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A look into the Government Relations Crew with Tulsa's Young Professionals.
The founding members of Tulsa’s Young Professionals (TYPros) knew that government had a role in the mission of attracting and retaining young professionals to the Tulsa area.
TYPros established the Government Relations Crew with little guidance but many restrictions to what and whom we could discuss. It wasn’t easy to create a brand-new organization with a raw yet contemporary audience and appeal. It would have been naïve and poisonous to dive into the political spectrum. Restraint was necessary.
The crew started with the basics and evolved. We have registered young professionals to vote by the hundreds. Members have been educated about becoming aware of local elections and the importance of voting. Groups gather at crew meetings to learn more about various government roles and elected offices. And the crew has held debates and forums with political candidates, opening the events up to the membership and partnering with other organizations around town.
A popular event for TYPros and the Government Relations Crew is the annual YP Day at the state Capitol. The past four years, it has been a day full of touring the building, eating lunch with legislators while they shared information about themselves, observing from the Senate and House galleries and taking a group pictures on the Capitol steps. While we had fun, it was nothing more than a field trip for young adults.
We wanted more. We wanted to speak and be heard.
It was time to take a look at the issues affecting young professionals and start doing something to influence decisions and the people who make them. It was time to draft a legislative agenda.
Last session, we took our first shot at putting together an agenda. It listed five areas to monitor legislation: workforce, education, diversity, sustainability and health care. The crew combed through hundreds of bills at the beginning of the 2009 session to find any that focused on the agenda issues. This was a great experience for the crew members and ultimately for the organization. When we went to the Capitol this year, it wasn’t just for fun; we were working. We had something to say. For the first time, we addressed the legislators and engaged in debate and dialogue about legislation affecting the quality of life for young professionals.
Since then, we have developed relationships with several legislators focused on what issues we consider to be important to our organization and the vitality of Tulsa. Some of us are even providing language for bills in the next session. Others are already making trips to attend interim study committee meetings at the Capitol.
The 2010 legislative session is quickly approaching, and we are in the process of assembling our agenda. Discussions have shifted our focus on health care and added emphasis to sustainability and economic development issues.
We invite you to join and participate in TYPros and the Government Relations Crew. Please share ideas and views about what you think is important and needed to attract and retain young professionals to Tulsa. Visit www.typros.org for crew meeting times. We hope to make a positive impact on our mission, so come be a part of it. Our crew isn’t about “a party,” but it can create some conversation!
Chelsea M.E. Harkins is the director of economic development for the City of Owasso and crew leader for TYPros’ Government Relations Crew. She has been involved in government and lobbying activities for more than 10 years. Harkins is a wellness enthusiast, fitness coach and an avid runner. She resides in Owasso with her husband, daughter, dog and cat.
