurant Recruitment Team, the Events & Outdoor Recreation Team, the Community Enhancements Team each address specific challenges addressed by Sheridan's young professionals.
Welcome Team
The welcome team is dedicated to welcoming new arrivals to Sheridan and new members to hYPe by introducing them to local activities and events. By welcoming new arrivals, making them feel welcome and excited about the community, hYPe can help young workers feel connected and engaged within the community. Our welcome committee has created a welcome questionnaire for new members--this questionnaire is included in all hYPe brochures as well as emailed to potential members. This questionnaire helps the Welcome Team pair new arrivals with welcomers of similar interests. If you are interested in learning more about the Welcome Team, please contact committee chair Liz Dearcorn.
Welcome to Sheridan!
Restaurant Recruitment Team
Many Sheridan citizens, young and old, would like to see an increased variety of dining options. The restaurant recruitment team is working to recruit new restaurants to the Sheridan area. This committee is creating restaurant relocation packets with zoning maps, licensing information, and demographics to send to potential restauranteurs, as well as exploring options to attend restaurant expos outside of the area to promote Sheridan as a restaurant location. The restaurant recruitment committee is also working to create a panel discussion with local restauranteurs to discuss the pros and cons of operating a restaurant in Sheridan, as well as to discuss how local restaurants can fill some of the gaps in dining variety. If you are interested in learning more about the Restaurant Recruitment Team, please contact committee chair Janelle Martinsen.
In the vault of the Virginian Restaurant, Buffalo, WY
Events & Outdoor Recreation Team
Live music, entertainment, and fun events are desired by young professionals in Sheridan. This team is publicizing and supporting existing live music events, outdoor recreation opportunities, happy hours, book signings, local entertainment venues, Chamber of Commerce functions, and downtown events in Sheridan in addition to organizing new events and outdoor recreation activities. This group was instrumental in creating the Winter Events calendar. Sheridan's proximity to the Bighorn Mountains and Lake DeSmet are natural amenities; this team works to promote the outdoor activities available as well as those entertainment options available indoors. If you are interested in learning more about the Events & Outdoor Recreation Team, please contact Jaime Lewis.
Volleyball in Thorne-Rider Park
Community Enhancements Team
This group strives to enhance the Sheridan community through political means, creating enhancements and improvements in Sheridan that will benefit the entire community. The Community Enhancements team partnered with the City of Sheridan and the Sheridan Recreation District to create two disc-golf courses in Sheridan, one in Washington Park and one in Shaded Acres Park. Future goals include increasing volunteerism for Sheridan, promoting existing parks and facilities within Sheridan, and working with local restaurants to create outdoor seating options. If you are interested in learning more about the Community Enhancements Team, please contact committee chair Elizabeth Wood.
Inner Tube Water Polo!
hYPe would like to express our sincere thanks to our sponsors:
Rio Tinto Energy America, Premier Sponsor
First Federal Savings Bank, Sponsor
hYPe also has a booth at the Farmer's Market, selling a $5 brat dinner. Stop by the Farmers Market at Whitney Commons on Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm for dinner and support hYPe!
