On February 10, Cochranites are invited to be part of an information session which will feature details about Cochrane's latest association.
The new endeavour is a branch of the existing Rotary Club of Cochrane and will give individuals on the same walks of life a place to network on both a personal and professional level.
Last year Rotarian member, Steven Sims, had an interest in starting a club that would incorporate the younger population within Cochrane, steering clear of the current stereotypical club age and demographic. With a vision in sight, the Young Professional Rotary Club of Cochrane was developed.
"Now that Cochrane is growing so much there is such a large group of young professionals in the area that want to be involved in something. Right now there's just that gap between what the current Rotary or even the chamber (Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce) or any of those kind of groups are, and say the young professionals in our community. We feel like this would be a great opportunity for us to start something that can give back to the community," mentions Ryan Baum, club chairperson elected for the first year.
Young Professional Rotary Club of Cochrane will focus on three fundamental goals; by connecting with like minded individuals this will cultivate ongoing growth both personally and professionally all while contributing to the core values held as a community.
Baum says that because of contributions made by the Rotary, Cochranites are able to enjoy things like the splash park over at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, fields, parks and pathways. He says the hope with the new club is to continue down the road of success set forth by the Rotary by starting with the younger population in town. What is implemented now will, in turn, benefit future generations to come.
"Eventually if that group of people is not continuing to do it, who's going to and that's where I look at saying OK it's time now, we don't take the baton from them because you still want them doing what they're doing but eventually they will have to pass it to someone and hopefully this group of people is ready to take it as it goes," explains Baum.
The club will offer more laid back time commitments which is sure to appeal to young families who are interested in giving back to the community but may not have the large schedule to do so.
"I want to find a group of people that have the same kind of idea and mentality and say 'this is what we want to do' and if you have one night a month or two nights a month, that's great," said Baum."That's really what this open house is going to be is we are going to take the top 10 questions that we might need to ask and that's what we are going to talk about. Who should join, age, cost, that will be a part of it. We are in the process of establishing that right now, we really want it to be affordable, young families versus retired and established business people."
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree and that little boy who once helped plant trees at Bow Rivers Edge Campground through Rotarian efforts will now be part of his own feat, aspiring to walk in the same footsteps as those he looks up to.
"Whoever joins this group is going to be the charter members. When you look at the charter members of Cochrane Rotary and what pillars they are in our community right now and what they've done to our community, I mean how nice would that be to be able to say that the charter members of this Rotarian, 25 years from now are pillars in these things and what they've done and what they were able to accomplish in a new generation, it's just exciting," said Baum.
Cochranites can congregate in the community room (upstairs) at Cochrane Toyota on Monday (Feb 10) from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to learn more about Young Professional Rotary Club of Cochrane.
