Get Connected Expands Mission for 2010

As it prepares to mark the start of its third year, NABE’s Get Connected program will expand its mission and refine some of its offerings, such as the popular mentor program.

Chris Swann, who led the NABE Board effort to launch Get Connected in the spring of 2008, told GC team members in a December 8 conference call that membership in Get Connected has grown to more than 200, about double the total a year ago. 

Most of the GC members also belong to NABE, but not all, which Swann said serves the goal of reaching out to others with an interest in economics.  He said there are many college and university students who have joined GC members through LinkedIn, where discussions and debates can cover a wide range of topics for those in economics and related fields.

Over the last year in particular, Get Connected team leaders have worked with NABE Board members and committees to develop networking opportunities at the March Policy Conference and annual meetings, as well as sponsor poster sessions and skills sessions at the meetings.  These activities will continue, GC team members agree, and others will be added.

Swann said that while the group was originally started as a way to connect new NABE members who join early in their careers,  “it has become obvious that Get Connected should be open to all members.”

Get Connected and Stay Connected

Given the program’s success of reaching out to new members and students, the GC team is exploring ways to make it a “Get Connected and Stay Connected” effort with a focus on retaining members as well as on recruitment.  Get Connected has offered members opportunities to participate directly in activities and initiatives that help NABE and many Get Connected members now serve on NABE Board committees.   Get Connected members were very active in helping to develop several market plans for NABE this past year.

GC team members who are developing ideas and plans for chapters and for reaching out to chambers of commerce include: Candice Hynek, Anne Wentzel, Jen Adams, Chad Moutray, Rich Wobbekind, Robert Kleinhenz, Garrett Harper, Jessica Heer, Carlos Valera, and Anne Klieve.

Networking events, including some co-sponsored by chapters, have proved a popular way to bring members into Get Connected.   Discussion groups on LinkedIn also have caught the attention of members and potential members, including students who value the connection to professional economists, Swann said. GC team members who have organized networking events include: Sviatlana Francis, Nicole Firment, Greg Tenentes, Ann Dunbar, Eric Robins, and Debbie Cason.

In early 2009, Get Connected launched its mentoring program, matching early career professionals with more experienced professionals.   Led by NABE Board member Kim Beaton, the mentoring program has grown and has been well received. Debbie Cason, Chris Jonas, Candice Hynek are also on the mentor program team.

Assessing the program’s effectiveness, NABE has decided to refine the process next year by inviting new mentors and mentees to apply at specified times- twice a year rather than on a continuous basis, according to Tom Beers, NABE executive director.

Volunteering Adds Value to Membership

Over the past year, Get Connected has also sponsored a skill session on data visualization led by Liz Webbink and a careers session at the annual meeting, developed by Candice Hynek and Mike Warner. Get Connected also sponsored poster sessions at the March Washington Economic Policy Conference with the effort of George Coontz.   The GC team is looking into sponsoring similar sessions at the policy conference and annual meeting in 2010, with Liz Bernstein and Greg Tenentes leading the effort.

Debbie Cason, a GC team leader from the program’s start, emphasized in a recent conference call that when GC members volunteer they benefit from working with seasoned professionals among the NABE membership.  “It’s also a way to have input into how you want to see sessions change or offer new ideas” in planning conferences, she said.

To volunteer for any Get Connected team or activity, contact either Chris Swann or Debbie Cason for more information.

Share: