Get Connected Expands as Mentoring Program Is Launched

With an enthusiastic response during the 50th Annual Meeting, NABE’s Get Connected program for early and mid-career professionals now boasts more than 80 members and new features, including a mentoring program, are underway.

“This was a fabulous conference and I’m thrilled that Get Connected was able to be a part it in our first official year,” said Chris Swann, coordinator of the program that was launched early in 2008.   Swann reported on events at annual meeting:  “We had our first social networking event at Chef Geoff’s on Saturday night after the past presidents’ dinner and it turned out to be a great spot for new NABE members to mix with long-time NABE members.  Maurine Haver, Harvey Rosenblum, Diane Swonk, and Ellen Hughes-Cromwick stopped by to meet and mingle with our new members.  Bruce Kratofil held court at a table of revelers. Kim Flood, Candice Hynek, and Debbie Cason were there and stalwarts Chris Varvares and Rich Wobbekind stayed to the end.”

“It was just what we had hoped for – a good group to mix and mingle,” Swann said.  “I met so many new members, several who are students, who are enthusiastic about being a part of NABE and anxious to contribute to NABE through Get Connected. Student members Liz Bernstein and Natalie Giannetti also attended the event. And the event was truly a team effort.  Thanks go to Nicole Firment and Sviatlana Francis for setting this event up and making sure everything went well, and also to Greg Tenentes who linked us up with the National Economists Club. Debbie Cason did a tremendous job getting our first Gazette ready and out to NABE.”

Also during the annual meeting, Get Connected team members held their first official planning meeting to review options and suggestions for the year.  NABE Foundation Chairman Jack Kleinhenz suggested areas of interest for Get Connected to sponsor at the Washington Policy Conference, set for March 1-3, 2009, including a skills session, a careers session, and a revitalized poster session.  Teams were formed at the meeting and work will begin on developing these sessions.

Mentoring Program Matching Mentors, Mentees

The Get Connected Mentoring Program is now underway, and many NABE members have already signed up. Designed to facilitate the building of professional relationships between NABE members, the Mentoring Program is aimed at matching the newest members and the most experienced.  The program enhances the professional development of both parties by cultivating these one-on-one relationships.  Sign up to be a mentor or mentee here.     

The Get Connected team also released the first-ever quarterly newsletter about the program, the Get Connected Gazette.  The inaugural issue of the Gazette has up-to-date information on the Get Connected program and its current initiatives.  You can read about the program's mission and familiarize yourself with its vision and purpose.  The program is taking shape through various teams including career development, membership, communications, programs, and chapter teams, all working on ways to promote connectivity amongst NABE members.  Read the Gazette here.