March 2024 OYP Newsletter

news

Mar. 22

Written By Okanagan Young Professionals Collective

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The Latest

Check out the latest from the OYP Collective:

A Goodbye Note from Tory

Wow, time flies when you're having fun, right? Can’t believe it’s time to bid adieu to my role as Community Cultivator with OYP Collective! The last five years have been nothing short of an epic adventure filled with laughs, learning, and lots of incredible people.

Before I jump into the next chapter, I’m hoping to see you at one of my last events – our monthly Coffee Social on March 27 at Pulp Fiction, or if you're not a morning person, join us for Happy Hour at Pretty Not Bad on March 28.

I’m not going far, just onto new adventures – you’ll still catch me out and about in the community, and feel free to keep in touch by connecting on LinkedIn.

So what's next for OYP? Acknowledging the ongoing labour challenges of the Central Okanagan (and BC) as it relates to workforce development, attraction, and retention, the COEDC staff will continue to offer OYP programming! To stay up to date on OYP events, keep an eye out for future newsletters, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn or join our LinkedIn group.

Finally - in this role, my mission was to make an impact and ensure everyone felt welcome. What I hadn't anticipated was the incredible impact you all would have on me. Witnessing the growth of this community and watching you connect with each other in genuine ways has been SUCH a beautiful and rewarding experience. A huge THANK YOU for the memories, the laughs, and for making this a role I would jump out of bed for everyday.

Hope you all keep thriving and feeling the love of this amazing community. Best wishes until we meet again!

Tory Miller
Community Cultivator, OYP Collective

Coffee Social
Kickstart your day with us at Pulp Fiction Coffee House on Wednesday, March 27 🤝
Drop in from 8 - 9:30 a.m. for more than just caffeine - connect with like-minded young professionals and start your day with positive energy.
FREE!
Register here >>

Happy Hour Social
It's the best meeting of your week - among fellow young professionals! We're kicking off the long weekend in style with a social at Pretty Not Bad on March 28 from 4 - 6 p.m.
Limited spots available - save your seat now!
Registration + more info >>

Looking for a Summer Job?
Hey students! Summer + Job Hunting = We’ve curated an extra-large list in our latest Job RoundUp of summer gigs for post-secondary students in the Okanagan! From nurturing nature in parks to diving into engineering roles, your perfect summer job awaits.
Read the blog >>

Calling All Young Professional (YP) Leaders

The 'Meeting of the YP Minds' is a chance for all young professional group leaders (and their executive and directors) to gather together to talk about the current status of YP groups in the Okanagan, how we can collaborate, and how OYP can best support your initiatives.

We will be meeting on Tuesday, March 26 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Does your organization support or do you volunteer with a U40 group? This meeting is by invitation only - if you are involved in organizing a group or community that supports young professionals and would like to attend, please email us for details.

Have You Heard?

Awesome things are happening in our community.
(linked to external articles; images sourced from linked article)

Digital Summit Coming to Town

Experience premier digital marketing at CDM Summit in Kelowna, UBCO, on May 23, 2024. Engage with top minds, gain cutting-edge insights, and network with industry leaders to boost your career.

Be Animal Rescue Ready

Join the Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team's (ALERT) critical training on March 24. Learn to support animals in disasters with protocols for just $65. Dive into a role that makes a difference!

Honouring Young Leaders

The Kelowna Chamber's Top 40 Under 40, presented by BDO LLP, marks their 10th year of celebrating vibrant young leaders who excel and enrich our community. Read all about them here.

New Market Location

After 25 years by the mall, the Kelowna Farmers' Market opens outside April 6 in its new Landmark District location. The market had a nearly $16 million impact on the local economy in 2023 according to this study.

Angel Summit Apps Open

Join the 2024 Okanagan Angel Summit: A pitch program connecting startups with investors for growth. Learn, network, and compete for a $200,000 investment. Early bird now open!

Spring Break Fun

Discover 10 must-do activities in this Spring Break in this Tourism Kelowna article. Bike scenic trails, seek wildflowers, enjoy spring skiing, and visit Kangaroo Creek Farm. Explore, play, and soak up the sun!

Upcoming Events

Please note this list is curated and contains community events we promote for our audience.

OBSA Connect
Mar. 28, 6 - 9 p.m.
Okanagan College

event info >>

Startup Grind
Mar. 28, 5 - 8:30 p.m.
Metro Hub

event info >>

BCNZIN Ecosystem Mixer
April 4, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Accelerate Okanagan

event info >>

Pitch and Pizza
April 9, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Spaces (Innovation Centre)

event info >>

Downtown Kelowna After 5
April 17, 5 - 7 p.m.
Sandhill Wines

event info >>

Spotlight Networking
April 18, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Staples Kelowna

event info >>

submit an event

view all events

The OYP Collective is creating a dynamic, vibrant culture and community that attracts and retains young professionals to the Okanagan Valley through a variety of volunteer, social, professional, sports, arts, cultural events and activities.

The OYP is a COEDC program built in response to the 2020 Labour Market Outlook report stating that the Okanagan will require over 75,000 new workers by the year 2020 (“Growing in the Okanagan – 2020 Labour Market Outlook” report).